Sample Outline

An outline helps an editor visualize the book you are planning to write. This partial outline is taken from Carving Award-Winning Songbirds by Lori Corbett (Spring 2005 title).

Chapter 1: Tools and Materials

To present the reader with a thorough overview of the tools and materials needed to carve songbirds.

•  Wood

•  Tools

•  Paints

•  Safety issues

Chapter 2: Songbird Basics

To present the reader with an in-depth look at the basic techniques involved in carving a songbird. Each technique will be presented in isolation, not as how to make a certain bird.

A. Bandsawing Basics

B. Songbird Anatomy

    1. A "map" showing the different parts

    2. Measurements - What they mean and how they're made

C. Roughing out

D. Shaping

•  Texturing

•  Burning feathers

Chapter 3: Building Legs & Feet

To present the reader with complete information on making a songbird's legs and feet as an alternative to buying pre-formed feet.

•  Basic information

•  Why build vs. buy

•  Step-by-step

Chapter 4: Mountain Bluebird

To present the reader with a beginning-to-end, step-by-step demonstration on carving, texturing and painting the mountain bluebird.

•  Natural history notes, reference photos

•  Measurements for male, female, immature

•  Pattern

•  Step-by-step carving

•  Paint mixing directions/chart

•  Step-by-step painting

•  Photos of finished bird

Chapter 5: Sketchbook

To impress upon the reader the importance of field research and to show him how to use this research to create his own patterns.

•  Importance of sketches

•  Lori's preliminary sketches of all three birds

•  How to use sketches to create additional patterns

•  How to create a pattern from a photo