Ultimate Novel Plotting Framework

The Pitch

This template is for beginner and expert, amateur and professional writers alike.

I've taken some of the best plotting strategies and combined them into one, easy-to-use tool. Strategies such as the MICE Quotient, 3 Act Story Structure, Save the Cat, Plot Grid, and others are now easily accessible in one template.

Synthesizing these strategies helps fill in any holes that would otherwise be missed by only focusing on one of these tools.

My Story

It took me a long time to start plotting my first book because I didn't know where to start. I loved my characters and the world I built, but I didn't know how to structure what was going to happen. That story is still not written.

As I studied plot more and more I came across many different ideas, strategies, and tools for building a plot. I tried bullet point plotting, The Hero's Journey, 8 point arcs, 7 point plot structure, The One Page Novel, and on and on. I started and stopped outlines using different plotting methods and now they sit gathering dust.

When I found an article of someone using the MICE Quotient along with the 3 Act Structure a lightbulb went off in my head. Suddenly, plotting made sense and seemed so simple.

But I still struggled with pacing and keeping track of sub-plots. Then, I came across this video of the Plot Grid Method. An extremely simple and author-friendly way of keeping track of sub-plots and character arcs. When you sprinkle in Save the Cat beats for a general pacing guide, everything falls into place like a well constructed puzzle.

I've now outlined 3 stories with this Plotting Framework and have completed a first draft of 2 of them.

About The Templates

I use Notion as a writing software because I love the interface and different functionality options it offers. But because I know not everyone uses Notion, I've ported the Framework into a spreadsheet to be used in Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel.

Each template is fully customizable for your preferences.

• The Sheet has a word count tracker that feeds into formulas to calculate pages per chapter and total project word count.
• The Notion template also has a word count tracker that is calculated by pasting the words into the Writing property.
• They both only start out with 3 sub plot columns, but you can feel free to add or remove any number of sub plots.
• Feel free to use or not use the MICE Quotient column. I like it so I can keep tabs on plot categories and make sure there are no loose ends in my story.
  • If you're not sure what the MICE Quotient is, this is a great article to get you started and this video dives a bit deeper.

Both of the word counter formulas are customizable according to the your word count preferences.

You can use, delete, or add any of the items that are included or not included in the templates, but they should be a great foundation for you build from.

Free unlimited updates for as long as I can maintain the product.

EXAMPLE SCREENSHOTS

If you have any questions or need to troubleshoot something, feel free to contact me and I'd be happy to help. 😁