StoryPlanner - Detailed Review
Writing Tools
StoryPlanner - Product Overview
Introduction to Story Planner
Primary Function: Story Planner is a powerful and user-friendly tool specifically created for writers, screenwriters, and other storytellers to plan, organize, and develop their fiction stories. Its primary function is to help users outline and structure their novels, screenplays, and other types of fiction, making the writing process more efficient and organized.Target Audience:
The target audience for Story Planner includes a wide range of storytellers, such as:- Fiction authors
- Screenwriters
- Aspiring writers
- Hobbyist writers
- Creative writing students
- RPG (Role-Playing Game) masters
- Producers and directors.
Key Features:
Project Organization:
Story Planner allows users to create multiple projects, categorize them using tags or status folders (e.g., “in progress” and “completed”), and customize project settings to fit their workflow. Users can also create templates for future projects by duplicating existing ones.Plot and Scene Management:
The app features a “Plots Tab” where users can create plotlines and assign different colors for a high-level overview. The “Scenes Tab” enables users to create a full list of scenes, organize the story structure, and link scenes to other story elements. This helps in forming a coherent manuscript.Notes and Statistics:
The “Notes Tab” allows users to take and organize notes using tags and a search filter. The “Statistics Tab” provides real-time statistics on the story, including character appearances, location usage, and scene duration, helping users identify inconsistencies.Writing and Exporting:
While initially intended for planning, Story Planner now supports writing the entire manuscript within the app. Users can write each scene in the “Description” field of the Scene Cards and review their work in Revision Mode. The manuscript can be exported in various formats such as PDF, Word, RTF, Scrivener, Final Draft, and Ulysses.Distraction-Free Writing and Syncing:
Story Planner offers a full-screen mode to help writers focus without distractions. The app also syncs across devices (iPhone, iPad, and Mac), allowing users to work on their projects from anywhere.Progress Tracking:
Users can set deadlines and goals for their projects, track their progress, and use widgets to stay motivated. By providing these features, Story Planner simplifies the story planning and writing process, making it an invaluable tool for a variety of storytellers. StoryPlanner - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of Story Planner for Writers is crafted to be intuitive and user-friendly, making it an excellent tool for writers, screenwriters, and other storytellers.Interface Layout
The app is organized into several key tabs that help in structuring and managing your story. These include:Plots Tab
Here, you can create and manage plotlines, assigning different colors to each for a clear visual overview of your story.Scenes Tab
This is the core of your project where you can create, organize, and link scenes to other story elements like characters and locations. You can write your scenes in any order and reorganize them later using the Drag & Drop feature.Notes Tab
This section allows you to take notes and organize them using tags and a search filter tool, making it easy to find specific notes quickly.Statistics Tab
This tab provides real-time statistics about your story, such as the duration, character appearances, and frequently used locations, helping you identify inconsistencies and get a comprehensive view of your story.Ease of Use
Story Planner is designed to be easy to use, even for those who are new to story planning. Here are some features that enhance its usability:Quick Project Creation
You can create new projects with a simple click on the big red button at the bottom right of the project list screen. Projects can be customized and tagged for better organization.Drag & Drop
This feature allows you to easily move items around, such as adding images to character or location profiles, or reorganizing scenes.Keyboard Shortcuts
The app includes keyboard shortcuts to boost productivity, along with full trackpad and mouse support on the iPad.Sync and Export
Your projects sync across all your devices via iCloud, and you can export your work in various formats, including Word, Scrivener, Final Draft, and Ulysses.User Experience
The overall user experience is enhanced by several features:Multiple Windows and Split-View
On Mac and iPad, you can use multiple windows or Split-View to work on different parts of your project simultaneously.Light and Dark Modes
The app offers light and dark modes, as well as customizable color themes, allowing you to personalize the interface to your preference.Security and Privacy
The app ensures your projects are private and protected with code or Face/Touch ID, and automatic backups are available for added security.Progress Tracking
You can set goals and track your progress, with configurable widgets to display your progress bar on your home screen (on iOS).Additional Features
To keep you engaged and motivated, Story Planner includes features like:Revision Mode
This allows you to review the entire structure of your story and make necessary adjustments.Info Buttons
These provide additional information about the planning and creative process, helping you stay informed and on track. Overall, Story Planner’s user interface is streamlined, intuitive, and packed with features that make story planning efficient and enjoyable. StoryPlanner - Key Features and Functionality
Main Features of Story Planner
Story Planner is a comprehensive writing tool that helps writers, screenwriters, producers, directors, and other storytellers in organizing and developing their fiction projects. Here are the key features and how they work:Project Organization
- Create Custom Projects: You can create multiple projects and categorize them using tags or move them to different status folders like “in progress” and “completed”.
