How I Plotted Mist of Fallen: Turning Chaos Into Story

Plotting a novel can feel like standing at the base of a mountain, staring up at the summit, wondering how the hell you’re going to make it to the top. When I started writing Mist of Fallen, I had the idea—the spark—but figuring out how to shape that spark into a full-fledged story was a whole different beast.

If you’re anything like me—a mix of plotter and pantser (yes, I’m a plantser), maybe this will help you navigate that messy middle ground.

Step 1: The Spark of the Idea

For me, Mist of Fallen started with one scene in my head: an angel watching over a girl who doesn’t know he exists. I didn’t know why he was watching or what the stakes were, but that emotional core? That was my starting point. Plotting began with asking why. Why was Gabriel so drawn to Megana? Why was she important? The more I asked, the more the world started to build itself.

Tip:

Start with a moment, a question, or a feeling that won’t let you go. That’s your compass.

Step 2: Big Picture Planning (The 3-Act Structure)

Once I had the concept, I knew I needed structure. I’m not a fan of rigid outlines, but I love having pillars to guide me. Enter the 3-Act Structure. It looks something like this:

Act 1: Introduce the world and characters (Who is Megana? What is she running from—or toward?) Act 2: The stakes rise (The world unravels. Angels. Darkness. Choices.) Act 3: Everything explodes (Decisions are made. Lines are crossed. No turning back.)

I wrote down major plot points I knew I wanted to hit:

Inciting Incident: The accident that changes Megana’s life. Midpoint Twist: The truth about Gabriel. Climactic Choice: What Megana is willing to sacrifice.

Tip:

Think of these as anchor points. The journey between them? That’s where the fun (and fear) happens.

Step 3: Character Arcs Before Plot Points

Here’s a secret: I plotted Mist of Fallen through my characters first. Their emotions, their desires, their flaws—that’s what shaped the story. Gabriel’s guilt, Megana’s grief and resilience, Jeremiah’s loyalty—they drove the plot.

I asked myself:

What does Megana want vs. what does she need? How does Gabriel’s breaking of the rules escalate the conflict? Where does Raymond’s protectiveness help—or hurt—the family?

Plotting through emotional beats made the action feel inevitable.

Tip:

If you’re stuck, ask yourself what your characters are most afraid of—and then make them face it.

Step 4: The Scene List (Not a Rigid Outline)

I didn’t create a strict outline. Instead, I made a loose scene list. I jotted down key scenes I knew had to happen (in no particular order at first):

Gabriel watching Megana from afar. The car accident. Megana realizing someone is watching her. The world falling apart (literally). The confrontation between Heaven’s rules and Gabriel’s heart.

As I wrote, some scenes shifted or disappeared altogether. And that’s okay.

Tip:

Think of your plot as a living thing—it can (and should) evolve as you discover more about your story.

Step 5: Filling the Gaps (The “What If” Game)

Whenever I hit a gap between scenes, I’d play the “what if” game:

What if Megana’s dreams aren’t just dreams? What if Gabriel saving her sets off something catastrophic? What if the real threat isn’t the darkness outside—but the rules they’re breaking?

These questions filled in the spaces between the major plot points.

Step 6: Trusting the Process (And Breaking My Own Rules)

There were moments writing Mist of Fallen where I completely veered off my plot. A side character demanded more space. A scene felt wrong. The ending wasn’t what I first imagined.

Plotting gave me the map. But writing? Writing let me explore the uncharted paths.

Tip:

Don’t be afraid to burn your outline if the story starts pulling you somewhere new. That’s where the magic happens.

Final Thoughts

Plotting Mist of Fallen wasn’t about perfection—it was about direction. It gave me enough of a roadmap to not get lost, but enough freedom to let the story breathe. If you’re working on your own novel, remember: there’s no “right” way to plot. Only the way that works for you.

If you’re a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between, I’d love to know—how do you plot your stories? Share your thoughts in the comments!