creative writing story planning

Story Planner’s easy-to-follow steps help writers plan novels, screenplays and more.

Writing is easier when you have a plan. We take you through each stage of the planning process to help you create a better story.

How Story Planner can help you

We offer a range of story plans to suit your writing style, whether you like a fast, easy planning method, or more detailed story structure.

We look at planning methods so you don't have to. We've selected the very best ways to plan a story and many popular methods used by successful writers.

Our plans can help with more than just plots. We can help you understand your characters, define your story setting, and understand why you write.

Story Planner Helper will guide you to choose the right plan. We have plans for every stage of the writing journey.

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It took J.K Rowling five years to outline the plots for her Harry Potter books - she used detailed spreadsheets and notes.

66% of writers plan their novels.

The majority of agents ask writers to send a one or two page story outline or synopsis.

"A pantser" is the word used to describe someone who writes without any planning. They write "by the seat of their pants."

Story structure was described by Aristotle in his "Poetics" in 335 BC. The Dramatic Structure he described is at the heart of many modern writing plans.

• Choose from a vast range of templates.
• Easy A-B-C steps to help plan story structure.
• Save, edit and export your plans.
• Try popular planning methods like the “Snowflake Method” and “The Hero's Journey”.
• Keep all your ideas saved in one place. Add to and develop them when inspiration strikes.
• Try Story Planner Novel Launcher to take you from idea to a book outline in 6 simple stages.

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Story planning and outlining: Complete guide

Story planning is an excellent solution to avoid getting stuck. Read why outlining stories is a smart choice, methods to plan stories, authors on planning and more, plus find extra resources on planning and story structure.

• Post author By Jordan
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This guide to story planning and outlining explores common planning terms and techniques in fiction writing, free and paid tools to plan your story, authors on their planning approaches, and more.

Key story planning terms

Explore common organizing terms you’ll find in articles and books on how to plan stories:

What are novel outlines and story maps?

A novel outline gives a simplified view of your story’s overarching arcs and development .

A working book title idea plus a wireframe to sculpt scenes upon helps stories take shape.

It could be a narrative version of your story written as a single page, a paginated PDF exported from a story planner (like Now Novel’s planning dashboard ), a spreadsheet or visual plot diagram (often called a story map).

Your outline should provide a helpful overview of your story’s structure. It should also make drafting a more guided, structured part of the writing process .

What is brainstorming?

Generating ideas in a short space of time through creative exercises. Idea-generating activities that form the first step of the writing process (prewriting) . For example:

• Freewriting: Writing down anything that comes to mind on a topic, scenario or prompt for a set time
• Answering questionnaires: A helpful way to brainstorm details about your story’s characters
• Mind-mapping: Writing high-level concepts (e.g. ‘love’) on a page, then linking ideas visually (e.g. ‘romance’, ‘meet cute’, ‘lovers’ conflicts’) to niche down and find further ideas

What are drafts and ‘draft zero’?

A draft or rough draft of your story is a completed version of your manuscript, prior to polishing such as editing and revision.

In story planning, the term ‘draft zero’ is often used to refer to a planning process in which you write a complete, rough draft without stopping to edit.

This gets the bare bones of your story down and helps you create foundations and parameters (more on this where we discuss outlining methods below).

What is storyboarding?

Storyboarding is a planning approach typically used in visual storytelling such as TV, film and advertising (though you can use it to write narrative fiction too).

You create frames in sequence representing story beats or moments in the timeline of a scene to plan plot events in visual terms.

What are plot templates?

Print-outs, PDFs, or writing tools structured to enable you to fill in predetermined event-types to plan a story.

For example, a romance plot template may include important beats for a romantic story such as:

• The meet cute: The moment future lovers first lock eyes
• The refusal/not a chance: For example, Lizzie Bennet being put off by Mr Darcy’s insulting initial behavior in Jane Austen’s 1813 Regency romance, Pride and Prejudice
• The second encounter: Another encounter during which romantic leads begin to understand each other better

Recommended reading

Find more on story outlining, brainstorming, planning first drafts and using story templates:

• How to write a plot outline: 7 plotting techniques
• Story ideas: Romance brainstorming in 8 easy steps
• How to organize story scenes (plus scene structure template)

To the top ↑

I don’t start a novel until I have lived with the story for awhile to the point of actually writing an outline and after a number of books I’ve learned that the more time I spend on the outline the easier the book is to write. John Grisham

Make a Strong Start to your Book

Join Kickstart your Novel and get professional feedback on your first three chapters and story synopsis, plus workbooks and videos.

Why outline stories? The plotter vs pantser debate

Why plan or outline stories at all?

There is a longstanding debate between the merits of plotting/planning books in advance vs ‘pantsing’ (noun: pantser). To ‘pants’ your novel means to write ‘by the seat of your pants’ – no story maps, no satnav.

Story planning pros: Reasons to prepare

‘Failing to plan is planning to fail’, and all that jazz.

Not necessarily – many writers do swear by a not-very-plotted process. In his interviews with The Paris Review , E.L. Doctorow said:

Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way. E.L. Doctorow, quoted by Nancy Groves in ‘EL Doctorow in quotes: 15 of his best’ in The Guardian , Wed 21 July 2015.

You can make the whole trip that way (and props to your driving/writing skills if you do). However it’s also easy to take a wrong turn. Or get stuck in the ditch of a muddy middle . Planning your story means:

• Knowing what scenes you need to write.
• Avoiding weaker structure with more fixing required later.
• Being able to spot potential story arc issues sooner.
• Having greater confidence because you know where your story’s going.
• Keeping a wider view of scenes and chapters (your story’s overall cohesion).
• You keep process material that makes it easier to track and monitor structural changes and any necessary plan departures.
• You can build wins upfront (the planning) that set up momentum for your draft.
• You have a stronger chance to produce a rough draft that already has the padding taken out.

Pantser vs plotter compromise: Planning your way

What if you’re a veteran pantser and you love the freedom of the blank page, writing without fog lights?

If you prefer pantsing to plotting, you could do minimal planning to at least organize your writing process (if not the full plot):

• Outline one step ahead in pairs of action and reaction. This will help to ensure cohesion from scene to scene.
• Treat your pantsing first draft as a ‘draft zero’ – prep work for whatever you’ll keep for a second (if necessary more plotted) draft.
• Create a reverse outline as you go. Summarize the events of each chapter in a paragraph once you’ve written it. It will help you keep the total story cohesion in mind and remind you of what makes sense to follow.
• Plan scene-by-scene and chapter focus only. Character questionnaires and brainstorming in detail not for you? Use a corkboard (like the Now Novel Scene Builder) to just plan the basic events of each scene or chapter before you sit down to write, without extra preparation.

Have you found your own compromise between planning and pantsing stories that works? Share your approach in the comments.

Download a free story planning and progress tracker template we made in Google Docs.

(Go to the ‘file’ menu and select ‘make a copy’ of the file after logging in to your Google account to gain editing permissions and save a private version of the outline template to your own Google Drive).

Learn more about plotter and pantser approaches:

• Story plotting and structure: Complete guide

Read more about story plotting and planning stories’ structure in our complete guide.

Common pantser writing challenges (and how to solve them)

Read more about common challenges pantsers face (and ways to overcome them).

I am a hopeless pantser, so I don’t do much outlining. A thought will occur to me and I’ll just throw it into the story. I tell myself I’ll worry about untangling it later. I’m glad no one sees my first drafts except for my poor editor and agent. Marie Lu

Book planning methods: Becoming a story organizer

If you don’t want your poor editor and agent to wring their hands in despair, over a book that doesn’t materialize (or may flop without substantial development), planning helps you stay on top of your process .

Explore organizing factors in novels and methods for outlining your story below:

Story outlining techniques

There are several story outlining techniques you could try. You could:

1. Plan a story by writing a synopsis first

It may seem a strange idea to write a synopsis of a story you haven’t written yet. It’s a useful way to get the cogs of story whirring, though.

The Now Novel dashboard walks you through planning stories from your Central Idea into writing a one line, then one paragraph, then one page synopsis. The expanding of your idea unlocks further ideas and questions to answer.

2. Summarize scenes and sequels to outline connected chapters

If you prefer to outline scene by scene (a compromise with pantsing), scenes and sequels provide one way to organize your story.

In Techniques of the Selling Writer , Dwight Swain divides story units into ‘scenes’ and ‘sequels’. Each unit has three parts:

Scenes as units of action, says Swain, should contain a goal which leads to a conflict , then disaster .

Scene example

A man named Mr Lockwood goes to inquire about lodgings ( goal ) where he is treated inhospitably by his landlord Heathcliff and attacked by the landlord’s dogs ( conflict ). He cannot leave because they are snowed in for the night ( disaster ). This is the opening scene of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights .

According to Swain, a sequel consists of a reaction to the previous scene , then a dilemma , then a decision .

Sequel example:

Mr Lockwood goes to bed where he reads a woman named Catherine Linton’s diary ( reaction to being snowed in). He dreams Catherine’s ghost is at the window begging to be let in. He is in a dilemma when his cries awaken his already grumpy, now angrier landlord. So he decides to walk in the yard until sunrise and depart ( decision ).

3. Plan scenes and chapters on index cards, post-its, corkboards

If you’re a visual planner or prefer a more physical planning activity, writing out summary index cards for scenes ( like Vladimir Nabokov did ) or using post-its and corkboards is useful.

When we chatted to mystery series author Dr Bonnie Traymore (whose first novel was developed with the help of our Kickstart your Novel course ), Bonnie shared:

I used the services of Hedi Lampert who works for Now Novel and she gave me an idea of taking post-it notes and putting scenes on a whiteboard, and just kind of pasting it on, and that that worked pretty well for me. I know there’s a lot of online stuff that you can do. But for me, the physical act of writing and putting it on got me off the computer and standing up because writing and sitting is such a sedentary process. Author Bonnie Traymore, interviewed by Jordan Kantey for Now Novel.

4. Plan story beats in actions and reactions

If a novel planning approach using Swain’s scenes and sequels sounds too complex, try simple units of ‘action’ and ‘reaction’ . Example:

Action: Evacuation order pamphlets rain down on a city. Reaction: The city’s inhabitants including a blind protagonist must leave urgently. ( All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr).

The reaction becomes the seed for new actions and reactions.

5. Use three-act structure (or modified three-act structure)

Three-act structure is an approach to story structure deriving from Aristotle’s theories on dramatic structure in Greek antiquity. The simple premise that a story should have a beginning, middle, and end.

Three-act structure is divided into:

• Act 1: This introduces core characters such as the protagonist and important figures in their life, as well as the inciting incident . The inciting incident is the event (or series of events) that urges your character to act/depart/commit to a goal.
• Act 2: The middle third of the story typically includes complications, conflicts, mistakes, discoveries. If the protagonist’s goal seemed straightforward before, Act 2 reveals it won’t be a cakewalk.
• Act 3: The final third of the story includes the climax (where conflict or complication reaches a peak) and denouement (unresolved plot threads resolve).

You could create a ‘Scene Group’ for each act in the Now Novel Scene Builder named ‘Act’ plus the act’s number.

Next, fill each act with scene cards describing actions and reactions to flesh out each act’s connected story events.

6. Plan using the Hero’s Journey

Many archetypal stories have similar narrative structure.

For example stories that follow ‘The Hero’s Journey’ (theorized by Joseph Campbell) or one of several modern versions of Campbell’s ideas (such as Dan Harmon’s simplified ‘Story Circle’ ).

Say, for example, you take a ten-part version of the hero’s journey .

The average length of a paperback novel is 80,000 words. Divide that by ten and you have a plan of 8000 words per each section of the heroic tale (Birth, Call to Adventure, Meeting the Helper, etc.).

7. Use other methods (MICE, the snowflake method, Saves the Cat)

There are various other story planning methods. Inevitably when we discuss outlining, someone will comment, ‘what about so-and-so’s approach?’

A few other fiction planning options you could explore:

The MICE quotient

Nothing to do with rodents, this plotting concept introduced by Orson Scott Card and developed by Mary Robinette Kowal ( see a handy infographic on Kowal’s Patreon) divides stories into four types of event. These types may be linked and nested within one another:

• Milieu – events driven by place or location.
• Inquiry – events driven by questions your character has.
• Character – events driven by questions your character has.
• Event – events driven by action.

This is where plotting and planning stories can start to seem overwrought, too complicated.

Karen Woodward breaks down Scott Card’s story outlining method and Kowal’s refinement of it in helpful detail in a blog post series.

There is also Randy Ingermanson’s ‘Snowflake Method’ and Blake Snyder’s ‘Saves the Cat’ method (developed for screenwriting but adapted for novel-writing by Jessica Brody ). We also have a comprehensive guide to using the ‘Save the cat’ method.

Learn more about story structures that create payoffs for readers, structuring and organizing scenes, and more:

• Story structure examples: How to create payoffs for readers
• Story planner success: How to organize your novel
• How to write a scene: Nailing purpose and structure

I’m a big fan of outlining. Here’s the theory: If I outline, then I can see the mistakes I’m liable to make. They come out more clearly in the outline than they do in the pages. Cynthia Voigt

Tools to plan stories: Software and cloud-based help

Tools to plan and outline stories provide shortcuts while rendering story connections clearer.

Cloud-based story planning tools: Advantages

The pros of cloud-based story planning tools include:

• Safeguard story progress : There’s less chance of losing your story progress should your desktop or laptop system be lost, stolen or damaged (singer Lana Del Rey had to start a book for Simon & Schuster from scratch when her laptop was stolen!)
• Lightweight story planning: No having to install story planning software that may slow down your system, all your progress can be saved in your browser
• Access and add to ideas anywhere: You can plan your story on your phone then carry on using a desktop device or vice versa

Offline (software) story planning tools

The most popular offline or software-based story planning tools include Scrivener 3 by Literature & Latte (available for Mac and Windows) and Ulysses (for Mac devices including iPhone, iPad and Macbooks).

Advantages of software-based planning tools for stories include:

• Not needing an internet connection: This isn’t a major advantage given how ubiquitous internet access is now. But helpful if you’re going off grid (or want to turn off online distraction to write)
• Additional features and functionality: Many software-based story planning apps offer functionality such as exporting drafts to .mobi Kindle and other eBook formats

Which story planning software should you choose?

This really depends on your:

• Budget (do you prefer subscription-based tools or once-off licensing? What are effective planning tools worth to you?)
• Feature requirements (do you want to create a text-based outline or storyboard visually or a mixture of both?)

Many Now Novel members have said they use a combination of Scrivener and Now Novel’s story outlining dashboard for a mix of browser-based planning, feedback and writing craft information, plus offline drafting and book formatting and file conversion.

What do book planning tools cost?

