Novel Outline Template Google Docs: Fiction Planning

Okay so I’ve been using Google Docs for novel outlines for like the past three years and honestly it’s probably the best free option out there for fiction planning. Like I tried Scrivener and a bunch of other stuff but always came back to Docs because it’s just… there. You know?

First thing you gotta do is set up a master template. I usually start with a basic structure that I can copy for each new project. Go to docs.google.com and create a new doc, then immediately save it as “Novel Outline Template – MASTER” or something so you don’t accidentally write in it later.

Here’s how I structure mine and you can totally modify this but this is what works after outlining like 30+ novels:

The Basic Three-Act Structure Template

Start with your header sections. I use Heading 1 for acts, Heading 2 for chapters, and Heading 3 for scenes. This is gonna sound weird but the formatting styles in Google Docs are actually super useful because you can create a document outline in the left sidebar that lets you jump around.

To see that outline view, click View > Show document outline. Game changer. My dog was literally barking at a squirrel while I discovered this feature and I almost missed it because I was so distracted.

Your basic structure should look like:

• Act One: Setup (roughly 25% of your book)
• Act Two: Confrontation (about 50%)
• Act Three: Resolution (final 25%)

Under each act, I break it down into major plot points. For Act One you want your inciting incident, your first plot point, introduction of major characters. Act Two gets the midpoint, rising complications, all that fun stuff. Act Three has your climax and resolution.

Character Tracking Section

Oh and another thing – I always put a character section at the top of my outline. Like before the actual plot stuff. Create a table for this, it’s cleaner. Insert > Table, then make it maybe 4 columns.

The columns I use: Character Name | Role | Key Traits | Arc Notes

This way when you’re outlining chapter 17 and you’re like “wait what was Sarah’s motivation again” you just scroll up. I used to keep this in a separate doc and it was a nightmare jumping between files.

For each major character I’ll write maybe 2-3 sentences about their arc. Supporting characters get one sentence. Background characters don’t even go in here unless they matter.

Scene-by-Scene Breakdown

Here’s where it gets detailed and honestly where most people give up but don’t. Each scene in your outline should have:

• POV character (if you’re doing multiple POV)
• Setting/location
• What happens (plot-wise)
• Character development moment
• Emotional beat or tone

I format mine like this: “Chapter 3, Scene 2 – Marcus POV – Coffee shop downtown – Marcus confronts his brother about the missing money, realizes his brother is lying about something bigger, tense/suspicious”

That’s literally all you need. Some people write paragraphs for each scene and honestly that’s just procrastination. You’re gonna change half of it when you actually write anyway.

Using Google Docs Features You’re Probably Ignoring

Okay so funny story, I was watching The Bear season 2 while setting up an outline last month and accidentally discovered the voice typing feature. Tools > Voice typing. You can literally talk through your plot points while pacing around your room. I felt ridiculous doing it but it’s actually faster for brainstorming.

Comments are super useful too. If you’re outlining and you think “hmm not sure about this plot point” just highlight it and add a comment (Ctrl+Alt+M). I use comments for:

• Research needed
• Potential plot holes to fix
• Alternative scene ideas
• Questions to answer later

The version history is clutch. File > Version history > See version history. I’ve saved myself so many times when I deleted a whole section and then realized I actually needed it. Google Docs saves everything automatically.

Color Coding and Organization

Wait I forgot to mention – use highlighting for different plot threads. I assign each subplot or theme a color. Like:

• Yellow = main plot
• Green = romance subplot
• Blue = mystery elements
• Pink = character development moments

When you’re done outlining, you can scan through and see if any color is missing for too long. If you don’t see any green highlights for 8 chapters straight, maybe your romance subplot needs work.

The Chapter Summary Section

At the bottom of my template I keep a chapter summary section. It’s basically a quick reference guide. Each chapter gets one sentence. That’s it.

Chapter 1: Introduction to protagonist’s ordinary world and hint at inciting incident
Chapter 2: Inciting incident occurs, protagonist’s life disrupted
Chapter 3: Protagonist refuses the call to adventure

This helps when you’re writing and you need to remember what happened 10 chapters ago without scrolling through all your detailed scene notes.

