Plotting and Pantsing with the Book Plotter in Organized Authors
At Organized Authors, we know the significance of having all your writing resources in one place. That's why we created the Book Plotter—a powerful in-app tool that not only allows you to plot and outline your books while you write but also provides a place to store your outlines after you write to aid future writing projects. The Book Plotter is a valuable resource for developing new titles in a series, enhancing character arcs over time and multiple books, and facilitating audiobook production for narrators.
Accessing the Book Plotter:
Navigate to the Tools Bar: On the left-hand side of your dashboard, you'll find the Book Plotter in the Tools Bar. Click on it to access a list of titles in your catalog.
Choose Your Book: Select the book you wish to plot or outline. You have two convenient options: either find the title in your Series Bible and click on the "Title Outline" button in the top right, or directly access the title from the book plotter tool
Visual Plotter and Detailed Outline View:
When you enter the Book Plotter, you have two distinctive views to cater to your specific preferences: the Visual Plotter and the Detailed Outline View.
1. Detailed Outline View:
In the Detailed Outline View, you'll find a simple starting point for plotting your book:
a. Create a Plot Group: Begin by clicking the Create button and selecting plot group, then name the plot group and add a subtitle. Finally, start brainstorming a description of the events that unfold in that specific section of your story.
b. Mention Characters and Locations: For seamless integration, simply type "@" followed by the character or location name. A list will appear, enabling you to choose the relevant one. Alternatively, you can add characters and locations by clicking the plus button on the right-hand side of the plot view.
c. Develop Plot Points: Within your plot group, create plot points to highlight significant events or plot beats. Select the "New Plot Point" button at the bottom, and fill out the details for each plot point, including character and location involvement.
d. Manage Character Levels: Set the character level for each character within a particular plot group or plot point. This ensures consistent character development throughout the story. Please note that character level changes within a plot group or plot point will not affect the character's overall role level in the title.
e. Reorder and Organize: Enjoy the flexibility to rearrange plot points and plot groups by a simple click and drag.
f. Add Comments: Collaboration is key. Utilize comments to communicate ideas with your team members, further streamlining your plot and story development.
2. Visual Plotter View:
Once you've developed your plot in the Detailed Outline View, explore the powerful Visual Plotter View by clicking the "Visualize It" button in the top right corner. This view presents your plot groups and plot points in a user-friendly grid format.
In the Visual Plotter:
a. Easy Manipulation: Effortlessly move plot groups and plot points around by clicking and dragging them. This provides you with full control over your plot details, ensuring a seamless writing experience.
b. Group and Ungroup: Quickly organize your plot points into different plot groups by clicking and dragging. For individual plot points, simply ungroup them to allow free movement within the plot space.
c. Add New Elements: Easily incorporate new plot groups or plot points to the Visual Plotter by clicking the relevant button on the top right and dragging them into the plot space.
d. Edit and Delete: Fine-tune your plot by editing or deleting plot groups and plot points with just a few clicks. Deleting a plot group will not remove its plot points; they will remain in the Visual Plotter, and be accessible under the "No Group" section of the Detailed Outline View.
With the Book Plotter, you can keep your plots and outlines organized, empowering you as an author to stay on top of essential events in your titles. This tool keeps your writing consistent across multiple books and series, making the entire process smoother and more efficient.
For further assistance or any additional inquiries, don't hesitate to reach out to our dedicated support team via the in-app help chat or at support@organizedauthors.com.