Some writers plan in straight lines with outlines, while others think in images and fragments — and that’s not disorganisation. This article shows how visual, non-linear thinkers can plan their writing in a way that works with their brain instead of against it.
Some writers sit down with a neat outline, numbered chapters, and a clear sense of where they’re going. Others… don’t.
They see fragments. Scenes. Colours. Moments. Questions. Half a conversation that won’t leave them alone. The ending before the beginning. The middle floating somewhere off to the side.
If that sounds like you, here’s the good news: You’re not unorganised. You’re a visual, non-linear thinker in a world that overvalues straight lines.
This article is about planning your writing without forcing your brain into a shape it doesn’t fit.
When Traditional Planning Just Makes Things Worse
A lot of writers stall not at the writing stage, but at the planning stage. They’re told to start with a formal outline, lock in chapter order and/or know the ending before they begin. For linear thinkers, that can feel reassuring.
For visual or non-linear thinkers, it often feels like walking into a room where all the doors have already been closed. The result?
- procrastination that looks like “lack of discipline”
- abandoned projects that never really got started
- the quiet belief that you’re just “bad at structure”
But visual or non-linear thinkers are not bad at structure, they are just building it from a different angle.
What Visual and Non-Linear Thinking Actually Looks Like
Visual thinkers often:
- think in scenes, not sequences
- hold multiple ideas at once
- jump ahead, then circle back
- need to see the whole before they can shape the parts
This isn’t chaos. It’s pattern-making.
Many neurodivergent writers, including those with ADHD, dyslexia, acquired brain injury, or multilingual thinking styles, work this way. The challenge isn’t creativity — it’s translating that richness into a format that doesn’t shut it down.
Planning as Gathering, Not Deciding
Here’s a reframe that helps: Planning doesn’t have to mean deciding everything.
Sometimes it just means gathering what’s already there.
Instead of asking What order does this go in?Try asking What do I have so far?That might be:
- scenes on sticky notes
- character sketches
- a list of questions
- scraps of dialogue
- emotional beats you know you need to hit
None of that is wasted. It’s all material.
Tools That Support Visual Planning (Without Locking You In)
Visual planning works best when it stays flexible. Some writers use:
- whiteboards or pinboards
- index cards or sticky notes
- digital mind-mapping tools
- corkboard or card views in writing software
The key isn’t the tool — it’s the permission to move things around.
Planning becomes a conversation with the work, not a contract you’re afraid to break.
This kind of flexibility is widely recognised in inclusive learning and creative practice frameworks, including those supported by the Queensland Government’s approaches to accessible and flexible participation across education and community programs.
Structure Can Come Later (Really)
One of the biggest myths in writing is that structure must come first. For many writers, structure comes last.
First, they:
- gather ideas visually
- explore connections
- notice patterns
- then shape an order
That’s not backwards. It’s responsive. And yes — books planned this way still get finished.
A Low-Pressure Way to Start (If You’re Stuck)
If planning has become a blocker, try this instead:
- Put everything you have on one surface (desk, wall, digital board)
- Don’t order it yet
- Just look for:
- what repeats
- what feels connected
- what clearly doesn’t belong
That’s planning. No timelines. No chapters. No rules.
Just attention.
You’re Allowed to Plan Sideways
There’s a lot of unspoken pressure in writing spaces to “do it properly”. But proper for who?
The Australian Human Rights Commission consistently reminds us that participation improves when systems adapt to people — not the other way around. Writing is no different.
If your brain works sideways, circularly, visually, or emotionally, your planning is allowed to do the same. You don’t owe anyone a tidy outline at the start. You owe yourself a process you can stay in.
Remember this: If your planning looks like a mess to someone else, but makes sense to you — it’s working.
Australian References & Further Reading
Adult Learning Australia – approaches to diverse learning and thinking styles
Australian Human Rights Commission – Inclusion, access and participation
Queensland Government – Inclusive Practice and Flexible Learning resources