Templates for Different Fiction Genres

Your template should honestly change based on what you’re writing. For romance I add specific beat sheets – meet cute, first kiss, black moment, all that. For mystery you need clue tracking, red herrings, revelation points.

Mystery template additions:

• Clue log (what clues appear when)
• Suspect tracker
• Timeline of events
• Red herring placements

Romance template additions:

• Relationship milestones
• Conflict/tension tracker
• External plot if applicable
• Emotional beats for both main characters

Fantasy needs worldbuilding sections. I usually create a separate doc for extensive worldbuilding but keep key details in the outline – magic system rules, important locations, cultural stuff that affects the plot.

Collaboration Features

If you’re co-writing or working with an editor, the Share button is obvious but the suggesting mode is amazing. Top right, click the pencil icon and switch to “Suggesting” instead of “Editing.” Now any changes you make show up as suggestions that can be accepted or rejected.

I use this when I’m revising my own outlines too. Like if I’m not sure about deleting a scene, I suggest the deletion. Then I can review all suggestions later with fresh eyes.

Creating Multiple Template Versions

Don’t just have one template. I’ve got probably five different ones:

• Basic three-act structure
• Hero’s journey template
• Save the Cat beat sheet adapted
• Seven-point story structure
• Kishotenketsu for experimental stuff

Make a folder in your Google Drive called “Novel Templates” and keep them all there. When starting a new project, right-click the template you want and “Make a copy.”

Word Count Goals and Tracking

Under each chapter heading I put a target word count. Tools > Word count shows you current count, but I manually track targets.

Chapter 1 – Target: 3000 words
Chapter 2 – Target: 3500 words

This helps me know if I’m planning enough content. If your outline says you’ve got 30 chapters at 3000 words each, that’s 90k words. Perfect for most commercial fiction.

The Research Notes Section

Always include a research section at the bottom. Just bullet points of stuff you need to look up:

• How long does arsenic poisoning take
• What did London look like in 1888
• Police procedure for missing persons
• Medieval feast foods

Add links when you find good sources. Google Docs makes links easy – just Ctrl+K and paste the URL.

Mobile Editing and Offline Access

Download the Google Docs app. You can outline on your phone during lunch breaks or whatever. I’ve outlined entire chapters waiting in line at the DMV.

For offline access, open your outline on your computer, click File > Make available offline. Now you can work without internet and it’ll sync when you’re back online.

Converting Your Outline to Manuscript

When you’re ready to write, don’t write in your outline doc. Make a copy and rename it “Novel Title – Draft 1” or whatever. Keep your outline pristine so you can reference it.

Some people use the outline as a skeleton and write between the outline points. I delete each scene note as I finish writing that scene. Whatever works.

Advanced Organization Tricks

Use bookmarks for quick navigation. Highlight a section, Insert > Bookmark. Then you can link to that bookmark from anywhere in the doc. Useful for long outlines where you’re constantly referencing earlier plot points.

Create a table of contents. Put your cursor where you want it, Insert > Table of contents. It auto-generates based on your heading styles. Updates automatically when you change headings.

Page breaks between acts or major sections keep things clean. Insert > Break > Page break.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t over-outline. I’ve seen people spend six months on a 50-page outline and never write the actual book. Your outline should take maybe a week or two max.

Don’t make it too rigid. Leave room for discovery writing. I usually outline major plot points but leave character dialogue and specific descriptions for the actual writing phase.

Don’t forget to back up. Google Docs auto-saves but I still download a copy every few weeks as a Word doc or PDF. File > Download. Just in case Google decides to have a bad day.

Templates for Pantsers vs Plotters

If you’re more of a pantser, your outline can be super basic. Just major plot points and character arcs. Maybe 2-3 pages total.

Plotters will want everything detailed. I’m talking scene-by-scene descriptions, dialogue snippets, emotional beats, the works. My plotter outlines run 15-20 pages.

There’s no right way. I’ve published books from both types of outlines and they both worked.

The key is just having something in Google Docs that you can access anywhere, share if needed, and modify easily. I’ve tried fancy software and honestly Docs beats most of it for pure outlining functionality.

One last thing – name your docs clearly. “Novel Outline – Project Title – Date” so you can find it later. I’ve got like 200 docs and the ones with vague names are impossible to locate.