Story Planning Mind Map Template

Stories are webs before they’re lines. A story map keeps characters, setting and plot beats visible together so you can see which character has nothing to do in act two, or which setting detail never pays off.

Story premiseCharactersProtagonist: want / fearAntagonistSettingConflictPlotBeginningMiddleEndTheme
Blank template. Best for: Creative writing students, NaNoWriMo writers and game designers sketching a plot.

How to fill it in

  1. Working title or premise in the centre.
  2. Branches for characters (want, fear), setting, conflict, plot beats and theme.
  3. Under plot, use beginning / middle / end or a five-beat structure.
  4. Use cross-links to join a character to the scene where they change.

Example: The lighthouse keeper’s last winter

The lighthousekeeper’s last winterCharactersMara: wants to stay, fearsleavingTom: council inspectorSettingRock island, 1962Storm seasonConflictLight is being automatedPlotLetter arrivesStorm strands TomMara saves a ship by handShe leaves on her termsThemeLetting go of a role
Show as text outline
The lighthouse keeper’s last winter
- Characters
  - Mara: wants to stay, fears leaving
  - Tom: council inspector
- Setting
  - Rock island, 1962
  - Storm season
- Conflict
  - Light is being automated
- Plot
  - Letter arrives
  - Storm strands Tom
  - Mara saves a ship by hand
  - She leaves on her terms
- Theme
  - Letting go of a role

More templates

Questions people ask

How do I use this story planning template?

Click “Use blank template” to open it in the free editor, select any idea and start typing to replace it. Tab adds a new branch, Enter adds a sibling. Your map saves in your browser automatically.

Can I download it as a PDF or image?

Yes. In the editor, open Export and choose PDF (A4), PNG or SVG. Markdown gives you the outline as text.