Plotting Made Easy: From Scribbles to Story Arcs New Writers Can Actually Follow

Plotting Made Easy: From Scribbles to Story Arcs New Writers Can Actually Follow

Crafting a plot doesn’t have to feel like brewing a potion blindfolded. Here’s how to map your story without losing your magic.

You’ve got an idea. Maybe it came to you in the shower, on a late-night walk, or in the middle of a boring work meeting. It’s brilliant. Magical. You know there’s a story buried in it somewhere, but when you sit down to write… nothing happens. Or worse—everything happens at once. If this sounds familiar, welcome to the chaotic joy of being a new writer.

Plotting can feel like trying to map out a dragon’s flight path during a thunderstorm. But fear not—this guide is your broomstick through the clouds. It’s not about rigid formulas or overwhelming templates. It’s about building a story map that works for you. One you’ll actually use, not abandon halfway through Chapter 2.

Start with a Spark, Not a Blueprint

Some writers swear by three-act structures or the Hero’s Journey. Those are great—but they come after you’ve found your heart.

Ask yourself:

• What excites me about this idea?

• What is my main character’s deepest desire—or worst fear?

• What's the mood or tone I want to capture?

Write that down. This is your story’s emotional compass. You can return to it whenever your plot starts wobbling like a cursed broomstick.

The Magical Five

For new writers, too many moving parts can kill momentum. Try starting with just a handful of story beats:

An introduction that grounds us. A spark that ignites the journey. A twist that shifts everything. A moment that brings it all to a head. And a resolution that leaves the reader changed.

Even a rough sketch of these moments will give you something solid to work from—like a constellation guiding your story’s flight path.

Let Your Characters Take the Lead

Plot isn't just about events—it’s about choices. Great plots are born when characters are forced to make hard decisions. Let your protagonist’s wants, fears, and flaws drive what happens next.

Ask:

• What would my character never do—and what might force them to do it anyway?

• What truth do they need to face?

• What mistake could they make that changes everything?

This is how you write stories that don’t just move—but matter.

Think in Scenes, Not Chapters

Chapters can be intimidating. So, think in scenes—smaller units of tension and change.

Each scene should have a purpose. Maybe it builds a relationship, reveals a secret, or raises the stakes. What matters is that something shifts by the end—emotionally or externally. These little shifts add up to big arcs. Before you know it, you’ve got momentum.

Use Tools That Actually Work for You

Not everyone needs color-coded spreadsheets or plot grids. Use whatever helps you visualize your story—sticky notes, index cards, notebooks, voice notes. Doodle your scenes in spirals if you like. Add emoji. Scribble dialogue in the margins.

Your plotting tools should make you feel excited, not overwhelmed.

Let the Plot Evolve

No matter how carefully you plan, your plot will shift. That’s not failure—it’s magic in motion.

Your characters may change. Your theme may deepen. Embrace the unexpected. That’s where the best stories live.

So plot boldly. Scribble wildly. Trust the broomstick beneath you.

Anaya Deen is a British-born writer conjuring up novels for her YA Fantasy Series, Secrets of Crestwick. She is happiest when she’s dreaming up new spells and daring escapades for readers to lose themselves. If this article helped you, please consider subscribing to her Bat Mail Newsletter. Get insider writing tips, sneak peeks at her novel, brilliant AI hacks for writers, and real talk on self-publishing—ideal for new writers craving straightforward advice.