It varies by platform. For the most popular software-based apps:

Scrivener: $49 for a once-off license Ulysses: $5.99 per month or $39.99 per year

The Now Novel dashboard is a little different (read more eclectic). For $15 per month (accurate ‘The Process’ pricing as of October 2022), you get:

• Story planning tools with unlimited stories and storage: A downloadable, paginated PDF with links back to edit your outline from each section grows as you answer structured prompts
• Live writing webinars with authors and editors: Attend writing webinars and workshops (including first page workshops and other practical panels) with published authors and editors. Includes a growing archive of recorded sessions
• Weekly feedback from an editor in Now Novel groups on submissions to the Now Novel feedback community
• Exclusive subscriber newsletter with bonus content and member spotlights

What free novel planners are there?

Most tools have license or membership fees as hosting space, development, support and other features all have associated costs.

However you can also use free tools such as Google Docs and Google Sheets to plan stories.

How to plan stories using Google Docs

Google Docs offers several useful features that can be used to create summaries and outlines.

Story outlines with sidebar navigation

In Docs, create an outline with links to jump between sections such as chapters, scenes, acts, or wiki-like entries (for example, you could create a structured document with details on each of your story settings).

• Create a new Google Docs document.
• Give your plan a title such as ‘scene outline for [story name]’.
• Click the + next to SUMMARY to enter a summary of the purpose for this story-planning document.
• Click ‘Normal Text’ in the toolbar at the top to choose different sizes of heading to use. Each will add to your document’s sidebar, creating easy links to jump between sections of your outline (use a smaller-sized heading to create nested sections within larger ones, e.g. scene summaries within chapters).

Example of a Docs-based story plan

Here is a story plan created using the above approach:

Creating a table for planning and tracking story progress

See the section under ‘progress’ above for checking off your story’s progress according to your plan? To create similar:

• Click ‘Insert’ in the top toolbar in Google Docs
• Navigate down to ‘Building Blocks’.
• Insert the block type called ‘product roadmap’ (your story plan is your product in this case).
• You can rename the standard column headers anything (in this case, ‘Project’ was renamed to ‘Chapter’).
• Rename the standard drop down selection items – click the drop down under the column ‘status’, then ‘Add/edit options’ and rename status options as you choose, then click ‘apply to all’ so that every row will have the same options.

How to plan stories in Google Docs with even more structure

To really level up your story planning in Docs (requires paid Now Novel membership ), use Now Novel’s Google Docs add-on. This enables you to view your Now Novel outline in sidebar on the right as you draft per the screenshot below:

How to use your Now Novel story plan in Google Docs

• Click ‘Extensions’ in the top toolbar of your document.
• Navigate to Add-ons > Get add-ons.
• Search for ‘Now Novel’ and click ‘Install’ to add the add-on to your Google Docs. Confirm permissions to allow logging into your Now Novel account from within Docs.
• Under ‘Extension’, find ‘Now Novel’ and click ‘Start’.
• Sign into your Now Novel account using your Now Novel username and password.

If the above steps were successful, your currently active story outline should load. Find links back to edit each section from the sidebar, too, and all your characters, plot points, setting and scene ideas.

Learn more about novel planning tools, Now Novel’s outlining dash and Google Docs add-on, and more:

• 7 writing productivity tools to work smarter
• Novel planner tools: 7 tips to propel your progress
• Writing tools: Now Novel’s Scene and World Builder

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Authors on planning books

There are (as the above examples show) many ways to plan books and shorter stories. The main thing is to find the method that works for you .

Read authors on the type of planning they do to write novels and other stories (and why they do it):

Sophie Hannah on why planning books is fun (and safer)

Crime author Hannah compares planning stories to doing home renovations :

The main reason I’m a planner is that it’s huge fun! It makes life SO much easier for a writer, and it gives you something concrete to look forward to. I would hate to start writing a novel with no clue as to what might happen from chapter to chapter, or how it might end. It would be like stripping the old wallpaper in your house and pulling up all the old carpets with literally no idea how you want the rooms to look at the end of the process Sophie Hannah, ‘Why and How I Plan my Stories’

Kim Wilkins on planning solving any structural issues early

Dr Kim Wilkins is a senior lecturer in writing, editing and publishing at the University of Queensland.

In a podcast, she told the Australian Writers’ Centre:

Well, I’m a plotter, that’s how a book is written quickly and that’s how they come out the right shape, they don’t require much structural feedback, and you can just get on with the line edit and publish the damn thing. I will brainstorm the beginning with a bunch of scenes, or brainstorm part of the middle, and then I plot maybe two chapters ahead, in quite a lot of detail. And that means that when I sit down to write, when I turn off the internet and have my two hours, I look at my notebook and I go, “OK, well, I’ve got to write a scene where Sam and Violet meet in secret and they go and dance in the empty ballroom while the snow falls Kim Wilkins, in conversation with Allison Tait for Australian Writers’ Centre.

L. Sprague de Camp on why you should plan series

L. Sprague de Camp, a major figure in science fiction in America in the 1930s and 40s (who wrote over 100 books), stresses the importance of planning series in particular:

In writing a series of stories about the same characters, plan the whole series in advance in some detail, to avoid contradictions and inconsistencies. L. Sprague de Camp, quoted by Rochelle Melander in ‘Write-A-Thon: Write Your Book in 26 Days (And Live to Tell About It)’, 2011.

Read more advice from authors:

• 8 writing tips from authors who won the Nobel
• 88 inspiring quotes about writing a novel

The best time for planning a book is while you’re doing the dishes. Agatha Christie

GET YOUR FREE GUIDE TO SCENE STRUCTURE

Read a guide to writing scenes with purpose that move your story forward.

What is a story planning question that’s been bugging you? Ask us via the comments below. Start creating a story plan now and view your outline in sidebar as you draft in our distraction-free Writing Pad or Google Docs.

After purchasing The Process, I was able to completely outline my first novel in a matter of weeks, all 25 chapters! – Eric

Related Posts:

• Story setting and worldbuilding: Complete guide
• Writing fantasy: Creating a spellbinding story…
• Tags Story planning , writing process

Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town.

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12 Creative Writing Templates for Planning Your Novel

It’s that time of year when thousands of writers around the world prepare to type faster than a speeding bullet, drink coffee more powerful than a locomotive, and leap tall deadlines in a single bound. Of course, we’re talking about  National Novel Writing Month  (also known as NaNoWriMo), and the challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to create a 50,000-word story from scratch in just 30 days, from November 1–30. How’s that for productivity?

We’ve met a lot of writers who use Evernote to plan, brainstorm, and sometimes even draft their novels. But as any fiction writer knows, the hardest part of any new work is figuring out what to write about in the first place:  What happens next? What motivates these characters? What’s this story about, anyway?

Only you can answer those questions, but it helps to figure them out early. If you’re going to write a novel in November,  the time to plan is now . With that in mind, we’ve created a dozen Evernote templates to help you collect and structure your thoughts. Many of them include questions or prompts to get you started, but you can feel free to replace those with inventions of your own. Start filling them out today; they’ll keep you anchored while writing your 30-day masterpiece.

Power tip:  To use any of the note templates mentioned in this article, click the “Get it »” link and then click “Save to Evernote.” The template will be added to your Evernote account in the notebook of your choice (we recommend  setting up a new notebook  just for templates). You can then copy, move, rename, and edit the note to suit your needs. 

Templates for plotting and outlining your novel 

Are you the sort of writer who wants a solid plan in place before typing “Chapter 1”/ You’ll need a roadmap that begins with a premise and culminates in an outline. There are a lot of different ways to get there, so we’ve made templates for walking you through several of the most popular plotting methods. You can choose the one that fits your personal style.

1.   Story premise worksheet

Your premise is the foundation on which the entire novel is built. With this step-by-step guide, you’ll think about who your protagonist is, what they want, and the problems or conflicts they must overcome. The end product is a concise, two-sentence explanation of what your story is about.

2.   Three-act plotting template

Remember learning in school that all stories should have a beginning, middle, and end? This classic, logical method of storytelling takes you from your story’s initial setup and inciting incident through rising action, turning points, and resolution.

3.   Story beats template

Adapted from the world of screenwriting, this popular method replaces the concept of acts with a set of milestones that commonly appear in many kinds of stories. Hitting these “beats” gives your story a rhythm while leaving the details open to your imagination.

4.   Snowflake method checklist

Maybe you’d rather work from the top down than from the ground up. Inspired by fractal geometry (really!), Randy Ingermanson’s “snowflake method” grows an entire novel from a single sentence. Each step of the process methodically expands upon the one before, filling in details until you have a complete draft.

5.   Story timeline tracker

Regardless of your novel plotting method, keeping track of time in your novel is important. Did your hero get that threatening letter on Tuesday or Sunday? Does the next scene happen on a sunny morning or in the dead of night? This template will keep your novel’s clock ticking smoothly.

6.   Chapter outline

Once you’re in the writing groove, you may not want to wade through all your plotting notes to remember what comes next. This checklist gives you a scannable view of your plot, chapter by chapter and scene by scene, making it easy to see what you’ve completed and how much lies ahead.

Templates for Building Characters in Your Novel  

Even if you aren’t the plotting and outlining type, the more you know about your characters and the world they inhabit, the better your writing will be. The following templates will help you brainstorm and remember the little details that make a story come to life. 

7.   Character master list

Got a lot of characters? This “quick and dirty” list helps you remember who’s who at a glance. Add names, ages, and notes about your characters. And you can drop in a photo or drawing of each character to help you visualize your story.

8.   Character profile worksheet

If you want to go deeper with your characters, you’ll need a full dossier describing their physical appearance, manner of speaking, behavioral traits, and background. This questionnaire covers everything from their hair color to their biggest secret.

9.   Character biography

Now that you know who’s who, here’s a template for figuring out how they got to the situation in your novel. When it’s time to write a flashback or refer to a past event, you’ll breathe easier (and save yourself some edits) knowing you can look up the dates in this simple timeline.

10.   World-building questionnaire

So far, we’ve been talking about the what and who of your novel, but where and when are just as important. Whether you’re writing about a fantasy world or the town you grew up in, this questionnaire will get you thinking in depth about the setting. Then you can write richer, more realistic scenes that draw the reader into your world.

Pulling it all together: Project trackers

A novel has a lot of moving parts. When you factor in research, articles saved with  Web Clipper , and random jottings about who did what to whom, you’ll probably find you have a  lot  of notes for your writing project. Consider adding a couple more to keep it all straight: a dashboard where you can manage the whole thing and a checklist for bringing your completed opus to the world.

11.   Story dashboard note

For a quick overview of your project, use this “dashboard” to track its status.  Add it to your shortcuts  for easy access, and  insert links to related notes  to save time on searches. If you’re writing in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, you can paste the file or link into the body of this note and jump into your manuscript with a click.

12.   Self-publishing checklist

Planning to publish that novel when it’s done? Here’s a checklist of all the important steps, from writing a blurb to editing, design, and proofing.  TIP: If you copy this checklist into your dashboard note, you can easily track your novel from first brainstorm to final publication.

Ready, set, write!

If you’re up to the challenge, sign up for free at  nanowrimo.org . Evernote will be posting more tips and strategies to our blog and social media throughout October and November. We invite you to follow along! 

Originally published on October 2, 2017. Updated on October 12, 2022. 

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Great stories are planned before they are written

J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, came up with the idea for the series while waiting for a train. Did she immediately begin writing the first chapter? No. On that day, she began a five year long journey planning the immersive world and plot of the Harry Potter series. Five years in, and she publishes the first of seven books. What followed was nothing short of amazing.

The series went on to become a worldwide phenomenon and some of the best selling books in history. Records were shattered. Fans clamored for more. J.K. Rowling became a household name and won the admiration of millions around the world.

With Plot Factory, you have the potential to do the same. We provide you with the tools to realize your masterpiece. Begin your journey now.

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Collaborate with your team on Plot Factory just like you would on Google Docs.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Effective Story Planning

Every captivating story begins with a spark of imagination, but it’s the process of planning that transforms that spark into a fully-fledged narrative. Story planning is the foundation upon which characters, plots, and themes are built. Whether you’re an aspiring novelist or a seasoned writer, a well-structured plan can guide you through the creative journey and lead to a more polished and compelling final product. In this guide, we’ll delve into the art of story planning, uncovering its importance, essential components, and techniques for crafting a robust blueprint that will carry your story to success.

The Importance of Story Planning

Story planning is like mapping out a road trip before setting out on the journey. It offers direction, clarity, and a roadmap to follow. By outlining your story’s key elements, you not only ensure coherence and consistency but also save yourself from the pitfalls of writer’s block and aimless wandering.

Essential Components of Story Planning

• Concept and Premise : Begin by identifying the core concept and premise of your story. What is the central idea you want to explore? This forms the heart of your narrative.
• Character Profiles : Develop well-rounded characters with distinct personalities, motivations, and arcs. Understanding your characters deeply enables you to predict how they’ll react in different situations.
• Plot Structure : Decide on the overall structure of your story: the inciting incident, rising action, climax, and resolution. This structure gives your narrative a sense of rhythm and progression.
• World-building : Create the setting in which your story unfolds. Whether it’s a fantastical realm, a historical era, or a modern city, ensure the world is richly detailed and consistent.
• Themes and Messages : Explore the themes you want to convey through your story. What universal truths or insights will your readers take away from the experience?
• Conflict and Stakes : Define the conflicts your characters will face and the stakes involved. Conflict drives the narrative, and high stakes keep readers engaged.

Techniques for Effective Story Planning

• Outline Method : Craft a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline that summarizes key events, character developments, and plot twists. This approach provides a clear roadmap as you write.
• Storyboarding : Visual thinkers might prefer to storyboard their story, sketching out scenes and events in a visual format that helps them see the story’s flow.
• Mind Mapping : Use mind maps to explore connections between characters, plot elements, and themes. This technique can help you uncover hidden links and relationships.
• Character Interviews : Conduct interviews with your characters, asking them questions about their past, present, and motivations. Their answers might reveal unexpected insights.
• Reverse Engineering : Start from the story’s conclusion and work backward. This technique helps ensure that every plot twist and character decision leads logically to the ending.

Flexibility and evolution

Remember that while planning is crucial, stories often evolve as you write. Allow room for spontaneity and be open to changing your plan if your characters or plot take unexpected but exciting turns. Flexibility is key to maintaining a fresh and engaging narrative.

Story planning is the compass that guides your creative journey, ensuring that you navigate the vast landscape of storytelling with purpose and direction. By meticulously crafting character profiles, structuring your plot, and exploring themes, you set the stage for a powerful narrative. Whether you’re meticulously outlining or embracing a more fluid approach, the act of planning itself is an integral part of the storytelling process. So, gather your ideas, sketch your blueprint, and embark on your writing adventure, knowing that a well-planned story is one poised to captivate and resonate with readers.

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Story Outline Template

Outline the structure of your next novel

Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just beginning your creative writing journey, this story outline template lets you organize your ideas, develop dynamic plotlines, and visually build captivating character arcs.

