Taming Your Story Line

How to Organize plot and pacing for books with multiple Story Lines.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve had that moment when your story line grows and romps right out of the neat little patterns you had in your head. I’ve tried everything from 15 page outlines, to plotting software, to notecards. They work—for a while. But how do you see your novel at a glance without losing track of all the details you need to remember? The best way I have found is through creating a literal “story line” using sticky notes and string.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Sticky notes

Pen or Pencil

String (optional)

Clips (optional)

Step One: Define Your Main Plot

Sticky notes are a writer’s best friend. They only allow a bare-bones plot, keeping you focused on the main points of each chapter. But you can add notes behind your main plot to track all the little details you want to include without getting overwhelmed. Sticky notes also give you a way to see your entire plot at once so you can check for pacing issues and gaps. Write the basic plot points onto the card, allowing each card to represent an entire chapter. Don’t worry about details or subplots right now—just list the basic sequence of events that your main character will be experiencing. It should look something like this:

Character A: Beginning, conflict, build, climax, conclusion.

You can have as many cards as you need but try to simplify the outline as much as you can. The cards are to jog your memory, not dictate the entire developed story. Now, do you have a second main character? A sidekick with a subplot. If any other character will have chapters from their point of view or has a secondary plot woven in, create a second row, keeping the plots next to the character they concern. So now your outline should look roughly like this:

Character A: Story NotesCharacter B: Story Notes

Step Two: Check for Pacing and Plot Holes

Are there any major chapters missing? Does your main character have more chapters than the others, and if so, is this what you intended? Once you’ve seen your squares lined up, are there more events than the total amount of chapters you’re comfortable writing? If so, don’t panic. Look for events you can combine into an existing chapter. If you still have too many, look for story bits that repeat concepts. If your character is training with a friend in one chapter and talking with the same friend in another, can he have a conversation #1 and action #2 in the same session? Are there any events you are including so you can reveal a small, but important plot point? If so, can you work that bit into an existing chapter without writing an entire chapter around it? Or are there too few chapters? You will probably add some as you write and discover plots you want to develop but if it concerns you, consider which subplots you can include. Remember, you can have as few or many chapters as you want, but this structure check will help you see if your story will run out of steam or if your saga will run away with you and turn into a fifty-chapter dragon. (Guilty.)

Step Three: Plan Your Outline

After creating separate rows for each of your story lines and subplots, combine the story into its proper order.

Now that you know the events, it’s time to arrange them into your story’s order. Put your notes in the order they happen and pay attention to the character’s viewpoint. You can even have different colors sticky notes if you’re writing from multiple points of view.

Do they flow well from one to the other or does the pattern seem like it will jar your reader? If so, check for chapters you could write from a different viewpoint without marring the flow or ruining your plot. Don’t stress over this point. It’s all right if your main character has more chapters, just look for clumps that feel concerning.

Step Four: Step Back

Seriously. Get a glass of water or refill your teacup. Now think out your story while following your notes. Your plot line may change as you write—that’s normal and just fine. Often writers feel like over-plotting ruins their flow, though others prefer to outline each chapter detail before they start their draft. I tend to outline more during my revision stage when I know what story I’m trying to tell. I personally use my story line as a reminder of what I want to write, not as a set of rules, and I revise it as characters reveal more of their stories. Let your brain work however it best processes, but use this moment to check in with yourself. Does this outline feel right?

Step Five: Add the Things You Can’t Forget

Now is the time to think of smaller details you want to make sure are included in your book. Are there clues, background details, or important items you need to incorporate? Write on separate sticky notes and put them behind the note for the chapter you want to include them in. You can place smaller stick notes in front if you want to see them all at once, but it will quickly clutter your board. If you place all the detail notes behind the chapter notes, you can take down the clump as you write your chapter or summarize your outline so you’ll know everything you want to include—but won’t feel overwhelmed looking at your basic plot.

Step Six: Write Your Novel

Keep your notes on a physical line, clipping them together if you want to see the entire story line at a glance. Or you can use them now to write your outline in Scrivener or whatever system you use. If you have 20 or fewer chapters, consider purchasing my Journal for Writers. It’s called “Act Like a Writer” and will guide you in creating character-driven novels by tracking your writing, developing characters, and creating locations. (Sorry, epic fans with 20+ chapters. Your version isn’t out yet, though it won’t be forgotten, because I need it too. If you’re really raring to get started, send me a note about getting the PDF copy and you can print out as many chapters and character sheets as you need.)

Are you feeling better about your story? Writing is scary, I know. It takes courage and perseverance, but now when you sit down, you will know what goes on to that blank page and why it’s important to your story. Now you’ve just got to take a deep breath, remember that every word you pen will make you into a better writer, and give yourself permission to write. I believe in you. Now come on. Let’s quit procrastinating and go write.

 P. S. Did you know that I have a video class on how to outline on Skillshare? If you’d like to watch it, you can get two months for free by using my affiliate link. You may cancel at any time.