Better Writing - Take Off Your Pants! - Outline Your Books for Faster

I had so many questions concerning character driven outlines and Libbie Hawker cleared it up for me totally.
Her Story Core is Dwight V. Swain's scene points of goal, conflict, disaster which I was glad to see and familiar with and Hawker's
end part on Pacing was outstanding. Libbie Hawker is a good teacher. I highly recommend this book and look forward to de-pantzing.

This was extremely helpful! It's ridiculously practical-I read the entire thing in an hour and I feel like she has saved me MONTHS of crappy outlining and busy work.

It's funny too, and easy to read. I love that she refers to Turby's 22 steps book too, as I also found that book to be a total game changer.

I appreciate that she took the time to write this. Side note: this woman's productivity and discipline with her writing career is incredibly impressive. I'm inspired to follow her example.

I have been reading craft books for many, many years, and this might just be my favorite. Hawker is the first writer to explain plotting in a way that made me understand it, as plot is the part of the fiction writing craft that I struggle the most with. Her language is clear and easy to comprehend, which is essential to a good work of non-fiction, and the book is short enough to read in an evening. Of course, I'll be reading and re-reading it every time I outline for quite a while. I look forward to future non-fiction releases from Libbie Hawker.

Pantsers, this is great for understanding story structure even if you aren't going to do a lot of plotting
I found this book so helpful. I've always been a pantser but need to be able to write faster and more consistently if I want to be able to get more books finished this year. I've been doing lots of studying on story structure but found Libby's explanations of a flaw-driven character arc and plot really useful. I may never be able to totally take my pants off (lol) but this book gave me some great ideas to make plotting a whole lot easier.

This was a great book with detailed information on writing an outline. I used it to re-outline a book I had started and was having trouble writing. Things didn't seem to fit together. Although the outline process is quite detailed, it was an immense help. I began rewriting my book, and it is flowing much better.

I enjoyed reading this nonfiction book a lot. Libbie Hawker presents a lot of great information on how to write a novel that will grab and keep your reader's attention... Great examples provided on how to make an outline for your novel to write your novel quickly and with ease.

3.5? Good for beginning outliners like myself. One thing I wish had been included at the end (once you've learned the point/example of each outline point more in depth) is a "chapter" that includes just a blank outline to be filled-in; would make it easier to implement what I've learned

GREAT crafting book. I love writing books that review the important basics for telling a good story. Libbie gives a great overview that not only helps writers focus on how to craft, but also to practice utilizing these elements to quicken their writing speed. I highly recommend this book and am happy to place it on my shelf next to similar oldies but goodies: Story: Style, Structure, Substance and the Principles of Screenwriting (both by Robert McKee), The Writer's Digest Handbook of Novel Writing & The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler.

The first part of this book is great. However, about three quarters of the way through, the author fails to give good examples of what she is explaining, so I wasn’t sure I understood how to do it or what she meant exactly.

You may think that constraints or structure force you into producing less-creative, cookie-cutter work, but Libbie Hawker’s _Take Off Your Pants!_ gives you a detailed set of planning and outlining techniques that will help you break through your writer's block and find creative solutions to your challenges. Rather than limiting you to predefined ideas, Hawker's story core approach and plot headings—and the much-stressed flexibility you have when wielding them—help you understand your own goals, not just your characters', and lead you to new ideas to accomplish them. A must-read for any writer.

I highly recommend Libbie Hawker's approach. She has based her method on the sound principles that John Truby teaches, but she's explained the "how-to" in a way that is much less intimidating. She's taken the story principles that Truby teaches screenwriters and tailored them for a novelist's needs. She's also shared her own methods which speed up the process. Libbie knows what she's talking about. I've checked out her published novels, and have seen that she's gaining quite a following.

This book helped me realize what's been missing when I've tried outlining my stories before. I had a really good outline in minutes following the guidance in this book. The words have been so forthcoming since. Thank you Libbie Hawker!

Awesome book! So helpful in outlining a story. I love all the tips and insight into writing a full story. I'm almost convinced to not be a pantser. I began to understand my characters so much better going through these exercises. So helpful!

This is a most unusual approach to story development. While derived from a well-known source, Libbie has evolved it into something unique, and explains it in an easy-to-understand way (without dumbing it down!). For me, it was a revelation. While I appreciate the three-act structure, Libbie's approach released me from trying to make things fit - allowing an almost free-flowing character arc within a creative plot-line. It's my Bible now. If you're still battling with developing your story and want to make sure it has a structure that readers will relate to - this is the book. Buy it.

I debated giving Take Off Your Pants! two or three stars, but in the end it provides just enough value to deserve an okay grade.