In the realm of creative storytelling, crafting a compelling narrative requires careful planning and outlining your story is the perfect way to do it. Easily drag and drop to rearrange the key parts and watch your story come to life. This template is the perfect companion for writers, authors, screenwriters, and storytellers of all kinds.

This template is part of our guide on How to plan a novel .

• Explore ideas
• Organize visually
• Share with your team
• Gather feedback
• Export to PDF

How to use this template

Whether you’re writing a novel or a screenplay, follow this step-by-step guide to learn the modern process of outlining in Milanote, a free tool used by top creatives.

1. Start with an empty template

The Story Outline template contains empty notes for your ideas and scenes, and placeholders for images, video and links. There are many styles of story outlining including Hero's Journey, Save the Cat Beat Sheet but the most widely used are the Three-Act and Five-Act structures.

Create a new board for your outline.

Create a new board

Drag a board out from the toolbar. Give it a name, then double click to open it.

Choose the  Story Outline  template.

Choose a template 

Each new board gives you the options to start with a beautiful template.

2. Map out the key scenes

Start by laying out the major scenes or events you know so far. These might be the key turning points, locations, or plot twists. Don't worry too much about the order or details yet, just get the main parts out of your head. This is a quick flexible way to divide your story into the 5 key centerpieces. The story of Romeo and Juliet is a perfect example of this:

• Act 1: The Setup - The Montagues and Capulets' long-standing feud is established, and Romeo meets Juliet at the Capulet's party.
• Act 2: Rising Action - Romeo and Juliet fall deeply in love and secretly marry. The feud between their families intensifies.
• Act 3: Climax - Mercutio and Tybalt are killed in a street fight, leading to Romeo's banishment and Juliet's forced marriage to Paris.
• Act 4: Falling Action - Friar Laurence devises a plan to reunite Romeo and Juliet. Juliet takes a potion to feign death.
• Act 5: Resolution - Miscommunication leads to Romeo's belief that Juliet is dead. Tragically, they both die, and their deaths reconcile their feuding families.

Add a Column for each key scene.

Drag a column onto your board

Name it, then drag any relevant notes or images into your column

3. Add high-level details

Next, add a sentence or a short paragraph for each scene. There are no rules for how much detail to add, do what works best for you. Think about what's being communicated in this scene, the location, and the characters involved. This will help you consider where characters are introduced and how this scene connects with the next one. Remember that each act in a five-act structure serves a specific purpose in the overall narrative. By strategically adding content to each act, you create a well-paced and engaging story that builds tension, develops characters, and ultimately leads to a satisfying resolution.

Add a note to describe the plot points.

Drag a note card onto your board

Start typing then use the formatting tools in the left-hand toolbar.

4. Get the sequence right

Seeing your story at a high level lets you make connections between themes and concepts you might otherwise miss if you went straight into writing. Re-read your outline so far. Look for scenes that feel out of place. Perhaps your transitions need some tweaking or a character appears without a proper introduction. Highlight areas that need more work and move scenes or plot points around to get the sequence just right. It might make sense to introduce a character later so move points around as you need to.

Drag plot points around to get the sequence right.

Remember to balance your pacing. Pay attention to the pacing of each act. Alternate between moments of action, tension, and introspection to keep the reader engaged.

5. Add imagery or video

While imagery may not make an appearance in your novel, this is a great technique for visualizing a story as you write and it also helps to kickstart new ideas. Experiment by adding images or movie clips that capture the essence of a character or scene. If you've created a moodboard , now's the time to see if you've already got imagery that suitable. Try saving images from  Google Images ,  Pinterest , or Milanote's built-in image library.

Use the built-in image library. 

Use the built-in image library

Search over 3 million beautiful photos powered by Pexels then drag images straight onto your board.

Embed Youtube videos or audio in a board. 

Embed Youtube videos or audio tracks in a board

Copy the share link from Youtube, Vimeo, Soundcloud or many other services. Drag a link card onto your board, paste your link and press enter.

You're done!

Now that you've finished a draft outline, you can start writing with the confidence that your story has a strong foundation. If you're starting a new novel, grab the free outline template below or try one of our other writing templates to start planning your next book.

Start your Story Outline

Plan your story outline, plot & scenes

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In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit­hole, and that means comfort. It had a perfectly round door like a porthole, painted green, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the exact middle. The door opened on to a tube­shaped hall like a tunnel: a very comfortable tunnel without smoke, with panelled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, provided with polished chairs, and lots and lots of pegs for hats and coats ­ the hobbit was fond of visitors. The tunnel wound on and on, going fairly but not quite straight into the side of the hill ­ The Hill, as all the people for many miles round called it ­ and many little round doors opened out of it, first on one side and then on another. No going upstairs for the hobbit: bedrooms, bathrooms, cellars, pantries (lots of these), wardrobes (he had whole rooms devoted to clothes), kitchens, dining­rooms, all were on the same floor, and indeed on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the left­hand side (going in), for these were the only ones to have windows, deep­set round windows looking over his garden and meadows beyond, sloping down to the river. This hobbit was a very well­to­do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected. He may have lost the neighbours' respect, but he gained­well, you will see whether he gained anything in the end.

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The ship, the stalwart vessel known as 'The Serenity Mariner,' was plunged into chaos as the sky became a swirling maelstrom of opalescent tendrils. The flying jellyfish, their bioluminescent bodies illuminating the blackened sky, descended upon the ship with an otherworldly fury. Their membranous bodies pulsated as they sailed through the air, their long, poisonous tentacles trailing behind them like deadly streamers.

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Planning A Story

Planning a story is one of the best things you can do if you want to finish your story.

I know some writers don’t plan at all.

They just follow their muse , or their creative genius wherever it takes them.

If it works for you, that’s great but many writers find that without a plan to follow, their story falls apart before they get to the finish line.

Personally I don’t have a muse, so I have to work out my stories in advance.

To me, the idea of not planning a story is equivalent to a slow descent into hell!

A writer who has lost themselves in the creative writing process can produce a confusing and confused story.

I have read a lot of pieces where I know there is a good story in there somewhere but the story is lost among a confusion of disjointed scenes that go nowhere, characters who are disconnected and tangents that beat a confusing path towards a whole different story.

At the very least, planning a story will stop you getting stuck, and at the very best, it will enable you to structure your story coherently and let your narrative flow.

Whether you begin with a story idea, or a character idea, it is up to you. If are just starting and are stuck for ideas try some creative writing exercises.

A STORY IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE

In its simplest form a story is something that happens to someone – this is important and forgetting this is one of the most common mistakes writers make.

Your character can be very interesting but unless you reveal that through story, nobody will ever know. There is more help with planning a character here.

If you don’t remember that simple rule you will produce reams of descriptive scenes, or big chunks of dialogue with nothing much actually happening to anyone at all!

A SIMPLE STORY

Planning a story can be easy or complicated.

I write a chapter plan of a novel with each chapter represented by a couple of lines about the action of each chapter. I add to this gradually.

Usually I start writing the project and add to the plan as I go. This makes it easy to manage and helps trigger ideas for new developments.

Not everyone can map out every character, event and obstacle in their proposed book from the get go.

That’s okay – just make a loose chapter plan and add events and place obstacles in your characters path as you go on.

Use your plan as a guide, not a bible and remember to keep adding to your plan as you write – this makes it easier to manage a long project.

I use Scrivener software for writers, all the time. It makes my life much easier.

I can create chapter plans, cork boards, outlines and much more. My favourite feature is the ability to see all the chapters and their headings at a glance.

KEEP TRACK OF THE CHARACTERS IN YOUR STORY

You can and should keep character notes. It is very easy to mention a minor character’s luscious red hair in one scene and yet later on in the story there they are – leaning against a bus stop patting their bald head!

ENJOY BLUSHING

There are lots of people who spend their days trawling through books and films, looking for mistakes like that so that they can post them on discussion boards all over the internet.

Keep notes on locations used and remember if you are mentioning real locations you must be accurate in your description and your depiction.

Keep notes, or learn to enjoy blushing.

Don’t worry though, as long as you have some form of plan you won’t go too far wrong.

But, without a plan you could go so very, very wrong.

It is very disheartening to find you have somehow written a large quantity of pages that add nothing to your work – except confusion.

Believe me I’ve been there.

A WHOLE LOT OF MIDDLE AND A WHOLE LOT OF MUDDLE

Without a plan you might find yourself with a whole lot of middle, a whole lot of muddle and no ending.

What’s so heartbreaking about this is that sometimes writers get to this point after a couple of hundred pages and then find themselves unable to end their story. For more about this see ‘ tired of your own story.’

Planning a story means you can work out whether a viable ending is possible before you are a couple of hundred pages in and that’s worth doing.

Good luck with your story planning and all your writing.

P.s. all the information and creative writing tips are provided here free for you. all i ask in return is that you comment in the box below, like and share this article so that others may enjoy it too., share this:.

creative writing , creative writing process , creative writing tips , planning a story

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✍️ 100+ Creative Writing Exercises for Fiction Authors

This curated directory of creative writing exercises was conceived thanks to a collaboration between the top writing blogs of 2024. Use the filters to find and practice specific techniques — and show that blank page who’s boss!

We found 119 exercises that match your search 🔦

The Hammer and the Hatchet

A stranger walks into the general store and buys a hammer, a hatchet, some rope, and an apple. What does he do with them?

Writer's Block

Picket fence.

Describe your house - or the dream house you hope to get some day.

Telephone Directory

It is commonly known that a telephone directory might be the most boring text in the entire world. Here is your challenge: write a page of a telephone directory and figure out SOME way to make it interesting.

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Pick a fiction book from your shelf. Go to page eight and find the eighth sentence on the page. Start with that sentence and write an eight-line poem that connects in some way to your work-in-progress. For instance, write from the POV of a character, or set the poem in a story setting. Don't worry about poetry forms. Just write eight lines of any length that flow and explore some aspect of character, setting, or theme.

• Why are you grumpy? I have a hangover.
• Why do you have a hangover? My friend was in a bad accident and I thought he might die?
• Why did you think he might die? His girlfriend lied to me about how serious the accident was.
• Why did she lie about that? She's jealous of our relationship.
• Why? I think she's insecure and has trust issues.

Character Development

The ellen degeneres show.

A talk show is scripted to promote the guest and discuss topics with which the guest is comfortable. Imagine your protagonist on the Ellen Degeneres Show (or The Late Show With Stephen Colbert - whichever show you're familiar with). What questions would be asked of your protagonist? What funny anecdotes would your protagonist share? Write down the reactions of both your protagonist and the host.

• You could say it began with a phone call."
• Michael had watched them both for weeks."
• She remembered the way it was the first time she saw the prison."
• Midsummer, no time to be in New Orleans."
• With the dawn came the light."

Thank you to all our contributors: Almost An Author, Alyssa Hollingsworth, Anne R. Allen, Bang2Write, Christopher Fielden, Darcy Pattinson, Elizabeth S. Craig, Flogging The Quill, Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips, Helping Writers Become Authors, Katie McCoach, Lauren Carter, Insecure Writer’s Support Group, Mandy Wallace, NaNoWriMo, Nail Your Novel, Novel Publicity, One Stop For Writers, Pro Writing Aid, PsychWriter, re:Fiction, The Journal, The Writer’s Workshop, Well-Storied, Women On Writing, writing.ie, Writing-World.com!

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Your Story Starts Here

Pluot is the intuitive character and story planning app for writers. Download today.

Unleash Your Writing Potential

Plot scenes.

Build the conflict and outcome of each scene in your outline and easily reorder your scenes through drag-and-drop.

Develop Characters

The heart of your story. Complete detailed character profiles with over 70 attributes available.

Create Locations

The setting for your scenes. Describe your locations and provide their history and residents.

Construct Storylines

Define the plot points of each storyline in your outline, including the inciting incident, midpoint, climax, and resolution.

Create custom items

Vehicles, magic wands, organizations, create whatever your story requires!

Link Story Elements

Create interconnected outlines by linking scenes to your created characters, locations, storylines and custom items.

Attach character, location, storyline and custom item images to help visualize your story.

Weekly Writing Challenge

Each week, you'll find a new writing prompt in the app to flex your creative writing muscles. Submit your story and receive feedback from other users!

Import and Export

Import JSON files and export your outlines to text and Microsoft Word files when you're ready to write!

Available in 20+ Languages

Distraction-free outlining.

Frequently Asked Questions

Pluot is designed for writers of various genres, including novelists, screenwriters, playwrights, animators, graphic novelists, video game writers, Dungeon Masters, and more. It provides a comprehensive plot planning and story outlining tool with detailed character worksheets, scene creation, location management, and storyline development.

Absolutely! If you subscribe to Pluot Pro, you can easily backup your outlines to the cloud and seamlessly sync changes across multiple devices.

If you're not a Pro subscriber, you still have the option to export your outlines to a JSON file, which can be imported on another device. However, please note that this method is not intended for actively working on an outline across multiple devices.

Yes, you can export your outlines to a JSON file for transferring data between devices or to a plain text file when you've completed your outline and are ready to start writing!

With Pluot Pro, you also have the option to backup your work to the cloud, allowing for quick and convenient transfer between devices.

Currently, Pluot is exclusively available on Android and Chromebook devices. However, there may be plans to develop iOS and web versions in the future. Stay tuned!

If you'd like to support the ongoing development of the app, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review on the Google Play store listing . Ratings and reviews play a crucial role in the growth of the app, and I value feedback from users like you.

Additionally, there is a crowd-sourced translation project available where you can contribute to improving and adding translations. Your help in this endeavor is immensely appreciated.

Lastly, spreading the word about Pluot would be fantastic. I am incredibly grateful for the positive reception the app has received so far, and I would love for more people to join in its continued growth. By the way, there's also a Discord community where you can connect with other Pluot users!

Ready to plot?

Try it out today!

• My Storyboards

Creative Writing Worksheet Templates

Customize creative writing templates.

If you're assigning this to your students, copy the worksheet to your account and save. When creating an assignment, just select it as a template!

What is a Creative Writing Worksheet?

If you are someone who enjoys writing, you probably know that it takes more than just creativity to produce an engaging story or a captivating poem. These kills require a lot of practice and a structured approach. This is where creative writing worksheets come in handy. Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting, these worksheets can help you express your thoughts and ideas more effectively. These worksheets help kids plan different story formats, with story maps to guide plot or fun shapes to fit a theme or idea.

Why are Creative Writing Templates Important and How are They Best Used?

Creative work is often where children get the most enjoyment out of writing in school and where they can exercise their imaginations. These templates help develop their plot sequence, create personalities for characters, and shape conflict. Moreover the templates give students the opportunity to write about themes and ideas in a format that is different from traditional lined paper, which can stimulate their creativity and make the process more fun and interesting.

