Short Story Planning Studio / Action kit
Short story outline & revision workbook
Build a focused story around a character's want, obstacle, choice, and consequence.
Made for writers developing a short fiction draft.
Price and availability
Catalog price: $9 USD
One-time purchase · No subscription
- FilesZIP with five editable Markdown documents, an offline HTML workbook, a reading edition. A worked example is included.
- To useExtract the ZIP. Open the workbook in a current desktop browser; edit Markdown in a text editor. No account needed for the workbook or Markdown files.
- LicenseUse for your own or client work; do not redistribute the original templates or tools. Full terms.
- SupportProduct questions and corrections by email; no custom implementation or professional review. 14-day refund policy.
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The task
What you'll make
A story outline whose scenes force choices and lead to a consequential ending.
Gather before you start
- Character desire
- Central obstacle
- Intended story length
Mark missing information so you can check it before using your work.
When to skip this kit
- You need a native Excel, Canva, or Word template. This download contains Markdown documents and an offline HTML workbook.
- You need autosave or cloud sync. Export Markdown or save a backup before closing the offline workbook.
- You need someone to complete the work. These are worksheets to fill in yourself.
Read the first worksheet below to see whether its questions help with your task.
Included files
What's inside
- 01Story engine
- 02Obstacle
- 03Scene sequence
- 04Draft pass
- 05Revision check
Each document has instructions, questions, and space for your answers. The final document includes a common mistake to check for before using your work.
Your completion check
The central choice changes the situation and the ending follows from the story's events.
Before you finish
Check this before you use it
Events occur in sequence without changing the character's situation.
Give each scene a choice or consequence that affects the next.
Use the final worksheet to record what needs fixing and what you still need to check.
Free worksheet
Start with worksheet one
Story engine
Jump to a section
Worksheet 1 of 5. Story engine Project: {{project}} Prepared by: {{business}} Review with: {{contact}} Target: {{deadline}}
Instructions
Give the character a concrete want and a reason it matters now.
Worked example, fictional
Context: A writer develops a story about a courier deciding whether to return a misdelivered letter. Completed response: Courier wants to finish the route before an important appointment.
Your decision
What does the protagonist want now? My answer: [ ] Source and date: [ ] Still to check: [ ] Next action, owner, and due date: [ ]
Before moving on
[ ] My answer uses my own facts. [ ] I have marked anything I still need to check.
Next worksheet: Obstacle.
Before you start
- Character desire: [Source or notes]
- Central obstacle: [Source or notes]
- Intended story length: [Source or notes]
What you will make
A story outline whose scenes force choices and lead to a consequential ending.
View plain worksheet text
Worksheet 1 of 5. Story engine
Project: {{project}}
Prepared by: {{business}}
Review with: {{contact}}
Target: {{deadline}}
Instructions
Give the character a concrete want and a reason it matters now.
Worked example, fictional
Context: A writer develops a story about a courier deciding whether to return a misdelivered letter.
Completed response: Courier wants to finish the route before an important appointment.
Your decision
What does the protagonist want now?
My answer: [ ]
Source and date: [ ]
Still to check: [ ]
Next action, owner, and due date: [ ]
Before moving on
[ ] My answer uses my own facts.
[ ] I have marked anything I still need to check.
Next worksheet: Obstacle.
Before you start
- Character desire: [Source or notes]
- Central obstacle: [Source or notes]
- Intended story length: [Source or notes]
What you will make
A story outline whose scenes force choices and lead to a consequential ending.This is the complete first worksheet from the current edition. The full kit adds the remaining four documents, a worked scenario, and the offline editing workbook.
Before you choose
What should I have ready for this kit?
Bring character desire, central obstacle, intended story length. Mark anything you still need to check.
How do I know the work is finished?
A story outline whose scenes force choices and lead to a consequential ending. Check your answers against the original records and note anything unresolved before sharing your work.
Does it include a spreadsheet or native app template?
No. You receive editable Markdown documents and an offline HTML workbook. These are not native Excel, Canva, Notion, or Word templates. Extract the whole ZIP before opening the HTML files. Mobile file managers may not run local scripts; the text files and reading edition remain available.
Will this do the work for me?
The kit supplies structure, questions, and examples. You provide the facts, make the decisions, and adapt the finished output. You are responsible for checking the finished work. Custom implementation and professional review are not included.
Created by Pagemage with AI-assisted writing and development. Read how the content and tools are checked. Questions or corrections: hello@pagemage.tech. 14-day refund policy.