What is the best free novel outline template?

The best free novel outline template for Google Docs uses a 24-chapter, 4-act structure that avoids the 'soggy middle' problem of traditional 3-act outlines. Each chapter has two scenes with clear turning points at 12.5% and 25% intervals. You can copy the template to your own Google account and start filling it in immediately.

How do I outline a novel in Google Docs?

Copy a novel outline template to your Google Drive, then fill in each chapter's purpose, key events, and character arcs. Use the heading structure to organize acts and chapters. Google Docs works well because it auto-saves, syncs across devices, and lets you rearrange sections easily with drag-and-drop.

How many chapters should a novel outline have?

Most effective novel outlines use 20-30 chapters. A 24-chapter structure works especially well because it divides cleanly into 4 acts of 6 chapters each, with major turning points at chapters 6, 12, 18, and 24. Each chapter averages 3,000 words for a total of about 72,000 words in the first draft.

What is the difference between a 3-act and 4-act novel structure?

A 3-act structure (setup, confrontation, resolution) often creates a 'saggy middle' because Act 2 is twice as long as Acts 1 and 3. A 4-act structure splits that middle into two distinct sections — each with its own escalation and turning point — which keeps momentum through the entire story.

Can I use an AI tool to generate a novel outline?

Yes. You can feed a 24-chapter outline structure into GPT-4 or Claude along with your characters, world, and central conflict, and have it generate plot events for each chapter. The AI is good at creating satisfying structural beats and escalating tension. You still need to revise for originality and voice, but it gives you a strong starting framework.

Free novel outlining template for Google docs

Derek Murphy how to write a book, novel template, novel writing outline 12301

Quick Answer

Free 24-chapter outline template for Google Docs — 4-act structure that avoids the saggy middle. Copy the template here.

Need a free plotting template to help outline your novel? Want to write your book using Google docs? I’ve just created a detailed document you can copy to your own account and use to map out your book – click the link below to download now.

PS. My novel-plotting outline is a little different from others, and it works for all commercial fiction. It’s 4-acts, so it avoids the “soggy middle” by having clear markers for all the middle stuff. But it’s complex, so you’ll need to watch the tutorial walkthrough (below) to really understand how to develop each section of your novel for maximum impact.

google docs fiction novel writing templates

Click here to download the google docs novel writing template.

(You’ll need to *copy* the document to your own google account)

Watch the video to see how it works…

Google Docs Writing Template for Fiction

This is a simple version of my 24 chapter novel outlining template; so if you really want to understand how all the chapters go together and what they mean, check out the detailed walkthrough and tutorials that go with it, they’re important to understand how to use the writing templates.

I’ve gotten a ton of great feedback and a lot of authors have found this novel writing templates to be better than any other – but it only works if you understand how the pieces fit together; and outlining is just one small part of actually writing and finishing your book.

I also made a video about how to format and publish a book in Google Docs; however I was stumbling around and didn’t get everything right. I was searching for an “indent” feature and didn’t find it until watching the video later. So I made a second video just on formatting, which I recommend you watch instead.

Looking for nonfiction book outline templates? (click here)

1-Page Novel Plotting Outline Template

Here’s the video walkthrough to the google template. There’s a ton of information here so get back to it whenever you have questions about what all these terms mean or how to pull them off for your own story in a unique way.

Why this template uses 4 acts (not 3)

Most writing advice gives you three acts: setup, confrontation, resolution. The problem is Act 2 — it’s supposed to be half your entire book, and nobody tells you what actually goes there. So you end up with 40,000 words of your character wandering around having minor encounters that don’t build toward anything. That’s the “saggy middle” and it kills more novels than bad prose ever will.

My template splits the middle into two distinct movements — each with its own escalation, its own turning point, and its own emotional shift. Here’s how it breaks down:

Act 1 (Chapters 1–6): Setup → Inciting incident → First major choice
Act 2A (Chapters 7–12): New world/rules → Rising complications → Midpoint reversal
Act 2B (Chapters 13–18): Stakes escalate → Allies tested → Dark night of the soul
Act 3 (Chapters 19–24): Final push → Climax → Resolution + new equilibrium

Each section is roughly 18,000 words (6 chapters × 3,000 words). That’s manageable. You can see exactly where you are in the story at all times, and you never drift because you always know what the NEXT turning point is supposed to be. The full breakdown of what goes in each chapter is in my detailed 24-chapter plot outline post.

Best Novel writing software

Google docs is a good alternative to microsoft word, and it keeps everything updated so is a great place to write online and save your work (despite terror stories and experience losing whole chapters, I still use microsoft word because it’s what I’m most familiar with).

That said, there are some really great writing apps and software that help with things like motivation, accountability, and organization – for when things get really hard; and there are some newer AI writing tools that significantly help editing and revisions. I keep a list of the best stuff here so you can check it out when you need something a little more powerful to create your best work:

best writing software & apps

UPDATE: Plotting is a good start but it isn’t everything; you also need to create suspense and conflict in your book to keep readers turning pages. I’ve created a ton of advanced writing tips and resources for authors, sharing everything I know about writing books that sell (I’ve sold about 50,000 so far).

But I’m a bit disorganized so you may have to dig around the site to find everything that’s useful. Here are a few things to get started:

Instant novel outline generator!

My 24 chapter book outline is pretty great, but it can be tricky to dream up new incidents and plot events to challenge your characters. But you can feed my outline into an AI tool like GPT4, give it background on your world, characters and central conflict, and have it automatically generate a plot for you! It’s actually pretty good, and will give you a very strong structure for a satisfying novel, so you can focus on the writing.

If you want a fun, literary AI tool designed specifically for fiction writers, go play with GhostTheWriter – where you can hire the soul of a famous dead authors as a writing partner.

Derek Murphy

Derek Murphy has a PhD in Literature, is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and has spent over a decade helping authors write, publish, and sell books through Creativindie. When he’s not critiquing manuscripts or building writing tools, he’s probably in a castle somewhere with cats.