Should You Outline Your Book?: Why and How To Do It

It’s the classic feeling of dread from when you were in middle school. You were assigned this big essay that had to be researched, formatted, complete with an outline and a summary. I remember my English teacher drilling it into our heads that we have to create an outline before we can write our essay. At the time, it probably helped me get organized for the report. 

But do you need to create an outline before you write your book?

There are many ways to write a book. You can wing it. You can sit down at your computer and just start writing. Many people take that approach. In the world of fiction writing they’re called “pantsters” because they write by the seat of their pants.

 The other type of writer is called plotters. These writers essentially plan their book before they write it. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, there are many benefits to outlining and planning your book before you write it.

Or maybe you’re like me. I fall somewhere in the middle. I do a basic outline that shows the chapter headings and maybe one or two points I want to include. Then I just write what comes for the chapter. 

The Benefits of Outlining

There are some reasons beyond simple writing personality style to outline your book. They are profound and abundant. In fact, they are compelling enough to consider changing how you write.

* You write faster if you’re workign form an outline. Not necessarily type faster, but you’ll have better flow. The outline helps you write your actual book much faster. In fact, don’t be surprised if you finish your book in just a few weeks or a month.

* Fewer revisions. The outline helps you stay on topic. You won’t have to spend time on multiple revisions. When you work from your outline and your book plan, you’ll simply have to edit for spelling, clarity, and grammar. You won’t have to re-work or re-organize your book, because that’s already been done.

* It’s easier. Sometimes it’s easier to make sure that you cover all of the topics you want to cover when you have an outline. You can make sure that your book is well thought out and is positioned to help your prospects solve their goals and you to sell more books.

How to Outline

You probably already know how to outline, at least the basics. I mean, we all had to learn it in 5th grade, right?

However, when it comes to writing books there are a few different approaches or considerations. One solid approach that can really help you create a stellar book is to create an outline based on a chapter topic, the headlines for each chapter, and the subhead lines.

For example, if your book topic is about Intermittent Fasting. Your outline might go something like this:

Intermittent Fasting Reboots Your Immune System

1. Introduction
2. Intermittent Fasting Explained
   1. Type of fasting
      1. 3 day
      2. 16 hour
      3. 5:2 plan
   2. Why it works
   3. Who it’s for
3. Topic:Benefits
   1. Benefits of Intermittent Fasting
      1. Benefit 1: Weight loss
         1. how extra weight affects immune system
         2. reason 2
      2. Benefit 2: Better sleep
         1. loss of sleep causes immune problem
         2. reason 2
      3. Benefit 3: Lowers chronic disease symptoms
4. Steps to take
   1. Step 1: Decide on time you’ll eat
   2. Step 2: Choose the foods/ meals 
   3. Step 3:
5. Risks/problems
   1. 5 risks of intermittent fasting
      1. health
      2. long term use
      3. risk #3
      4.  risk #4
      5. risk #5
   2. Problems you encounter and how to address them
      1. not eating enough/ eating too much
      2. drinking too little
6. Example
   1. example plan #1
   2. example plan #2
   3. example plan #3
7. Recipes
   1. morning
   2. noon
   3. evening

Now with this option or any other type of outline you can get as detailed as you like. Maybe you want to include the recipe names in the outline or write out the details of the risks.

It’s your outline so make it work for you. 

Another option is to outline with the same topic, headlines and subheadings but to format them as questions. For example, if your topic is “Intermittent fasting to build your immune system,” then your question would be “What are the benefits of intermittent fasting?” “How do I fast intermittently?” “What are the risks of intermittent fasting?” and so on. As you can see, answering the questions then becomes quick and easy.

Using this question outline method, you can write a chapter a day. You can even dictate your book, hire someone to clean it up, and have a full book in just a few weeks.

Writing a book can take time. In fact, some people take years to write their book. However, the more books you write, the more you sell, and the more money you’ll make. It makes sense to make the book writing process as efficient and effective as possible, and outlining your book can make the writing go easier.

P.S. Get started planning your book now!

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