The Scribe Method The Best Way to Write and Publish Your Non-Fiction Book

Create Your Book Outline

“The skill of writing is to create a context in which other people can think.” —Edwin Schlossberg

One of the biggest mistakes aspiring authors make is starting their book without an outline. Without a clear structure, the writing process becomes slow, frustrating, and often incomplete. Worse, many writers who don’t use an outline never finish their books at all.

At Scribe, we’ve developed a simple yet powerful outlining method to help authors complete their books with clarity and confidence. Our approach is different from traditional school outlines—it’s designed to spark ideas and provide a clear direction without being overly rigid.

Follow these three steps to create a strong book outline and set yourself up for success.

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Chapters

The first step in outlining your book is to determine what your chapters will cover. A chapter should focus on a single cohesive idea, fully explored. Depending on your book’s structure, chapters might represent steps in a process, core principles, or key arguments.

How to Brainstorm Your Chapters:

  • Workshop Presentation Framework: Imagine you’re delivering a speech or workshop. What would be part 1? Part 2? Use the structure of your presentation as the foundation for your chapters.
  • Teach Your Book Framework: Picture your ideal reader and explain your book’s content as if you were teaching them. What’s step one? Step two? What questions might they have?
  • What Needs to Be Said Framework: Write down the major ideas, concepts, and arguments of your book without worrying about order. Keep it concise—this is a high-level brainstorming exercise, not a draft.

Pro Tip: Use a “Parking Lot”

While brainstorming, you’ll have ideas that don’t quite fit. Instead of discarding them, create a “parking lot” section where you store these ideas. Some may find a place later, while others might serve as inspiration for future books.

Step 2: Create a Table of Contents

Once you’ve identified your chapters, organize them into a logical sequence. This step helps structure your book into a clear, engaging flow.

Each chapter should have a thesis statement, which is a short, one-to-two sentence summary of its key takeaway. This will keep your writing focused and ensure that each chapter delivers value to the reader.

Example Table of Contents:

Introduction – The Myths of Human Resources
Chapter 1: Skills Are Overrated – Why Behavior Matters More
Chapter 2: The Truth About LinkedIn – It’s Just One Tool
Chapter 3: Recruiters Need to Be Marketers – How to Stand Out
Chapter 4: Money and Titles Aren’t Everything – Understanding Candidate Motivation
Conclusion – Tying It All Together

If you have between 5 to 15 chapters, you’re in a good range. Fewer than five might not provide enough depth, while more than 15 can feel overwhelming unless there’s a compelling reason.

Step 3: Flesh Out Your Outline

Using your Table of Contents, create a structured outline for each chapter. The goal is to provide a roadmap for writing without getting lost in the details.

Chapter Outline Template:

Chapter X: [Working Title]

  • Chapter Hook: Start with a personal story, historical anecdote, shocking fact, or engaging question. Make it emotionally compelling.
  • Thesis Statement: Clearly state what the chapter will teach or discuss. This should match the key takeaway from your Table of Contents.
  • Supporting Content: List the key points, evidence, and arguments that support your thesis. Ensure they are logically ordered to build your case effectively.

Pro Tip: Stay High-Level

Resist the urge to write full paragraphs in your outline. Stick to bullet points and short descriptions to maintain clarity and focus.

Ready to Start Writing?

A solid outline makes writing your book significantly easier. It gives you a roadmap, reduces writer’s block, and keeps your content structured and compelling.

For a more in-depth guide to writing and publishing your book, check out The Scribe Method—available for free online or as a hard copy purchase here.