Novel Planning

Turn your idea into a fully fleshed out plan

You’ve got a story idea—the kind that keeps you up at night. You’ve got characters whispering their secrets to you, a dark and twisty plot that feels so exciting, and a world you can’t wait to bring to life.

But when you sit down to actually write? You’re stuck.

You’re not alone. Here’s the truth: most writers stall out not because they lack creativity, but because their idea isn’t ready to be written. It’s either too vague or missing crucial pieces. Without a clear plan, even the best ideas can fizzle out.

That’s where I come in.

What this service is all about

The Novel Planning package is designed to help you transform your spark of inspiration into a fully formed, working story idea—with a flexible outline to guide you all the way to "The End."

You won’t just walk away with a plan—you’ll gain the skills to confidently flesh out future ideas and build cohesive, intentional stories. No more guesswork. No more throwing spaghetti at the wall.

Here’s what we’ll do together:

  • We’ll dig deep to uncover

    • The heart of your plot—what story you’re telling and why it matters.

    • What your story stands for —the heart of the message in your novel.

    • The non-negotiable. The spark that lights up the story idea so much that if it was gone, you wouldn’t want to tell this story anymore.

    • Who your target audience is and the type of experience you want to create for readers.

    This isn’t just about getting clear on the plot; it’s about connecting with your story’s purpose and ensuring every element works together.

  • Whether you’re writing a fantasy or a contemporary story, setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s a living, breathing part of your novel. Together, we’ll:

    • Build a world that enhances the mood, tone, and themes of your story.

    • Explore how your setting influences your characters and plot.

  • Yourprotagonist’s journey shouldn’t run parallel to the plot - it should be deeply intertwined. We’ll discover what that looks like through:

    • Defining the protagonist’s goals, motivations, and struggles, ensuring they are deeply tied to the narrative.

    • Clarifying how your character’s internal transformation and external journey intersect, so the story has a natural progression.

    That ensures every action your characters take feels purposeful and emotionally resonant.

  • We’ll develop a roadmap to get you from page one to “The End.” Your outline will:

    • Be robust enough that it provides structure and clarity.

    • Stay flexible enough to adapt as your story evolves.

    You’ll know what to right next and why it matters.

What You’ll Walk Away With

  • A working story idea that’s cohesive, specific, and ready to be written.

  • A living outline to guide your drafting process.

  • The knowledge and skills to flesh out future ideas and create outlines that work.

Why This Process Works

Most novel writing frustrations can be traced back to an underdeveloped idea:

  • Plot holes and contradictions that derail the story.

  • The character arc and plot don’t connect, so the story feels disjointed or episodic.

  • Vague ideas that lead to stalling out or endless rewrites.

By focusing on ideation, this process ensures that your story isn’t just creative - it’s workable. You’ll learn how to create cohesion, avoid common pitfalls, and build a strong foundation that will save you countless hours of frustration in revision.

Who is This For?

This service is perfect for you if:

  • You write dark romance or fantasy romance.

  • You have a story idea but don’t know how to turn it into a plan.

  • You’ve struggled with creating outlines or developing ideas in the past.

  • You want to become a professional writer, not just dabble as a hobbyist.

  • You’re ready to do the work, even when it’s challenging.

What You Will Feel When We’re Done

When you look at your fleshed out story idea and outline, you’ll feel excited to dive into drafting with a clear plan. You’ll be relieved see that coming up with ideas isn’t as overwhelming as it seemed. Finally, you’ll be confident in your ability to repeat this process for future stories.

Ready to Bring Your Idea to Life?

Let’s work together to build the roadmap to your dream novel. No more frustration, no more guessing - just a clear, cohesive plan and the confidence to bring it to life.

“Very enjoyable and productive process. Kallista provided great feedback and suggestions. I feel better about my story idea! Thank you.”

— James Burfoot (after working together on his book plan from The Write Practice)