Tom Palmer Creative Writing Tips : How to Plan a Story

Children's author Tom Palmer explains how he plans stories, using a spider diagram and a five-part structure. Aimed at Y4 upwards. (Sorry, it says it's 5 minutes long at the start, but is, in fact 11:42.)
TRY a free read of Tom's latest children's books here tompalmer.co.u...
“The work of this author is making a valuable contribution to improving pupils’ writing.” Ofsted

[@Grayyv12]

I’m supposed to write a completely original story for school so thank you because this really helped!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks, hope it went well, Tom :)

[@Grayyv12]

Tom Palmer it did, thank you again!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

@@Grayyv12 That's great news Tom :)

[@avril7459]

I'm trying to write a fanfiction- NDHSNSHHS but besides that, I think I'm considering to become a writer because I really enjoy it.

[@wateringcan5369]

How’d that go lol

[@aimit8727]

am i the only one here without homework and actually wanting to write a story

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Good for you! Keep writing, Tom

[@xiao6604]

No

[@GAMEDATA1010]

I'm making a game and this really helped me with turning my idea into an actual written one

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Brilliant! well done Tom :)

[@dhruvrawat5743]

Hey, what will be the name??

[@GAMEDATA1010]

@@dhruvrawat5743 astrorealm but don't expect it to come out soon it'll take years since I'm just one person

[@dhruvrawat5743]

@@GAMEDATA1010 how much time it takes don't matter, final game matters. Best of luck for it.

[@albertogeorge2903]

how's it going man, have you found more people to help with the game?

[@smg680]

This has been very helpful. I'm considering on writing stories myself and this method has been extremely helpful for me

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Good to hear it helped, thanks, hope it went well, Tom :)

[@olddudemindset9590]

Starting at the end and working backwards - that sounds like a great idea!

[@s.sumbrella7616]

What if you don't know the plot just a vague idea

[@olddudemindset9590]

@@s.sumbrella7616 Great question. I would guess that you would have to formulate your plot more clearly. But as a starter, write down your vague idea and build it more clearly from there. I'm making a video I hope to post today, that started with a vague idea about an injured bird and my "Monkey Mind" (internal chatter) and wrote down my thoughts. As I wrote, starting from the end, or what resulted, it became clearer and clearer to me. It worked for me. The author of this video probably has even better ideas.

[@c4rdester]

This was so simple to understand and helpful!

[@jodystrickland9150]

"Hopefully 5mins long"..6 minutes later lol

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Sorry Jody!

[@JoeTheViewer]

It's all good. Thanks for the tips.

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

@@JoeTheViewer Thanks Joseph, keep safe Tom :)

[@AntiCringeAndDislikeToAllGays]

Tom Palmer
U helped me so much thank you😀
From iraq🇮🇶

[@honeymoon678]

@@AntiCringeAndDislikeToAllGays did it work with you ? If does tell me plz 💗✨

[@spacepisces9287]

Ahhh I just realised I have some copies of your books I got signed! I didn’t even realise it was you when I clicked on the video!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks for choosing my books :)

[@clawmansegele1988]

Your handwriting looks almost exactly like mine. Almost to the point that the circles around the numbers and even the general page organization is identical! Hello, my handwriting twin! Also, great video. I finally know how to get started on my story!
UPDATE: I followed this method and have a rough plot outline worked out. I’m going to start scriptwriting soon (I’m making a comic book). If you were curious, the story is between a lone gunslinger who makes friends with a young doctor and tries to uncover an undercover Italian- American mob syndicate taking over a booming western city growing with the industrial revolution.

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi handwriting-twin (!) that's great to hear and good luck with writing your story Tom :)

[@clawmansegele1988]

Tom Palmer thanks!

[@Sweet_Squad4ever]

I'm planning to make an original story in wattpad but I don't know how to start it. Specially It came from my continues dream since I was in Grade 7(First year high school) and now I am in Grade 12(Kind of like second year collage).
Thank you for showing me how to do a novel.

