Outlining Your Book:
The Key to Finishing Faster
Blank pages are a lot less scary when you know where you’re going.
Whether you're writing a memoir, a business book, or a novel, staring at an empty screen without a plan is a fast track to frustration. And here's the truth: most unfinished books aren't missing talent… they're missing structure.
That’s where a book outline comes in.
A simple outline can help you write faster, stay focused, and actually finish what you started. So if you’re wondering how to make one, this is your guide.
Let’s get into it.
Why Outlines Matter — For Fiction and Nonfiction
A book outline is like your GPS for the writing process. It helps you:
Organize your thoughts before diving in
Spot weak points in your flow before you get stuck
Stay motivated when life pulls you away from writing
Avoid mid-draft confusion (a.k.a. the “what am I even writing?” spiral)
And yes — fiction writers need outlines too. Even if you like to discover your story as you go, a loose structure can keep you from writing yourself into a corner.
3 Common Outline Styles
Not every writer works the same way. Here are 3 outline approaches that work for different minds and writing styles:
1. Mind Maps
For visual thinkers. Start with your book idea in the center, and branch out with key themes, topics, or story arcs.
Great for: nonfiction books, messy idea dumps, creative flow
2. Chapter Summaries
A more linear format. Write a short paragraph describing what happens (or is covered) in each chapter.
Great for: memoirs, business books, fiction with a clear plot
3. Bullet Lists
Clean, simple, and structured. List out the major points or scenes in each chapter as bullets.
Great for: how-to books, self-help, step-by-step teaching books
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Create a Book Outline
Don’t overthink it, trust yourself. Remember, your outline is your guide not a rulebook you have to follow. It will adjust as you write.
Step 1: Start with your big idea
What is this book about in 1–2 sentences?
Step 2: Break it into parts
Most books have a beginning, middle, and end. Name each part, even roughly.
Step 3: Add your core messages or scenes
For nonfiction: What key points do you want to teach?
For fiction: What must happen for your story to make sense?
Step 4: Organize into chapters
Group your ideas into 8–15 chapter-sized sections. Don’t worry about getting it “right” — just get it down.
Step 5: Add 1–3 bullet points under each chapter
This could be a topic, lesson, quote, scene, or even just a feeling you want to evoke.
Sample Outline Template (Just Plug and Play)
Still not sure where to start? Use this Plug and Play template to get started. Simply remove the italicized info and replace with your ideas.
Big Idea: Helping moms write and self-publish their first book
Part 1: The Spark
Chapter 1: Why Your Story Matters
Chapter 2: Busting Publishing Myths
Chapter 3: Finding Time to Write
Part 2: The Process
Chapter 4: Outlining Your Book
Chapter 5: Writing While Life Happens
Chapter 6: Getting Feedback Without Fear
Part 3: The Finish Line
Chapter 7: Editing + Formatting
Chapter 8: Self-Publishing 101
Chapter 9: Sharing Your Book with the World
How to Adjust As You Go
Your outline isn’t set in stone — it’s a living tool.
As you write, new ideas will come. Characters may change. A chapter may merge into another. That’s normal. Adjust your outline to match your evolving clarity.
The key is to use your outline to stay grounded, not boxed in.
Final Thought
Outlining your book might feel like an “extra” step, but in reality?
It’s the shortcut.
When you know what you’re trying to say — and how to say it — you’ll move faster, stay more focused, and have a much better shot at actually finishing your book.
And we’re here to help you do exactly that.
Need Help Starting Your Outline?
We’ll help you build a custom book outline based on your idea.
Because writing a book doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
