Detailed Outlines

Example

CHAPTER 1 — STASIS / HOLE HEART A (Heroine)

We meet Jenna in her high-pressure corporate law environment while preparing for an important case. We see how driven and work-focused she is. She’s very good at her job and she takes pride in that. She values control and professional success over personal relationships. When love is brought up by her paralegal, she smiles and brushes it off because after Jake, she will never allow another back into her heart. Jenna believes romance only complicates life and distracts from her goals, and she will never let anyone break her heart again.

Her boss comes in and tells her that she’s being assigned a new case in her hometown for about a month. Jenna says no, but her boss dangles a big bonus and a step closer to partner. The chapter should end with Jenna committing to the trip while reassuring herself it will only be temporary and that she probably won’t even see Jake anyway. It’ll be fine.

CHAPTER 2 — HOLE HEART B (Hero)

We meet Jake working on his ranch as he prepares for the upcoming spring season. His brother is handling the business end of it, which is great because Jake is only good with the work. He has a strong connection to the land and his steady, responsible nature is a perfect fit to keep things working. His life appears stable, but when Lily hits on him as she’s visiting her horse they’re boarding, it becomes clear that he has never fully moved on from Jenna leaving town years ago. Jake knows she left for good reason. Heck, he’s the one who staged the scene, having her “catch him” cheating on her with Angela. She was meant for a bigger life than he could offer her here, and he just wanted what was best for her. But his heart will never know anyone else.

Jake learns that Jenna is returning to town, and hope flares. He realizes it’s stupid. He hurt her for good reason. But maybe… just maybe he can mend this fence. This is his second chance.

CHAPTER 3 — TRIGGER / MEET CUTE

Jenna arrives back in town and begins to reacquaint herself with familiar places that highlight the contrast between her current life and where she grew up. She meets with her client, Mr. Averies, who is intent on buying ranches in the valley. He’s going to build an airport, which will bring in revenue and it’s a win-win for everyone. She doesn’t agree, but he’s the client and he’s paying a lot of money to make this happen. Realizing she’s not going to be making any friends, she decides it’s best to keep a low profile.

When she stops at a local sandwich shop, she unexpectedly runs into Jake who is looking at her hopefully, like everything is fine and wonderful. She’s still pissed. The old attraction is still present, but he cheated on her and that’s not something she’s going to get over easily. The chapter ends with Jenna slapping him and telling him to leave her alone and he walks away.