HOWEVER, do no buy the paperback version - it's way over priced for the value it provides. The book is short in pages and the font is pretty big, and for a similar price to the paperback version you can get far more value - plus a better education as a beginner author (and if you're not a beginner, why are you buying this?) - from other books.

Aside from not offering great depth or breadth, Take Off Your Pants! is going to likely confuse the hell out of the beginner author. And if you aren't just learning the craft, you're not going to gain much from this. Unless you have a clear understanding of story structure and the fundamentals of what makes a story work, you'll probably feel pretty lost reading this. For example, Hawker often confuses character arc with story structure; if you don't already have a proper understanding of the latter, I'd imagine you'd be lost.

I almost gave up reading this part way through but in the end I'm glad I persevered, as I it does provide some interesting insights and tips. But with all the references to John Truby's The Anatomy of Story, I think it's fair to suggest that most authors learning their craft would be much better served by reading Truby or other more prominent, substantial, and in the end, helpful beginning story craft books.

Making the transition from writing essays and short fiction to novels is hard! Libbie Hawker's Take Off Your Pants is helping me make that transition well. Her writing is clear and direct. Her points are well thought out. I especially appreciated her discussion of adversaries and allies, why they're essential to your story, and how to identify them--it's not always what we think. And yes, I love the word "thwart" too.

Before this book, I thought of novel outlines as a series or list of events that happened to the character. I thought that writers who outlined plotted out every meticulous detail before they began writing. This book showed me that it’s more about getting the narrative emotional/internal changes the characters will go through down on paper. It’s not so much about the external actions. That’s the actual road, but that comes much later in the outlining process. The character arcs, their flaws, and the resolution of the arcs are much more important and build the foundation for the story.

Great book to help the murky adventure of writing a story that has a beginning, middle and an end. Thanks for putting this together in such an easy to digest fashion.

By nature I like to plan things, but writing tends to be different. The problem is that I usually "pants" myself into literary quicksand that I can't get out of sometimes, and my story dies a slow and painful death. Outlining has helped to keep my focused on the finish line, but in a way that is not restrictive, just kind of a general, gentle guide, thanks to this book.

This author has created a wonderful guide that explains her process for basic outlining but with an emphasis on building a strong and emotionally impacting story. Yet, she leaves room for personal tweaking. If you're on the fence about outlining, I highly recommend this book because it allows you to use the elements you want and discard what doesn't work for you but in the end, I found that I am a far more productive writer given these outlining tools and I'm still able to add lots of creative juice to the final product. Can't say enough great things about this book, kudos to Libbie Hawker

This is a good book. I have recommended it people who have loved it and felt it really spoke to them. It didn't click with me as much though. It felt more rigid and restrictive--but I am also more of a pantser looking to plot. There's great information here and I would encourage giving it a look as it may be the approach that will click for you. The ones that I've found better fits were Save The Cat by Blake Snyder and Super Structure by James Scott Bell (my current favorite).

In clear, concise language with solid examples, Hawker demonstrates how to effective create an outline for a book that she says saves lots of time compared to just sitting down and writing without a plan. As a writer who resists planning, I was surprised that so much of Hawker’s suggestions really seem like they could work for me. I will try her approach for my next novel!

This book deserves 5 stars, which I rarely give to other books. "Take Off Your Pants" is one of the best outlining manuals I've read. It was straight to the point and she broke things down with examples that were easy to understand and follow along with as I filled out my story's outline. I've recommended this book to other pantsers simply because Libbie Hawker's technique can be done for a loose outline, or a deeper one. If you're having focusing problems with your manuscript, this book will be a boon. I thought about purchasing it for months and finally gave in. So glad I did.

This was one of the best writing productivity books I've read in a long time! I think a writing guide needs to be both informative and inspirational to really get it's point across and Libby does that with grace and humour.

I'm a former pantser ("panstalotter," actually, as I plotted a little tiny bit and then pantsed my way through the first draft), and have been glomming up all sorts of plotting books as I shift over to becoming a plotter. This book had a unique approach -- I liked the simplicity of her list of five things, plus theme, etc. I wasn't quite as enamored about the last third of the book, but the meaty middle is perfectly good, especially for the price.

This book was literally life changing for me. The entire concept of outlining and plotting was something I understood, but could never make it work for me. This book took the blinders off my eyes and it helped me figure out a system that works for me. I've also used the techniques teached in this book in reverse to unsnarl a book I couldn't figure out how to finish.

Essential material in any writers toolbox!!!!!!

