Tools

Plottr is a popular visual outlining and story-planning software designed to help writers, novelists, and screenwriters organize their plots, characters, and worldbuilding elements. Its intuitive timeline interface allows creators to easily map out multiple storylines, track character arcs, and flip between a macro view of their narrative and detailed scene-by-scene notes.

Save the Cat! Story Suite is an all-in-one narrative planning and writing software designed for screenwriters, novelists, and TV writers. It utilizes the famous 15-beat story structure methodology to help creators organize digital storyboards, track character arcs, format scripts, and draft manuscripts in a unified workspace.

Scapple is an intuitive, freeform mind-mapping software developed by Literature & Latte that allows users to type notes anywhere on a virtual canvas and connect them using drag-and-drop lines. Unlike traditional brainstorming tools, it avoids rigid hierarchical structures, making it ideal for fluidly organizing thoughts, plotting stories, or roughing out complex ideas.

Scrivener is our preferred tool for writing. Scrivener is a powerful writing studio and word processor designed specifically for long-form projects like novels, research papers, and scripts. It allows writers to organize notes, draft text out of order, and manage complex structures all within a single, cohesive workspace.

Aeon Timeline is a specialized visual timeline tool designed for writers, project managers, and legal professionals to map out complex chronological events and relationships. It features advanced data synchronization with writing software like Scrivener, allowing users to track characters, locations, and deadlines alongside their narrative arcs or project milestones.

Dabble is a cloud-based writing software designed to help authors plan, organize, and write novels through features like a built-in plot grid and story notes. It syncs automatically across multiple devices and includes goal-tracking tools to keep writers focused on their word count targets.

FocusWriter is a lightweight, distraction-free word processor designed to submerge users in their work by hiding everything except the text on a customizable background. It includes productivity-boosting tools like word-count goals, timers, and subtle sound effects to recreate the immersive feel of a traditional typewriter. (Note: Linux and Windows only.)

Gingko Writer is a unique word processing tool that allows users to organize and draft text in a flexible, multi-column tree structure. By breaking documents down into movable cards, it enables writers to visualize, rearrange, and develop complex ideas and outlines side by side.

The Novel Factory is a structured, AI-free novel-writing software designed to guide authors through every stage of planning, drafting, and editing. It combines a step-by-step roadmap with specialized tools for tracking characters, locations, plot lines, and manuscript scenes.

Novlr is a specialized online writing platform designed by writers for writers to assist with novel writing, offering a distraction-free interface and built-in organizing tools. It features automated cloud saving, comprehensive writing statistics, and writing courses to help authors track their progress and improve their craft.

Ulysses is a premium writing application designed specifically for Mac, iPad, and iPhone users that offers a distraction-free, Markdown-based editing environment. It features a powerful library system to organize all your manuscripts, notes, and projects in one place, alongside seamless export options for publishing directly to various formats and platforms. (Note: Mac and iOS only.)

yWriter is a word processor designed specifically for authors by breaking novels down into chapters and individual scenes rather than one long, continuous document. It provides specialized tools for tracking character appearances, locations, and plotlines, allowing writers to focus on structure and organization while monitoring their daily word count goals.