how to plan your book *from scratch* (PLANNING CHECKLIST)✨️✒️worldbuilding, characters + plot

Summary

This video guides aspiring writers on how to turn their book ideas into structured stories. It emphasizes the importance of brainstorming a project bio, developing rich worlds, and creating dynamic characters. Key elements like setting, politics, and magic systems are explored to enhance storytelling. The video also outlines the plotting process through a four-act structure, culminating in a one-sentence summary that encapsulates the story. Additionally, it introduces Taylor 2, an innovative writing tool that aids in brainstorming and drafting, making the writing journey more efficient and enjoyable.

Takeaways

• 😀 Begin your novel planning by brainstorming a project bio that outlines the title, genre, and tropes.
• 😀 Organize your brainstorming into three main parts: world-building, character development, and plotting.
• 😀 Consider the settings of your story, including their environments and the significance to your plot.
• 😀 Develop the political landscape of your story, including the social systems and conflicts that affect your characters.
• 😀 If your story includes magic, define its rules and limitations to add depth to your world.
• 😀 Focus on character arcs by understanding their drives, relationships, and how they evolve throughout the story.
• 😀 Create a one-sentence summary of your plot to clarify the core idea of your story.
• 😀 Structure your plot with clear acts: the beginning, rising action, climax, and resolution.
• 😀 The climax should present the highest stakes for your characters, making it an engaging moment for readers.
• 😀 Use writing tools like Taylor 2 to help streamline the brainstorming, drafting, and proofreading processes.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the video?

The video aims to guide viewers on how to effectively plan a novel from scratch, especially if they have just a book idea.

What features does Taylor 2 offer to writers?

Taylor 2 provides character sheets, project overviews, writing assistance tools, a dictation function, and integrated notes, all designed to streamline the writing process.

How should a writer start brainstorming their project?

A writer should start by creating a project bio that includes the project title, genre, tropes, and a word count goal.

Why is world building important in a novel?

World building establishes the settings, politics, and magic systems that shape the narrative and influence character actions.

What key elements should be included when developing characters?

Key elements include the characters' drives, their relationships with each other, and their character arcs, which depict how they change throughout the story.

What is the significance of creating a one-sentence summary?

A one-sentence summary helps clarify the core idea of the story and serves as a guiding statement for the plot.

What are the four acts of story structure mentioned?

The four acts include the Beginning, Rising Action, Climax, and Resolution, each playing a critical role in the narrative flow.

How can politics within the story affect character development?

Politics shapes the characters' backgrounds and motivations, influencing their actions and the conflicts they face throughout the story.

What role does magic play in a fantastical narrative?

Magic adds complexity to the plot and character dynamics, often determining how characters interact with their world and each other.

What is a key takeaway regarding character change in stories?

Characters should undergo significant changes based on their experiences, which is crucial for creating relatable and dynamic characters.