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Project name Baby Daddy Protagonists: Faye - 2 years older - mature, loving, and understanding Mark - 2 years younger but has a mature mindset, strong-willed but loyal Antagonists: Dani - Mark's colleague who had a strong attraction to him Audrey - Mark's ex-girlfriend that still have feelings towards him Celeste - Mark's step-mom (uh-oh) Supporting characters: Finley - Main character 1-year-old son Mia - Main character's newborn baby girl Pio - Faye's ex who still loves her Bea - Faye's supportive friend and colleague Matilda - Faye's mom / She was her rock during hard and lonely times Robert - Faye's dad / As strict as he was all he ever wanted is for her daughter to be happy Minor Characters: Ema /Francis - Faye's Classmates Dr. Cherry - Family friend/ Doctor Step 2: Think about the end of the story A story is a journey to overcome a flaw. If you know your character’s flaw you know the lesson that must be learned at the end of the book. The end of your story might be the opposite of the flaw, or the flaw mastered. End of story Step 3: Think about your character’s external goal The external goal is about plot, it’s the outer motivation to push your character to the end of the story where their flaw is mastered. This goal should provide an opportunity for the character to recognise their weakness and change. External goal Step 4: Think about your Antagonist The antagonist is traditionally a ‘bad guy’ or villain. Considering your central character’s external goal should reveal the antagonist to you. The antagonist should always be invested in achieving the same external goal as your hero. The antagonist will prove the biggest obstacle to your character if they struggle for that goal as much as your character does. Antagonist Step 5: Think about your character’s Ally An Ally is more than a friend; they are a character who has the power to force your main character to take the correct path. Your character will resist change and put off confronting his flaw as he reaches for his external goal. An Ally will back your character into a corner and force him to confront his flaw. Ally Step 6: Think about your Theme Theme is a way of boiling down the point of your book into one sentence. It’s a unifying force that keeps a story feeling coherent. It might be an outlook on the world or a behaviour you’re trying to explore. Theme Step 7 Think about your Plot Your plot is the external incident of the story, and you should expect this to change as your story develops. Libbie says the ‘Story Core’ involving character arc and theme will not change, but the plot incidents that represents your character’s journey will evolve as new ideas come to you. In this section of the plan you will define the plot in your book. This is the bulk of your story, and is based on the classic hero’s journey structure. Make sure every element relates to the Story Core you have already described. If these plot points do not involve your character flaw, your character’s change, or the theme you should consider finding a new plot element. At this stage of outlining your novel you should be flexible and explore ideas. You can come back to this section and improve the plan over time. Opening Scene What sets the stage? Ideally address either your character’s flaw or the theme Inciting Event What boots your character out of everyday reality? Character Realizes External Goal What makes your character seek his goal? Display of Flaw If your character hasn’t yet displayed his flaw to the reader, how will you make it known? Drive for Goal What will your character do on his first attempt to reach his external goal? Antagonist Revealed What scene will show your antagonist’s opposition to your character? Thwart #1 What happens to thwart your character when he tries to reach his goal? Revisiting Flaw What can you do to show your character’s flaw again? Your character will not yet be aware that the flaw is the real issue, but as the story progresses he will become aware. New Drive for Goal Describe a new plan your character hatches to reach his goal. Antagonist Attacks What does the Antagonist do to surprise your character and make things worse? Thwart #2 Your character should fail here. What is the result of the Antagonist’s attack? Changed Goal The goal seems out of reach. Your character must find a new goal or focus on a different aspect of the external goal. Ally Attacks What does your character’s Ally do to make your character see his flaw and know it needs fixing? Girding the Loins Your character now realises what he must do in a final drive to win. How can you show your character’s awakening or changed mental state? Battle What happens when your character faces the antagonist in the final showdown? Death What ‘dies’ here is the character’s flaw. Your character ‘kills off’ his old self. What happens here to show your character is different? Outcome What happens in the final scenes to show whether your character won or lost his external goal, or to reveal the theme of your story.