[@ruo-ye]

I feel you lol

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Good luck with your writing! I tend to just force myself after planning stage to get going. I usually edit out 90% of a first draft but at least the 10% remaining is ok! Hope it is going ok. keep well Tom :)

[@xxyaytwilightxx9017]

Bro 7th grade is middle school and grade 12 is the last year of high school clearly you aren’t in college

[@near9297]

Ows talaga ba tol?

[@Sweet_Squad4ever]

@@xxyaytwilightxx9017
Yes, it was, but in my country that just got the K-12 system. Before, after finishing High school we got to go to college.

[@queenofweaves916]

Your teaching style is so relaxed and easy to understand. This is a fantastic video.

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you that is very kind of you. Keep well

[@gowrilatha9929]

Thank you 😊

[@chriscooke2789]

This was great to watch, as you know when we spoke many years ago i had thought of writing a book, this makes brainstorming and getting started super simple so i can get going.

[@Michelle-gk3ts]

I remember you from a book I saw in my primary school's reading area! My friend who read your book back in primary said it was really enjoyable to read and not boring to read. I'm not much of a reader but from what my friend says I bet you're a really good author!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you for your lovely message and hello to you and your friend!

[@TSPH1992]

I am currently writing my own short fantasy story with some elements of Mesomerican mythology. Videos like this help me a lot as a beginner

[@jesus_islord_john1465]

This video has been a big help to me. At first, I had no idea how to structure my ideas. I was all over the place. But, after watching your video, your way is easiest for me. Thank you for sharing. 😉👍
P.S. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ. Anyone, who believes in him, shall not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi thanks for taking the time to say that, that's really kind of you Tom :)

[@mercianieuwenhuyse4217]

God bless you thank you so much for believing in Jesus

[@mercianieuwenhuyse4217]

god bless you thank you s much

[@masdontcare]

Who else’s teacher sent them here to write a essay during quarantine

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Stay at home and keep safe! Tom :)

[@tido_7069]

me

[@courtofreels6253]

i swear to god me too right now

[@Nuhuhuh.13]

me :(

[@wallacerangel616]

I’m planning to write a book about my life soon enough because when I hear other people’s story’s, particularly authors, I’m always inspired by how they overcome objects that was hard for them to deal with and how making a simple change could automatically improve you as a person.

[@phatsimoleepo9384]

This is pretty nice and it's easy to follow along. Thank you

[@kb2vca]

What a useful way to approach the design of a story. Very clearly presented. Thank you

[@robertmitford5329]

That is very helpful especially 5 Parts 🙌🙌👏 thank you

[@Writing4Jesus247]

GREAT vid!! Never thought of doing it like this. I think it'll really help, thanks! And I love your accent!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you and hope your writing is going well. Tom

[@dennishuang7764]

I'm not a writer at all, but this is a really interesting process... might consider experimenting with a few ideas

[@Pinoytoonz2335]

Thank you brother, this is really helpful.

[@fallingstar9195]

You just made my beginners life of writing much easier. I’m going to try that tonight

[@honeymoon678]

Did it work for you ? 😍

[@neviyah6311]

This is has helped me so much. Thank you!

[@shantopic5874]

Thank you for this video, this cleared up so much confusion for me about the short story I am trying to create!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you! That's really kind of you to say so and good luck with your short story! Tom :)

[@shantopic5874]

@@TomPalmerAuthornow I believe it's going to be a book about musicians, female spies and espionage in Nazi Germany. I know this subject has been so used up but I'm finding research that is so exiting!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi that sounds like a great story line, good luck@@shantopic5874! I look forward to reading it one day Tom :)

[@shantopic5874]

Thanks, I hope you read it someday too!

