Interesting analogy.

Well, I can tell you how I outline. First, I figure out how I want my novel to end. Then, I start from the beginning and write a detailed plot summary. Here's my beginning, as an example:

Paer finds out Kristoffer’s birthright. He sends Endrik after Kristoffer. Samira stands in his way. When Endrik touches Samira the energy released by their first meeting in a thousand years is too much. He passes out.

The children hurry to escape. On the children’s way back to their house they run into Miryam. Miryam sees their fright and asks what’s going on. When they have told her, she tells them to come with her. Miryam takes them into the Tower of Rose through a portal.

Miryam asks for Samira’s amethyst. Miryam shows them the shard of the crown. She tells the children the story of Galvanon. She then gives them a choice, find the crown and gain the power to equalize theselves with Endrik, or to succumb to his power.


Of course, this has some terms that directly relate to the story, but it's enough for me to understand what I want to happen. Then I can go back and flesh it out more later.