Do you know the steps best-sellers use to outline their novels? Me neither, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn one time, and that makes me smart. Just kidding. Seriously, I’ve poured over several best-selling thriller novels in the last couple of years searching for the secret that makes them sell like hotcakes and do you know what I found? There is no real secret to their stories, but there is a common element to each book I reviewed. Story structure and outlining. Whether it’s Grisham or Sandford, both follow a similar story structure and outlining method that makes a reader keep reading. yes, they’re both word-smiths, but in this writers opinion, it’s not the choice of words that make the story, it’s the ride and Grisham and Sanford know how to deliver.
Over the last few months we’ve been building a complete series of steps to help you learn how to outline your novel using story structure as a foundation. After all, it’s what writers like Grisham and Sandford use every day and finally, we have it all right here for you in one big ass easy to follow post.
Welcome to Thriller Outlining Series: The Complete Series.
Below you’ll find a series of posts in order from basic outlining fundamental to writing your first draft and everything between. So sit back, relax and pick a spot where you’re having the most difficulty, or start from the beginning. By the end of this complete series, you’ll have a much better understanding of how to outline a thriller and you’ll be off to writing your novel!