[@nashathequeen1946]

Thank very much it really helped to figure out how to write my story

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Brilliant, well done and keep writing

[@honeymoon678]

This method I think will make my unique stories come to light yay thanks 💗✨

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you and keep writing! Tom

[@Adam-jc5tw]

This is very helpful as I am planning to write a longer fanfiction than I usually do and needed a way ti structure it

[@user-jc2vy1il2w]

Thank you it was so clear❤️❤️👌👌

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you for you lovely comment and good luck with your writing

[@night.sky_lover]

This video is so helpful and understamding thank you for making this video❤👍

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@charliokey7970]

I am writing a story about evil that takes over the world
This really helped thanks!

[@VworksArt]

Thanks so much mate!

[@ryan6140]

So simple yet so effective. I'm so using this lol.

[@sababatamanna2117]

Thanks!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Sababa

[@justsomeguywithhalfamustac6837]

Thanks alot man. Im thinking of making a series so this really helped the process

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you and keep writing

[@ahmedalkaya4467]

Thank you men, I swear I love it and am starting to write a nice story thx man.

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Ahmed and hope your writing is going well

[@tommijokinen7168]

It was a good video
It helped

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Tommi. Glad to hear it helped.

[@anaraven]

This is so so helpful! I'm one of those writers that just writes as I go but knew I needed some time of simple structure to follow. I will definitely try this out!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Ana and good luck in your writing

[@paulabelbin]

Ty! This really helped!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks keep well! Tom :)

[@mindyourspirit1293]

Well it does a bit

[@jose-ue6vt]

Thanks. I'll save this for later!!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks Tom :)

[@s.sumbrella7616]

I'm using this to plan out some stories i want to turn into a comic (and maybe an animated web series)

[@DivineDestiny44556]

Thanks this helped so much!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks for watching and hope your writing went well

[@troybaker4175]

Thank you,mr palmer.

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Mr Baker!

[@beachsidebooy]

This video helps me for make story to my product

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks and good luck with your writing Tom :)

[@emansamehabdalrahman1167]

I’m in love with your accent

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks, I'm from Yorkshire :)

[@zen9923]

@@TomPalmerAuthor I knew it.

[@j.a.vaimes2695]

Very good. Thank you.

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you

[@johnsexton4250]

Great advice. Very helpful. Subbed. :)

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you John and keep writing

[@Juke172]

This just gives shallow structure of the main story objective, of course you would add more depth to it, I hope. I would add introduction of character and scene in the 1st act. 2nd act would be realization of crisis and conflict/friction to work together. 3rd act: parting ways of characters and their struggle. 4th act: realization of same goal and working together. 5th act: climax of working together works out and crisis has been averted. Shorthand: 1: introduction, 2: crisis and conflict, 3: struggle, 4: realization, 5: climax. You can also split each one in smaller pieces and ask the questions: who, what, where, when, why and how?

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Great tips, thanks! Tom :)

[@newgeneralkenobi6687]

Im a writer for an animated story. I have a 13 man team on discord and we still need to grow. This helped a lot

[@edgarbleikur1929]

Thank you Tom! Was looking around to forward something on to students of film script writing, where Dan Harmons story circle and others are a little too complex, where as this is perfect!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks, glad it helped and keep well Tom :)

[@toxicstudios904]

Wow this is an amazing video. It helped me get started with my story called cherish. Thanks to you it really helped me and inspired me (you got a new subscriber 👌🏻)

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi hope your story is going well. Keep safe, Tom

[@khulood2684]

I was looking for how to write a story and your video is really helpful 😊👍
Thank you

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Glad it was helpful!

[@astral7920]

Very helpful thank you

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks, glad to hear it was of help to you! Tom :)

[@lavender6220]

thank you, this is very useful! ✨

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Elise and keep writing

[@aoifeburke2764]

This is soooooo helpful to me. When I grow up I want to be a writer!!!!!!!!!🥰🥰🥰👍

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi Aoife, thanks and good luck! Tom :)

[@lisandroge]

Be a writter now 😉

[@heesu7072]

You could start now

[@blazemordly9746]

Dear Aoife~ Guess what? Great writers never grow up.

