The weather is getting crisp, change is in the air, and the hum of creative energy is crackling again. Sparks of inspo swirl just out of reach… starting to take shape, only to be met by the spookiness of the blank page. 👻
If you’re prepping for a new project (say… in November?), drafting a wildly ambitious novel (50k words, mayhap?), thinking about a devastating one-shot, or finally giving voice to a character that’s been scratching at the back of your brain and refusing to leave—now’s the perfect time to gather your thoughts. Like a big pile of crunchy leaves. (Go ahead, jump in.)
You’ll find three new templates in Ellipsus this month to help you move from nebulous idea to narrative momentum… before you write your first line.
Project Compass Template
Okay, so you have big plans, a few favorite tropes, a cursed family tree to untangle, a whole lot of vibes… but no place to put them (yet). This template is here to help you make your way through your story’s uncharted territory, toward your creative north star. What are you writing? Why now? Who’s at the center? What tone or questions are guiding you on the journey? It’s your space to articulate what matters most so you can move forward with clarity (or at least better organized chaos).
Backstory Planning Template
All stories begin before page one. Stories hit hardest when the world feels alive—a long-ago war, the remnants of an old relationship, the lost lore of a vanished bloodline… Real magic happens in the spaces where past and plot connect, where characters’ memories shape their decisions. This template will help you explore the histories and formative events that shape your characters and define their world. Use it to sketch what the reader knows early, what stays hidden until the big reveal, and what belongs only in your notes (or your 56 page appendix).
Creative Goals Template
A good story happens as you write it. Prepping a new project can feel overwhelming, but this journal-style template gives you a place to track rogue ideas, discoveries, surprises, and small-but-mighty victories with a weekly check-in format. What are your creative goals? What feels exciting (or hard—and how to work through it)? What milestones matter to you? No pressure… just a little bit of structure for writing your way through the messy middle.
Ready to start?
You can get all three templates by creating a new document on your dash (just click + New, and From Template). We hope these give you a whole lot of momentum! And keep an eye out—more templates are on the way to help you plan, plot (without crying), and build the universe your story deserves.
Want to connect with a like-minded community and get the latest news on Ellipsus? Join our Discord to follow announcements and share your feedback.