The Skeleton of a Novel
How to Quickly Find Writing Inspiration with Outlines and Break Free from Writer’s Block
A good outline makes a great story
Countless readers enjoy novels, but very few understand the art of crafting one. The late author Chen Zhongshi once said, “Literature is a feast for the strong-minded.” To him, literary creation requires authors to possess a vast inner world and the ability to bring this world to life with words. In the process of creating a novel, the outline is a critical part of an author’s conceptualization. Writing an outline is a low-cost, low-risk, high-reward trial-and-error method that demands patience and attention to detail. It’s no wonder that some say, “Get the outline right, and the embryo of the novel won’t be too bad.” In essence, any novel that emphasizes story logic, structure, and progressive layers must have a novel outline. The outline is like the meticulous and freehand strokes in a painting; they are the skeleton of the novel, a treasure map in your hands that sets boundaries and order for creativity, guiding authors toward their goals. The book we discuss today, “The Skeleton of a Novel,” is a hands-on guide to creating novel outlines.
In this book, you will discover:
- How to seize fleeting inspiration in everyday life.
- How a fragment of inspiration transforms into a novel of tens of thousands of words.
- How novelists craft gripping and unpredictable plotlines.
- Why some novel characters appear flat and uninteresting, while others are complex and vivid.
- Where novel conflicts originate.
- What constitutes an inciting incident.
Recommended Reading:
Title: The Skeleton of a Novel
Original Title: Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success
Author: K.M. Weiland
Publisher: Houlang Publishing | Jiangxi People’s Publishing House
About the Book
“The Skeleton of a Novel” will lead us to understand how, on the solitary creative journey of writing, we can efficiently build the framework, hierarchy, and rhythm of a novel. The author imparts layout and technique for outlining, taking us from inspiration to themes, scenes to conflicts, character development to interviewing skills. With abundant case analyses and exclusive insights from renowned authors, this book provides an operationally strong step-by-step guide for outlining a novel. Whether you’re an experienced writer in the literary arena or a novice attempting your debut, you can gain new knowledge and inspiration from this book.
About the Author
K.M. Weiland, a celebrated bestselling author in the United States, has received the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY) and the National Indie Excellence Awards (NIEA). She is the author of the Amazon bestsellers “Outlining Your Novel” and “Structuring Your Novel.” K.M. Weiland believes that a writer’s most precious talent lies in their unique and self-contained worldview. Beneath the layers of a novel, readers will find the author’s perspectives and themes. She argues that the most crucial aspect of an impressive novel is often its theme. While vivid characterizations, witty dialogues, and clever plot twists can be highlights of a novel, without a theme, an author cannot produce profound work. Each piece of advice from K.M. Weiland paves the way for readers on their creative journey and might just be a “lifesaving straw” when inspiration is scarce.
Notable Quotes from the Book
- “Ninety-five percent of a book’s work is in the outline. Once the outline is complete, all you have to do is sit down and write effortlessly.”
- “The outline helps us conceive the novel while also aiding in organizing it.”
- “After writing a good premise, your novel will have a core.”
- “On your writing journey, don’t forget to bring the curiosity of a child. Your discoveries will surpass your imagination.”
- “Excellent work is the perfect blend of daring spirit and skill.”
