10 Story Arc Ideas Templates
Have you ever had a great story idea, then stalled because you could not see the shape of it?
This may not be a creativity problem. It could be a structural one. You might know your character, your world, even your ending, but without an arc, the middle turns into a blur, and the pacing starts to sag.
This is why you need story arc templates. They give you a skeleton to build on, whether you’re writing a short story, novel, screenplay, or even a brand story. You can map the inciting incident, turning points, escalation, climax, and resolution before you sink hours into scenes that do not move the plot.
In this post, you will find the top story arc ideas templates to copy, adapt, and use right away to outline stronger stories.
10 Story Arc Ideas Templates
- What Is a Story Arc Template?
- What to Look For in a Story Arc Template
- 10 Best Story Arc Ideas Templates
- 1. ClickUp Story Outline Template
- 2. ClickUp Agile Story Template
- 3. ClickUp Storyboard Template
- 4. ClickUp User Story Mapping Template
- 5. ClickUp Squad Brainstorm Template
- 6. ClickUp Build Plan Template
- 7. ClickUp Brainstorming Template
- 8. ClickUp Product Roadmap Template
- 9. ClickUp Design Ideation Template
- 10. Milanote Story Arc Template
- How to Use Story Arc Templates For Your Projects
- Take Your Story From Outline to Final Draft With ClickUp
- Frequently Asked Questions
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat Is a Story Arc Template?
A story arc template is a pre-built framework that maps the key stages of a narrative—exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It acts as a single source of truth for your story’s skeleton.
🔖 Common types of story arc templates:
- Three-Act Structure (setup → confrontation → resolution)
- Five-Act Structure (more granular escalation)
- Hero’s Journey (transformation-driven adventure arc)
- Save the Cat beats (tight commercial pacing for scripts)
Summarize this article for me pleaseWhat to Look For in a Story Arc Template
This is what you need to look for in a Story Arc template:
- Visual structure: A good template should let you see your story’s pacing at a glance. Look for tools that offer visual formats like a plot arc diagram, timeline, or a Kanban-style board to map out your narrative structure
- Customizable stages: Your story might not fit a standard five-act structure. Choose a template that lets you rename and reorder stages to match your unique narrative approach, whether it’s the hero’s journey or your own custom framework
- Collaboration features: A great template should have real-time editing, comments for feedback on specific scenes, and task assignments for your co-writers or editors
- Character and subplot tracking: The best templates allow you to layer character arcs and subplots alongside the primary story so you can ensure all motivations and storylines stay aligned
⭐️ Bonus Read: How to create a plot diagram?
Summarize this article for me please10 Best Story Arc Ideas Templates
If you want to build a story that holds together, you end up managing a lot more than the plot itself. You’re tracking character arcs, scene beats, drafts and rewrites, research notes, and feedback threads, all while trying to keep the tone consistent from first page to final line.
ClickUp, the world’s first Converged AI Workspace, makes that easier with a library of ready-to-use story arc templates you can pull in instantly, then adapt to your process in seconds.
Here are the best story arc idea templates to start with 👇
1. ClickUp Story Outline Template
Stories get easier to write when you can see the whole arc without losing the tiny moments. The ClickUp Story Outline Template helps you plan chapters, track plot progression, and keep character beats tied to the scenes, all in one template.
Each chapter becomes a ClickUp Task you can group by story stages, tag with characters, add locations and highlights, and map to plot points, such as exposition, rising action, and climax. As your outline solidifies, you can also layer in production stages, so drafting, revisions, and final polish stay organized right alongside the narrative plan.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Build a chapter-by-chapter outline with tasks grouped by Story Stages to keep your arc moving in the right sequence
- Track character involvement per scene using character tags, so relationships and subplots stay consistent across chapters
- Capture scene-level details fast with fields for location and story highlights, so your outline holds real context
✅ Ideal for: Fiction writers outlining a multi-chapter story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
🧠 Fun Fact: The world’s longest novel is Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, clocking in at about 9,609,000 characters.
2. ClickUp Agile Story Template
Some days you are inspired. Some days, you need a process that carries you. The ClickUp Agile Story Template is designed for repeatable progress, allowing you to outline, draft, and iterate in a consistent rhythm.
Though this agile story templates was designed to develop and manage product backlogs, it works really well for narrative driven stories as well.
Customize the prompts to match your story arc work, like Act goals, key turning points, POV, conflict, and stakes, then reuse the same workflow for every chapter or scene until the full narrative clicks into place.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Use the built-in Q/A table to lock in the purpose of each beat, like what changes, why it matters, and what it sets up next
- Start with this Doc template and build out your story workflow which includes List, Gantt, Workload, Calendar, and more
- Duplicate the same structure for chapters, episodes, or character journeys, keeping your story ID and titles consistent as the outline grows
- Add your own review checkpoints, like First Draft, Revision, and Approved, so each section moves forward in a clean progression
✅ Ideal for: Indie fiction writers building chapter outlines through weekly writing sprints.
