How to Plot Your Story the Simple Way (Using 12 Key Beats)
- henripoole-birrell
- Sep 27
- 2 min read
One of the hardest parts of writing a narrative – whether that's a novel or short story – isn’t the writing itself. It’s figuring out what happens, and when.
If you’ve ever stared at a blank page wondering how to get from the first sentence to “The End,” you’re not alone. That’s where story structure comes in. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel — just follow a roadmap that has guided countless stories before you. Here’s a simple 12-step plotting method you can use for any genre.
1. Opening Image
Start with a scene that grabs attention and hints at what kind of story this will be. Think of it as your “promise to the reader.”
2. Setup
Show us your character’s normal life — what they have, what they lack, and what’s about to change.
3. Inciting Incident
Something happens that shatters normal life and demands action. From here, there’s no going back.
4. Reaction & Debate
Your character hesitates. Do they run away, fight back, or pretend nothing has changed? Their doubts make them feel real.
5. Rising Conflict
Obstacles start piling up. Each one is tougher than the last, testing your character’s limits.
6. The Middle Twist
A false victory, crushing defeat, or shocking twist turns the story in a new direction. This is where the deeper theme begins to shine.
7. Raising the Stakes
Things get more intense. The risks aren’t just external — love, trust, or self-worth are now on the line.
8. Chaos Closes In
Everything unravels. Allies falter. The enemy closes in. The hero’s own weakness might be their downfall.
9. The Darkest Moment
It feels like all is lost. The emotional low point of your story.
10. Refuelling
A spark of hope emerges — often from a revelation, a mentor, or sheer determination. Your hero finds the strength to rise again.
11. Climax
The final showdown. The hero faces the antagonist — and wins (or loses) because of the growth they’ve undergone.
12. Resolution
We see life after transformation. Echo your opening image — but show how your character and their world have changed.
Final Tips for Writers
Think in cause and effect. Every step should flow naturally from the one before.
Keep raising the tension. Don’t let the middle sag — increase the stakes instead of adding filler.
Focus on growth. A story isn’t just about what happens, but how the character changes along the way.
And – my person favourite – keep us on our toes! And why not, every once in a while, throw caution to the wind and experiment with the structure of your story altogether? Why not trial the whole 'making things up as I go' approach, or investigate other plot structures. Just don't – whatever you do – allow the reader to predict what you're going to do next.
Plotting a novel? You can find a link to our novel plotting guide here, which you can download for only £0.99:
Or maybe you're interested in learning more about plotting and storytelling in general. In which case, you can learn more about our Start Your Story course – which is currently, at the time of this post, on offer!
Happy plotting!
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