This is an excellent guide for both new and experienced writers, with step-by-step instructions on writing the most efficient and effective outline. This, in turn, leads to a more complete, satisfying story. A 'must-have' for any writer's toolkit. My only disappointment is that it is not yet available in paperback format. As soon as that is available I'll be purchasing a second copy. This writing guide is definitely one for my 'keepers'/ reference shelf.

Outlining used to feel illogical and constricting because I was trying to outline plot-first. I wrote an entirely novel that didn't fit my characters, and probably wasted about 50,000 words trying to ignore it. Hawker puts together a easily understandable, and flexible outlining structure that's worked for me so far. Even if you choose not to follow Libbie's guide, this is full of good points about why the structure and pacing makes things matter.

I love this book...best three bucks I ever spent. The author, in a spritely 'voice' tells you how to outline your book. She is thorough, and if you follow her instructions, your book will be ready to be covered with prose, in no time, comparatively. Thanks to Ms Hawker's careful road map, the skeleton is already there in its entirety. An amazing work...if you are an author...or have plans to be one...buy this book. It is a gem.

I haven't read any other reviews before writing this or before I purchased. Heard the author interviewed on numerous podcasts going back 3 years or so. She always had strong, well-thought-out opinions based on experience, and what sounded to me like the heart of a teacher.

Personally, I needed this book. Bad. I have way too many ideas and I know darned well I couldn't be a pantser and ever finish a work.

But this book delivered WAY more value than I ever expected. Thank you, Libbie, for teaching me how to dramatically improve my stories, as well as amp production. Better work, faster. Win!

Also thanks, now I don't need to read Nabokov. Sounds yucky.

I bought this book and another on outlining novels right around the beginning of NaNoWriMo, when I was struggling with a story idea that didn't want to come together. After trying to use the other method...I ended up with characters I hated and no story. Then I read Libbie Hawker's book and got so excited that I picked up another barely-there story idea...and ended up with a much more coherent story with characters I like, a plot that makes sense, and a story I'm itching to write! She made story structure so clear and simple. I'm sure there is more than one way to outline and write a novel but this one worked for me and I hope to use it often. Two thumbs up.

The section on character arc really helped clarify plotting for me. The method she uses to define the character arc is priceless in its simplicity. I needed a method to outline fast (I write shorts and cant spend days putting a plot together, but need it to still feel like I spent days) and this book is perfect. Just finished outlining a multi POV story using this method and it is hands down my favorite. Cant wait until she develops a workbook.

For someone who doesn't outline, this book has been immensely helpful. I went from stuck with no idea how to move forward, to a fully fuctional outline with tons of ideas and plot points. The great thing about this book is it talks about the natural flow of a book, which we all know exists, but Libbie breaks it down and makes it easy to follow.

If you struggle with writing (or finishing, like me), this book is sooo worth the money!

Overall got a lot from it, but it could seriously use a LOT more examples. If you learn by just getting the info, this is great, if you learn (like I do) by understanding the examples then this leaves a lot to be desired.

Lot's of good information in this book. Similar to what Libbie says, every writer is different and has their own way of planning (or not planning). There's a lot of elements of her outlining method that I definitely look forward to trying to incorporate with my own, and I may even just try doing a "Pants" outline verbatim.

Highly recommended, especially if you want to become a faster self-publisher.

The book is just another option you can consider toward creating an outline. It actually works for me, and I like the way the author broke down each section. More examples are needed in my opinion in order for the reader to get a clear idea of what is needed, but other than that, the book gets to the point rather quickly.

Written with the indie writer in mind, this book meshes well with the work of people like Chris Fox, S.K. Quinn and David Gaughran. A practical guide to planning your stories so you can write faster and better.

I am a writer myself, although not a very successful one. So I sometimes read books on writing, hoping to improve.
I almost didn't bother with this book, because of the title.
No, I'm not a prude. It just seemed silly.
But I did go on to read it, and am glad I did. It gave me helpful info on how to structure a novel.
There are many methods for doing that, but Libbie's guidance was a useful addition.
After having finished the book, I still think the title was a mistake, and probably caused some potential readers to shy away.
But, hey, what do I know?

Being a partial pantser, I was nervous at first, but Libbie sold me on the possibility of maximizing my productivity and eliminating unnecessary rounds of revision. She has a unique method of outlining that places the focus on theme and character, using logic to explore a multitude of possibilities with story. You get (some of) the freedom without writing yourself into corners or plot holes.

Don't hesitate a moment: download this super practical book that will get you to the heart of what you want your novel to do, faster. Dang it's short, and that's nice. The author gets down to brass tacks immediately. She delivers what she promises, and as a result of doing what she says, the second half of my novel is already coming together faster, giving me a huge boost in confidence.

