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 the process of designing a writing planning template in Notion that suits your needs.

Why Use Notion for Writing Planning?

Notion's versatility and customization capabilities make it an ideal platform for creating a writing planning template. You can create a template that encompasses all stages of the writing process, from Outlining to final revisions, and tailor it to your specific requirements. Notion's features, such as databases, nested pages, and Rich media embedding, allow you to create a comprehensive and dynamic Workspace for your Writing projects.

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. You can create a new Workspace by clicking on the "+ New Workspace" button in the left sidebar.

Step 2: Setting Up Pages and Databases

Once you have your Workspace, create a new page to serve as your writing planning template. This page will act as the main hub to outline, draft, and organize your written content and articles.

Inside this page, you can create multiple databases to represent different stages of the writing process. For example, you can create databases for Outlining, drafting, revision notes, and final drafts. To create a database, click on the "+ New" button and select "Database." Repeat this step for each stage you want to include.

Step 3: Customizing Database Properties

Customize each database's properties to suit your needs. For example, in your Outlining database, you can add properties such as "Chapter," "Main Idea," and "Notes." To customize properties, click on the "Filters" button in the database's toolbar and select "Properties."

You can also add additional properties as needed, such as tags, due dates, or progress trackers to keep track of your writing workflow.

Step 4: Outline and Organize Your Content

Using your Outlining database, start creating entries for each chapter or section of your content. Fill in the relevant information, such as the main ideas, supporting points, and notes for each entry. You can use a combination of headings, subheadings, and bullet points to structure your outline effectively.

Make use of the rich text editor in Notion to format your text, add Links, or insert images to enhance your outline further.

Step 5: Drafting Your Content

Once your outline is complete, move on to the drafting stage. Use the drafting database you created earlier to start writing your content. Create a new entry for each section or chapter and begin writing your drafts directly in Notion.

Utilize Notion's writing features, such as checklist blocks for Task management, inline comments for collaboration, and code blocks for code snippets or technical content.

Step 6: Revisions, Notes, and Fine-tuning

As you progress through the writing process, you might encounter the need for revisions and notes. Create a separate database specifically for this purpose. Use this database to track feedback, self-notes, or any changes you want to make during revisions.

You can also include a separate database or page to keep track of ideas, research materials, or reference Links that might be useful during the writing process.

Step 7: Finalizing Your Content

After multiple rounds of revisions, you will eventually reach the final draft stage. Move your content from the drafting database to a designated final drafts section. This section can be a separate database or a simple page where you store your polished and completed written content.

Step 8: Collaborative Features

Notion also offers robust collaboration features, allowing you to invite others to view or edit your writing planning template. This is particularly useful if you're working on a team project or seeking feedback from others.

You can share your Workspace, specific pages, or even individual databases with collaborators, providing them with the ability to leave comments, make edits, or view your progress.

Conclusion

Designing a writing planning template in Notion can greatly streamline your writing process, enhancing organization and productivity. By incorporating various databases, properties, and features, you can create a comprehensive and tailored Workspace that meets your specific writing needs. Whether you're a professional writer, blogger, or student, Notion is a fantastic tool for Outlining, drafting, and organizing your written content and articles. Get started today and experience the power of Notion for your Writing projects.