WRITE YOUR

NOVEL FASTER 

+ with fewer revisions

© 2018 www.fictionalchemy.com
 Thanks so much for downloading this worksheet!
Writing the logline for your novel before you start writing the novel is a HUGE help in
clarifying your story, and is the first step to getting your novel done faster with fewer
revisions.

Even if you’ve already started your first draft, you can benefit from taking a moment to
write your logline now.

Please use this workbook to draft your novel’s logline, and when you’re done, I would LOVE
to see it! Feel free to post it in a comment on the blog, share it on Twitter and
@hollyalchemy, or make a pretty graphic with your logline on it and share it on
Instagram (#FictionAlchemy / @fiction.alchemy) if you’d like a chance at being
reposted!

Too many authors lose hours to endless revisions and stay stuck in writers block. You’re
solution to overcome this dreaded part of getting your novel out faster is to start with your
logline.  Give it a try now.

What is a logline?
Okay, let's start this out with a quick FYI on the difference between a novel logline and a
novel tagline.

• A logline is what your novel is about.

• A tagline is a catchphrase.

Crafting your novel logline before you start writing the novel, or even before you start
outlining your novel, will make it easier to do both of those things. When you know your
logline, you know what your book is about and writer's block becomes a thing of the past!

So that's why we need to start with a novel logline before we jump into outlining your novel
or writing your novel.

Important story points for your logline

1. Protagonist, aka your main character
2. Antagonist, aka the person or thing keeping her from getting what she wants
3. Problem/Hook, aka the inciting incident that kicks off the story
4. Stakes, aka what happens if she fails
5. Setting, aka where it’s taking place (optional if it's not a fantasy or unusual setting)
6. Goal, aka what she wants (emotionally and/or physically)
7. In Romance, you may switch out Antagonist for Emotional Conflict.

© 2018 www.fictionalchemy.com
 Story Points
Fill in each story point. Remember, with romance, you may switch out Antagonist for
Emotional Conflict, and if your story is set somewhere familiar, you don’t need Setting.

Protagonist

Antagonist (Optional in Romance)

Emotional Conflict (Romance)

Problem/Hook

Goal

Stakes

Setting (Optional)

© 2018 www.fictionalchemy.com
 Write that logline!
You want to keep it to about 25 words or less. One to two sentences.

Attempt #1: How many words? ________ Does it hit 5-7 of the story points? ________

Attempt #2: How many words? ________ Does it hit 5-7 of the story points? ________

Attempt #3: How many words? ________ Does it hit 5-7 of the story points? ________

Attempt #4: How many words? ________ Does it hit 5-7 of the story points? ________

Final Logline: How many words? ________ Does it hit 5-7 of the story points? ________

© 2018 www.fictionalchemy.com