Creative writing worksheets, such as story template writing and creative writing outline template, are essential tools for developing writing skills. They offer a structured approach to learning and practicing writing skills by breaking down the writing process into manageable steps and providing prompts and activities. By using these worksheets, students can learn how to organize their thoughts, create an outline, and develop a cohesive and engaging plot. This can help writers build confidence in their abilities and develop a better understanding of how to craft a well-written story or essay.

In addition to providing structure, these worksheets also encourage creativity and self-expression. By presenting your class with prompts that challenge them to think outside the box, these worksheets can help them express themselves in unique and innovative ways. Moreover, they can ignite a passion for writing and storytelling, which can translate to other aspects of their lives.

Besides promoting creativity, these worksheets also reinforce language skills, including vocabulary and grammar. By including prompts that focus on specific vocabulary or grammar concepts, students can learn and practice those concepts in a way that is engaging and memorable.

Types of Creative Writing Worksheets

• Writing Paper: Writing paper is a basic worksheet that provides a blank space for you to write your story or poem. It is an essential tool for any writer, and you can find various types of paper, including lined paper, graph paper, and plain paper.
• Story Planning Template: A story planning template is a worksheet that helps you plan your story. It includes sections for characters, setting, plot, and other important elements. This template is useful for those who want to organize their ideas before starting to write.
• Story Writing Outline: A story writing outline is a worksheet that helps you create a structured outline for your work. It includes sections for the beginning, middle, and end, as well as character development and plot progression.
• Creative Writing Template: This is a worksheet that provides a framework for your writing. It can include sections for different types of writing, such as descriptive writing or poetry, and can be used to structure your process.
• Butterfly Writing Template: A butterfly writing template is a fun and engaging worksheet that helps you explore different perspectives and viewpoints. It includes sections for different viewpoints, such as the perspective of an insect or a flower, and can be used to write stories or poems.
• Creative Writing Planning Sheet: A creative writing planning sheet is a worksheet that helps you plan. It includes sections for brainstorming, outlining, and organizing your ideas.
• Creative Writing Storyboard: A creative writing storyboard is a worksheet that helps you visualize what you want to writer about. It includes sections for different scenes and can be used to plan your story's progression visually.
• Creative Writing Prompts: These prompts are worksheets that provide inspiration. They can include prompts for different types of writing, such as poetry or fiction, and can help you generate new ideas.

Making Creative Writing Worksheets from Scratch

• Determine Your Objective: Start by identifying what you want your students to achieve through the worksheet. Do you want them to practice a specific writing skill or develop their creativity? Knowing your objective will help you create prompts and activities that are focused and effective.
• Choose a Format: Decide on the format that you want your worksheet to take. Different formats work better for different objectives, so choose one that aligns with your goal.
• Create Prompts and Activities: Develop prompts and activities that are tailored to your objective and format. For example, if you want your class to practice descriptive writing, you could provide a prompt that asks them to describe a particular object or scene.
• Incorporate Visual Aids: Consider using visual aids, such as images or illustrations, to help students generate ideas and engage with the material. This can make the worksheet more interesting and accessible.
• Test and Revise: Once you have created your worksheet, test it out with a small group of students to see how effective it is. Take feedback on board and make revisions as needed to ensure that the worksheet meets your objectives and engages students in the writing process.

Tips For Creating Your Own Creative Writing Worksheets

If you want to create your own worksheets, here are some tips to help you get started:

• Determine the Purpose of Your Worksheet: Decide what type of worksheet you want to create and what it should accomplish.
• Choose a Template: Select a template that fits the purpose of your worksheet. There are many templates available online that you can use as a starting point.
• Include Prompts or Examples: To help your class or yourself get started, include prompts or examples that will inspire creativity.
• Make it Visually Appealing: Use images, colors, and fonts to make your worksheet visually appealing.

Making a worksheet from scratch can be fun, but using one of our premade templates will be so much easier! Check out how below.

How to Make Creative Writing Worksheets

Choose one of the premade templates.

We have lots of amazing templates to choose from. Take a look at our colorful example for inspiration!

Click on "Copy Template"

Once you do this, you will be directed to the storyboard creator.

Give Your Poster a Name!

Be sure to call it something related to the topic so that you can easily find it in the future.

Edit Your Poster

This is where you will include details, text, images, and make any aesthetic changes that you would like. The options are endless!

Click "Save and Exit"

When you are finished with your poster, click this button in the lower right hand corner to exit your storyboard.

From here you can print, download as a PDF, attach it to an assignment and use it digitally, and more!

Using Creative Writing Worksheets Effectively

Once you have created your worksheets, here are some strategies for using them effectively:

• Incorporate them into your teaching: Use creative writing worksheets as part of your classroom curriculum to help your students improve their writing skills.
• Use them as a warm-up: Use creative writing worksheets as a warm-up activity before beginning a writing project to get your creative juices flowing.
• Share examples: Share examples of completed worksheets to help your class understand how to use them effectively.

Even More Storyboard That Resources and Free Printables

• Poem Templates
• Illustrated Story
• Composition Worksheet
• Setting Map
• Journal Cover Worksheet

Happy Creating!

Frequently Asked Questions About Creative Writing Worksheets

In what ways do creative writing worksheets help improve writing skills.

These worksheets, including story planning templates and story outlines, are a versatile tool for improving composition skills. They provide a structured approach, while offering prompts and activities that focus on specific skills such as character development or descriptive writing. In addition to helping students develop creativity, vocabulary, and grammar skills, these worksheets can improve critical thinking skills by asking writers to analyze and interpret literary texts or create their own stories and characters. By providing a framework for them to organize their thoughts and ideas, these templates can be especially helpful for kids who struggle with getting started on a written assignment. Overall, they are a valuable resource for helping students become better writers and more confident communicators.

How can creative writing worksheets be used to teach different writing genres?

These worksheets can be adapted to teach different genres, such as poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. For example, a worksheet could focus on developing descriptive language for poetry writing, or on creating character profiles for fiction writing. By tailoring the prompts and activities to specific genres, children can learn the skills needed to write in those genres.

How can creative writing worksheets be used to encourage creativity?

Examples and worksheets can be used to encourage creativity by providing prompts and activities that inspire writers to think outside the box. For example, a worksheet could ask students to write a story from the perspective of an inanimate object, or to create a new world with its own rules and customs. By encouraging writers to explore their imagination and creativity, our worksheets can help foster a love of the written word and storytelling.

How can teachers help students who want to know how to start creative writing using worksheets?

Teachers can help by providing clear instructions and guidance on how to use the worksheets effectively. This can include demonstrating how to use story planning templates and outlines to organize their thoughts and ideas, as well as providing prompts and activities that inspire creativity and encourage writers to think outside the box. Additionally, teachers can offer feedback and support throughout the process to help students develop their creative ideas, writing skills and build confidence. By providing a supportive and structured learning environment, teachers can help students of all levels improve their abilities and achieve their goals.

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Story planning

Transform your story ideas into captivating narratives with our easy-to-use story planning template. Start crafting your masterpiece today!

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Elevate your storytelling with our story planning template

Are you an aspiring writer, a seasoned novelist, or a creative mind venturing into the world of storytelling? Our Story Planning Template is designed to turn your abstract ideas into well-structured narratives. Whether you're crafting a novel, a screenplay, or any form of creative writing, this template is your compass guiding you through the complex journey of story creation.

What's inside this story planning template?

• Overview section : Begin with the end in mind. Jot down a brief description, define the genre, and identify your target audience.
• Characters : Dive deep into the psyche of your characters. From your protagonists to the supporting cast, outline their backgrounds, motivations, and evolution throughout the story.
• Setting : Paint the world of your story. Detail the primary locations and enrich your narrative with comprehensive world-building elements.
• Plot structure : Master the art of storytelling with a structured plot outline. From the inciting incident to the resolution, every phase of your story is meticulously planned.
• Themes and motifs : Weave in themes and motifs that resonate with your audience, turning a simple narrative into a compelling saga.

Empower your storytelling

Imagine transforming your scattered thoughts into a compelling story that captivates your audience. This template is your ally in the creative process. It helps you craft narratives that engage, entertain, and leave a lasting impact. Use it to streamline your workflow, enhance creativity, and bring your unique stories to life.

Key benefits of this story planning template

• Accessible and user-friendly : Whether you're a novice or a pro, this template is designed for easy understanding and adaptability.
• Empowering : Feel empowered as you watch your story take shape, knowing every element is in place to create a masterpiece.
• Professional and polished : Present your story ideas with confidence. This template helps you articulate your vision clearly and professionally.

Ready to craft your story?

Embark on your storytelling journey with confidence. Try our story planning template to channel your creativity, structure your ideas, and bring your stories to life. Get started on the first chapter of your next great adventure in writing.

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How Plottr Will Help You Outline & Organize Your Books

Visualize Your Plot Points

• Quickly outline your book with visual story cards
• Filter your timeline by characters, places, and tags
• Color-coordinate your storylines to keep them organized
• Flip the timeline to view it vertically or horizontally

Create Your Story Bible

• Visually organize your characters and places
• Link your characters and places to your scenes
• Create custom attributes to track specific details, like special powers or geographical trivia.

Automate Your Outlines

• Generate an outline automatically based on what you've created
• Autosave ensures your work is always safe
• Edit your scenes in outline view and filter them by storylines
• Export your outline to Microsoft Word and Scrivener

Start with Proven Templates

• Starter templates from Hero's Journey to Romancing the Beat
• Writing to market? Use a genre-specific template
• Create your own plotline and character sheet templates

Export to Word & Scrivener

• Export your outline to MS Word & Scrivener in seconds
• Use your outline as the basis of your manuscript

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Plottr is a visual outlining tool built for published and aspiring writers of all kinds – novelists, screenwriters,  playwrights, academics, journalists, writing students, and beyond.

It helps pantsers just as much as plotters. Pantsers will enjoy the series bible and editing capabilities. Trust me, it's really going to help.

Whether you’re an outlining pro or your journey is just beginning, Plottr can help you visually (and creatively) build a plan to write your book!

After you write your first draft, you're still going to have to think about the plot and the character arcs and plot holes, etc. and make it all work together. You can do that after your first draft in Plottr just as easily as beforehand.

When you're on book 3 or 7 or 10 of your series, you're just not going to remember what that one character's eye color was, but your readers will. Having a series bible helps you save so much time!

Plottr Pro has all the features of Plottr but also adds cloud-based functionality such as a web app, automatic syncing across platforms (web & desktop), cloud backups, and real-time collaboration.

It is best suited for writers who plan to use Plottr while connected to the internet, don't intend to manage their files locally, and/or need to collaborate with a co-author, coach, or editor.

For Plottr: You can download Plottr on Windows & Mac.  Backups are stored on your computer and you can sync files across devices using a 3rd-party storage service (e.g. Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive). 

For Plottr Pro: Plottr Pro is available to download for Windows & Mac as well, but you can also use your browser to use Plottr! That means you can use it on a mobile device, Chromebook, Surface Tablets, and any other device with a browser. It backs up to the cloud and syncs instantly between devices just like working with Google Docs.

We provide friendly and sometimes humorous support to all customers from a real, live person via email even on weekends when you need it most. We try to answer within a day, but often it's quicker than that!

We also offer a full suite of educational resources, including:

• Live group trainings
• Video tutorials
• Written documentation
• Author interviews
• Product demos

You can also view (and contribute to) our roadmap here .

Yes. All versions of Plottr are granted unlimited household licenses. You can use it on as many devices as you own!

For Plottr: It's a lifetime license that never expires! You get updates for life. You get access to your projects for life.

For Plottr Pro: If your account expires, you will no longer be able to access your projects or get updates and bug fixes afterwards without renewing.

For Plottr: Backups are stored on your computer as files and it's easy to revert to any stored backup.

For Plottr Pro: Backups are stored in the cloud and you can also save them locally to your device! It's also easy to revert to stored backups.

Both: Backups are made 2x per session per project. The first time is when you open a project for the first time that day. And the second time is when you're finished using a project.

So you will have 2 backups per project for every day that you have worked on it: one before you made any changes that day, and another after your last change.

For Plottr: Backups are stored on your computer as files and we can't access them (not even in the case of a broken computer) though we can help you find them on your computer.

For Plottr Pro: Backups are stored in the cloud and you can also save them locally to your device! We can help you access them and email you a backup file or just show you how to do it yourself.

For Plottr: You can sync files across devices using a 3rd-party storage service (e.g. Dropbox, iCloud, OneDrive). 

For Plottr Pro: It syncs to the cloud instantly between devices just like working with Google Docs.

We run many different types of events:

• Genre-specific education
• General Writing Craft education
• Plot analysis
• Accountability Groups
• Office Hours
• Writing Craft Book Clubs

To see what events are coming up, check out our events page !

The Plottr Community site is a private community that we host on Mighty Networks. It's not our Facebook group, though we do have one of those and we do enjoy reaching people on there.

This private community site is where we host all our educational events and let you connect and network. It's moderated so that we can maintain a friendly, supportive atmosphere. You can talk with other writers, learn from our coaches, hear some otter puns, and even group into accountability groups.

For right now, only people paying for the education plans (Plottr Pro + Education, or Education only) have access unless you have attended one of our educational events. In the future we will be opening this community up to anyone!

If you already have Plottr Pro and you don't want the education plan, then there's no need to change anything. You get all the same benefits of Pro, just like the Pro+Education bundle.

We have found that writers thrive within a supportive community and that their chances of success are many times greater. For that reason and others, Plottr Pro is being bundled with our educational community.

This saves you more than 30% and it also sets you up for success, and seeing you succeed is what makes us happy!

So for now you can't get access to Plottr Pro without that sweet sweet, supportive community.

Even if you don't use Plottr or Plottr Pro, we'd still love to have you in our education community, so don't be shy! It's for anyone who is willing to be kind and supportive towards other writers and who wants that from others.

You can try out Plottr for free for 60 long days with the free trial!

This should give you plenty of time to try it and decide that it's right for you. Because of that, we don't give refunds after purchase.

If you cancel your subscription to Plottr Pro + Education or Education only, you will still have access until the end of the subscription period, but we don't give prorated refunds for unused time.

Yes, both Plottr Pro + Education and the Education only subscriptions are auto-renewing and we are not able to turn that off.

Yes. Reach out to Support and they can help you with that!

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How to Plan a Creative Writing Piece

Last Updated: May 26, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Lucy V. Hay . Lucy V. Hay is a Professional Writer based in London, England. With over 20 years of industry experience, Lucy is an author, script editor, and award-winning blogger who helps other writers through writing workshops, courses, and her blog Bang2Write. Lucy is the producer of two British thrillers, and Bang2Write has appeared in the Top 100 round-ups for Writer’s Digest & The Write Life and is a UK Blog Awards Finalist and Feedspot’s #1 Screenwriting blog in the UK. She received a B.A. in Scriptwriting for Film & Television from Bournemouth University. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 137,202 times.

