PBW Stories

Single Novel Plotting Template

This template can be used to draft a novel written for any genre. Each genre
has a particular focus, so if you're writing SF adventure, the main conflict would be a problem which occurs sometime in the future (or past, or in an alternate universe, etc.) If you're writing romance, the main conflict would be the developing relationship between the hero and heroine. If you're writing
a mystery, the main conflict would be the crime involved, etc.

The word "protagonist" is also generic – you can obviously have more than
one, if your book is told from several POVs.

Each block can represent any chapter length. Since I usually write twenty
chapters per book, each block covers two chapters of my story. You don't have to tell the story in this exact order, either. If it's more important to have an element of block seven appear before another in block six, switch them around. My only advice is to keep the progression even; don't move too many elements too far in either direction.

Using a template is like consulting a map for driving directions – it will get you where you want to go, but there are plenty of interesting side roads along the way. Don't stick to the main highway, do a little exploring on your own -- and feel free to change the template to suit your unique style of storytelling.

Your Novel Title:_________________________________________________

Create a Hot Premise – Describe the Story in Ten Words or Less: _____________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________

Block One -- Establish Your Story Line

1. Describe your protagonist (occupational, emotional, and situational.)

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. What is the main conflict your protagonist faces?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. Identify the conflict catalyst -- what makes it affect your protagonist?
What does your protagonist decide to do now?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


Block Two -- Supporting Story Elements, Crisis #1

1. Briefly describe your supporting characters.

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. What is/are the subplots of your story?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. Identify crisis #1 (escalation of the main conflict, or how does it get
worse?)

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

Block Three -- Conflict Response/Subplot Weaving #1

1. How does your protagnist react to crisis #1?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. Which of your supporting characters reacts to crisis #1, and how?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. Which of your subplots comes into play now, and how?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

Block Four -- Conflict Escalation #2/Conflict Response

1. Identify crisis #2 (second escalation of main conflict, or how does it
change/get worse?)

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. How does your protagonist react to crisis #2?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. Which of your supporting characters react to crisis #2, and how?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


Block Five -- Present the subplot(s) catalyst(s)/obstacle(s)

1. Describe how the subplot(s) escalate.

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________







2. How does the subplot(s) escalation affect your protagonist in relation to
the supporting characters?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. What is the main obstacle to the protagonist solving the main conflict?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


Block Six -- Develop supporting Characters/subplot(s); Conflict escalation
#3

1. How do the supporting characters deal with the protagonist's response to subplot escalation?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. How do the subplots affect the main conflict?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________







3. Identify crisis #3 (third escalation of the main conflict, or how does it
change/get worse?)

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


Block Seven -- Protagonist/Supporting character response to crisis #2;
subplot weaving #2

1. How does the protagonist react to crisis #3?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. How do the supporting characters react to crisis #3, and protagonist's
response?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. Which of your subplots comes into play now, and how?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________







Block Eight -- Final conflict escalation, subplot culmination

1. What is the final crisis (describe the final escalation of the main
conflict.)

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. How does the final crisis affect the protagonist and the supporting
characters?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. What is the culmination of the subplot(s)?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


Block Nine -- Response to Final Conflict/Resolution of subplot(s)

1. What is the protagonist's response to the final crisis?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________






2. What are the supporting characters' responses to the final crisis?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. What is/are the resolution(s) of the subplot(s)?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


Block Ten -- Resolution and Conclusion

1. What is the resolution of the main conflict?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. How does the resolution affect the protagonist and the supporting
characters?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. What is the conclusion of the story?

________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

Trilogy Plotting Template

Following is a template designed for writers specifically tackling the three-book trilogy series. This is not to be carved in stone! Please feel free to adapt. alter, and add to it to suit your particular writing style and story line needs.

There are two types of conflict I refer to in the template: standalone conflict, and main conflict. The standalone conflict mainly pertains to that particular book in the trilogy, but does affect the main conflict. The main conflict relates to the central theme of your trilogy, and as such should carry through all three books.

There is another term I use -- running threads. These are plot points which
can be carried over into subsequent books for resolution. For example, if your character is a fugitive from the law and will remain on the run throughout the trilogy, that is a running thread.

Also, this schematic is aimed more at tying the three books together versus
individual book plotting. For more detailed information on how to plot an individual novel, see the single novel plotting template.

Trilogy Series Plotting Template

Create a premise for the trilogy by describing each novel in ten words or
less:

Book One: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Book Two: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Book Three: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What common bonds tie these three novels together (describe the central
theme and main conflict)?

