Outlining is critically thinking about your characters, the story, and writing it all down. The character's personal growth along the way is what makes us care about your story.

The plot is a bunch of stuff that happens. Your character's deepest desires and their actions to get it should drive the plot.

Here's how to outline while maintaining focus on your character's inner journey:

But first, decide where your outline is going to live.

There are a million ways to outline. Choose a tool that works for you. Here are four ideas:

• Notebook

• Word or Pages

• Sticky notes on your bedroom wall

• Software, like Plottr or Scrivener

Now that you know where to outline, it's time to determine what happens:

Here's how:

Step 1: Jot the plot.

Write down everything you know will happen in your story in as much detail as possible. It's okay if you don't know everything yet.

Make sure that things happen because the characters decide to pursue what they want.

Step 2: How is your character growing?

In a column next to the plot, write down how your protagonist's inner struggle comes into play. Does this plot point move them forward or backward on their journey to overcoming their misbeliefs?

If you're coming up short, it's possible the plot point doesn't fit the character's journey. Dive deeper into your character's desires and misbeliefs about the world or themself.

Step 3: Repeat for other characters.

Add a column for each character. Give them a chance to grow or backslide. It'll make your story and world more captivating for human brains.