How to plot a novel using a plot grid – with examples

This article is part of a series about how you can plot a novel. To read about using a plot grid to revise a novel, please click here.

So you’ve got a fantastic idea for a novel. Characters are brewing, settings are taking shape, and maybe even a few dazzling scenes have played out in your mind. But how do you connect all those brilliant individual pieces into a cohesive, interesting story that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end? This is exactly the dilemma I had when trying to write my first novel. I would get halfway through and struggle to remember the details of all the subplots. Then I heard about plot grids.

Now, before you picture a rigid, creativity-stifling spreadsheet (because you know I love a spreadsheet), hear me out. A plot grid isn’t about boxing in your imagination; it’s about providing a clear roadmap for your narrative journey. Think of it as a loose sketchpad for your story’s architecture, allowing you to see the bigger picture while still giving you the freedom to explore every exciting detail.

What is a Plot Grid?

At its core, a plot grid is a visual tool that breaks down your novel into manageable sections, allowing you to track key plot points, character arcs, and thematic development. While there are many variations, a common approach involves creating a grid with chapters or scenes along one axis and essential story elements along the other.

Common elements you might include are:

• Chapter/Scene Number: For easy organization.
• Key Plot Point/Event: What major thing happens in this section? (e.g., Chapter 3: the protagonist discovers a hidden message in an old book.)
• Character Arc (Protagonist): How does your main character change or evolve in this section? What challenges do they face? (e.g., the protagonist moves from skepticism to curiosity; faces the challenge of deciphering the code.)
• Character Arc (Antagonist/Supporting): How do other key characters influence or react to the events? (e.g., the antagonist’s surveillance intensifies, a supporting character offers unsolicited advice.)
• Setting: Where does this scene take place? (e.g., a dusty attic filled with forgotten heirlooms, followed by a quiet library.)
• Theme/Sub-theme: What underlying message or idea is being explored here? (e.g., the allure of the past, the burden of secrets.)
• Conflict: What tension or obstacle is present? (e.g., internal conflict: the protagonist’s fear of the unknown vs. desire for answers. External conflict: the race against time to understand the message.)
• Emotional Beat: What feeling are you aiming to evoke in the reader? (e.g., Intrigue, mild unease, dawning excitement.)

Example Plot Grid: Twilight (Chapters 1-3)

Here’s a simplified example of how a plot grid might look for the first few chapters of Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight:

Chapter/Scene Number	Key Plot Point/Event	Character Arc (Protagonist: Bella)	Character Arc (Antagonist/Supporting: Edward, Cullen Family, Forks Residents)	Setting	Theme/Sub-theme	Conflict	Emotional Beat (Reader)
Chapter 1: First Sight	Bella moves to Forks, Washington, and encounters Edward Cullen at school.	Reluctant, passive, observant; feels out of place but also intrigued.	Edward is mysterious, aloof, and has an intense reaction to Bella; students are curious about Bella.	Forks High School, Bella’s new home.	New beginnings, isolation, mystery.	Internal: Bella’s discomfort with change, her awkwardness. External: The immediate, inexplicable tension with Edward.	Curiosity, mild unease, empathy for Bella’s outsider status.
Chapter 2: Open Book	Bella struggles to adjust to Forks, meets new friends, and becomes increasingly aware of Edward’s unusual behavior.	Attempts to fit in, feels a growing fascination with Edward despite herself.	Edward remains enigmatic, demonstrates superhuman abilities (stopping the van); Jessica and Mike are welcoming but gossipy.	Forks High School, cafeteria, parking lot, Bella’s home.	Adaptation, fascination, the uncanny.	Internal: Bella’s internal debate about Edward’s strangeness vs. her attraction. External: Edward’s puzzling behavior, near-accident with the van.	Intrigue, suspense, slight fear for Bella’s safety.
Chapter 3: Phenom	Bella begins to research Edward and the Cullen family, suspecting something supernatural.	Determined to understand, shifts from passive observation to active investigation; growing obsession with Edward.	Edward continues to show odd behaviors (absences, lack of eating); the Cullen family is observed as beautiful and reclusive.	Forks Library, internet at home, school.	Discovery, obsession, the supernatural.	Internal: Bella’s disbelief vs. the evidence she’s gathering. External: The mystery of the Cullens.	Fascination, growing suspense, intellectual curiosity.

Why Use One?

• Clarity and Cohesion: It helps you visualize the flow of your narrative, ensuring that each chapter or scene contributes to the overall story.
• Pacing Control: You can see if your plot is moving too fast or too slow in certain areas and adjust accordingly. (e.g., notice three consecutive chapters are all “discovery” scenes, indicating a need for more action or character development.)
• Identifying Gaps: It highlights areas where your plot might be thin or where a particular character arc needs more development. (e.g., realize the antagonist hasn’t appeared in five chapters, prompting a new scene to reintroduce their threat.)
• Preventing Plot Holes: By seeing the story laid out, you’re more likely to spot inconsistencies or unanswered questions before they become major issues. (e.g., catch that a character knew information in Chapter 10 that they shouldn’t have until Chapter 15.)
• Staying on Track: When you’re deep in the weeds of writing, the grid serves as a helpful reminder of your ultimate destination.
• Efficient Revisions: When it’s time to revise, you have a clear framework to work with, making adjustments more targeted and efficient. (e.g., decide to move a flashback from Chapter 7 to Chapter 3 for better emotional impact, and the grid helps you see the ripple effect.)

How to Use a Plot Grid Effectively

1. Start Broad, Then Refine: You don’t need every detail filled out from the start. Begin with major plot points like your inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Then, break those down into smaller scenes or chapters.
2. Choose Your Format: This could be a physical whiteboard, a large sheet of paper, a spreadsheet program (like Google Sheets or Excel), or even dedicated plotting software. The best format is the one you’ll actually use. (e.g., a simple Google Sheet with columns for “Chapter,” “Key Event,” “Protagonist’s Goal,” and “Antagonist’s Action.”)
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Deviate: A grid is a guide, not a dictator. If your characters take an unexpected turn or a new plot thread emerges, embrace it! The grid can be adjusted. (e.g., you planned for a character to betray the protagonist, but they develop in a way that makes loyalty more interesting. Adjust the grid to reflect this new direction.)
4. Keep it Accessible: Have your grid nearby while you write. Refer to it regularly, but don’t let it stifle your creative flow.
5. Use it as a Brainstorming Tool: When you’re stuck, look at your grid. What needs to happen next? What character needs to grow? (e.g., the “Conflict” column shows a lack of tension in the middle of the book, prompting ideas for a new antagonist attack.)
6. Color-Code (Optional but Fun!): Assign colors to different characters, plotlines, or emotional beats to make your grid even more visually intuitive. (e.g., use blue for the main romantic subplot, red for the antagonist’s actions, and green for thematic revelations.)

A plot grid isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s flexible enough to adapt to include as much or as little detail as you prefer. Plotters can fill in each square and make a detailed outline, while pantsers can fill it in after a writing session to see ‌if there are plot holes or unresolved story threads. Of all the plotting methods out there, this is one of my favorites because it allows me to to plan in the same way I think. 

For more on the different ways to use a plot grid, please see my YouTube video.