Book One: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Book Two: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Book Three: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What are the standalone conflicts in each novel, and how do they relate to
the main conflict?

Book One: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Book Two: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Book Three: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. Trilogy Breakdown, Book One

A. Establishing the Story Line

1. Describe your protagonist and supporting cast of characters as they are
introduced in book one:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. How is the standalone conflict established in this book?
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. What is the catalyst that brings the standalone conflict and all the
characters together? How does it initially affect your protagonist and characters?
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


B. Inclusive Conflict and Running Threads Development

1. Describe the main points of the standalone conflict's escalation (suggest
three escalations for book one):
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Identify which points introduced by the standalone conflict that will be
developed as running threads, and how:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


3. Identify which points of the standalone conflict that will be resolved,
and how:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. Describe how the threads in book one, resolved or open, affect the main
conflict:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


C. Character Development, Eliminations, Carry-Overs

1. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflict affects the
protagonist at each point:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflict affects the
supporting characters:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________



3. Identify which characters will be resolved/eliminated from the story line
in book one, and why.
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


4. Identify which characters will be carried over into book two, and why.
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


D. Resolution of the Standalone Conflict, Affect on the Main Conflict

1. Describe how the standalone conflict is resolved in book one:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. Describe what elements of the standalone conflict of book one lead into
the standalone conflict of book two (transition of running threads):
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how both the resolution and carry-over elements relate to the
main conflict of the trilogy:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________



II. Trilogy Breakdown, Book Two

A. Reestablishing the Story Line, Handling Backstory

1. Describe your protagonist and supporting cast of characters carried over
from book one, in their present circumstances:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Define the necessary backstory carried over from book one, and how it is
incorporated into book two:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. How is the standalone conflict established in this book?
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. What is the new catalyst that brings the standalone conflict and all the
characters together? How does it initially affect your protagonist and characters?
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________










B. Inclusive Conflict and Running Threads Perpetuation/Resolution

1. Describe the main points of book two's standalone conflict escalation
(remember, suggest three per book):
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe how running threads carried over from book one affect the
standalone conflict of book two:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe which running threads will remain open and carry over into book three, which threads will be resolved, and how:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. Describe how running threads, resolved or open, affect the main conflict:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


C. Character Development and Carry-Overs

1. Describe how the escalation of book two's standalone conflict affects the
protagonst at each point. How does the protagonist progress/regress as a character in relation to the new conflict:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflict affects the
supporting characters, and how they progress/regress in relation to the new conflict:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________



3. Identifty which characters will be resolved/eliminate from the story line
in book two, how, and why:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. Identify which characters will be carried over into book three, how, and
why:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

D. Resolution of the Standalone Conflict, Affect on Main Conflict

1. Describe how the standalone conflict is resolved in book two:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe what elements of the standalone conflict of book two lead into
the standalone conflict of book three:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how the resolution and carry-over elements relate to the main
conflict of the series:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

III. Trilogy Breakdown, Book Three

A. Reestablishing and Preparing the Story Line for Conclusion, Handling
Backstory

1. Describe your protagonist and supporting cast of characters carried over
from book two, in their current circumstances:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Define the necessary backstory carried over from books one and two, and how it is incorporated into book three:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. How is the standalone conflict established in book three?
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. What is the new catalyst that brings the standalone conflict and all the
characters together? How does it initially affect your protagonist and characters?
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


B. Inclusive Conflict and Running Threads Resolution

1. Describe the main points of book three's standalone conflict escalation
(again, suggest three):
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. Describe how running threads carried over from books one and two affect the standalone conflict of book three:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how the standalone conflict of book three leads into final
escalation of the main conflict:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


C. Character Development, Resolution, and Final Disposition

1. Describe how the escalation of book three's standalone conflict affects
the protagonist at each point. How does the protagonist progress/regress as a character in relation to the new conflict?
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________








2. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflict affects the
supporting characters, and how they progress/regress in relation to the new conflict:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Identify how all characters will be resolved/eliminated/etc. in book
three, and why:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

D. Resolution of Standalone Conflict and Main Conflict

1. Describe the resolution of all running threads which remain open from
books one and two:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the resolution of the standalone conflict in book three, and how
that affects the main conflict:
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how the resolution of threads and standlone conflict resolve the main conflict of the trilogy.
________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

Mid-Length Series Plotting Template

Following is a template designed for writers specifically tackling the mid-length series. This is not to be carved in stone! Please feel free to adapt, alter, and add to it to suit your particular writing style and story line needs.