[@yashmunankarmy4408]

Thanks :)

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Yash

[@seandan6339]

Thanks you for making this video I have a English exam coming up so yeh this help alot thank u so much

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Good luck in your exam! Tom :)

[@xCoMiXx]

I'm trying to make a story for my videogame... but I tend to jump from one thing that inspires me, to another one later on and try to make changes based on that momentary inspiration...
It's really hard for me, and if I try to bridge them together it's just a mish-mash of concepts and genres...

[@hiccoughs849]

You came into my primary school 4 years ago was it? Anyway in these boring times it’s a great idea to start writing!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi thanks for remembering my visit. Hope your reading and writing is helping keep you busy. Keep safe Tom :)

[@aizvlogs2336]

Thanks sir, you made my day

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

That's very kind of you to say so, sir! You have made mine Tom :)

[@AmeatSauce]

Thank you ! I want to make a manga but I have so many ideas but no structure to any of the ideas

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi good luck with your manga! I often use enormous pieces of paper like old wall paper to help me get ideas down. Or write them on little post its and then rearrange them. Don't give up! Tom :)

[@brieze1233]

So helpful..thanks

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you

[@amboka2001]

Thank you. I’m writing a short story about The Dowry procession..

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi that sounds like a great title, have fun writing! Tom :)

[@amboka2001]

I succeeded in this thank you Tom Palmer , I realised my other colleagues used PowerPoint, but I included a few photos to complete my short story. It took me 8 minutes including answers to feedback.
I have learnt something!

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

@@amboka2001 Sounds brilliant, well done!

[@Alisha-fk5kg]

Thank you so much😊🥰

[@pugnaciousd8339]

Cool need a refresher cause I cannot think where to go after publishing my first comic.

[@sacredscrollsindia]

great visual explanation

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you! Tom :)

[@superwolf4784]

I liked it

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you! Keep well Tom

[@beccaoxley2384]

Helped a lot

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks Becca

[@mindyourspirit1293]

Kind of

[@debdanpadhi2380]

get this man some subs guys

[@idallkeybachdar7463]

Thank you sir !
Indonesia

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you! Keep well to you and your family in Indonesia Tom :)

[@imranbhatti4728]

THANKS FOR THE VDIEO

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Imran, keep well

[@DoomguyIsGrinningAtYou.]

Man, I really needed this. Been trying to write a shortstory for a while now, but I keep getting stuck midway through.

[@toxicstudios904]

Same

[@OD.Nights]

I’m trying to write a story and turn it into a anime hopefully I can do it

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hope your project is going well :)

[@faizansheribusinesscourses]

Love from Pakistan 🇵🇰
I wanted to make stories for my emotional brain 🧠
Thanks a lot 💗💓💕
I think the next step is making Scenes for the story.

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi Faizan and your friends in Pakistan - writing and reading stories help my emotional brain too! That's a great suggestion. Thank you Tom :)

[@broccolihighkicks3857]

This is great thank you, i am writing for a publisher and have to write it in 4 chapters and around 3/4,000 words. Any ideas on how to plan it over 4 parts instead of 5? Could I join two parts together into one chapter maybe? Thank you

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi Ella, best thing is to start getting it down on paper. When you edit it you will see a natural point to make breaks/remove extraneous words and sections. Good luck

[@graemerichardson1282]

Tom this was a great video

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks Graeme, keep well, Tom :)

[@CatTopia2]

I needed to write during summer oo

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Great way to stop being bored in the summer! Hope it is going well

[@tako7207]

this is a crazy video >.

