As a middle-grade author, I’ve found that well-rounded characters and immersive worlds are transformative for kids. Consider the classics that have stayed with us from childhood into adulthood: the early Harry Potter books, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Good stories leave lifelong impressions. But to create a good book… well, you have to have a good book. The tried-and-true way to ensure you include all the ingredients for success is to plan for them. For writers? That involves making detailed outlines.
I still remember the exhilaration I felt when I started my first middle-grade novel. I was lost in a big, shiny idea of a curious twelve-year-old protagonist, mysterious doorways to a hidden realm, and mischievous creatures lurking just out of sight. In excitement like that, it’s easy to dive straight into writing scenes without giving much thought to the overall structure. Needless to say, after a few chapters, I found my story getting tangled with characters popping in and out, plot lines overlapping, and my magical world lacking the cohesion it needed. It was then that I realized the importance of outlining to ensure that every element of my story seamlessly interconnected.
For me, outlining is like having a friendly, flexible map. I lay down the major events. I decide how each character’s journey will unfold. I leave room for surprises along the way. While some writers worry that outlines stifle creativity, I’ve found that they actually free me to take risks. When I’m confident in the overall structure of my story, I can experiment with new twists and unexpected developments because I won’t lose focus.
Character development is a big piece of the puzzle, especially in the middle-grade space. Kids are going through so many changes at this age and they love seeing characters who mirror that sense of discovery. I recommend you spend time getting to know your characters by writing their biographies in your outline. Consider what drives your hero and what makes them who they are. These small details will shape your plot.
World-building often gets the spotlight in genres like fantasy or science fiction. Still, even contemporary settings need details that anchor readers. In your outline, you should try to get out as much as possible you can about your world so you can reference it later on. Here’s a starting point: what are the tangible details of your protagonist’s home?
Outlines will also help you pace yourself and your writing. It’s easy to sprint through the first act when you’re bursting with excitement. You may slow down in the middle because you’re unsure how to escalate tension or you might rush the ending because you’re eager to wrap it up. A clear plan, including a sense of what happens in the beginning, middle, and end, helps keep that momentum flowing. The middle-grade audience especially thrives on curiosity and discovery. I try to sprinkle little “bread crumbs” of intrigue throughout the story. This ensures there’s always something new to uncover. But also remember that they are smart cookies. They need logic in their stories and it has to make sense. The advantage of an outline is that it will force you to write everything down so you can triple check if things have clarity.
Once you have your outline down, remember that it’s okay to revise your plan. I like to call outlines “living documents.” They’re supposed to grow and shift along with your understanding of your characters and world. If your story takes an unexpected turn, don’t panic: rewrite your outline to match the new vision. In many ways, your outline is your creative ally, not your strict boss.
I hope these insights spark some inspiration for your own work-in-progress. We promise that outlining is worth the extra headache. This approach gives your story the framework it needs so you can perform at your best.
Stay tuned for a workshop and on-air segments about outlining and how to build your story universe. Hop in our Facebook group and let us know what stage you’re in and if you need help.
Happy Writing!
P.S. We’ve had such lovely feedback on this article that we decided to make an outline starter for you! If you download and use this: please tell us if it helped.