Although this book is short, it's very helpful, and might help you try outlining (or at least give you a new method of outlining to try). A number of the concepts and ways to approach outlining were new to me, and I appreciated how simple the author made everything sound. Definitely worth the very affordable price!

Excellent analysis of story structure. A lot of it I'd already internalized, but it was nice to see everything clearly laid out. I learned a lot about the specifics of story structure, and I would definitely recommend this way of outlining to writers who can't outline. The outline is detailed enough to give a solid foundation to your story without being so rigid that it saps away your creativity.

This is like a condensed, novel-specific version of John Truby's book, which Hawker recommends throughout her text. She goes step by step through her outlining process and makes a strong case for why it's important to plan ahead if you want a book whose pieces interlock securely by the last page.

Think "A Writer's Guide to Writing on Steroids."
Libbie Hawker has taken some of the best suggestions to begin writing dynamically and packed into one of the most helpful books on writing I've ever read. Within one week of reading (and taking notes on) her book, I completed the first draft of a one-act play faster and smarter than I could have imagined.

In addition to having a very catchy title, the steps Ms. Hawker laid out were enough to get me out of a writing funk and actually excited about the new book I'm working on. It really wasn't all that different than what I've done in the past, but the fact that she laid them out in logical order (which I really had never done), was enough to send me diving back into the story.

This book has saved my writing life! This is written in terms I can understand and easily follow. I love, love, love this book and will be purchasing the paperback edition to dog ear for all future projects. I finished reading (and taking notes) on two days ago and have since outlined three novels and four novellas in record time.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

This is seriously the best book on plotting that I've ever read. It's so simple and concise that on the surface you might feel cheated, but I promise it's worth it. Throw out every other 2K page tome on how to write the perfect story/novel/book. All you need to do is take off your pants. Faster plotting leads to faster writing... and you really need to write fast to be successful in this industry.

Incredibly helpful. I'm a confirmed pantser who loves my pantsing ways, but let's get real, I waste hours of time and gobs of words. I'm outlining right now using this book -- and whoa, it's taken me out of the woods so I can really see my story structure. I can't thank Libbie Hawker enough for writing this book. Highly recommend.

This is an excellent, concise book regarding story structure and the hero's journey, but is very practical with it's teachings. Not only does it teach me how to outline my next unwritten novel, but in the process, I figured out how to rewrite my other unpublished novels. If you enjoy NaNoWriMo, this book is totally for you because you'll end up with a decent first draft at the end of your noveling month.

A very helpful and well-written guide to outlining. I followed the process step by step with the Kindle app on one half of my screen and my document in the other and the book is coming along very nicely.

I never write reviews. Ever. I am about half way through Libbie's book and I'm writing one. It really is that good. I have her book open on my kindle and my laptop open as I outline my next novel. I read about a page from her before I have to stop and fill in new 'index cards' in my outline. This book is an immediate help. I've had dozens of 'a ha' moments.

I'm slightly miffed at myself for not reading this way sooner.

Thank you, Libbie!

She doesn't bog it down with endless examples from books and movies for each point she makes, just one or two, enough to illustrate it.
The concepts were easy to understand, distilled from common wisdom about story theory into a simple to follow plan.
Last but not least, I appreciated the author's encouraging tone and confidence in her process being one that anyone can learn and use.

What I liked about this particular writing book was it got straight to the point, no long rambling intros or explanations - just a clear outline of Libbie Hawker's process and how you might do the same. It is written in a straightforward manner that makes it easy to follow and I found myself reading it with my notebook and pen at the ready to try the process myself. I have struggled to plot in the past, but as I went through the book and filled out the details of my own story I found myself thinking about elements of the story that I would normally discover through writing (often by accident), and by the time I was done felt much more prepared to tackle the writing. Totally worth checking out if you struggle with outlining, and probably if you don't!

This was a fantastic, highly practical guide to how the author outlines her books. While it might not be to everybody's style, I personally found it a thorough and helpful step-by-step guide to getting a detailed outline down that will enable me to make better use of my limited writing sessions by going in clearly knowing what I'm going to write for the day. Can't wait to put it into practice.

I short but wonderful book. Hawker gives you to tools to structure your writing and understand what draws the reader to a book. The common sense approach Hawker uses in her book goes a long way. It is not shallow by any means.

This is a fantastic step-by-step guide to plotting a novel, and the beauty of it is that it does not lock you in to overplanning minute details. Instead, it concentrates on the basics that make a story attractive and satisfying to a reader. I recommend this to anyone seeking some help plotting a novel. It's wonderful.