How to Outline a Novel: A Practical Guide
The outlining methods that working novelists actually use, a template you can start with today, common mistakes to avoid, and how to pick the right tool for your process.
Lena Nguyen
Screenwriting Instructor
Lena Nguyen teaches screenwriting and does developmental editing. Twelve years in film and publishing, an MFA from UCLA, time as a story analyst for indie production companies in LA. Most of her work comes down to the same thing: helping writers turn loose ideas into outlines that hold up through a full draft. She has taught at community colleges, mentored writers through Film Independent, and published craft essays in The Writer and Script. She thinks structure gives you freedom, not the other way around.
Areas of Expertise
Screenplay structureBeat sheets and outliningMulti-POV narrative designDevelopmental editingScene sequencing
Articles by Lena Nguyen
How to Map a Multi-POV Novel
Learn how to track multiple point-of-view characters using visual plot mapping. Keep timelines aligned, subplots connected, and pacing balanced.
How to Outline a Screenplay: A Practical Guide
A step-by-step guide to outlining your screenplay, from logline to scene breakdown, with techniques used by working screenwriters.