3. ClickUp Storyboard Template
Directing a short film, scripting cut scenes for a video game, or planning an animated series, but struggling to lay it all out visually?
The ClickUp Storyboard Template (built in ClickUp Whiteboards) gives you a clean, scene-by-scene canvas where each frame is already laid out for you. You can map the flow from Exposition to Conflict to Climax to Falling Action to Resolution, then fill in the details for each scene.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Bring your vision to life by attaching images, sketches, or drawings from ClickUp Whiteboards directly to each frame
- Add quick notes for action, dialogue, and audio or FX inside each storyboard card
- Collaborate in real time with editors, designers, and other stakeholders using ClickUp Assigned Comments
✅ Ideal for: Animators, UX designers, and marketing teams who need to create and collaborate on visual narratives.
💡 Pro Tip: When your brain goes blank, instead of pushing through it, try changing the question. A good writing prompt gives you a starting point, a direction, and just enough structure to get words moving again, even on low-energy days.
Watch this video for writing prompts you can use to spark ideas, sharpen your thinking, and turn an empty page into a draft you can actually build on.
4. ClickUp User Story Mapping Template
When you’re building a story, the hardest part is keeping the character journey, the key beats, and the scene-by-scene flow in sync. The ClickUp User Story Mapping Template gives you a visual way to map the entire arc in one place, with a guided panel on the left that prompts you to define the core idea, the main character, their goal, and the steps they take to get there.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Keep character decisions consistent by documenting your main Persona details in the dedicated Persona(s) panel while you build the arc
- Map major plot beats in the top lane, then add scene-level actions underneath using sticky notes to create a clear start-to-finish flow
- Turn your story into manageable arcs by grouping beats into ‘release’ sections, ideal for episodes, chapters, or game levels
✅ Ideal for: Narrative designers mapping game quests and cutscenes into clear story beats and playable sequences.
5. ClickUp Squad Brainstorm Template
The ClickUp Squad Brainstorm Template gives your writers room a clean, visual space to capture ideas in themed lanes so the conversation stays organized while the creativity stays loose.
Because everything lives on a single board, you can move sticky notes around as the arc takes shape, spot gaps fast, and turn the strongest decisions into next steps when you’re ready.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Lock in creative decision rules by capturing final call criteria and tie-breakers inside the Team Consensus section
- Keep arc reviews from spiraling by defining your critique cadence, meeting limits, and prep rules in Team Meetings and Team Rhythm
- Reduce revision chaos by setting clear feedback lanes and response expectations in Team Communication, then tracking process tweaks in Team Workflow
✅ Ideal for: Showrunners running a collaborative writers room for episodic story arcs and ongoing revisions.
6. ClickUp Build Plan Template
If you’re outlining a story arc for a short film, web series, game chapter, or a comic run, you need the ClickUp Build Plan Template. It starts with a clean, ready-to-use ClickUp Doc that captures the essentials upfront (project owner, dates, duration, key contacts) and then walks you through the background and build details that keep production decisions consistent when the scope starts shifting.
To speed up the first draft, ClickUp Brain can help you turn your rough notes into a tighter project background, create ideas, and generate checklists for what needs to be created next.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Convert the plan into execution fast by pulling key sections into tasks for drafting, review, revisions, and final production handoff
- Start with a polished project header and intake table that keeps ownership, dates, and core details visible from the first scroll
- Use the Project Background section to lock the arc’s premise, constraints, and production assumptions in one reference point
✅ Ideal for: Game producers planning a chapter-based story arc from script to build-ready deliverables.
📮ClickUp Insight: 24% of users feel focus time is overrated and prefer multitasking, while 39% say deep focus is the only way they get meaningful work done.
No matter your work style, ClickUp is your AI-powered command center that adapts to you. Need to multitask? You can manage projects, chat with your team, and even search the web in real time—all without leaving ClickUp. 🤹🏽
Prefer deep focus? Features like ClickUp Calendar help you block out distractions, while agents automate routine tasks, so you can stay in the zone!
7. ClickUp Brainstorming Template
If you’re juggling multiple story arc ideas at once, the hardest part is keeping each idea clear enough to evaluate, build on, and eventually commit to. The ClickUp Brainstorming Template helps you capture every storyline as its own entry, write down what the story is about, and document the strongest version of where it could land.
And because each idea lives with its core details, you can scan your list and immediately tell which arcs are ready to outline and which ones still need a sharper conflict, a cleaner payoff, or a better hook.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Use start dates, due dates, and priority to keep your strongest concepts moving instead of getting buried under newer ideas
- Define the heart of each story idea using the built-in fields for Problem Description and Winning Solution, so every arc has a clear conflict and a clear direction
- Organize ideas by Brainstorming Stages to separate raw brain dumps from concepts you’re ready to expand into chapters or scenes
✅ Ideal for: Screenwriters developing multiple story arc options for a pilot and narrowing down which concept to outline next.
8. ClickUp Product Roadmap Template
The ClickUp Product Roadmap Template doubles up as a story arc planner that lets you map big plot beats on a ClickUp Whiteboard, then break each beat into trackable work.
