Why I Ditched Outlines (and Wrote Better Books)
If outlines feel like creative cages, here’s a better way to build your story from the bones up.
“I Hate Outlines.” (So I Created Something Better.)
I’ve been writing books for a very long time, both for myself and for my clients. I’ve had 8 novels published in 6 years, between two publishers, and to date, I’ve helped over 500 first-time authors land literary agents, book deals, and become bestselling authors. And yet, every time someone mentions outlines, I cringe a little.
For nonfiction, creating a cohesive chapter breakdown can be beneficial. But for fiction? While it’s nice to know where you’re going, detailed outlines have always felt like creative cages. Too rigid. Too structured. Too…restrictive.
Sound familiar?
You’re not alone. I talk to writers every day who say the same thing: “I know I should outline, but it just doesn’t work for me.”
Here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: You don’t need an outline. You need clarity.
That’s where the Book Skeleton comes in.
This isn’t some one-size-fits-all method. It’s a framework to help you understand what your story wants to be and how to shape it without crushing your creative process.
Which is why I’m teaching a virtual workshop for fiction writers next Wednesday, April 30, from 6-8pm CST.
In the Book Skeleton workshop, you’ll learn how to:
Clarify your book concept so you stop second-guessing every chapter
Identify the “bones” of your story (even if you have no idea what happens next)
Find your throughline so your book actually feels like a book, not just a collection of scenes
Break free from traditional outlines and build a structure that works for you
Move from idea to action with a flexible, repeatable process you can use again and again
This is the workshop I wish I had when I was writing my first (and second… and fifth) book. It’s for the rebels, the intuitives, the messy-draft-makers who are tired of being told they need to write a certain way.
Whether you’re just starting out or stuck somewhere in the middle, you don’t need more rules, you need a skeleton.
Let’s build it together.
—> Join the Book Skeleton Workshop
About Me:
I’m Rea Frey, #1 bestselling author of Not Her Daughter, The Other Year, Don’t Forget Me, and more. I help writers get out of their heads, onto the page, and into print. You can find all my books here or learn more about my work at reafrey.com.