Whether you are writing for fun or to satisfy a school assignment, planning a creative writing piece can be a challenge. If you don't already have an idea in mind, you will need to do a little brainstorming to come up with something that interests you. Once you have a general idea of what you want to write about, the best way to get started is to break your project into smaller, more manageable parts. When you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with your piece, the writing itself will come more easily.

Getting Started

• You can find character sheet templates online, such as here: https://www.freelancewriting.com/copywriting/using-character-sheets-in-fiction-writing/ .

Writing Your Piece

• Kurt Vonnegut grabs the reader's attention at the start of Slaughterhouse-Five quite simply, by saying, “All this happened, more or less.”
• Tolstoy summed up the main theme of his novel Anna Karenina in its very first sentence: “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.”

• If you are writing a work of fiction, each of your main characters has something they want, which motivates them to make the choices that drive the plot forward.
• If you are writing a non-fiction work about an actual person or event, include specific details about the key players to make them more interesting to your reader.

• Think of a familiar place you encounter every day, but set the story 100 years in the future – or 1,000.
• Set your story in the modern day world, but change one very key element – imagine that dinosaurs never went extinct, electricity was never invented, or aliens have taken over the planet.
• Whatever time period you choose, make sure the reader has a firm understanding of it early in your story so that they can properly follow the story. The reader needs to know the time period in order to imagine that characters and scenes.

• If you are writing something for the young adult market, focus on the things that matter most to teens and don't worry about whether older adults will like it.
• If you want to write a particular type of fiction, like westerns or sci-fi, read the most popular works in that genre to understand what its readers expect.
• Not everyone will appreciate your sense of humor, and that's okay – be yourself, and let your work speak to those who do.

Staying Motivated

Developing Your Concept

• Novels. The novel is one of the most popular forms of creative writing, and also one of the most challenging. A novel is a large project, with most novels containing at least 50,000 words. Any topic can be the subject of a novel. Certain types of novels are so popular that they belong to their own category, or genre. Examples of genre fiction are romance, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy.
• Short stories. A work of fiction under 7,500 words is usually considered a short story. A short story usually has all of the elements of a novel, including a structured plot. However, experimental forms of short stories like flash fiction do away with ordinary narrative conventions and can take almost any form the author chooses.
• Personal essay or memoir. A personal essay or memoir is a work of non-fiction based on your life. Drawing on your own life experiences can provide you with a wide array of story topics. Not only that, it can be an interesting way to better understand yourself and share your experiences with the world.
• Blogs. The word blog is a shortened form of the term web log, which can refer to any type of writing that is published regularly on the internet. Blogs can be stories, factual pieces, or diaries.
• Poetry. Poetry can take any number of forms, from traditional rhyming couplets to modern free-form verse. Poets typically develop their own unique writing style and write about any topic imaginable, from situations and emotions to current events or social commentary.
• Screenplays or stage plays. These are detailed scripts written for a film or a play. This form of writing has very specific rules about structure and formatting, but the subject matter can be anything you like. [10] X Research source

• Keep your eyes open for compelling stories in the news that could provide a starting point.
• Observe what is happening around you and turn it into a story.
• Adapt your thoughts into a story.
• Draw on an interesting or unusual event that happened in your own life.
• Search the web for “writing prompts” and you'll find lots of ideas to get you going, suggested by other writers. You could even use a random prompt generator website to get a unique suggestion just for you!

• The popular 1990s teen movie Clueless is a modern adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel Emma .
• The classic Greek myth The Odyssey has been re-imagined in countless ways, including James Joyce's Ulysses and the Coen Brothers' O Brother Where Art Thou? Many authors have adapted its basic story structure of a hero's quest.
• Stories about vampires are all loosely adapted from Bram Stoker's Dracula, but many different writers have put their own unique spin on the concept.

• Salinger's Catcher in the Rye contains themes of alienation and coming of age.
• Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series addresses themes of courage, and the triumph of good over evil.
• Douglas Adams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy plays with themes about the absurdity of life, the interconnectedness of all things, and how seemingly minor incidents can have huge consequences.

Expert Q&A

• Try to provide something of value to the reader, who is investing their time in reading your work. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• The best writing is always simple, clear, and concise. Overly complicated sentences can be difficult to follow, and you may lose your reader's interest. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/the_writing_process/developing_an_outline/how_to_outline.html
• ↑ https://www.scad.edu/sites/default/files/PDF/Animation-design-challenge-character-sheets.pdf
• ↑ https://www.writersdigest.com/be-inspired/5-ways-to-start-writing-your-novel-today
• ↑ https://www.georgebrown.ca/sites/default/files/uploadedfiles/tlc/_documents/hooks_and_attention_grabbers.pdf
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/creative_writing/characters_and_fiction_writing/writing_compelling_characters.html
• ↑ https://www.umgc.edu/current-students/learning-resources/writing-center/writing-resources/prewriting/writing-for-an-audience
• ↑ https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/writingprocess/goalsetting/how
• ↑ https://researchwriting.unl.edu/developing-effective-writing-habits
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/resources/writing_instructors/grades_7_12_instructors_and_students/what_to_do_when_you_are_stuck.html
• ↑ https://www.acs.edu.au/info/writing/creative-writing/creative-writers.aspx
• ↑ https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/brainstorming/
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/research_papers/choosing_a_topic.html

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Story Planner – A Free Printable To Develop Your Creative Story

There are two basic ways to create a story. The first is to sit down and just start writing a story, throwing your ideas onto a page and hoping it becomes a developed adventure. The other way involves a lot of planning and diving into your adventure before you actually start putting your story down on paper. This resource is an easy story planner to help pull all your ideas together if you choose option #2 for your creative writing.

Table of Contents

>> DOWNLOAD THIS STORY PLANNER <<

This story planner will help you think a lot about all the aspects of the story you are going to write. It will challenge you to think in depth about your character, your setting, the problems and solutions, and the events along the way. It’s a great way to flesh out ideas and throw yourself into the adventure so you can envision the people, places, and struggles when you go to share them with others.

Included in the 13 pages of My Story Planner:

• Main Character: Physical Appearance, Personality, Their Family, Hobbies, Habits, Occupation.
• Supporting Character Details
• Additional Characters
• The Story: Genre, Point of View, The Plot
• Location/Setting
• Outline of Events
• The Solution
• Final Thoughts: The Ending, The Title, Your Reader

Each topic has a bunch of questions to help you think about something you might not have considered before. You don’t have to answer every single question – just use them to get your thinking going! Do as much detail as possible to make it easier to bring your story to life!

You can use this for more than a novel, too. What about a video game ? Most of the great ones have a terrific story to give you a goal to work towards. Or a movie? You can use this planner for that as well. Think outside the box!

Need something to get the creative juices going? Check out this list of creative story starters .

June 2013: This publication is no longer available, however the website has been archived and can still be referenced. The Read more

If you've been looking for a way to develop the spelling skills of your child in the Grade 6 to Read more

Sorry for another non-Canadian resource this week, but this one starts soon and is very exciting! National Novel Writing Month Read more

Not Canadian, but still a great resource. Thanks to the Screen Actors' Guild, StoryLine Online features well known actors like Read more

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Thank you very much Lisa. Great resource!

you guys are the best

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Narrative Writing: A Complete Guide for Teachers and Students

MASTERING THE CRAFT OF NARRATIVE WRITING

Narratives build on and encourage the development of the fundamentals of writing. They also require developing an additional skill set: the ability to tell a good yarn, and storytelling is as old as humanity.

We see and hear stories everywhere and daily, from having good gossip on the doorstep with a neighbor in the morning to the dramas that fill our screens in the evening.

Good narrative writing skills are hard-won by students even though it is an area of writing that most enjoy due to the creativity and freedom it offers.

Here we will explore some of the main elements of a good story: plot, setting, characters, conflict, climax, and resolution . And we will look too at how best we can help our students understand these elements, both in isolation and how they mesh together as a whole.

WHAT IS A NARRATIVE?

A narrative is a story that shares a sequence of events , characters, and themes. It expresses experiences, ideas, and perspectives that should aspire to engage and inspire an audience.

A narrative can spark emotion, encourage reflection, and convey meaning when done well.

Narratives are a popular genre for students and teachers as they allow the writer to share their imagination, creativity, skill, and understanding of nearly all elements of writing.  We occasionally refer to a narrative as ‘creative writing’ or story writing.

The purpose of a narrative is simple, to tell the audience a story.  It can be written to motivate, educate, or entertain and can be fact or fiction.

A COMPLETE UNIT ON TEACHING NARRATIVE WRITING

Teach your students to become skilled story writers with this HUGE   NARRATIVE & CREATIVE STORY WRITING UNIT . Offering a  COMPLETE SOLUTION  to teaching students how to craft  CREATIVE CHARACTERS, SUPERB SETTINGS, and PERFECT PLOTS .

Over 192 PAGES of materials, including:

TYPES OF NARRATIVE WRITING

There are many narrative writing genres and sub-genres such as these.

We have a complete guide to writing a personal narrative that differs from the traditional story-based narrative covered in this guide. It includes personal narrative writing prompts, resources, and examples and can be found here.

As we can see, narratives are an open-ended form of writing that allows you to showcase creativity in many directions. However, all narratives share a common set of features and structure known as “Story Elements”, which are briefly covered in this guide.

Don’t overlook the importance of understanding story elements and the value this adds to you as a writer who can dissect and create grand narratives. We also have an in-depth guide to understanding story elements here .

CHARACTERISTICS OF NARRATIVE WRITING

Narrative structure.

ORIENTATION (BEGINNING) Set the scene by introducing your characters, setting and time of the story. Establish your who, when and where in this part of your narrative

COMPLICATION AND EVENTS (MIDDLE) In this section activities and events involving your main characters are expanded upon. These events are written in a cohesive and fluent sequence.

RESOLUTION (ENDING) Your complication is resolved in this section. It does not have to be a happy outcome, however.

EXTRAS: Whilst orientation, complication and resolution are the agreed norms for a narrative, there are numerous examples of popular texts that did not explicitly follow this path exactly.

NARRATIVE FEATURES

LANGUAGE: Use descriptive and figurative language to paint images inside your audience’s minds as they read.

PERSPECTIVE Narratives can be written from any perspective but are most commonly written in first or third person.

DIALOGUE Narratives frequently switch from narrator to first-person dialogue. Always use speech marks when writing dialogue.

TENSE If you change tense, make it perfectly clear to your audience what is happening. Flashbacks might work well in your mind but make sure they translate to your audience.

THE PLOT MAP

This graphic is known as a plot map, and nearly all narratives fit this structure in one way or another, whether romance novels, science fiction or otherwise.

It is a simple tool that helps you understand and organise a story’s events. Think of it as a roadmap that outlines the journey of your characters and the events that unfold. It outlines the different stops along the way, such as the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, that help you to see how the story builds and develops.

Using a plot map, you can see how each event fits into the larger picture and how the different parts of the story work together to create meaning. It’s a great way to visualize and analyze a story.

Be sure to refer to a plot map when planning a story, as it has all the essential elements of a great story.

THE 5 KEY STORY ELEMENTS OF A GREAT NARRATIVE (6-MINUTE TUTORIAL VIDEO)

This video we created provides an excellent overview of these elements and demonstrates them in action in stories we all know and love.

HOW TO WRITE A NARRATIVE

Now that we understand the story elements and how they come together to form stories, it’s time to start planning and writing your narrative.

In many cases, the template and guide below will provide enough details on how to craft a great story. However, if you still need assistance with the fundamentals of writing, such as sentence structure, paragraphs and using correct grammar, we have some excellent guides on those here.

USE YOUR WRITING TIME EFFECTIVELY: Maximize your narrative writing sessions by spending approximately 20 per cent of your time planning and preparing.  This ensures greater productivity during your writing time and keeps you focused and on task.

Use tools such as graphic organizers to logically sequence your narrative if you are not a confident story writer.  If you are working with reluctant writers, try using narrative writing prompts to get their creative juices flowing.

Spend most of your writing hour on the task at hand, don’t get too side-tracked editing during this time and leave some time for editing. When editing a  narrative, examine it for these three elements.

• Spelling and grammar ( Is it readable?)
• Story structure and continuity ( Does it make sense, and does it flow? )
• Character and plot analysis. (Are your characters engaging? Does your problem/resolution work? )

1. SETTING THE SCENE: THE WHERE AND THE WHEN

The story’s setting often answers two of the central questions in the story, namely, the where and the when. The answers to these two crucial questions will often be informed by the type of story the student is writing.

The story’s setting can be chosen to quickly orient the reader to the type of story they are reading. For example, a fictional narrative writing piece such as a horror story will often begin with a description of a haunted house on a hill or an abandoned asylum in the middle of the woods. If we start our story on a rocket ship hurtling through the cosmos on its space voyage to the Alpha Centauri star system, we can be reasonably sure that the story we are embarking on is a work of science fiction.

Such conventions are well-worn clichés true, but they can be helpful starting points for our novice novelists to make a start.

Having students choose an appropriate setting for the type of story they wish to write is an excellent exercise for our younger students. It leads naturally onto the next stage of story writing, which is creating suitable characters to populate this fictional world they have created. However, older or more advanced students may wish to play with the expectations of appropriate settings for their story. They may wish to do this for comic effect or in the interest of creating a more original story. For example, opening a story with a children’s birthday party does not usually set up the expectation of a horror story. Indeed, it may even lure the reader into a happy reverie as they remember their own happy birthday parties. This leaves them more vulnerable to the surprise element of the shocking action that lies ahead.

Once the students have chosen a setting for their story, they need to start writing. Little can be more terrifying to English students than the blank page and its bare whiteness stretching before them on the table like a merciless desert they must cross. Give them the kick-start they need by offering support through word banks or writing prompts. If the class is all writing a story based on the same theme, you may wish to compile a common word bank on the whiteboard as a prewriting activity. Write the central theme or genre in the middle of the board. Have students suggest words or phrases related to the theme and list them on the board.

You may wish to provide students with a copy of various writing prompts to get them started. While this may mean that many students’ stories will have the same beginning, they will most likely arrive at dramatically different endings via dramatically different routes.

A bargain is at the centre of the relationship between the writer and the reader. That bargain is that the reader promises to suspend their disbelief as long as the writer creates a consistent and convincing fictional reality. Creating a believable world for the fictional characters to inhabit requires the student to draw on convincing details. The best way of doing this is through writing that appeals to the senses. Have your student reflect deeply on the world that they are creating. What does it look like? Sound like? What does the food taste like there? How does it feel like to walk those imaginary streets, and what aromas beguile the nose as the main character winds their way through that conjured market?

Also, Consider the when; or the time period. Is it a future world where things are cleaner and more antiseptic? Or is it an overcrowded 16th-century London with human waste stinking up the streets? If students can create a multi-sensory installation in the reader’s mind, then they have done this part of their job well.

