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AI story outline generator

Turn prompts, documents, or URLs into structured mind maps to visualize your narrative flow.

How to build your story outline

Provide your story input

Enter a prompt or upload files like PDF, Word, or OPML to get started.

Step 1

Provide your story input

Enter a prompt or upload files like PDF, Word, or OPML to get started.

Step 1

Provide your story input

Enter a prompt or upload files like PDF, Word, or OPML to get started.

Step 1

Generate the mind map

The AI generates a comprehensive mind map showing your plot, characters, and arcs.

Step 2

Generate the mind map

The AI generates a comprehensive mind map showing your plot, characters, and arcs.

Step 2

Generate the mind map

The AI generates a comprehensive mind map showing your plot, characters, and arcs.

Step 2

Refine and export

Refine the branches, add notes, and export your outline to start writing.

Step 3

Refine and export

Refine the branches, add notes, and export your outline to start writing.

Step 3

Refine and export

Refine the branches, add notes, and export your outline to start writing.

Step 3

Hear from our Xmind family

4.8 ratings

4.8/5

App Store

95% user satisfaction rate

95%

User satisfaction rate

100M+ user worldwide

100M+

Users worldwide

Why use our story outline tool

Instant plot structure

Turn basic ideas or detailed markdown into a logical visual structure instantly.

Instant plot structure

Turn basic ideas or detailed markdown into a logical visual structure instantly.

Instant plot structure

Turn basic ideas or detailed markdown into a logical visual structure instantly.

Analyze existing drafts

Upload PDF, Word, or images to analyze existing drafts and identify narrative gaps.

Analyze existing drafts

Upload PDF, Word, or images to analyze existing drafts and identify narrative gaps.

Organize complex ideas

Refine the branches, add notes, and export your outline to start writing.

Organize complex ideas

Refine the branches, add notes, and export your outline to start writing.

Ready for writing

Fine-tune your story map then export it to various formats for your writing workflow.

Ready for writing

Fine-tune your story map then export it to various formats for your writing workflow.

Ready for writing

Fine-tune your story map then export it to various formats for your writing workflow.

Ways to use your story outline

World building visualization

Import OPML files or long text to see a high-level view of your world-building.

World building visualization

Import OPML files or long text to see a high-level view of your world-building.

World building visualization

Import OPML files or long text to see a high-level view of your world-building.

Character arc mapping

Provide a website URL or markdown file to create a structured character relationship map.

Character arc mapping

Provide a website URL or markdown file to create a structured character relationship map.

Character arc mapping

Provide a website URL or markdown file to create a structured character relationship map.

Plot hole detection

Upload your rough draft in Word or PDF to check for pacing issues and plot holes.

Plot hole detection

Upload your rough draft in Word or PDF to check for pacing issues and plot holes.

Plot hole detection

Upload your rough draft in Word or PDF to check for pacing issues and plot holes.

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Frequently asked questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How does this story outline generator work?

Our story outline generator analyzes your provided content and organizes the core narrative beats into a structured mind map. You can supply text, documents, or URLs to begin.

What file types can I use to create outlines?

Yes. We accept Simple Prompt, Markdown, PDF, Word, Image, Website URL, Long Text, and OPML files to help you build your story structure.

Why does the tool generate a mind map?

The tool converts your source material into a visual mind map, which is ideal for identifying narrative gaps and managing character arcs.

Can I edit the generated story outline?

Yes, all generated mind maps are fully editable. You can modify branches, reorganize nodes, or add new plot points before exporting your final draft.

What are the limitations of this tool?

This tool is designed to assist with narrative structure and brainstorming. It effectively handles complex plot development, though creative nuance and final editorial decisions remain the user's responsibility.

How do I export my finished outline?

You can export your completed mind maps to common industry formats to ensure compatibility with your preferred writing software.

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Start your outline now

Experience a faster way to plan your next book or script. Map your story today.

Xmind logo

Start your outline now

Experience a faster way to plan your next book or script. Map your story today.