How to Plan a Historical Novel: Structures, Tools, and Examples

Writing historical fiction is a bit like staging a play in a world that no longer exists. You must balance rigorous research, dramatic pacing, and narrative clarity — all while honoring real events and real people. One of the most effective ways to do this is by choosing a solid narrative structure early in your planning. Below is a writing-blog guide to popular structural systems (Save the Cat, Three-Act, Hero’s Journey) and how to apply them to historical fiction, with practical charts and software approaches you can use — including Excel. Why Structure Matters in Historical Fiction Historical fiction risks losing readers if: The timeline is confusing. Too much exposition bogs down the plot. Characters lack clear arc or motivation. Using a narrative structure helps: Anchor your plot beats. Pace the story despite events that happened long ago. Shape character arcs and thematic resonance. 

1. The Three-Act Structure: Classic Narrative Framework

Overview

• Act I — Setup: Introduce world, context, protagonist, inciting incident.

• Act II — Confrontation: Rising stakes, obstacles, midpoint reversal.

• Act III — Resolution: Climax, resolution, denouement.

Historical Example

Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall: Act I introduces Thomas Cromwell’s early position in Tudor politics. Act II sees him rise amid turmoil and moral compromise. Act III resolves with his peak and eventual fall — a natural arc rooted in political history.

How to Plan It in Excel

Tip: Color-code cells to highlight pacing peaks and lulls, so that Act II doesn’t sag (a common historical novel issue).

2. Save The Cat! for Writers: Beat Sheet Approach

Overview

Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat! sequence offers 15 beats, such as:

• Opening Image

• Theme Stated

• Fun & Games

• Bad Guys Close In

• Finale

Historical Example

Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See follows a beat pattern where:

• The Opening Image immerses readers in war-ravaged Europe.

• The Fun & Games play out as characters search for meaning in chaos.

• The Finale brings catharsis through interconnected resolution.

Software Tip

Use Notion or Trello to map each beat as a card:

• Title: Beat Name

• Content: Scene summary + historical anchor + character stakes

• Labels: Timeline sync / tension level / sources needed

Then export to CSV and bring into Excel for timeline integration.

3. Hero’s Journey: Mythic Arc Meets History

Overview

Joseph Campbell’s “monomyth” includes:

1. Ordinary World

2. Call to Adventure

3. Trials & Temptations

4. Revelation / Ordeal

5. Return

Historical Example

Bernard Cornwell’s The Last Kingdom embodies this pattern:

• Uhtred’s ordinary world (childhood)

• His call to adventure (captured by Danes)

• Trials across battles and alliances

• Ordeal is his personal reconciliation with identity

• Return as a reluctant but committed leader

Planning Technique

Create a Hero’s Journey Chart in Excel:

Link each cell to research sources or quotes — key for historical accuracy.

4. Software You Can Use (Beyond Excel)

Scrivener

• Corkboard for scenes.

• Assign labels by Act / Beat / POV.

• Good for linking research documents.

Plottr

• Visual timeline + character arc curves.

• Exportable to Word / PDF when drafting begins.

Notion

• Custom databases for events, characters, locations.

• Sync timeline with writing tasks.

5. Integrating Structure with Historical Research

Historical fiction needs structure, but real events don’t always cooperate. Here’s how to reconcile that:

✔ Create a master timeline of real history first.
✔ Overlay your fictional plot beats on it.
✔ Use Excel filters like “Conflict Scenes,” “Romance Touchpoints,” “Turning Points” to balance pacing.
✔ Flag scenes where exposition outweighs action — then tighten.

Practical Excel Templates to Build

Master Timeline Sheet

Beat Sheet Tracker

| Beat | Page Target | Actual Page | Tension Rating | Notes |

Character Arc Grid

| Character | Inciting Moment | Midpoint Shift | Climax Role | Resolution |

Final Thoughts

Planning a historical novel without structure is like navigating a country without a map. Whether you use:

• Three Acts to anchor narrative balance,

• Save the Cat! to ensure emotional pacing,

• Hero’s Journey for mythic resonance,

…your story will benefit from a clear plan.

And by harnessing tools like Excel, Notion, Scrivener, or Plottr, you can merge historical fidelity with dramatic momentum — avoiding the twin pitfalls of dry exposition and aimless plotting.