NaNoWriMo's YWP Plot Outlines

Once you’ve created some exciting conflict for your novel, you'll probably have an idea of what is going to happen in your book this November. You may know what kind of journey your protagonist will undertake, and you know what will stand in your protagonist's way. The next step is to map out what will actually happen to resolve your central conflict.

If you fill out this worksheet from National Novel Writing Month's Young Novelist Workbook, noveling will be ten times easier in November. You don’t have to describe everything that will happen in your novel here. This is just to help you get an idea about what’ll happen in the beginning, middle, and end of your book.

  • PDF — this is in a nearly universal format, abut it lacks finesse.
  • Microsoft Word form — this is my favorite version, but it’s in a proprietary format, which means it requires you that you own Microsoft Word.
  • Microsoft Word doc — the doc version is not as cool as the form version, but it’s for those of you who own Microsoft Word and want to customize the outline structure.
  • Pages — also not as cool as the Microsoft Word form but for those of you who own (or just prefer) Pages.
  • Google Docs — note that this is a "View Only" document. To use it, click on the "File" in the Google Docs menu bar and then choose "Make a copy...".
  • Text — also pasted below. For those of you that prefer a stripped down version or want to create your own form:

Plot Outline

Writing an entire novel from beginning to end may seem impossible, but it is not as hard as you think once you have a plan. Most stories have the same structure, and they break down into the same six sections that make up a plot.

  1. Describe Your Set-Up
    • In one to two paragraphs, describe a scene that introduces your characters, your setting, and the main conflicts in your story. You may want to review your Conflict Worksheet before you do this.
       
  2. Describe Your Inciting Incident
    • In one paragraph, describe the event that causes your protagonist to begin his or her adventure.
       
  3. Describe Some of Your Rising Action:
    • Write a list of five events that build up to the climax of your novel. Don’t forget to include all of your supporting characters!
       
  4. Describe Your Climax:
    • In one paragraph, describe what will happen in the climax of your novel.
       
  5. Describe Your Falling Action:
    • In one to two paragraphs, describe what happens after the climax. Does your protagonist get what he or she wants? Does the antagonist get defeated? How?
       
  6. Describe Your Resolution:
    • In one to two paragraphs, describe how everything works out in the very end. Is it a happy ending? Sad? Remember to show how your characters changed because of their journey.