You’re staring at a blank computer screen, willing your brain to magically communicate words to your fingers.  But no matter how hard you try, nothing happens.  You’re stuck!

 Perhaps it’s time to try outlining.  Some writers swear by it.  Others strongly condemn it, claiming that it obstructs the creative process, hinders the imagination.  For me, outlining is a must.  The first book I began writing, In Firm Pursuit, was accomplished without the aid of an outline.  I simply sat down at my computer and started typing.  I had a vague idea of what I wanted to happen in a particular scene, but I had no idea exactly where the characters were headed or what they would say until my fingers started moving.  Three years later, I finished the manuscript, but was unable to sell it.

 In writing my second novel, Every Reasonable Doubt, I decided to give outlining a try.  I immediately discovered something wonderful:  I loved the outlining process.  For me, it was like putting together a puzzle.  I took weeks to think through my story, deciding what would happen here, how I would drop a red herring, where I would add a surprise twist.  I organized and reorganized the scenes.  I wrote only a sentence or two describing every chapter of the book.  Once I was satisfied with the skeleton of my story, I began writing.  This time, with the aid of my outline, I completed the novel in one year—not three—and soon had an agent and a two-book deal.

As a busy lawyer, I don’t have time to waste spinning my wheels.  I have to maximize my time.  Outlining my novel from beginning to end before I start writing helps me do that.  Here are four tips to help you get started with the outlining process.

1. Jot down all your thoughts and ideas about your proposed book.  From sample titles, to character names, to scenes and events, write them all down, almost as a stream of consciousness exercise.
2. Create character traits for each of your main characters.  Don’t just concentrate on their physical descriptions.  Include things like their favorite colors, foods and sayings.  Make them as real as you can on paper.
3. Begin putting together your story as if it were a puzzle.  Describe each chapter in a sentence or two.  You’ll find yourself deleting some chapters and adding others.  Keep arranging the scenes and events in your book until you have a complete skeleton of your novel.   If you have a hard time outlining your book from beginning to end, at a minimum, answer the following questions about your story:

• How does the story begin?
• What is the challenge that your protagonist must overcome?
• List three pivotal events in your story.
• How will your story end?

Outlining is a purely personal choice.  Just because it works for me, doesn’t mean it will work for you.  But before you rule it out, take my advice and give it a try.  It may just be the key to getting that novel out of your head and onto the printed page!

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