How to Outline a Book with a PLOT GRID (Updated: 2025)

I use a plot grid to outline every single book I write. I learned it from an article about how JK Rowling outlined the Harry Potter books, and in this video, I explain what a plot grid is, how I use it to outline, how I use it to revise, and also share a template so you can create plot grids of your own. I made this video YEARS ago on this channel, but I wanted to re-do it with clearer examples and also include a template. So, here you go. Have you ever used a plot grid to outline your books? PLOT GRID TEMPLATE ON GOOGLE SHEETS: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/... -- Subscribe to my channel for weekly videos sharing actionable writing tips that helped me improve as a writer. 🎬 VIDEOS YOU WILL LIKE: How to Outline Using a Plot Grid (2021):    • How to Outline a Book Using a Plot Grid   Outline a book with me using a plot grid:    • OUTLINE A BOOK WITH ME Using a PLOT GRID |...   Learn to plot like JK Rowling (livestream where I break down plot grids in detail):    • Learn How to Plot like JK Rowling | Using ...   SUBSCRIBE TO MY CHANNEL:    / writewithclairefraise   👻 READ THEY STAY (book 1 in my paranormal thriller series and won the Grand Prize at the 2023 Writer’s Digest Self Published Book Awards): Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/They-Stay-Susp... Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/they... Add on GOODREADS:   / they-stay   JOIN MY MAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3zFpz0l 😀 CONNECT WITH ME: MAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3zFpz0l EMAIL ME: [email protected] WEBSITE: https://www.clairefraise.com/​​​​​​ TIKTOK (where I’m most active other than YouTube): https://www.tiktok.com/@clairefraisea... INSTAGRAM:   / clairefraiseauthor   FACEBOOK:   / clairefraiseauthor   PINTEREST:   / clairefraisebooks   GOODREADS:   / 14193771.claire_fraise   ABOUT: Hi, I'm Claire! I’m an award-winning self-published author of paranormal thriller books (my book "They Stay" won the Grand Prize at the 2023 Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards and is the first in a five-book series). There is no one way to write a book. I’m a strong believer that the only way to develop your own writing process is by trying a bunch of different methods to find out what is the most helpful to you. In my videos, I share how I approach every stage in my writing process, from brainstorming to editing, in the hope that it could give you something to try that could help you level up as a writer. I share techniques that have improved my own writing so you can see if the same strategies help you. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Introduction 0:31 What is a plot grid? 3:36 EXAMPLE PLOT GRID 8:59 My plot grid template 10:58 Final thoughts