How I Plan My Books: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Process

​Ever wondered how a novel comes to life? Join me as I pull back the curtain on my book-planning process, sharing the steps, tools, and personal touches that transform an idea into a full-fledged story.

Inspiration Strikes: Finding the Vibe

Every story begins with a feeling. Before I even put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), I need to find the right mood for the book. For me, that means music. I create playlists that match the tone of the story, letting the melodies transport me into the world I’m about to build.​

This stage is all about daydreaming. I imagine the setting, the characters, and the pivotal moments that will shape the narrative. It’s like watching a movie unfold in my head before I even write a single word.

I have a general playlist I vibe to that gets my creativity going. You can listen here.

The Chaos of Scribbling Ideas

Once I have the general vibe down, it’s time to scribble everything out. Bullet points, half-formed ideas, bits of dialogue; whatever comes to mind. I put it down in my notebook. There’s no structure at this stage, just pure creative flow.​

This is the messy but magical part of the process. Some ideas will stick, others will be abandoned, but everything gets written down because you never know what will turn into something great.

Organizing the Story in Notion

After the creative chaos comes the structure. I use Notion to bring all my ideas together in a more organised way. I have a fantasy novel planning template that helps me flesh out my world, characters, and plot.

This is where I start answering the important questions:

• What are the key themes?

• Who are the major players?

• What is the emotional core of the story?

Notion helps me connect the dots and turn a mess of notes into a story that makes sense.

Characters & Zodiac Signs

One of my favorite parts of planning? Assigning my characters zodiac signs.

It might seem like an insignificant detail, but it actually helps me shape their personalities and relationships. A fire sign character might be bold and impulsive, while a water sign might be more intuitive and emotional. It adds depth and makes their interactions feel more natural.

The Big Picture Outline

I don’t plot every single chapter in detail. Instead, I focus on the big picture: a solid beginning, middle, and end. Once I have that structure in place, I feel confident enough to start writing and let the story develop naturally.

I like to leave room for surprises — sometimes my characters take me in directions I didn’t expect, and that’s the beauty of storytelling.

Bringing the Story to Life

And that’s my planning process! It’s a mix of structure, creativity, and trusting of the process. Every book is unique, but this method helps me stay grounded while allowing the story to grow.

Are you a writer too? How do you plan your books, or do you just dive right in? I’d love to hear about your process! Connect with me on socials.