How to Design a Writing Planning Template in Notion for Outlining, Drafting, and Organizing Written Content and Articles

Writing can be a demanding process that requires careful planning, organization, and structure. Notion, a powerful all-in-one Workspace tool, is an excellent platform for creating a writing planning template that can help you outline, draft, and organize your written content and articles effectively. In this article, we will guide you through designing a writing planning template in Notion that suits your needs, incorporating current features and best practices.

Why Use Notion for Writing Planning?

Notion's flexibility and customization options make it an ideal platform for managing every stage of the writing process—from initial brainstorming and outlining to drafting, revising, and finalizing your work. Notion's powerful features such as databases, nested pages, integration with calendar apps, and multimedia embedding allow you to create a comprehensive and dynamic Workspace for your writing projects. Recent updates, including improved collaborative tools and third-party integrations, further enhance your productivity.

Step 1: Creating a Workspace

Start by creating a new Workspace in Notion dedicated to your writing projects. This Workspace will serve as the foundation for your writing planning template. Click the + New Workspace button in the left sidebar to get started.

Step 2: Setting Up Pages and Databases

Once your Workspace is ready, create a new page to serve as your writing planning template—the main hub where you can outline, draft, and organize your manuscripts. Inside this page, create separate databases for different phases of your project. For example, consider setting up databases for:

1. Outlining
2. Drafting
3. Revision notes
4. Final drafts

To create a database, click the + New button and choose Database. Repeat for each phase you want to track. Notion’s recent enhancements now allow you to switch views (table, board, gallery, or calendar) easily, so set up the view that best suits your process.

Step 3: Customizing Database Properties

Tailor each database by adding properties that match your writing process. In your outlining database, you might include properties such as Chapter, Main Idea, and Notes. Click on the Properties button in your database toolbar to add or modify fields. You can also include additional properties like:

• Tags
• Due dates
• Progress trackers

These elements help you maintain a clear overview of your tasks and deadlines.

Step 4: Outlining and Organizing Your Content

With your Outlining database in place, start creating entries for each chapter or section of your project. Fill in key information like main ideas, supporting points, and detailed notes. Use a mix of headings, subheadings, and bullet points to structure your outline effectively. Leverage Notion's rich text editor to add Links, inline images, and even embed videos to enrich your outline.

Step 5: Drafting Your Content

After you’ve outlined your work, move on to drafting. Use the Drafting database to start writing your content. Create a new entry for each section or chapter and draft directly in Notion. Take advantage of Notion's writing features such as:

• Checklist blocks for task management (see Task Manager Template)
• Inline comments for real-time collaboration and feedback
• Inline code references with shortcuts like Ctrl + A for quick editing

Additionally, Notion now supports enhanced code snippet formatting for technical content—all within the same seamless interface.

Step 6: Revisions, Notes, and Fine-Tuning

As your project evolves, set up a dedicated database or page for revisions and notes. Use this space to track feedback, document changes, and jot down ideas for future revisions. You might also include a section for research materials and reference Links that you may need later in the process.

Step 7: Finalizing Your Content

After several iterations, once you’re satisfied with your revisions, move your work to a final drafts section. This can be another database or a simple page where you store your polished content. Organizing your final pieces separately helps you keep a clear distinction between works in progress and completed projects.

Step 8: Leveraging Collaborative Features

Notion excels in collaboration. Invite team members or peers to view or edit your writing planning template. This is particularly useful for group projects, academic collaborations, or when seeking external feedback. Share your Workspace, specific pages, or individual databases, allowing collaborators to leave inline comments, suggest edits, or simply follow your progress.

Conclusion

Designing a writing planning template in Notion can transform the way you manage your writing process, boosting both organization and productivity. By setting up dedicated databases, customizing properties, and utilizing collaborative features, you can create a tailored Workspace that meets your unique writing needs. Whether you're a professional writer, blogger, or student, Notion offers robust tools for outlining, drafting, and organizing your written content and articles. Get started today and experience the power of Notion in streamlining your writing projects.