Planning and Plotting your Novel

An overview of what Planning and Plotting entails

Planning and plotting are where your idea starts to take shape. This is the part of the process where you stop dreaming about your story and start building it. You’re creating the structure, rhythm, and direction that will carry your novel from the first page to the last.​ When we talk about planning and plotting, there are four main parts to focus on: defining the plot, defining subplots, building out a three-act storyline, and connecting everything through character and world development. Each of these parts works together to give your story balance and momentum. This is also where you’ll begin to weave in the influences you’ve identified and check that your story still aligns with the audience you defined earlier. Planning isn’t just about what happens in your book, it’s about making sure your creative direction stays true to your original vision.

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Defining the Plot

The plot is the backbone of your story. It’s what actually happens, the sequence of events that take your reader from the beginning to the end. Defining your plot means outlining the main conflict, the goals of your characters, and the obstacles that stand in their way. This is where you decide what your story is really about at its core.

This is also where your Post-it notes start earning their keep. They’re perfect for jotting down major events, moving scenes around, and visualising the flow of your story. It’s a flexible way to build structure without feeling locked in too early.

A well-defined plot gives you focus and prevents your novel from wandering. It also provides a framework you can keep referring back to as you stitch in your influences and ensure your story continues to appeal to your intended audience.

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Defining Subplots

Subplots add layers to your story. They might explore side characters, emotional threads, or smaller conflicts that connect to the main plot. Subplots give your world and characters more depth, but they also help with pacing by breaking up the main storyline.

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When done well, a subplot supports or reflects the core theme of your novel, reinforcing the bigger story while keeping readers engaged. It’s also a good place to work in influences that may not fit cleanly into your main plot. These smaller threads allow you to experiment with tone, style, and theme while still keeping the story cohesive.

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Building a Three-Act Storyline

The three-act structure is a simple, proven way to shape your novel. Act One sets up the world, characters, and main problem. Act Two builds tension, complicates things, and forces your characters to grow. Act Three brings resolution, showing how everything changes by the end.

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The plot and subplots both fit naturally into this structure. Your main plot drives the big moments of change, while subplots weave in between to add contrast and texture. This structure helps you see where everything belongs and ensures your pacing stays balanced.

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It’s also the perfect place to recheck your audience focus. Make sure the emotional beats and level of complexity match the readers you’re aiming for. A thriller for adults and a fantasy for teens will handle tension very differently, and that’s part of planning with purpose.

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Expanding into Worldbuilding and Character Work

As your plan grows, you’ll move into worldbuilding and character development. Worldbuilding gives your story a believable setting, whether that’s a fantasy kingdom, a small town, or a spaceship orbiting Mars. Character profiles and arcs bring emotional weight to that world. They help you understand not just what happens, but why it matters to the people involved.

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Planning these elements early ensures that your plot and world are connected. The characters influence the story’s direction, and the world shapes how they react. When those pieces work together, your story feels alive and consistent.

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Other Parts of the Planning Process

Depending on your story, you may also explore pacing, tone, theme, and timeline planning. These smaller but essential parts keep your story organised and emotionally consistent. Pacing decides how your story feels moment to moment, tone creates atmosphere, and theme ties it all together. A timeline keeps your story logical, especially if it spans multiple locations or time periods.

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As you move through these stages, keep looping back to your influences and your audience notes. Make sure your creative inspiration still fits your story’s shape and that you’re writing for the readers you originally set out to reach.

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Pulling It All Together

Planning and plotting are about creating a map, not a rulebook. You’re giving yourself direction, not restrictions. Once you’ve defined your plot, subplots, and structure, and started sketching out your world and characters, you’ll have a solid foundation to build from. Keep your influences close, your audience in mind, and your Post-it notes ready. With those tools in place, you can write with confidence and stay on course from start to finish.

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Summary: Planning and plotting overview

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• Planning and plotting give your story shape, structure, and direction

• The process includes defining your plot, subplots, and a three-act storyline

• This is also where you begin stitching in your creative influences and keeping your target audience in sight

• Plot: builds the backbone of your story and sets the main conflict

• Post-it notes: perfect for organising scenes and visualising your plot flow

• Subplots: add depth, reveal theme, and support the main storyline

• Three-act structure: provides pacing and balance from start to finish

• Expand your plan with worldbuilding and character development for realism and emotional weight

• Revisit your influences and audience regularly to stay consistent

• Planning is your roadmap, not your restriction, guiding you from idea to finished story