Popular Settings from Children’s Literature and Storytelling

• Fairytale Kingdom
• Magical Forest
• Village/town
• Underwater world
• Space/Alien planet

2. CASTING THE CHARACTERS: THE WHO

Now that your student has created a believable world, it is time to populate it with believable characters.

In short stories, these worlds mustn’t be overpopulated beyond what the student’s skill level can manage. Short stories usually only require one main character and a few secondary ones. Think of the short story more as a small-scale dramatic production in an intimate local theater than a Hollywood blockbuster on a grand scale. Too many characters will only confuse and become unwieldy with a canvas this size. Keep it simple!

Creating believable characters is often one of the most challenging aspects of narrative writing for students. Fortunately, we can do a few things to help students here. Sometimes it is helpful for students to model their characters on actual people they know. This can make things a little less daunting and taxing on the imagination. However, whether or not this is the case, writing brief background bios or descriptions of characters’ physical personality characteristics can be a beneficial prewriting activity. Students should give some in-depth consideration to the details of who their character is: How do they walk? What do they look like? Do they have any distinguishing features? A crooked nose? A limp? Bad breath? Small details such as these bring life and, therefore, believability to characters. Students can even cut pictures from magazines to put a face to their character and allow their imaginations to fill in the rest of the details.

Younger students will often dictate to the reader the nature of their characters. To improve their writing craft, students must know when to switch from story-telling mode to story-showing mode. This is particularly true when it comes to character. Encourage students to reveal their character’s personality through what they do rather than merely by lecturing the reader on the faults and virtues of the character’s personality. It might be a small relayed detail in the way they walk that reveals a core characteristic. For example, a character who walks with their head hanging low and shoulders hunched while avoiding eye contact has been revealed to be timid without the word once being mentioned. This is a much more artistic and well-crafted way of doing things and is less irritating for the reader. A character who sits down at the family dinner table immediately snatches up his fork and starts stuffing roast potatoes into his mouth before anyone else has even managed to sit down has revealed a tendency towards greed or gluttony.

Understanding Character Traits

Again, there is room here for some fun and profitable prewriting activities. Give students a list of character traits and have them describe a character doing something that reveals that trait without ever employing the word itself.

It is also essential to avoid adjective stuffing here. When looking at students’ early drafts, adjective stuffing is often apparent. To train the student out of this habit, choose an adjective and have the student rewrite the sentence to express this adjective through action rather than telling.

When writing a story, it is vital to consider the character’s traits and how they will impact the story’s events. For example, a character with a strong trait of determination may be more likely to overcome obstacles and persevere. In contrast, a character with a tendency towards laziness may struggle to achieve their goals. In short, character traits add realism, depth, and meaning to a story, making it more engaging and memorable for the reader.

Popular Character Traits in Children’s Stories

• Determination
• Imagination
• Perseverance
• Responsibility

We have an in-depth guide to creating great characters here , but most students should be fine to move on to planning their conflict and resolution.

3. NO PROBLEM? NO STORY! HOW CONFLICT DRIVES A NARRATIVE

This is often the area apprentice writers have the most difficulty with. Students must understand that without a problem or conflict, there is no story. The problem is the driving force of the action. Usually, in a short story, the problem will center around what the primary character wants to happen or, indeed, wants not to happen. It is the hurdle that must be overcome. It is in the struggle to overcome this hurdle that events happen.

Often when a student understands the need for a problem in a story, their completed work will still not be successful. This is because, often in life, problems remain unsolved. Hurdles are not always successfully overcome. Students pick up on this.

We often discuss problems with friends that will never be satisfactorily resolved one way or the other, and we accept this as a part of life. This is not usually the case with writing a story. Whether a character successfully overcomes his or her problem or is decidedly crushed in the process of trying is not as important as the fact that it will finally be resolved one way or the other.

A good practical exercise for students to get to grips with this is to provide copies of stories and have them identify the central problem or conflict in each through discussion. Familiar fables or fairy tales such as Three Little Pigs, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Cinderella, etc., are great for this.

While it is true that stories often have more than one problem or that the hero or heroine is unsuccessful in their first attempt to solve a central problem, for beginning students and intermediate students, it is best to focus on a single problem, especially given the scope of story writing at this level. Over time students will develop their abilities to handle more complex plots and write accordingly.

Popular Conflicts found in Children’s Storytelling.

• Good vs evil
• Individual vs society
• Nature vs nurture
• Self vs others
• Man vs self
• Man vs nature
• Man vs technology
• Individual vs fate
• Self vs destiny

Conflict is the heart and soul of any good story. It’s what makes a story compelling and drives the plot forward. Without conflict, there is no story. Every great story has a struggle or a problem that needs to be solved, and that’s where conflict comes in. Conflict is what makes a story exciting and keeps the reader engaged. It creates tension and suspense and makes the reader care about the outcome.

Like in real life, conflict in a story is an opportunity for a character’s growth and transformation. It’s a chance for them to learn and evolve, making a story great. So next time stories are written in the classroom, remember that conflict is an essential ingredient, and without it, your story will lack the energy, excitement, and meaning that makes it truly memorable.

4. THE NARRATIVE CLIMAX: HOW THINGS COME TO A HEAD!

The climax of the story is the dramatic high point of the action. It is also when the struggles kicked off by the problem come to a head. The climax will ultimately decide whether the story will have a happy or tragic ending. In the climax, two opposing forces duke things out until the bitter (or sweet!) end. One force ultimately emerges triumphant. As the action builds throughout the story, suspense increases as the reader wonders which of these forces will win out. The climax is the release of this suspense.

Much of the success of the climax depends on how well the other elements of the story have been achieved. If the student has created a well-drawn and believable character that the reader can identify with and feel for, then the climax will be more powerful.

The nature of the problem is also essential as it determines what’s at stake in the climax. The problem must matter dearly to the main character if it matters at all to the reader.

Have students engage in discussions about their favorite movies and books. Have them think about the storyline and decide the most exciting parts. What was at stake at these moments? What happened in your body as you read or watched? Did you breathe faster? Or grip the cushion hard? Did your heart rate increase, or did you start to sweat? This is what a good climax does and what our students should strive to do in their stories.

The climax puts it all on the line and rolls the dice. Let the chips fall where the writer may…

Popular Climax themes in Children’s Stories

• A battle between good and evil
• The character’s bravery saves the day
• Character faces their fears and overcomes them
• The character solves a mystery or puzzle.
• The character stands up for what is right.
• Character reaches their goal or dream.
• The character learns a valuable lesson.
• The character makes a selfless sacrifice.
• The character makes a difficult decision.
• The character reunites with loved ones or finds true friendship.

5. RESOLUTION: TYING UP LOOSE ENDS

After the climactic action, a few questions will often remain unresolved for the reader, even if all the conflict has been resolved. The resolution is where those lingering questions will be answered. The resolution in a short story may only be a brief paragraph or two. But, in most cases, it will still be necessary to include an ending immediately after the climax can feel too abrupt and leave the reader feeling unfulfilled.

An easy way to explain resolution to students struggling to grasp the concept is to point to the traditional resolution of fairy tales, the “And they all lived happily ever after” ending. This weather forecast for the future allows the reader to take their leave. Have the student consider the emotions they want to leave the reader with when crafting their resolution.

While the action is usually complete by the end of the climax, it is in the resolution that if there is a twist to be found, it will appear – think of movies such as The Usual Suspects. Pulling this off convincingly usually requires considerable skill from a student writer. Still, it may well form a challenging extension exercise for those more gifted storytellers among your students.

Popular Resolutions in Children’s Stories

• Our hero achieves their goal
• The character learns a valuable lesson
• A character finds happiness or inner peace.
• The character reunites with loved ones.
• Character restores balance to the world.
• The character discovers their true identity.
• Character changes for the better.
• The character gains wisdom or understanding.
• Character makes amends with others.
• The character learns to appreciate what they have.

Once students have completed their story, they can edit for grammar, vocabulary choice, spelling, etc., but not before!

As mentioned, there is a craft to storytelling, as well as an art. When accurate grammar, perfect spelling, and immaculate sentence structures are pushed at the outset, they can cause storytelling paralysis. For this reason, it is essential that when we encourage the students to write a story, we give them license to make mechanical mistakes in their use of language that they can work on and fix later.

Good narrative writing is a very complex skill to develop and will take the student years to become competent. It challenges not only the student’s technical abilities with language but also her creative faculties. Writing frames, word banks, mind maps, and visual prompts can all give valuable support as students develop the wide-ranging and challenging skills required to produce a successful narrative writing piece. But, at the end of it all, as with any craft, practice and more practice is at the heart of the matter.

TIPS FOR WRITING A GREAT NARRATIVE

• Start your story with a clear purpose: If you can determine the theme or message you want to convey in your narrative before starting it will make the writing process so much simpler.
• Choose a compelling storyline and sell it through great characters, setting and plot: Consider a unique or interesting story that captures the reader’s attention, then build the world and characters around it.
• Develop vivid characters that are not all the same: Make your characters relatable and memorable by giving them distinct personalities and traits you can draw upon in the plot.
• Use descriptive language to hook your audience into your story: Use sensory language to paint vivid images and sequences in the reader’s mind.
• Show, don’t tell your audience: Use actions, thoughts, and dialogue to reveal character motivations and emotions through storytelling.
• Create a vivid setting that is clear to your audience before getting too far into the plot: Describe the time and place of your story to immerse the reader fully.
• Build tension: Refer to the story map earlier in this article and use conflict, obstacles, and suspense to keep the audience engaged and invested in your narrative.
• Use figurative language such as metaphors, similes, and other literary devices to add depth and meaning to your narrative.
• Edit, revise, and refine: Take the time to refine and polish your writing for clarity and impact.
• Stay true to your voice: Maintain your unique perspective and style in your writing to make it your own.

NARRATIVE WRITING EXAMPLES (Student Writing Samples)

Below are a collection of student writing samples of narratives.  Click on the image to enlarge and explore them in greater detail.  Please take a moment to read these creative stories in detail and the teacher and student guides which highlight some of the critical elements of narratives to consider before writing.

Please understand these student writing samples are not intended to be perfect examples for each age or grade level but a piece of writing for students and teachers to explore together to critically analyze to improve student writing skills and deepen their understanding of story writing.

We recommend reading the example either a year above or below, as well as the grade you are currently working with, to gain a broader appreciation of this text type.

NARRATIVE WRITING PROMPTS (Journal Prompts)

When students have a great journal prompt, it can help them focus on the task at hand, so be sure to view our vast collection of visual writing prompts for various text types here or use some of these.

• On a recent European trip, you find your travel group booked into the stunning and mysterious Castle Frankenfurter for a single night…  As night falls, the massive castle of over one hundred rooms seems to creak and groan as a series of unexplained events begin to make you wonder who or what else is spending the evening with you. Write a narrative that tells the story of your evening.
• You are a famous adventurer who has discovered new lands; keep a travel log over a period of time in which you encounter new and exciting adventures and challenges to overcome.  Ensure your travel journal tells a story and has a definite introduction, conflict and resolution.
• You create an incredible piece of technology that has the capacity to change the world.  As you sit back and marvel at your innovation and the endless possibilities ahead of you, it becomes apparent there are a few problems you didn’t really consider. You might not even be able to control them.  Write a narrative in which you ride the highs and lows of your world-changing creation with a clear introduction, conflict and resolution.
• As the final door shuts on the Megamall, you realise you have done it…  You and your best friend have managed to sneak into the largest shopping centre in town and have the entire place to yourselves until 7 am tomorrow.  There is literally everything and anything a child would dream of entertaining themselves for the next 12 hours.  What amazing adventures await you?  What might go wrong?  And how will you get out of there scot-free?
• A stranger walks into town…  Whilst appearing similar to almost all those around you, you get a sense that this person is from another time, space or dimension… Are they friends or foes?  What makes you sense something very strange is going on?   Suddenly they stand up and walk toward you with purpose extending their hand… It’s almost as if they were reading your mind.

NARRATIVE WRITING VIDEO TUTORIAL

Teaching Resources

Use our resources and tools to improve your student’s writing skills through proven teaching strategies.

When teaching narrative writing, it is essential that you have a range of tools, strategies and resources at your disposal to ensure you get the most out of your writing time.  You can find some examples below, which are free and paid premium resources you can use instantly without any preparation.

FREE Narrative Graphic Organizer

THE STORY TELLERS BUNDLE OF TEACHING RESOURCES

A MASSIVE COLLECTION of resources for narratives and story writing in the classroom covering all elements of crafting amazing stories. MONTHS WORTH OF WRITING LESSONS AND RESOURCES, including:

NARRATIVE WRITING CHECKLIST BUNDLE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (92 Reviews)

OTHER GREAT ARTICLES ABOUT NARRATIVE WRITING

Narrative Writing for Kids: Essential Skills and Strategies

7 Great Narrative Lesson Plans Students and Teachers Love

Top 7 Narrative Writing Exercises for Students

How to Write a Scary Story

• Testimonials

How to Write a Story: A Guide for Creative Writers

• by Andrea Feccomandi
• August 27, 2024

There’s nothing quite like the joy of bringing a story to life, watching your characters grow and your world take shape. Storytelling isn’t just about writing; it’s about connecting with others through your words .

But to do that, you need to know the basic elements—like characters, plot, and setting. Think of these as the building blocks of your story. Without them, your story can’t stand strong.

This guide on how to write a story will take you through each step, making the process manageable and even enjoyable, whether you’re just starting out or looking to improve.

Story Meaning in Creative Writing

Let’s start with the definition of a story in creative writing.

STORY DEFINITION IN CREATIVE WRITING What is a Story? A story is a structured narrative that goes beyond a mere sequence of events. In creative writing, a story is an intentionally crafted experience designed to guide the reader through a progression of events and situations. It involves the creation of a fictional world, the introduction of characters, and the development of scenarios that lead to meaningful change or development in those characters.

How to Write a Story: Key Components of a Story

To understand how to write a story, you first need to grasp its key components: characters, setting, plot, conflict, and theme.

Characters are the heart of your story. They are the people, creatures, or beings that the reader follows. Think of them as the players in a game. Without characters, there’s no one to move through the story, no one to experience the events you’ve created.

Each character should have a purpose , desires , and challenges . For example, in a mystery story , your main character might be a detective determined to solve a crime. Their actions and choices drive the plot forward .

The setting is the world where your story takes place. It’s the backdrop against which your characters act. This could be a bustling city, a quiet village, or even a distant planet.

The setting influences the mood of your story and can even affect the actions of your characters . For instance, a story set in a haunted house might feel eerie and suspenseful, while a story set on a sunny beach might feel light and carefree.

The plot is the sequence of events that make up your story. It’s what happens to your characters as they move through the setting. A strong plot has a clear beginning, middle, and end. It might start with a problem or goal, build up as the characters face challenges, and end with a resolution.

Imagine a plot as a roadmap. It shows the direction your story will take , guiding the characters from the start to the finish line.

