How Visual Learners Can Use Trello to Outline Stories
Photo by Moritz Kindler on Unsplash
About The Author:
Gracie Ruth Mitchell is a writer of clean romance of all kinds. She attempted her first novel in fifth grade, and though it was horrible, it lit the fire beneath her and she hasn’t stopped writing since. She holds a degree in English from Brigham Young University, where she specialized in editing; commas and spelling are her passion.
When she’s not writing or daydreaming up new ideas for her ever-increasing list of books to write, you can find her cuddling with her cute family or buying books online. Her debut YA romance, Eye of the Beholder, is free on Amazon through Dec 20th.
You’ve no doubt heard of plotters and pantsers — plotters like to plot and outline before they write; pantsers like to skip this step and instead write by the seat of their pants.
But what about obsessive plotters? Have you heard of those? Because that’s me.
I love outlining. Outlining is probably my favorite part of the writing experience. It’s like a puzzle — figuring out where everything goes and why, incorporating details in the best way possible. I love getting to know my characters and learning why they do what they do.
For a long time, I tried to find a way of outlining that allowed me to be as detailed as I wanted. I was looking for something visually oriented — something where I could see everything at a glance. I checked out lots of different programs, paid and free, and nothing ever quite worked out... until recently! A couple months ago, I discovered Trello.
What is Trello, exactly?
Trello is an app designed to increase work productivity and organization, but it’s also a great tool for visual learners looking for a tool to help them outline their stories. Here’s why:
It’s free
It’s easy to use
It has many color-coding features (and has a color blind option!)
It’s excellent for visual learners
You can personalize your Trello backgrounds to create your desired aesthetic
It uses a drag-and-drop interface, so if I look at a plot event and decide it needs to go earlier or later in the book, all I have to do is click and drag it where I think it should go
IT’S FREE (did I mention that already? I’m just excited about it. They’re not paying me to promote, but they should.)
Trello allows me to incorporate my character arcs and subplots, making sure I don’t drop any sub-plots and making sure I pace my character development. It also lets me take into account my preferred story structure.
I usually use a variation on the seven-point plot structure when plotting: inciting incident, plot point #1, pinch point #1, midpoint, pinch point #2, blackest night, resolution. I’ll take you through this process using the plot of my latest release, No Room in the Inn.
Here’s a look at a chunk of the finished outline:
There’s a lot here, so let’s start at the beginning!
Step 1: Plots, Subplots, and Character Arcs
The first step in my outlining process is to figure out my main plot and subplots, as well as character arcs. No Room in the Inn is a Christmas romantic comedy, so the romance is the main plot.
There are then two subplots, and each of my main characters has a character arc. In the photo below, you’ll see that I’ve assigned each of these arcs/subplots its own color. *Please note: I also added a color to label scenes once I’ve written them, and I added a color to label scenes that are going to be in the hero’s POV rather than the heroine’s.
Step 2: Specify Plot Structure
Next, I create a new “list” (Trello’s term) for every part of the plot structure I’m using. In this screenshot, you’ll see the inciting incident, the first plot point, and the in-between stuff, which I add to give myself some wiggle room.
Step 3: Adding Details
Once I’ve got all the parts of my plot structure laid out, I begin adding details. Under each beat of the plot structure (e.g. inciting, first plot point, midpoint), I add the details/scenes that happen. I then add my color labels so I can see at a glance what purpose each scene/detail is fulfilling.
This lets me make sure I’m not dropping subplots or forgetting about character arcs; if I go for a good chunk of the outline without seeing the color yellow, for example, I know I’m neglecting that subplot. If I go for a while without seeing red, I know I’m neglecting my heroine’s character arc.
With all that said, let’s take a look at an example…
For my first pinch point, I’ve got several things going on. One of the scenes/details for the pinch point is the full reveal of what’s going to keep my love interests at odds — in my case, my main subplot, which is the process of fixing up an old inn.
Both characters want to fix up the inn for different reasons. Those reasons directly conflict with each other and are tied to the growth our characters need to undergo. Therefore, in our pinch point we’ve got yellow (the main subplot); red (the heroine’s character arc); blue (the hero’s character arc); and navy blue (added after I finished writing that scene in my first draft).
Another detail of the pinch point events involves a reveal. This reveal pertains to the romance, so it’s color coded pink. Part of it is from my hero’s POV, so it’s also got green. Then I added a navy blue tag when I finished writing this part of the book.
When my plotting is done, I’m left with a lovely, complex outline that takes into account subplots, character arcs, and story beats — not to mention pretty colors! Just the kind of thing that makes me giddy and gets me excited to start drafting. If you’re a visual learner like me, or just an extremely detail-oriented plotter, give Trello a shot.
Best of luck with all your outlining, drafting, and polishing!
Eye of the Beholder
Mina: Look, I’m no social butterfly. I don’t care what the extroverts say; talking to people is scary. I’d rather hang out with my books than actual human beings. Books don’t call you names or dump water over your head in the cafeteria.
But high school is almost over, and I’m realizing I have nothing to show for it but good grades. I need to come out of my shell if I want to get the attention of a certain football player, and I’m going to need help. My neighbor Cohen is the man for the job.
Sure, his attractiveness makes me nervous, and yes, he smells obnoxiously good all the time, but it’s fine. I’ve got this.
I mean, probably.
I’ve probably got this.
Cohen: Mina’s got a thing for my buddy Jack. I’ve got a thing for getting into a good college. My plan is simple: I’ll help Mina get Jack’s attention if she’ll tutor me for the ACT. No big deal, right? But working with Mina isn’t going to be easy. Her social skills are iffy at best, and don’t get me started on her (lack of) flirting skills. It’s a good thing she makes me laugh, because we’re going to be spending a lot of time together…