[@iammango2670]

Very helpful😄

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you, it is great to get feedback Tom :)

[@sportysunrise8368]

This sounds like a good story

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you Stella and keep well

[@slipart9035]

Oh....thanx sir it's really helpful 👍 i am writting a love story 🙂 I'm in class 10th and i want to became a writter 🙂

[@thekaibenz]

is this Severus Snape? The content is magical, thank you very much!

[@J3ssxoxo]

Hey you came to our school this one time. Broughton school

[@syedarizvi7290]

Thank you for the tips! I'll try this, but actually my problem is like... I plan everything from 1-5 but then I have a problem, I get stuck between 1 and 2, once I solve that, I don't know what the events between 2 and 4 should be and then 3 seems cringey now. This is just an example, I hope you understand. Can you please tell me how to fix a problem like this?

[@joaquimgraca5566]

Tom, thanks for sharing your story planning. My 8yr old likes to write. I like math but want to help her develop her still further :-) Would be great to show her how your birds story turned out in the end (even though I will have to translate it 🙃). Will you send a link?

[@joaquimgraca5566]

Thanks

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

@@joaquimgraca5566 hi it was a story that was read out loud in parts here .... I hope you enjoy it! ua-cam.com/video/_ySOhXVouA4/v-deo.html&feature=emb_title

[@whitedragoness23]

It goes over 5 minutes but it is essential information

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thank you, I hope it helped. Good luck with your writing

[@47keysbeatz13]

Thanks a lot for this video. Please can you post a video showing how you start writing and how you end, If you have a course on that please do paste your link

[@leopoldoarzadum6866]

Thanksman

[@toxicprogamer9821]

Ohh my god thanku soo much

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks, hope it helped a bit Tom :)

[@fifablake9459]

I like doing the first bit to

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks Blake, glad to hear it was helpful! Tom :)

[@myeheheh6887]

I swear I watched this in 2017!!!!!

[@lolstuffenjoy9880]

I'm participating in a webcomic contest and the theme is about love. My story is about two young 6 year old kids and one of them becomes friends with a boy who has a prosthetic arm and is insecure about it. Thanks for this

[@ahyugonmakmibus]

I know it's late but best of luck!

[@lolstuffenjoy9880]

@@ahyugonmakmibus thx r u participating too

[@ahyugonmakmibus]

@@lolstuffenjoy9880 Nah I suck at drawing XD

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi great idea for a story, hope its going well. Keep safe Tom :)

[@lolstuffenjoy9880]

@@TomPalmerAuthor hope everything is going well over there. Plus tryna lower expectations as to not affect mental health

[@themusicianwiththepencils500]

Do i write it in the same order or whatever comes to me during a brainstorm?

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Hi Caleb, there is no right or wrong. It sounds like you might need to go from story mapping on to planning first before you get started writing. But if the story heads in another direction as you start writing that is ok too! I spend so long editing and re-writing til i am happy with it. It is all part of the fun. Good luck Tom

[@budguesor9222]

As you were writing the 5 acts, it felt like you are writing Avengers movie's plot

[@gavinerecre6210]

Hey man! Are you a fan of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter? I've been very inspired to make a series as complex, mind-blowing, adventurous, and interesting as hers, and your video reaaaally helped me start my own. The story's not yet that fully developed but I'm hoping it'd be magical enough but also tackling world wide problems so that I could have an impact not only to their minds but maybe also to their hearts. Your strategy is very good, I like it! Keep uploading! imma subscribe

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Great idea for a story. Hope it is going well, keep safe Tom :)

[@m4rt1n66]

Me every morning: just a little more sleep, hopefully 5 minutes long

[@BUNNYGAMER]

Sir can you please make video , for writing a comedy script , for making a short comedy video

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Sorry, i don't do video scripts but good luck with your idea.

[@zintun1]

cool

[@TomPalmerAuthor]

Thanks! :)

[@serenjns]

You had me until you suggested Rufus and Airlie working together. Airlie will never need help from Rufus. Never!! ⬛️⬜️⬛️⬜️⬛️😉😂