Conflict is what gives your story tension and drama . It’s the struggle between opposing forces that keeps the reader engaged. Conflict can be external, like a character fighting against another character or a natural disaster, or internal, like a character struggling with their own fears or doubts.

In a romance story , the conflict might be the obstacles that keep two characters apart. In a thriller, it could be the protagonist’s battle against a dangerous enemy.

Finally, the theme is the underlying message or lesson of your story . It’s what you want the reader to take away after they’ve finished reading.

The theme is often subtle, woven into the characters’ actions and the plot. For example, in a story about friendship, the theme might be the importance of loyalty and trust.

To survive, you must tell stories. Umberto Eco , The Island of the Day Before

Types of Stories

Stories come in many shapes and sizes. Understanding the type of story you want to write can help shape your approach. Different genres and formats offer different challenges and opportunities.

Genres like romance, science fiction, fantasy , and horror each have their own conventions and expectations . For example, a romance story usually focuses on relationships and emotions, while a science fiction story might explore futuristic technology or alien worlds. Knowing your genre helps you meet readers’ expectations while allowing you to play with the boundaries of that genre.

The format of your story also matters. A short story is brief, often focusing on a single event or moment in a character’s life. It requires concise writing and a tight plot. A novel , on the other hand, gives you more space to develop characters, explore subplots, and build a complex world. A novella falls somewhere in between, offering more depth than a short story but requiring more focus than a novel.

Choosing the right genre and format is like choosing the right tool for a job. It helps you focus your ideas and guides your storytelling . Whether you’re writing a quick, impactful short story or a sprawling epic novel, understanding these basics will set you on the right path.

How to Write a Story: Developing an Idea

The first step in learning how to write a story is developing a solid idea . This process involves finding inspiration and then refining that inspiration into something you can work with.

Finding Inspiration

Inspiration for a story can come from anywhere. It might spark from a conversation you overhear, a place you visit, or even a memory.

To find inspiration, start by observing the world around you . Pay attention to the small details—the way the light hits a building, the expressions people wear on their faces, or the rhythm of a crowded street. These observations can serve as the seeds for your story.

Reading widely also fuels inspiration. Explore different genres, styles, and authors. Notice how they craft their stories, how they build characters, and how they create tension. As you read, ask yourself what you would do differently. This can help you generate new ideas and find your unique voice.

Brainstorming is another effective way to develop story ideas. Sit down with a notebook and write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how vague or disconnected. You might start with a single word, a character, or a situation. Don’t worry about making sense at this stage. The goal is to let your imagination run free and gather raw material.

Refining Your Idea

Once you have a list of potential ideas, it’s time to refine them. Broad ideas often need narrowing down to become workable. Start by asking yourself some key questions : What is the main conflict in this idea? Who are the characters involved? Where and when does the story take place? These questions help you focus your idea and give it structure.

Originality is crucial in refining your idea. While it’s fine to take inspiration from existing stories, your version should bring something new to the table. Avoid clichés and overused tropes. Instead, think about how you can twist the familiar into something fresh . For example, if your idea involves a classic hero’s journey , consider how you might change the setting or alter the character’s motivation to make the story uniquely yours.

Adding personal touches also strengthens your story idea. Draw from your experiences, emotions, and perspectives. These elements give your story authenticity and depth. For instance, if you’re writing a story about overcoming fear, reflect on a time when you faced something scary. This personal connection will resonate with readers.

For example, let’s say you start with a basic concept: a person who wants to escape their small town . To refine this into a workable story, you might decide that the protagonist is a young woman who dreams of becoming an artist. The conflict arises because her family expects her to take over the family business. The setting could be a rural town that feels isolated and stifling. This simple idea now has direction, characters, and a central conflict, making it a strong foundation for your story.

How to Write a Story: Creating Compelling Characters

In learning how to write a story, creating compelling characters is one of the most crucial steps. Characters are the driving force behind your story . Readers connect with them , root for them, and follow them on their journey. To make your characters stand out, they need to be relatable, complex, and dynamic.

Character Development

Character development begins with understanding who your character is at their core . Think of your character as a real person. They should have goals, motivations, and flaws. Goals drive your character forward , giving them something to strive for. For example, a character might want to win a race, solve a mystery, or find love. These goals give your story direction.

Motivations explain why your character wants to achieve their goals . They add depth and make your character’s actions believable. If your character wants to win a race, their motivation might be to prove their worth, escape a difficult past, or fulfill a promise. Understanding these motivations helps you write actions and decisions that feel true to the character .

Flaws make your character human . No one is perfect, and your characters shouldn’t be either. Flaws could be anything from stubbornness to insecurity to a quick temper. These flaws create tension and conflict in your story, making it more engaging. For instance, a character who is too stubborn might refuse help when they need it, leading to further challenges.

Character Arcs

A character arc describes how a character changes throughout your story . A well-written arc adds depth and makes your story more satisfying. There are different types of character arcs, and the one you choose depends on your story.

A positive arc shows a character growing or improving . They start with a flaw or a false belief, but through the events of the story, they learn, change, and become better. For example, a character who begins as selfish might learn the value of helping others.

A negative arc shows a character’s downfall . Instead of growing, the character makes poor choices or refuses to change, leading to their decline. This arc can be powerful in tragedies or dark stories.

A flat arc involves a character who doesn’t change much but influences the world around them . This type of character often has strong beliefs or principles and helps others grow. Think of a mentor figure who stays consistent while guiding the protagonist.

Dialogue and Voice

Dialogue is a key tool for revealing character . It’s not just about what your characters say, but how they say it . To write authentic dialogue , consider each character’s background, personality, and current emotional state. A well-educated character might speak formally, while a teenager might use slang or short sentences.

Differentiating your characters through their speech patterns is crucial. It helps readers instantly recognize who is speaking, even without dialogue tags. For example, one character might be sarcastic, always making jokes, while another might be straightforward and serious. These differences make your characters more distinct and memorable.

Voice is another important aspect of a character. It refers to the unique way a character views and describes the world. A character’s voice should match their personality and background. For instance, a cynical character might describe things with a negative twist, while an optimistic character sees the bright side. This consistency in voice strengthens your character and makes them feel real.

How to Write a Story: Crafting the Plot

Learning how to write a story involves mastering the art of plot crafting. The plot is the backbone of your story. It guides your characters from beginning to end and keeps your readers engaged. To create a strong plot, you need to understand plot structure, pacing, tension, and the use of subplots.

Plot Structure

Plot structure is the framework that shapes your story . It provides a roadmap for your characters’ journey. Two common plot structures are the three-act structure and the Hero’s Journey.

In the three-act structure , the story is divided into three parts: setup, conflict, and resolution. The setup introduces the characters, the world, and the main problem. The conflict is the core of the story where challenges build, leading to the climax. The climax is the peak of the story, where everything comes to a head. After the climax, the resolution ties up loose ends and concludes the story.

The Hero’s Journey is another popular structure. It follows a character (the Hero ) who starts in their ordinary world but is soon called to an adventure. Along the way, they face trials, make allies, and confront their greatest challenge. After overcoming this challenge, the hero returns home, transformed by their experiences .

Both structures provide clear steps to follow, making it easier to organize your story. Whether you use the three-act structure or the Hero’s Journey, the goal is to create a plot that feels complete and satisfying.

Pacing and Tension

Pacing is how you control the speed of your story . It’s important to maintain a balance between fast-paced action and slower, more reflective moments. If your story moves too quickly, readers might miss important details. If it moves too slowly, they might lose interest.

To maintain good pacing, vary the length of your scenes . Short, quick scenes can build excitement and move the story forward. Longer scenes can slow things down and give readers a chance to catch their breath. Also, consider where you place important events. Spacing out major plot points keeps readers engaged and eager to see what happens next.

Tension is what keeps readers on the edge of their seats . It’s the sense that something important is at stake and that the outcome is uncertain. To build tension, gradually increase the obstacles your characters face. Start with smaller challenges, then escalate to bigger, more threatening situations. For example, in a mystery story, the tension might rise as the detective uncovers clues, leading to a final confrontation with the villain.

Subplots are secondary stories that run alongside your main plot. They add depth and complexity to your narrative, making it richer and more engaging. Subplots can explore side characters, develop themes, or provide a different perspective on the main story.

When creating subplots, ensure they complement the main plot . They should not distract from the primary narrative but instead enhance it. For example, if your main plot is about a hero saving the world, a subplot might explore the hero’s relationship with a close friend, adding emotional depth.

Weaving subplots into your story requires balance . Introduce them naturally, and make sure they connect to the main plot at key points. This connection helps to maintain the story’s focus and ensures that all elements of the plot work together.

How to Write a Story: Setting the Scene

When learning how to write a story, setting plays a crucial role. A well-crafted setting does more than provide a backdrop; it immerses the reader in your world and shapes the entire narrative. Let’s explore how to build a compelling setting and use it to enhance your story.

World-Building

World-building is the process of creating a believable and immersive setting for your story. Whether your story takes place in a real location or a fictional one, the setting must feel real to the reader .

Start by developing the physical landscape . Think about the environment—are there mountains, forests, cities, or oceans? What’s the climate like? How does the weather affect the characters’ daily lives?

Next, consider the cultural landscape . What are the customs, traditions, and values of the people who live in this world? How do these influence the characters and their actions? For example, in a society where honor is highly valued, a character might go to great lengths to protect their reputation.

Finally, think about the emotional landscape . How does the setting make the characters feel? A bustling city might create a sense of excitement or stress, while a quiet village could evoke feelings of peace or isolation. These emotional cues help the reader connect with the setting on a deeper level.

Using Setting to Enhance the Story

The setting is not just a backdrop; it influences the mood, theme, and character actions . Use the setting to create a specific atmosphere. For example, a story set in a dark, rainy city might feel tense and mysterious, while a story set in a bright, sunny field might feel warm and hopeful.

Setting can also reinforce the theme of your story. In The Great Gatsby , for example, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the opulent settings of West Egg and East Egg to highlight the theme of wealth and its corrupting influence.

By carefully crafting your setting and using it to enhance the story, you can create a world that feels alive and integral to the narrative . As you continue to learn how to write a story, remember that a strong setting can be as important as the characters and plot.

How to Write a Story: Writing the First Draft

When learning how to write a story, the first draft is a crucial step. It’s where your ideas take shape on the page. This stage can feel daunting, but with the right approach, you can overcome the fear of the blank page and start writing with confidence.

Getting Started

Starting your first draft can be intimidating. The blank page often feels like a huge obstacle. To overcome this fear, remind yourself that the first draft doesn’t need to be perfect . It’s about getting your ideas down, not about crafting flawless prose. Think of it as building the foundation of a house—you’re just putting up the framework. The details can come later.

To start strong, consider beginning with a scene or moment that excites you . Don’t worry about writing in order. If there’s a particular scene that’s clear in your mind, write that first. This helps you build momentum. Once you’re in the flow, it becomes easier to tackle other parts of the story.

Writing Techniques

Several writing techniques can help you move through your first draft. Freewriting is a useful method. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes and write without stopping. Don’t edit or second-guess yourself; just let the words flow. This technique helps you bypass your inner critic and get your ideas on paper.

Word sprints are another effective strategy. Set a timer for a short period, like 20 minutes, and challenge yourself to write as much as possible. The pressure of the timer can push you to write faster and worry less about making it perfect.

Setting daily goals can also keep you on track. Decide on a specific word count to hit each day, whether it’s 300 words or 1,000. Consistent progress, even in small amounts, adds up over time.

Remember, the goal of the first draft is to get the story down. Don’t get caught up in editing or fixing every sentence. There will be time to refine your work later. For now, focus on moving the story forward.

Dealing with Writer’s Block

Writer’s block is a common challenge during the first draft. When you feel stuck, it’s important to take a step back. Breaks are crucial . Step away from your writing, take a walk, or do something else you enjoy. This gives your mind a chance to reset.

Changing your scenery can also help. If you’ve been writing at your desk, try moving to a different room, a coffee shop, or even outside. A new environment can spark fresh ideas and break through mental barriers.

Revisiting your inspiration can reignite your creativity. Look back at what inspired you to write this story in the first place. Read a favorite book, watch a movie that relates to your theme, or browse through your notes. These activities can remind you of your passion for the story and help you push past the block.

How to Write a Story: Revising and Editing

Once you’ve completed your first draft, the real work begins. Learning how to write a story doesn’t stop at getting your ideas down; it involves shaping and refining those ideas into a polished narrative. Revising and editing are essential steps in this process.

Importance of Revisions

The first draft is just the start. Think of it as the rough clay that you’ll now mold into its final form. Revisions allow you to step back and see the bigger picture . This is your chance to rework the plot, deepen character development, and improve pacing. For example, you might find that a subplot needs more attention or that a character’s motivations aren’t clear. Revising helps you address these issues and strengthen your story.

During revision, focus on the structure of your story . Does the plot flow logically? Are the character arcs satisfying? Is the pacing consistent? These questions guide your revisions and help you see where changes are needed. For instance, if the middle of your story drags, you might need to cut unnecessary scenes or add more conflict.

Self-Editing Techniques

After revising, it’s time to edit your work. Self-editing is a crucial skill in learning how to write a story. Start by checking for consistency . Ensure that characters act in ways that align with their personalities and that the plot doesn’t have gaps or contradictions. For example, if a character is afraid of heights, they shouldn’t suddenly climb a mountain without explanation.

Next, tighten your prose . Look for areas where you can be more concise. Remove unnecessary words, redundant phrases, and anything that doesn’t serve the story. This makes your writing clearer and more engaging. Also, watch out for clichés . These overused expressions can weaken your story. Replace them with original descriptions that better capture your unique voice.

Seeking Feedback

External feedback is vital in the revision process. After you’ve done your self-edits, consider sharing your story with beta readers or a writing group. These readers can spot issues you might have missed, such as unclear plot points or characters that need more development.

When receiving feedback, it’s important to stay open and objective . Criticism can be tough, but it’s meant to help you improve. Focus on the suggestions that resonate with you and use them to strengthen your story. For example, if multiple readers mention that a certain scene feels out of place, it’s worth re-examining that part of your story.

Final Steps: Polishing Your Story

You’ve revised and edited your story, and now it’s time to polish it. This final stage is crucial in learning how to write a story that’s ready to share with the world. Polishing involves careful proofreading, proper formatting, and preparing your story for submission or publication.

Proofreading

Proofreading is the last line of defense before your story goes out into the world . It’s about catching those small errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation that can distract readers and undermine your professionalism. Take the time to read through your manuscript slowly, line by line. Look for common mistakes like misplaced commas, incorrect verb tenses, or misspelled words.

A clean, error-free manuscript shows that you care about your work and respect your readers . It also makes a better impression on agents, publishers, or anyone else who might read your story. Consider reading your story out loud . Hearing the words can help you catch mistakes that your eyes might skip over.