As mid-length series can be of varying lengths, and rather tough to plot by
individual volume, I've broken up the plotting into "phases." For example, phase one of a mid-length series consisting of a total of nine books would refer to the first three books you write.

There are two types of conflict I refer to in the template: standalone conflict, and main conflict. The standalone conflict mainly pertains to that particular book in the series, but does affect the main conflict. The main conflict relates to the central theme of your series, and as such should carry through all the books.

There is another term I use -- running threads. These are plot points which can be carried over into subsequent books for resolution. For example, if your character is a fugitive from the law and will remain on the run throughout the series, that is a running thread. I've given three examples of some running thread templates. Also, this schematic is aimed more at tying all the books together versus individual book plotting. For more detailed information on how to plot an individual novel, see the single novel plotting template.


Mid-Length Series Plotting Template

Create a premise for the series by describing the main conflict in ten words
or less: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

How many books will encompass the three phases of the series?_________

Phase One (establish):_____________________________________________
Phase Two (challenge/change):_____________________________________
Phase Three (resolve):_____________________________________________

Create a premise for the books in each phase by describing the inclusive
conflict in each novel(add/subtract book entry lines as needed):

Phase One:
Book:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Book:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Phase Two:
Book:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Book:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Phase Three:
Book:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Book:___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


Example Running Threads Templates (add/subtract books and threads to fit your series):

The Cascade Effect (Three Threads) Template:

Phase One-----------------------Phase Two -------------------------Phase Three

Book One--------Book Two--------Book Three-------Book Four---------Book Five

Thread A-----------------------------------------------------------End Thread A

Thread “A” is the major plot twist related to your series conflict– the big payoff.

Thread B-----------------------------------------End Thread B

“B” is the secondary plot twist related to your series conflict, which can
set up your finale with “A”.

Thread C------------------------End Thread C

“C” is the catalyst twist, which can be related to either the standalone
conflict of the book it appears in, or involved in your series conflict. This thread can lead to the revelation of “B”

The Switch Hitter (Five Threads) Template:

Phase One--------------------Phase Two---------------------------Phase Three

Book One------Book Two------Book Three------Book Four------------Book Five

Thread A---------------------------------------------------------End Thread A

“A” is the major plot twist related to your series conflict– the big payoff.

Thread B--------------------End Thread B/Start Thread C------------End Thread C

“B” and “C” are the secondary plot twists. “B” can set up “C”, while “C”
sets up your finale with “A”. Both can be related to standalone twists or the series conflict.

---------------Thread D---------------------------------------------End Thread D

“D” is a series enhancer – works best when it ties together the standalone
conflicts in phase one and three with the series conflict.

---------------------------------------------Start Thread E----------End Thread E

“E”sets up your finale, like “C” but of shorter duration.

Constant Upheaval (Seven Threads) Template:

Phase One------------------Phase Two--------------------------Phase Three

Book One------Book Two-----Book Three--------Book Four---------Book Five

Thread A-------------------------------------------------------End Thread A

“A” is the major plot twist related to your series conflict– the big payoff.

---------------Thread B---------End Thread B/Start Thread C---End Thread C

--------------------------------------------Start Thread D----End Thread D

“B,”“C,” and “D” are the secondary plot twists. “B” and “C” should relate
directly to the series conflict and set up “A”. “D”can be the transition thread leading from the resolution of “B” and “C” into the resolution of “A,” or a red herring to keep the reader from guessing “A.”

Start Thread E--End Thread E---Start Thread F--End Thread F--Start Thread
G--End Thread G

“E,”“F,” and “G” are standalone plot twists which cascade revelations within each phase of the series. These should be related to the series conflict but used to tie together the individual books.


