Helpful Tips to Write a Scary Outline

You are probably questioning this thing called an outline. For some people, having one is essential to keeping track.

For others, an outline is more like an obstacle. No writing guru, no matter how convincing or righteous, can help those writers.

But if you have opted for writing with an outline. What is the best way to begin one?

How can you write an outline that works for you? That is the question we are going to solve today.

What is your terrifying idea?

Let me be clear. No outline can perfect the story you have to tell. At this point, it is nothing but an idea.

Begin by asking questions about the main points. But what are they?

Here are a few ideas:

  • Who is the protagonist?
  • What is the hook?
  • How do they become involved in the conflict?
  • What is the conflict of your story?
  • How will that drive the story forward?
  • Who is your antagonist?

You can use all these questions to form an elevator pitch. Once you have that down, you can start working on the major players, settings, and scenes.

Don’t overthink this process. It can stop you before you begin. There is no need to think how the story will end.

Focus on what you see in the moment. Keep working it out as you build the world. One in which all of the things I mentioned fit well.

What you need to outline horror:

There are several elements you will need to develop a strong outline. The first is characters.

For a book to be high-concept, you need these characters:

  • Protagonist
  • Antagonist
  • Mentor
  • Love Interest
  • Sidekick

Do you need all those characters? Some stories work without a love interest or a sidekick.

But fiction is more fun with powerful connections. I find stories without many characters surrounding the protagonist boring.

The second thing you’ll need is settings that will be important to your story. They could be simple or complex.

But settings give people an idea of where your characters spend their time. They also give the story more backbone.

The final thing I recommend is either the Hero’s Journey or the 3-Act Structure to find all of the major plot points of your novel.

But again, don’t get caught up in these things. Sometimes, brainstorming ideas leads to better scenes.

Another idea is to use images. It can help you get a concept of your scenes and the characters. You can also use movie scenes or ideas to inspire you.

Questions to ask yourself about a scary outline:

Your outline is only a blueprint and can be adjusted as you go along. You should take no more than a week or two to finish.

These are some questions you should ask yourself before diving into the story. I have already discussed an elevator pitch and a Logline.

Ask who is the protagonist. How old are they? What are their jobs, personality, and other details that apply to them?

A compelling plot conflict is needed to hook the readers. Who is the villain or monster in the story that will take the character away from their ordinary world?

How will the characters face these monsters or villains? What drives or motivates them going forward?

Build a strong background for your character and find ways to show it rather than telling it.

What are their flaws? The stronger your character and plot, the more compelling it will be.

Keep in mind your story will become stronger as you build it. But having an outline can help make your premise stronger and easier to navigate.

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