Outlining and One-Pages

Outlining is a valuable skill for writers, though not everyone relies on it. 

There are two main approaches to writing:

  • Pantsers: Writers who create without a detailed plan, making it up as they go
  • Plotters: Writers who map out their stories extensively before starting

Of course, there are also those who find a mix in-between.

Regardless of your preferred approach, learning to outline can enhance your writing process. 

A well-crafted outline can give your story unity, shape, and help communicate meaning more effectively.

We’ll explore the benefits of outlining, offer practical methods for creating outlines, and introduce "one-paging" as an alternative approach. By understanding these techniques, you'll have more tools at your disposal to bring your creative visions to life.

Why outline?

Outlines are powerful tools that create a roadmap for your story. They provide direction and clarity, helping you navigate through your writing with purpose.

An outline offers several benefits:

  • It gives you a clear destination, showing where your story is heading
  • It provides a daily guide, helping you focus on what to write in each session
  • It allows you to define both large and small-scale layers of your story
  • It helps you shape your characters' WOARO (Want, Obstacle, Action, Response, Outcome)
  • It encourages early consideration of themes, symbols, and imagery

Remember, an outline isn't a constriction or a rigid formula. you're not limiting your creativity—you're giving it a structure to flourish within.

Instead, think of it as a way to discover your story's unique form and shape. It's a flexible tool that still leaves plenty of room for creativity and spontaneous inspiration as you write.

Building an outline

Think of an outline as a roadmap through your story, built from story beats that propel the narrative forward.

These beats are units of action—either within a scene or across the entire story—that represent events, plot points, or steps moving your characters towards their ultimate outcomes.

When you write out your beats, make them active and transitive. They should show a character:

  • Taking an action towards a want
  • Responding to someone else's action

Examples:

  • Jane searches the house. She finds the money.
  • Tom asks Bill to meet at the pier. Bill says, "No."

It can help to break your beats into sections. This allows you to:

  • Layer it: Does this encompass the story? A scene? A beat within a scene?
  • Define it: What is the intention of this beat? You can clarify it as much as you want.
  • Label it: Give each one a shorthand name that sets up what it is.

If your script is long or has layers, it can be helpful to define the sections. For example, if the story is about a bank robbery, then maybe the big beats across the story are:

  • Rob the bank
  • Escape the police
  • Double-cross the other criminals

Another helpful tool is to use WOARO (Want, Obstacle, Action, Response, Outcome) to shape the action. This allows you to look at every beat and layer of the story and ask whether it gets them closer to or further away from their goal.

For example: if the goal is to rob the bank and get the money, we know the story is complete when the main character escapes with it—or they don't.

Finally, when writing an outline, include the ending. Show a resolution. Don't aim for mystery or drama—aim for clear communication.

How many beats should you have?

The concept of story beats is intentionally flexible. Beats are units of action, either in a scene or across the story, that represent events, plot points, or steps moving your character towards their outcome.

The goal is to include enough beats to make writing your script easier. More beats create a more focused plan. Here are some general guidelines:

  • For a 3-5 page script: aim for 6-15 beats
  • For a 28-30 page script: try for 20-30 beats
  • For a feature-length script (100-120 pages): aim for 80-120 beats

Consider breaking your stories into separate pieces (acts and sequences) and then identify the main beats within each. 

Caution: Don't overwrite your outline. Think about how long each story beat will take on the page. Writers often include too much story for their allotted page count.

Outline Example

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Key points to note in this example:

  1. Connectivity: Notice how the outline connects story pieces from beginning to end, allowing readers to follow the narrative flow easily.
  2. Character details: The outline includes character descriptions and ages, providing crucial information for understanding the story and its dynamics.
  3. Structural elements: While not required, this outline uses markers like "Part 1, Part 2, etc." to communicate the story's structure clearly. This technique can be particularly useful for complex narratives or scripts with distinct sections.

One-Paging

One-paging is an alternative outlining method that my writing partner and I have experimented with to build our stories. The concept is simple: tell your entire story on one typed page. No more, no less.

Rules for One-Paging:

  1. Tell the full story, including the ending.
  2. Aim to fill the entire page. More details lead to a better understanding of your story.
  3. Focus on story progression. Each step should logically lead to the next.
  4. Ensure readability. You should be able to read it aloud to someone, and they should understand the complete story.

Note: For larger scripts, you won't be able to include every story detail on one page. The challenge is to choose the most essential beats that convey a cohesive story within this limited space.

The one-page outline should function as a perfect pitch for your story. While you'll likely tell more than show, you can include key dialogue if it's crucial to the story.

I've successfully used one-pagers for scripts ranging from 5 pages to feature-length films. Here's an example of a one-page outline for a feature:

A one-page for a feature-length romantic comedy

The Last Word on Structure and Outlining

Every script has its unique shape, and outlining can be a tool that helps you define or discover it. As you craft your story, keep these things in mind:

  • Balance is key: Avoid underwriting or overwriting your outline. Consider how long each action and story beat will take on screen. Remember, in a finished script, one page typically equals one minute of screen time.
  • Use divisions wisely: Think of your script's sections as mini-stories within the larger narrative.
  • Share your work: Reading your outline aloud repeatedly to others is invaluable.
    • It helps you hear what works and what doesn't.
    • One-pages are particularly effective for getting immediate feedback on your story's flow and resonance.

Outlining isn't just for screenplays. This skill applies to all forms of writing: scripts, short stories, novels, plays, essays, non-fiction books, and poetry.

Learning to find and create structure in your writing can save you years of frustration and pain. It's a powerful tool that can elevate your craft across all genres and formats.