Formatting and Presentation

Once your manuscript is error-free, focus on formatting. Proper formatting makes your manuscript look professional and easy to read. If you’re submitting to a publisher or agent, follow their specific guidelines. Common formatting standards include using a readable font like Times New Roman, double-spacing the text, and including page numbers.

Different formats may require different presentation styles . For instance, a manuscript intended for print might need different margins or paper size than one intended for digital platforms. If you’re self-publishing, make sure your manuscript is formatted correctly for the platform you’re using, whether it’s an eBook or a print-on-demand service.

Presentation matters because it’s the first thing a reader or publisher sees. A well-formatted manuscript shows that you’ve taken the time to present your story in the best possible way.

Submitting or Publishing Your Story

After polishing your story, it’s time to decide how you want to share it with the world. There are several avenues for publishing, each with its own process.

Traditional publishing involves submitting your manuscript to agents or publishers . If you choose this route, you’ll need to write a query letter. This letter is your pitch, a brief introduction to your story, and why it would be a good fit for the publisher. Keep it concise and professional. Highlight the main points of your story, such as the genre, the central conflict, and what makes it unique.

Self-publishing is another option. It allows you to maintain control over your work and how it’s presented. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or IngramSpark make it easy to publish your book as an eBook or in print. However, self-publishing requires more responsibility , as you’ll handle everything from editing to marketing.

Online platforms , like blogs or writing communities, offer a way to share your story with a wide audience. These platforms often have less formal submission processes, making them a good option if you’re looking to get feedback or build an audience quickly.

How Bibisco Novel Writing Software Can Help You Write Your Story

bibisco novel writing software is a powerful tool that simplifies the writing process. It offers features designed for creative writing , helping you organize your ideas and stay focused. With bibisco, you can create and develop your characters, structure your plot, and manage your scenes.

bibisco provides a clear overview of your story , making it easier to see how all the pieces fit together. You can track your progress, set writing goals, and keep everything in one place.

Whether you’re just starting or refining your draft, bibisco supports every step of your writing journey .

Conclusion: How to Write a Story

In this guide, we’ve explored the key steps a writer should follow to learn how to write a story. Each step brings you closer to creating a story that resonates.

Writing is a journey, and every story you create is a step forward. Embrace the creative process, even when it feels challenging.

Remember, storytelling has the power to connect people and share experiences across time and place. Your story, no matter how small it seems, has the potential to touch someone’s life. Start writing and let your voice be heard.

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$600M fight over Michael Jackson's catalog offers estate planning lesson

When Michael Jackson died in 2009, he left a complicated legacy. But one thing remains true: The King of Pop's music still generates millions of dollars every year. A Jackson biopic is expected in 2025, and MJ , his Broadway show, has brought his music to theaters worldwide .

But despite the ongoing success of Jackson's music, his estate has stalled in limbo for more than a decade. That's because of a long-running tax dispute concerning more than $700 million alleged to be due to the IRS and other legal challenges . Advertisement

The latest development in the saga came on Aug. 21, when a California appellate court approved a $600 million sale of assets proposed by Jackson's estate.

As law professors who teach trusts and estates, we think Michael Jackson's estate offers a lesson for anyone thinking about writing a will -- even if they don't have King-of-Pop-level wealth. Advertisement

The mother and the multinational

When Jackson signed his will in 2002, he left almost everything to his children through a trust; his mother has a small interest during her lifetime .

His will also included a common provision that empowered his executors -- the people managing his estate -- to sell the estate's assets "upon such terms as the Executors shall deem best." Any proceeds from the sale would then be distributed to his children.

In February, Jackson's executors negotiated what The New York Times described as a " blockbuster deal " to sell a significant portion of Jackson's music catalog to a joint venture with Sony for $600 million.

Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson , objected, however, in part because, as the court explained, "Michael had told family members prior to his death that the assets should never be sold .

But in mid-August, a California appellate court rejected Katherine Jackson's claim in a final ruling that approved the proposed sale.

Legal requirements for a valid will

While it's common for people to casually discuss estate plans with family and friends, those wishes aren't legally enforceable unless they've been put in a valid will, trust, deed or contract. Advertisement

In most states, including California where Jackson died, a will must typically be in writing, signed by its maker -- called the "testator" -- and signed by two witnesses who observed the testator sign the will.

Those requirements allow courts to distinguish early drafts and memos from the final version that the testator intends to take effect at death. Those rules also force testators to preserve reliable evidence of their estate plan, which becomes useful in probate proceedings that take place in a court after the testator's death.

Interpreting a will's text

When the meaning of a will is unclear, courts let witnesses testify about how the text should be interpreted. Katherine Jackson offered that type of testimony, arguing that when Michael gave his "entire estate" to his trust, he intended for the trust to receive estate assets in largely the same form as they existed when Michael died .

According to Katherine, Michael wanted to give the trust his music catalog, not proceeds from selling his music catalog, or even partial management rights over that catalog.

But the court disagreed with Katherine's interpretation because Michael's will also gave his executors broad powers while the estate was being probated. The court explained that the trust would receive distributions from the estate, but the executors had " full power to sell estate property " while managing the estate. Advertisement

The executor's power to sell estate property

During estate planning, people often overlook the importance of executor powers because they're among the most technical terms of a will. But the fight over Jackson's estate shows that executor powers can play a major role in the estate administration.

Estate planning attorneys typically advise clients to give executors broad powers to buy and sell estate property during probate so they don't have to waste time and money seeking court approval for routine transactions.

Broad executor powers, as Jackson provided in his will, therefore reduce transaction costs in the long run. That increases the net value of the estate ultimately distributed to beneficiaries. Fiduciary law protects the estate by making executors personally liable for any abuse of power.

Estate planning for special assets

When advising clients with unique assets like Michael Jackson's music catalog, estate planning attorneys usually discourage testators from restricting the sale of treasured property. That's because it can be difficult to predict how circumstances might change in the future.

In a famous example of that misstep, 20th-century media titan Joseph Pulitzer -- the founder of the Pulitzer Prize -- left behind a will that barred his executors from selling shares of his prized newspaper business. Advertisement

Twenty years after Pulitzer's death in 1911, that newspaper business became unprofitable. So Pulitzer's trustees sought permission from a New York court to revise the will, arguing that Pulitzer failed to anticipate the changed fortune of his newspaper. The court agreed , finding that "continuance of the publication of the newspapers ... will in all probability lead to a serious impairment or the destruction of a large part of the trust estate."

The Pulitzer case shows how restricting the powers of executors and trustees can backfire, a problem that Jackson's lawyers clearly hoped to avoid.

Estate planning lessons

An estate plan is enforceable only if formalized in a document such as a will. Once formalized in writing, courts are reluctant to change an estate plan based on posthumous testimony about the testator's oral statements -- even when those wishes are expressed to a parent.

Testators should therefore pay close attention to every provision of a will, including technical terms that may require explanation by the drafting attorney. Testators should also be careful: It may be tempting to control property from the grave, but restrictions that seem desirable during life can backfire after death.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article . The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.

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Letting the past speak: how to write a compelling family history

Though many people take steps towards writing their family history , turning that research into a published book is a rarer endeavour – unless you have a connection to a famous person or noteworthy event in your background, it can be tricky to find a readership for your story outside of your immediate sphere.

Graeme Davison is an exception to this rule. A historian by trade, Davison has authored two books of family history:  Lost Relations: Fortunes of My Family in Australia's Golden Age (2015) and My Grandfather's Clock: Four Centuries of a British-Australian Family (2023). Beautifully written and deeply researched, these books offer insight into the lives of Davison's ancestors down both his maternal and paternal lines, as well as into his own life and engagement with the study of history.

Davison began researching My Grandfather’s Clock in 2018, not long before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon stuck at home, he used primarily online tools to conduct genealogical research. But for Davison, the research is only half the story: the real question is how you go about shaping that research into a compelling narrative.

The key, he says, is situating your family’s story within broader social and historical developments: ‘Thinking about how you turn a genealogy into a story is a very important part of the process. Try to register the setting in which people are living.’

Here, Davison shares his top tips on how to research and write your family history.

Four key sources for writing your family history

Ancestry : ‘This is an essential one,’ says Davison. It contains a wealth of primary source material such as immigration records, censuses, civil registration indexes, convict records and more, as well as searchable family trees submitted by Ancestry members, which may help you discover new links within your own family tree. You can access Ancestry for free through State Library Victoria when you are on site.

Trove : This enormous database of digitised historical newspapers offers a wealth of information to family historians, especially for fleshing out the world of the past. ‘It opens up sources that were always there, but couldn’t be interrogated until now,’ says Davison. ‘Once I’d established my ancestors’ connection to an institution or a place, I used Trove to research them, which allowed me to build up a more rounded picture of the whole environment.’

Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages : These historical indexes allow you to research births, baptisms, marriages, burials and deaths dating back to 1836. ‘Australian Births, Marriages and Deaths records are amongst the richest in the world,’ says Davison, noting that unlike those of many other countries, an Australian death certificate contains crucial information like migration history.

Public Records Office Victoria : This site gives you access to records created by Victorian Government departments and authorities including courts, local councils, schools, public hospitals and other public offices. ‘Court records and police documents can be very valuable if your ancestor had a criminal record,’ says Davison. ‘Court depositions will give you a lot of information about how people lived.’

For those with ancestry in the United Kingdom, Davison recommends The British Newspaper Archive or British Library Newspapers (accessible from home with free State Library Victoria membership ), which offer a similar service to Trove, and Scotland’s People , a gateway to historical Scottish records like census returns, legal records, employment records, and migration records.

Getting creative with records

As a historian, Davison is interested in how records can be read in unexpected ways to yield new insights: ‘You will often get good results if you interrogate sources from a different angle,’ he notes.

As part of his own research, Davison read The Drove Roads of Scotland by ARB Haldane, a study of pre-Industrial cattle tracks in Scotland. In it, Haldane argues that the way people travelled through the landscape was dictated by the movements of livestock with the seasons. This research allowed Davison to draw new conclusions about why his ancestors might have moved from one region to another.

‘When you start to look at the country from that vantage point, you realise that people are not travelling from place to place as the crow flies – they’re following these cattle tracks,’ says Davison. ‘Then the migration question is posed in a different way.’

When he came to reconstructing the world of his childhood in mid-century Essendon, Davison turned to an unusual source: a collection of aerial photographs by aviator Charles Pratt held in State Library Victoria’s collection . While he had initially accessed them to gather data on the history of Australian back yards, he found that looking at the photographs of his house and surrounding suburbs brought back vivid childhood memories.

‘As I drilled down into those photographs, it reminded me of things that I knew but had forgotten,’ says Davison.

A historian’s top tips for writing a compelling family history

Prioritise primary sources

‘The stuff people post on forums and the like is often inaccurate – you need to apply a bit of critical thought and scepticism. If you can, always try to look at the original sources yourself.’

Read widely

‘I think of a genealogy as a skeleton, it’s the bare bones. But then you’ve got to put flesh on the bones – and the flesh comes through rounding out the picture of the world in which they lived. Do some reading around the subject. Read about the region you’re interested in, read about the history of the family of that period – not just your family, but what’s happening to the family in general. When you do this, things that at first sight seem incongruous or you can’t understand, start to become intelligible.’

Consider the shape of your story

‘If you’re enjoying researching your ancestors but would like your children or your friends to read what you’ve discovered, then a lot of the effort should go into thinking about how you would turn it into a really good story. Part of the success of telling a good story is to leave an element of surprise for the reader. You, as the researcher, know what’s going to happen, but to tell the story successfully, you need to keep the reader a little bit in the dark.’

Visit the Library to access records in person

‘Remember that there is a range of primary sources beyond what you can get from Ancestry. If you’re here in Melbourne, and you’re working on your family history, and it turns out those primary sources are in Goulburn, or in East London, then come to the State Library and read about that region. The things that might not make sense to you from a genealogical chart will begin to make more sense once you know about the region and time period your ancestors lived in.’

Are you writing your own family history? State Library Victoria offers training guides, workshops, and help from Librarians throughout any stage of your geneaological journey. Explore our resources below or plan your visit to access materials on site.  

Further resources:

• Family history tools and resources at State Library Victoria
• What's on for National Family History Month
• Publishing your family history

Image: Susan Gordon-Brown, Graeme Davison , 2005; H2005.82/7

Fact Check: Kamala Harris Campaign Did NOT Say It Would Put 20% Sales Tax On Golf Products -- Satire Account

• Aug 23, 2024
• by: Alexis Tereszcuk

Did the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz campaign propose a plan to put a 20 percent sales tax on all golf-related purchases in an effort to "Tax the Wealthy"? No, that's not true: The social media account that posted this message is self-described satire. A Google search found no results proving the campaign has suggested this.

The claim appeared in a post (archived here ) on X, formerly known as Twitter, on August 22, 2024, under the title "Kamala has officially lost every golfer's vote." Text on the image said:

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz propose a plan to put a 20% sales tax on all golf related purchases including rounds, clubs, etc. in an effort to 'Tax the Wealthy.

This is what the post looked like on X at the time of writing:

(Source: X screenshot taken on Fri Aug 23 16:08:18 2024 UTC)

The account @PGATUOR (archived here ) has a logo of a person wearing what appears to be a thobe and cap, traditional clothing for Arab men, while swinging a golf club. Text in the logo is "PGA TUOR Parody Golf Association." The bio clearly states the account is about satire and parody, as this screenshot shows:

(Source: X screenshot taken on Fri Aug 23 16:10:24 2024 UTC)

Using keywords from the claim, Lead Stories searched Google (archived here ) but found no results that proved the Harris/Walz campaign proposed a plan to put a 20 percent tax on all golf-related purchases. Had they done so, it would have been national and international news. While Harris gave a speech on August 16, 2024, about her economic plan, as news outlets reported (archived here ), there was no written economic policy on her campaign website (archived here ) as of August 23, 2024.

Other Lead Stories fact checks of claims about Kamala Harris can be found here . Our fact checks of claims about the 2024 U.S. presidential election are here .

Alexis Tereszcuk is a writer and fact checker at Lead Stories and  an award-winning journalist who spent over a decade breaking hard news and celebrity scoop with RadarOnline and Us Weekly. As the Entertainment Editor, she investigated Hollywood stories and conducted interviews with A-list celebrities and reality stars.   Alexis’ crime reporting earned her spots as a contributor on the Nancy Grace show, CNN, Fox News and Entertainment Tonight, among others. Read more about or contact Alexis Tereszcuk

Lead Stories is a fact checking website that is always looking for the latest false, misleading, deceptive or inaccurate stories, videos or images going viral on the internet. Spotted something? Let us know! .

Lead Stories is a:

• Verified signatory of the IFCN Code of Principles
• Facebook Third-Party Fact-Checking Partner
• Member of the #CoronavirusFacts Alliance

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