Not every children’s writer works from an outline. Picture book authors, for example, may find writing an outline unnecessary for such a short book. Other children’s writers prefer to write as they go, without having to adhere to a guide. But for many writers of children’s books, especially children’s nonfiction writers, outlines are essential.
In fact, outlines can make all the difference when writing a children’s book. Not only do they help writers develop ideas and organize their books, outlines help ensure that no information is forgotten and that writers don’t get carried away on one topic while neglecting another. By providing a plan to follow, outlines make the writing process much smoother and quicker than it might otherwise be.
Book outlines range from simple, one-page guides to highly detailed, organizational writing maps, depending on the size and type of book and the writer’s choice. Below are several popular outline styles for children’s books, along with information on how to make the most of this useful, time-saving writing tool.
Traditional Book Outlines
Traditional or classic outlines are the ones where Roman numerals, letters, and numbers are used to divide and subcategorize ideas. Especially helpful for short children’s books and articles, traditional outlines are relatively quick to create and provide a clean, simple plan for writing.
Here are a few tips for children’s writers who choose to organize their books with a traditional outline:
- Organize and group notes according to topics
- Use main headings (marked by Roman numerals) to separate main topics
- Use subheadings (marked by letters and numbers) for details, examples, and/or subtopics
- List information in proper order
- Be brief with outline wording
- Don’t forget the introduction and conclusion
- Keep it short; cut irrelevant material
A traditional book outline is sometimes a good preliminary outline – it can help writers get a general idea of how they’ll organize their books. As writers begin the writing process, however, they may realize that a more detailed outline is in order. That’s where a chapter-by-chapter outline comes in.
Outlining a Children's Book Chapter-by-Chapter
Chapter-by-chapter outlines are probably the most popular for lengthier children’s books, such as novels, biographies, and how-to books. In fact, many editors ask for chapter-by chapter outlines to accompany a book submission package. Writing this type of outline takes time, but it helps writers think in chapters early on in the writing process – a good tactic for plot development, organization, and consistency.
There a few rules for writing an efficient chapter-by-chapter outline for a children’s book. They are:
- Separate chapters by paragraphs
- Include chapter working titles or chapter idea headers in bold
- In each paragraph, summarize chapter setting, events, and/or points to be covered
- Be concise; use phrases rather than complete sentences
- Be consistent with lengths and structure of paragraphs
- Include a list of resources for nonfiction books
- Include paragraph(s) for front and/or back matter, such as glossaries, timelines, etc.
Like traditional outlines, chapter-by-chapter book outlines are guides only; outlines are never meant to be set in stone. Writing a children’s book is an unpredictable process, with new ideas and changes in plan springing up along the way. A good outline will likely have lines crossed out and words written in throughout – so be sure to leave enough space for making revisions.
Other Types of Outlines, Organization for Writing a Children’s Book
Children’s writers don’t have to follow a traditional or chapter-by-chapter outline to organize their books. Many other types of outlines can be just as useful. For example, children’s writers crafting a short fiction book may wish to use nothing more than a simple, three-paragraph outline – for the book’s beginning, middle, and end.
Some children’s writers prefer to stay organized with just index cards, detailing chapters or book sections. Other writers might use something even less formal, like a legal pad with handwriting and/or taped on notes to guide them.
Another option for organizing a children’s book is to create a work folder, which can be an actual folder or a three-ring notebook. Tabs can help organize different sections of the book and the writing process, such as writing schedules and goals, research materials, chapter summaries, character profiles, and other book details.
Outlining software, such as WriteItNow, Story View, and Writing Outliner, is also available for writers. Although using outlining software may take some getting used to, it can be an extremely convenient way to outline a children’s book and stay organized. Plus, making revisions is mess-free.
When it comes to organizing and writing outlines for children’s books, anything goes – as long as it keeps the writer on track, is easy to amend, and follows editorial guidelines should the outline be requested by a publisher.
Whether children’s writers choose to work from a book outline or not is ultimately a matter of personal preference. Some writers get along fine without them. But those who take the time to create an outline – and do the job well – will discover how valuable and, in the end, time-saving this writing tool can be.
Susie Yakowicz - Susie Yakowicz is a Minnesota freelance writer whose work has appeared in dozens of publications for children and adults.
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