Disclaimer: The links provided on this page are affiliate links, and I will share in the profit if they are used to sign up for Notion. I chose to become an affiliate because I love the product and want to share it with the community.
As a writer, staying organized is one of the keys to crafting compelling stories. From keeping track of intricate world-building details to managing story plots and character arcs, having the right tools can make all the difference. For me, that tool is Notion—an all-in-one productivity platform that has revolutionized the way I plan and write my novels.
If you’re looking for a way to stay on top of your creative projects, Notion is just what you need. Here’s how I use it to keep everything in my writing process organized and flowing smoothly.
What is Notion?
Notion is a versatile productivity platform that allows users to create custom pages, databases, and templates for everything from personal to professional organization. It’s a powerful tool that can act as a digital planner, note-taking app, project manager, and more—all rolled into one.
For writers, Notion’s flexibility makes it an excellent resource for managing the many moving parts of storytelling. Whether you’re plotting a novel, developing characters, or tracking progress on your current project, Notion lets you create a workspace tailored to your specific needs.
How I Use Notion for Writing
Here’s a glimpse into how I use Notion to streamline my writing process and keep my creative world in order:
1. World-Building
World-building can be incredibly complex, especially for fantasy or sci-fi writers. In Notion, I create pages dedicated to:
- Maps of fictional places.
- Histories of cities, corporations, or factions.
- Rules of magic or technology, like the dream-enhancement tech in my current novel.
My Notion World-Building Experiences
As I near the halfway point of Act 2 in my new novel, the world-building has grown immensely, with 17 locations, 8 groups or factions, and 7 unique technologies, drugs/medicines, and world rules to keep track of. The most intricate of these is the dream-enhancement technology, which spans over ten pages of detailed notes. This includes everything from its physical appearance, sounds, and sensations to its history, benefits, and side effects. Managing such a rich and layered world would easily become overwhelming, but Notion keeps everything organized and accessible. By creating dedicated pages for each element and linking them together, I can build a coherent, immersive world without losing sight of the finer details.
2. Story Plot and Minor Subplots
Notion’s database feature is perfect for outlining and tracking plots. I use it to:
- Create a main plot timeline, breaking down major events and story beats.
- Track minor subplots, ensuring they weave seamlessly into the narrative.
- Add links between characters, locations, and events for easy navigation.
My Notion Story Plot Experiences
My new novel is written in third person and features multiple POV characters, each offering unique perspectives on the story and the world around them. This narrative choice adds depth and complexity but also creates the challenge of tracking how each character views and interacts with the main plot and subplots. Each POV brings its own layer of emotions, motivations, and conflicts to the narrative, making consistency across perspectives crucial. With Notion, I can seamlessly organize these multiple viewpoints, ensuring that each character’s voice remains distinct and that their perspectives align naturally with the progression of the story.
3. Characters: Major and Minor
Character development is one of the most critical aspects of storytelling. I use Notion to:
- Create detailed character profiles, including traits, motivations, and conflicts.
- Track interactions between characters, ensuring relationships evolve realistically.
- Keep tabs on minor characters so they stay consistent and relevant.
My Notion Character Profiling Experiences
My new novel features a sprawling cast of twenty-eight characters and counting, each with their own unique personalities, backstories, and lives that extend far beyond the main plot. Keeping track of their individual traits, motivations, and arcs would easily become overwhelming, but Notion has taken the pain out of the process. With its customizable databases and interconnected pages, I can effortlessly manage everything from detailed character profiles to tracking how each character weaves into the story. Notion ensures that no detail is overlooked, allowing me to focus on crafting compelling, dynamic characters without the stress of juggling scattered notes.
The Power of Templates
One of Notion’s best features is the ability to use or create templates. Templates help keep everything consistent and save time by giving you a framework to work from.
Creating Your Own Templates
I’ve created custom templates for my character profiles, world-building notes, and chapter outlines. This helps me quickly duplicate pages for new content while maintaining consistency.
Using Templates from the Community
Notion has a thriving community of users who share their templates for free or for sale, making it easy to find tools that fit your creative needs. Whether you’re looking for a novel-writing dashboard, a world-building database, or even a character tracker, there are hundreds of templates available to help you stay organized and inspired. Beyond writing-specific templates, Notion offers plenty of fun and practical options for non-writing tasks, too. You’ll find templates for habit tracking, meal planning, and even goal-setting boards that can help balance the creative process with your everyday life. This vast library of community-created templates means you can dive right into your project or tweak an existing setup to make it uniquely your own, blending productivity with creativity seamlessly.
Ready to Try Notion?
If you’re ready to take your organization to the next level, Notion is an excellent place to start. It’s flexible, easy to use, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re a writer, creator, or just looking for a better way to organize your life, Notion has something to offer.
Check it out today using my affiliate link: Notion Affiliate Link.
Happy writing and organizing! Let me know how you use Notion to stay on track—I’d love to hear your tips, ideas, and favorite templates. If you’re interested in the custom templates I’ve created for my own writing projects, feel free to reach out. I’d be thrilled to share more about how they work and how they can help streamline your process. Let’s collaborate and make creativity even more productive!
Bradley Schiermeyer 
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