I. Mid-Length Series Breakdown, Phase One

A. Establishing the Story Line

1. Describe your protagonist and supporting cast of characters as they are
introduced in phase one: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. How are the standalone conflicts established in this phase? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. What is the catalyst that brings the standalone conflicts and all the
characters together? How do they initially affect your protagonist and characters? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. What running threads are introduced in phase one? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

B. Inclusive Conflicts and Running Threads Development

1. Describe the main points of each standalone conflict's escalation
(suggest three to five escalations per conflict for phase one): ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


2. Identify which standalone conflicts in phase one relate or develop into
running threads, and how: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Identify which running threads will be resolved, in which book, and how: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. Indentify which new running threads will be introduced within phase one,
and how: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

5. Describe how the threads in phase one, resolved or open, affect the main
conflict: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

C. Character Development, Eliminations, Carry-Overs

1. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflicts in phase one
affect the protagonist at each point, by book: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________






2. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflicts in phase one
generally affect the supporting characters, by book: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Identify which characters will be resolved/eliminated from the story line
in phase one, and why. ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. Identify which characters will be carried over into phase two, and why. ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

5. Identify which new characters will be introduced prior to phase two, and
why: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

D. Resolution of the Standalone Conflicts, Affect on the Main Conflict

1. Describe how the standalone conflicts are resolved in phase one: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________







2. Describe what elements of the standalone conflicts of phase one lead into the standalone conflicts of phase two (transition of running threads): ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how both the resolutions and carry-over elements in phase one
relate to the main conflict of the series: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

II. Mid-Length Series Breakdown, Phase Two

A. Reestablishing the Story Line, Handling Backstory

1. Describe your protagonist and supporting cast of characters carried over
from phase one, in their present circumstances at the initiation of phase two: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Define the necessary backstory carried over from phase one, and how it is incorporated into phase two: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. How are the standalone conflicts established in this phase? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________



4. What is the new catalyst that brings the standalone conflicts and all the
characters together in the initial stage of phase two? How does they initially affect your protagonist and characters? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

B. Inclusive Conflicts and Running Threads Perpetuation/Resolution

1. Describe the main points of phase two's standalone conflicts and their
individual escalations (remember, suggest three escalations per conflict/book): ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe how running threads carried over from phase one affect the
standalone conflicts of phase two: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Identify which running threads will remain open and carry over into phase three, and why: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. Identify which threads will be resolved in phase two, and how: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________




5. Identify which new threads will be introduced within phase two, and how: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

6. Describe how running threads, resolved or open, affect the main conflict
of the series: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

C. Character Development and Carry-Overs

1. Describe how the escalation of phase two's standalone conflicts affect
the protagonst at each point. How does the protagonist progress/regress as a character in relation to the new conflicts: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflicts generally affect
the supporting characters, and how they progress/regress in relation to the new conflicts: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Identifty which characters will be resolved/eliminate from the story line
in phase two, how, and why: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________




4. Identify which characters will be carried over into phase three, how, and
why: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


5. Identify which new characters will be introduced in phase two, how, and
why: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


D. Resolution of the Standalone Conflict, Affect on Main Conflict

1. Describe how the standalone conflicts are resolved in phase two: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe what elements of the standalone conflicts of phase two lead into the standalone conflicts of phase three: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how the resolutions and carry-over elements relate to the main
conflict of the series: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________




III. Mid-Length Series Breakdown, Phase Three

A. Reestablishing and Preparing the Story Line for Conclusion, Handling
Backstory

1. Describe your protagonist and supporting cast of characters carried over
from phase two, in their current circumstances at the initiation of phase three: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Define the necessary backstory carried over from phase one and two, and how it is incorporated into phase three: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. How are the standalone conflicts established in phase three? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

4. What are the new catalysts that bring the standalone conflicts and all
the characters together? How does it initially affect your protagonist and characters? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________









B. Inclusive Conflict and Running Threads Resolution

1. Describe the main points of phase three's standalone conflicts and their
escalation (again, suggest three to five per book): ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe how running threads carried over from phase one and two affect the standalone conflicts of phase three: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how the standalone conflicts of phase three lead into final
escalation of the main conflict of the series: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

C. Character Development, Resolution, and Final Disposition

1. Describe how the escalation of phase three's standalone conflicts affect
the protagonist at each point. How does the protagonist progress/regress as a character in relation to the new conflicts? ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe how the escalation of the standalone conflicts generally affect
the supporting characters, and how they progress/regress in relation to the new conflicts: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Identify how all characters will be resolved/eliminated/etc. in phase
three, and why: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

D. Resolution of Standalone Conflicts and Main Conflict

1. Describe the resolution of all running threads which remain open from
phase one and two: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

2. Describe the resolution of the standalone conflicts in phase three, and
how that affects the main conflict: ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________

3. Describe how the resolution of threads and standalone conflicts resolve
the main conflict of the series. ________________________________________________________________



________________________________________________________________


Novel Plotting Templates Copyright 2001 by S.L. Viehl
All rights reserved.
Copies made and distributed for teaching or not-for-profit purposes is permitted.