- Project Settings: Customize each project by specifying the type of story structure and the fields to be displayed within each project’s section. This allows you to use a project as a template for future projects by duplicating it.
Character and Location Management
- Characters Tab: Create detailed character profiles, including photos. Use tags to organize characters and a Search & Filter tool to find them easily.
- Locations Tab: Develop location cards with information and images. Organize locations with tags and link them to specific scenes in your story.
Plot and Scene Management
- Plots Tab: Create plotlines and assign them different colors for a high-level overview of your story. This helps in tracking different threads using plot colors and tags.
- Scenes Tab: Create a full list of scenes, organize the structure, link scenes to other story elements, and start forming your manuscript. You can write scenes in any order and reorganize them later using Drag & Drop.
Notes and Statistics
- Notes Tab: Create and organize notes using tags and a Search & Filter tool.
- Statistics Tab: View statistics on your story, including the real-time duration, the number of scenes each character appears in, and the most frequently used locations. This helps in identifying any inconsistencies quickly.
Writing and Revision
- Scene Cards: Use the “Description” field in Scene Cards to write your manuscript within Story Planner. This allows you to carry out the entire writing process from idea conception to drafting.
- Revision Mode: Preview and review your manuscript, customize the information displayed, and export the manuscript from this mode.
Sync and Export Options
- Sync Across Devices: Sync your projects via iCloud and access them on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. This ensures you can work on your projects anywhere.
- Export Options: Compile your project into a single document for sharing or printing. You can export to various formats including Word, Scrivener 2 and 3, Final Draft, and Ulysses.
Productivity and Safety Features
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Use keyboard shortcuts to boost productivity on your Mac and iPad.
- Light and Dark Modes: Customize the app with light and dark modes and set your favorite color theme.
- Protection and Backups: Protect your projects with code or Face/Touch ID and enjoy automatic backups for safety.
AI Integration
While Story Planner itself does not explicitly integrate AI features, it is a highly organized and intuitive tool that streamlines the writing process. The app’s functionality is based on user input and organization rather than AI-driven automation. In summary, Story Planner is a powerful tool that helps writers organize and develop their stories through various tabs, customization options, and export features, all without relying on AI for its core functionalities. StoryPlanner - Performance and Accuracy
Performance and Accuracy of Story Planner
Planning and Organization
Story Planner, both the website and the app, are geared towards helping writers organize and plan their stories effectively. The tools offer various templates and methods to suit different writing styles, allowing writers to outline novels, screenplays, and short stories with ease. The app, in particular, enables users to create custom projects, organize them by tags, and archive projects to keep them organized.Structure and Detail
The platform allows writers to divide their story into acts, parts, chapters, or episodes and develop the structure scene by scene. This includes creating detailed characters and locations, adding images, and organizing plot lines with color coding and tags. This level of detail helps in maintaining consistency and coherence throughout the story.Efficiency and Productivity
Planning with Story Planner can significantly speed up the writing process. By outlining key events, character backstories, and plot points beforehand, writers can avoid common pitfalls such as plot holes and inconsistencies that often arise from improvising (or “pantsing”) without a plan. This approach ensures that every scene written is relevant to the larger story, reducing the need for extensive revisions later on.Flexibility and Accessibility
The Story Planner app is highly flexible, allowing users to work on their projects across multiple devices via iCloud sync. It offers features like split-view on iPad, multiple windows on Mac, and keyboard shortcuts to boost productivity. The app also supports exporting work to various formats, including Word, Scrivener, Final Draft, and Ulysses, making it easy to transition to other writing tools if needed.User Feedback and Improvement
Users have generally positive feedback about the app, praising its ease of use and comprehensive features. However, there are some areas for improvement. For example, users have suggested adding the ability to write dialogue within each scene and more detailed character profiles, such as sections for likes and dislikes. The developers are receptive to these suggestions and are working to incorporate them into future updates.Limitations
One of the main limitations mentioned by users is the lack of certain features, such as the ability to write dialogue directly within the app. Additionally, some users have suggested improvements like allowing multiple selections for copying characters to several projects at once. While these features are not currently available, the developers are actively considering user feedback for future updates.Privacy and Security
The app ensures user privacy and security with features like protection by code or Face/Touch ID, automatic backups, and the assurance that the developers cannot access user projects.Conclusion
In summary, Story Planner is a valuable tool for writers, offering a structured approach to planning and organizing stories. Its strengths lie in its ease of use, flexibility, and the ability to maintain detailed and coherent story outlines. While there are some areas for improvement, the platform is generally well-regarded by users and continues to evolve based on user feedback. StoryPlanner - Pricing and Plans
The Pricing Structure of Story Planner
The pricing structure of Story Planner is straightforward and caters to different needs of writers. Here are the details of the various plans and their features:
Story Planner Basic
- This plan is completely free.
