Story Planning help

Hey guys I'm working on another story (it isn't up yet) and I was trying to plan it and frankly I don't know how to plan a story.....any tips or help?
Thanks
-A

What I like to do is write down all the major plot points I want to happen in the story-- including any character arcs. Example:

-Mary meets Louis, the son of her therapist.
-Mary is a nice girl, but doesn't know how to defend herself.
-Louis is a jerk who can't let anyone in.
-Louis starts school where Mary goes, and are forced to do a project together.
-They hate each other, then they start to realize they have more in common.
-Mary learns how to stand up for herself (character arc)
-Louis opens up to Mary about his past. (character arc)
-Etc. Etc. Etc.

It can be simple bullet points like that.

I also like to write down ALL information about my two main characters. Personalities, history, looks, pet peeves etc... You REALLY want to know EVERYTHING there is to know about your main characters--- even if all the info about them doesn't show up in the story, it's important to know exactly how they function and why.

Think of your story as a movie. Movies are stories that we watch on screen--- obviously. So break down your story into three sections (three acts, essentially): a beginning, middle, and an end.

The beginning will consist of the basics. Who your characters are, what their problems are, and what situation they are put in.

The middle of the story will be all your nitty-gritty stuff. Conflict! Conflict! Conflict!

Then the end of the story will basically be a winding down of events (crisis, climax, omg-moments) before the actual story ends on its last chapter.

I also like to write out a "Timeline of Events" where I put all my major plot points in chronological order so I know what happens next. Also note, that your story can TOTALLY change as you write. I know it happens to me a lot, and the main thing is to keep going with the flow. As long as you know how you want it to start, and how to end, then as long as you get to that final resolution then you'll be fine.

You can also message me if you need any other help! Good luck!<3

@ericajaine

Thank you I tried this and it helped a lot :) How to get between my plot points is the problem now oh well I'll make it :P

@lyrics.tell.my.story No problem!! Just let me know if you need more help, or if you need to throw ideas around! <33 And I totally understand about going from one plot point to the next. It can be difficult, but just keep remembering to write only what's necessary to the story and your overall goal. Sometimes "filler chapters" can be boring, but they honestly don't have to be.... Also sometimes what I do when I don't know what to write, I simply just do. START WITH ACTION. Take your character and make them do something--- even if it's just washing the dishes. Then what happens? Do they see something outside the window? Did they break their mom's favorite dish? Do they spill water on the floor, causing them to fall? Just try something out--- you can always go back to it later and fix it.

Good luck! Also, message me and let me know once your new story is posted! <3