You can treat each quarter or phase as an arc segment, tag every beat by theme, and track whether it is on-track, at-risk, or blocked as the draft evolves. And when new scene ideas pop up mid-way, ClickUp Forms help capture them in a consistent format and route them into the right part of the arc.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Organize plot beats by quarter or stage to see pacing at a glance and avoid front-loading the story
- Use release-style labels like On Track, Blocked, and At Risk as a signal for what needs rewriting or restructuring next
- Use ClickUp Forms to collect new scenes, twists, or character moments with the same required details every time before they enter your plan
✅ Ideal for: Fiction writers outlining a long-form story in phases and tracking every major beat from first draft to final structure.
👀 Did You Know? Frankenstein began as a ‘let’s all write a ghost story’ challenge during the famously weird weather of 1816 while Mary Shelley was staying near Lake Geneva.
9. ClickUp Design Ideation Template
When you are trying to shape a story arc, the ideas seldom arrive in one category. You get plot beats, character choices, scene mechanics, and theme all showing up at once, and they end up competing for space altogether.
The ClickUp Design Ideation Template helps you separate those ideas without losing the relationships between them. Use the columns to sort story-arc ideas by what they affect most. For example: plot mechanics (process), story outcome (product), and character impact (people). Then use the Idea Owner rows to capture contributions from co-writers, editors, or even different ‘voices’ in your own draft.
Why you’ll like this template:
- The three-lane layout makes it easy to separate plot structure, story payoff, and character-driven turns
- The Idea Owner rows keep each person’s suggestions visible, which is useful when you are merging multiple directions into one arc
- Sticky notes stay grouped by type, so it is easier to spot the strongest arc candidates before outlining
✅ Ideal for: Writing-room leads running collaborative story arc ideation for episodes, chapters, or cutscenes.
10. Milanote Story Arc Template
Milanote’s Story Arc Template is a visual, card-based template designed for plotting stories. Its flexible canvas allows you to arrange story elements spatially, which can be helpful for visual thinkers.
Why you’ll like this template:
- Features drag-and-drop cards for scenes, characters, and plot points
- The visual board layout lets you see the full arc at once
- Attach images and notes for inspiration, with collaboration features for co-writers
✅ Ideal for: Writers and creatives who prefer a mood board style approach to narrative planning.
Summarize this article for me pleaseHow to Use Story Arc Templates For Your Projects
Your story arc template should be a dynamic partner in your creative process. Use it to stay organized while giving yourself the freedom to explore, iterate, and build a compelling narrative.
Here’s how to make it work for you:
- Start with your core conflict: Before you fill in a single box, identify the central tension of your story. Is it a character’s internal struggle, a user’s frustrating problem, or a project’s biggest challenge?
- Map the major beats first: Don’t get bogged down in the details yet. Fill in the big, story-defining moments first—the inciting incident, the midpoint twist, and the climax
- Layer in subplots and character arcs: Now, start weaving in your secondary storylines. Tag scenes or tasks by subplot or character arc with ClickUp Custom Fields, so you can track how they intersect with the main plot
- Collaborate early and often: Share your template with co-writers, editors, or stakeholders. Get feedback before you’re too far down the road with ClickUp Proofing and Assigned Comments
- Iterate as you draft: As you write, you’ll discover new ideas and plot holes. Update your template as your story evolves so it always reflects the current state of your narrative
- Use AI to fill the gaps: When you’re stuck, use ClickUp Brain. Ask it to suggest scene transitions, identify pacing issues in your timeline, or generate alternative plot directions to get your creativity flowing again
Summarize this article for me pleaseTake Your Story From Outline to Final Draft With ClickUp
A story arc template gives you clarity at the start. The hard part is keeping that clarity once you are 20 scenes in and the story has started to evolve.
ClickUp gives you a deep library of templates you can start from, then layer your process on top. Outline on a Whiteboard, write in Docs, collect character details or scene ideas through Forms, and use AI to help you tighten beats, rework sections, or recap what changed between drafts.
When the plan and the writing live together, you stop restarting and start finishing. Try ClickUp for free! ✅
Summarize this article for me pleaseFrequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a story arc and a character arc?
A story arc tracks the overall plot’s journey from beginning to end, while a character arc follows one character’s internal transformation within that plot. The two should work together, with character growth often driving or responding to key events in the story arc.
Can product and engineering teams use story arc templates?
Yes, absolutely. User stories, product roadmaps, and even sprint plans follow narrative structures. Templates like ClickUp’s User Story Mapping or Agile Story Template help teams frame their work as mini-narratives with a clear beginning (the user’s problem), middle (the solution), and end (the value delivered).
How do you choose the right story arc template for your project?
Match the template to your project’s final output. Use a Story Outline template for a novel, a Storyboard template for a video, and a User Story Mapping template for a software feature. Most importantly, prioritize templates that integrate with your existing tools to avoid the frustration of context switching.
Everything you need to stay organized and get work done.