- You can choose from all available Story Plans.
- You are limited to using one Story Plan template at a time.
- You can save and edit one Story Plan.
- You can export your finished Story Plan to PDF, text, email, or a Word document.
- To create a new plan, you will need to delete your old one.
Story Planner Premium
- This plan offers unlimited use of multiple Story Plans.
- You can keep all your ideas and plans for each project together.
- You can save and edit unlimited Story Plans.
- You can export unlimited Story Plans to PDF, text, email, or to a Word document.
- You can create new plans whenever inspiration strikes.
- The Premium membership costs $15 for three months or $40 for a year, which works out to $3.33 per month.
Key Differences
- The main difference between the Basic and Premium plans is the number of Story Plans you can use and edit. The Basic plan limits you to one plan, while the Premium plan allows for unlimited plans.
- With Premium, you also get a neat display of all your project files in the ‘My Story Plan’ section of your account, making it easier to manage multiple projects.
This structure ensures that writers can start planning their stories for free and upgrade to the Premium plan if they need more flexibility and features.
StoryPlanner - Integration and Compatibility
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Story Planner is available on multiple platforms, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This allows you to access and work on your projects from any of these devices, ensuring continuity and convenience. The app syncs your projects via iCloud, enabling you to access them on all your Apple devices.
Export Options
One of the strong features of Story Planner is its extensive export options. You can compile your project into a single document and export it to various formats and software, such as Word, Scrivener 2 and 3, Final Draft, and Ulysses (using the Word files option). This flexibility allows you to integrate your work with other popular writing tools and software, making it easy to share or continue working on your project in different environments.
Integration with Writing Software
Story Planner’s export features make it compatible with a range of writing software. For example, you can export your work directly to Scrivener, Final Draft, or Ulysses, which are popular tools among writers. This integration ensures that you can leverage the strengths of multiple tools in your writing process.
Cloud Sync and Accessibility
The app uses iCloud for syncing, which means your projects are always up-to-date across all your devices. This cloud-based synchronization ensures that you can work on your story from anywhere, at any time, without worrying about losing your work or having to manually transfer files between devices.
Multiple Windows and Split-View
On Mac and iPad, Story Planner supports multiple windows and Split-View, respectively. This feature enhances productivity by allowing you to work on different parts of your project simultaneously, such as outlining and writing scenes, or referencing notes while drafting.
Conclusion
In summary, Story Planner offers comprehensive integration and compatibility, making it a versatile tool that fits seamlessly into various writing workflows across different devices and platforms.
StoryPlanner - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
For users of Story Planner, several customer support options and additional resources are available to ensure a smooth and productive writing experience.
Customer Support Channels
Users can reach out to the Story Planner team through various social media platforms. You can contact them on Instagram and Twitter for any questions or feedback you might have about the app.
Help and Blog Resources
The Story Planner website has a dedicated blog and help page that provide detailed guides and tips on how to use the app effectively. These resources include step-by-step instructions on creating and setting up new projects, organizing your story, and utilizing the various features of the app.
