Weekly Update: From Chaos to Structure

My novel outlining process for Whispers from the Machine was originally very much not a plan. As I mentioned in my last weekly update, all I had was an idea and some loose world-building.

The World-Building Trap

I spent a good chunk of time working out the main plot concept, the protagonist, and the world this all occurred in. I had a historical timeline leading from our time now to the future where this story takes place. I had political structures, alliances, and legal systems. I had even explored the social implications of technological discoveries and how that would lead to shifts in theology.

All of this is, of course, important. I feel it added value to the story, creating a world that has depth. But what it did not do was help me write a story.

Outlining was my first real lesson in writing. My first attempts before Whispers from the Machine were a result of lacking a clear novel outlining process: rambling chapters that felt listless and directionless. They weren’t terrible chapters on their own, but each one felt like it was waiting for something, waiting to know where to go.

A rookie mistake, for sure.

The “Why” vs. The “Where”

My first attempt at an outline was still not ideal. It was a detailed Google Doc that broke down all the key elements of the book. However, it was still very much “Where, When, and Who,” but it lacked the “Why.” It was still closer to world-building than actual outlining.

My first really impactful outline was the image below: a digital whiteboard that broke the story down by Acts, Plot Lines, and Chapters. I think this is often called a Story Matrix. Either way, for me, it was a game-changer. It allowed me to plot out the whole story by creating “Chapter Objectives.”

These Chapter Objectives became the guiding stars that accelerated my writing. Each chapter now had direction and connected to the ones around it. Finally, the writing had purpose, focus, and direction.

Why a Novel Outlining Process Matters

Many writers struggle with the debate of “Plotting vs. Pantsing” (flying by the seat of your pants). For me, establishing a solid novel outlining process was the difference between finishing a book and getting stuck in the middle.

Without a map, it is easy to get lost in the weeds of your own world-building. By shifting focus to a structured novel outlining process, I ensured that every scene served the greater plot. It wasn’t about restricting creativity; it was about giving that creativity a framework to thrive in.

The Skeleton Method

This wasn’t enough, though; it was just a start. The outline evolved, and I added more layers as I worked. It allowed me to adapt and change plot points more freely without risking the integrity of the whole story. However, the singular Chapter Objectives, although useful, were also quite limited.

Quite naturally, I started outlining each chapter in depth. Before I started writing, I would take the Chapter Objective and break it down into sub-points:

• Who was in the chapter?
• Where were they?
• What did they need to feel, do, or say?

This went from a few lines at the start of each chapter to a page of bullet points. At its extreme, it became a full skeleton of the chapter—a thousand words of bullet points that I would then build out, point by point, into the narrative.

This evolution of my novel outlining process was a significant part of my writing journey. It is something I could see changing and growing week by week. It was also clear from the work itself: as my outlining improved, my chapters improved. The revisions reflected this, with earlier chapters needing significantly more rework than the later ones.

Looking Ahead to Book Two

As I start working on book two, Mutterings of the Deceased, I have been able to pull all this learning together. I now use the same Story Matrix but have a detailed chapter-by-chapter outlining document ready to go. I’m very excited to take this novel outlining process into the sequel and can already feel how it is impacting the early drafts.

It’s been a journey, and it will continue to be.