Project Guides and Tutorials
The website offers a comprehensive guide on getting started with Story Planner, including how to create and customize projects, organize characters, locations, and plots, and how to write and export your manuscript. This guide helps users make the most out of the app’s features.
News and Updates
To stay informed about new features and updates, users can check the News & Guides category on the Story Planner blog or join their newsletter. Following the app’s social media accounts is also a good way to stay updated on any new developments.
Community Engagement
While there isn’t a specific mention of a community forum, engaging with the Story Planner team on social media can connect you with other users and the developers, allowing for shared experiences and tips.
By leveraging these resources, users can ensure they are making the most out of Story Planner and can address any issues or questions they may have efficiently.
StoryPlanner - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Time Efficiency
AI-driven writing tools, similar to those described in the sources, can significantly speed up the writing process. They can generate plot ideas, character descriptions, and narrative passages quickly, helping writers overcome writer’s block and meet deadlines.Organizational Help
Story planning templates and AI tools can help keep the overall plot structure and subplots organized. This can include outlining the story, developing character arcs, and maintaining consistency in character details.Creative Inspiration
These tools can serve as a creative partner, generating ideas, plot twists, and character motivations. They can also help in brainstorming and exploring new directions in the story.Multi-Format Support
AI writing tools often support various formats such as prose, screenplays, and stage plays, making them versatile for different types of writers.Cost-Effective
Using AI writing tools can save money by reducing the need to hire ghostwriters or other writing services.Disadvantages
Lack of Empathy and Creativity
AI-generated content may lack the personal touch and emotional depth that a human writer can provide. The content can sometimes feel generic and bland, missing the unique voice and creativity of a human author.Dependence on Algorithms
Story templates and AI tools can prescribe traditional story structures, making it difficult to deviate from these structures and potentially limiting the writer’s creativity.Quality Concerns
While AI tools can save time and money, they may compromise on the quality of the content. The generated text might need significant editing to match the writer’s vision and maintain high standards.Character and Plot Limitations
AI tools, although advanced, may not fully capture the nuances and complexities of human characters and plot developments. There is a risk that the characters and plot may feel less authentic or less engaging compared to those created by a human writer. In summary, while AI-driven writing tools like those that might be offered by StoryPlanner can offer significant advantages in terms of time efficiency, organizational help, and creative inspiration, they also come with potential drawbacks such as a lack of empathy and creativity, dependence on algorithms, and quality concerns. StoryPlanner - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing Story Planner with Other Writing Tools
When comparing Story Planner with other writing tools in its category, several key features and differences stand out.
Unique Features of Story Planner
- Comprehensive Story Organization: Story Planner offers a detailed and intuitive way to organize your stories, including the ability to create custom projects, organize by tags, archive projects, and take notes within each project. It allows you to link all elements of your story together and create detailed characters and locations with images.
- Sync and Export Options: The app syncs across all your devices via iCloud, allowing access on Mac, iPad, and iPhone. It also offers various export options, including PDF, Word, Scrivener, Final Draft, and Ulysses.
- Revision Mode and Progress Tracking: Story Planner includes a Revision Mode to review and edit your outline, as well as tools to set goals and track your progress. You can also configure widgets to see your progress bar on your home screen.
- Privacy and Security: The app emphasizes privacy, with protection by code or Face/Touch ID and automatic backups.
Alternatives and Their Key Features
Plottr
- Scene and Plot Arrangement: Plottr allows easy arrangement and rearrangement of scenes, plots, and character arcs. It offers over a dozen templates based on proven storytelling techniques and simplifies the process of exporting your outline to start writing.
- Templates and Export: Unlike Story Planner, Plottr focuses more on the arrangement of scenes and plots with predefined templates, making it easier to start from a structured outline.
LivingWriter
- Drag and Drop Organization: LivingWriter offers a drag-and-drop interface for organizing chapters and story elements. It suggests story elements as you write and allows you to use outlines from famous movies and stories.
- Affordability: LivingWriter is priced at $8.99 per month, which is more budget-friendly compared to some of the other alternatives.
Storyist
- Rich Text Editor and Templates: Storyist provides a rich text editor with support for comments, images, and style sheets. It includes templates for screenplays and manuscripts, allowing for professional formatting without the hassle.
- Index Cards and Cloud Storage: Storyist allows you to create and display index cards alongside your manuscript, and it stores your projects in the cloud for easy access.
AI-Driven Writing Tools (Though Not Direct Competitors)
While Story Planner is not an AI-driven writing tool, it’s worth mentioning some AI tools that can complement or offer different functionalities:
KoalaWriter
- AI-Powered Content Creation: KoalaWriter uses GPT-4 and Google’s AI technologies to produce high-quality content quickly. It excels in SEO-optimized content and is suitable for various types of content, including blog posts and social media content.
- User-Friendly Interface: KoalaWriter has an intuitive interface but is more focused on generating content rather than organizing and outlining stories.
Jasper
- Content Creation at Scale: Jasper supports both short-form and long-form content creation and is known for its speed and SEO optimization. However, it requires additional editing, especially for long-form content.
- Multi-Language Support: Jasper can write in 25 languages and offers a Google Docs-style editor, but it is more expensive compared to other AI writing tools.
Conclusion
Story Planner stands out for its comprehensive story organization features, ease of use, and seamless sync across devices. If you are looking for a tool specifically to outline and organize your stories, Story Planner is a strong choice. However, if you need additional AI-driven content generation or different organizational approaches, alternatives like Plottr, LivingWriter, or Storyist might be more suitable. For those who also need AI assistance in generating content, tools like KoalaWriter or Jasper could be considered as complementary solutions.
StoryPlanner - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Story Planner for Writers
Q: What is Story Planner for Writers, and what does it do?
Story Planner for Writers is a powerful tool for plotting novels, screenplays, and any fiction story. It helps writers, screenwriters, producers, and directors organize their projects, create detailed characters and locations, and structure their plots efficiently. It offers features like project organization, note-taking, scene development, and export options to various formats.
Q: How do I organize my projects in Story Planner?
You can create custom projects, organize them by tags, and archive projects to keep them out of the way but still accessible. You can also take notes within each project and easily switch between different parts of your project. The app allows you to divide your structure into acts, parts, chapters, or episodes and develop the structure scene by scene.
Q: Can I sync my projects across different devices?
Yes, Story Planner allows you to sync your projects via iCloud, so you can access them on your Mac, iPad, and iPhone. This ensures that your work is always available and up-to-date across all your devices.
Q: What export options are available in Story Planner?
You can export your projects to various formats, including a single document for sharing or printing, Word, Scrivener 2 and 3, Final Draft, and Ulysses (with the Word files option). You can also choose the parts of your project you want to export and select the appearance of the exported files.
Q: How secure is my data in Story Planner?
Story Planner prioritizes privacy and security. Your projects are private, and the developers cannot access them. The app offers protection via code or Face/Touch ID and automatic backups to ensure your work is safe.
Q: Are there any subscription or in-app purchase requirements?
No, Story Planner does not include in-app purchases or subscriptions. Once you buy the app, you have access to all its features without any additional costs. The iOS version costs $7.99, and the macOS version costs $12.99.
Q: Can I customize the appearance and functionality of Story Planner?
Yes, you can customize the app to suit your preferences. It offers light and dark modes, and you can set your favorite color theme. Additionally, you can configure widgets to see the progress bar on your home screen (on iOS) and use keyboard shortcuts to boost your productivity.
Q: How can I track my progress and set goals in Story Planner?
You can set deadlines and goals for your projects and track your progress. The app provides widgets to keep you motivated, and you can use the Revision Mode to review and edit your outline. It also offers stats to help you better understand how your story works.
Q: Is there any support or resources available if I need help with Story Planner?
Yes, you can check the Story Planner YouTube Channel for tutorial videos, visit their website for more information, or contact the support team via email or Twitter. They are always happy to assist with any questions or suggestions you might have.
Q: Can I use Story Planner on multiple devices simultaneously?
Yes, Story Planner supports multiple windows on your Mac and Split-View on your iPad, allowing you to work on different parts of your project simultaneously.
If you have any more specific questions or need further details, it’s best to check the official website or contact the support team directly.
StoryPlanner - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Story Planner
Who Would Benefit Most:
Story Planner is an invaluable tool for a wide range of storytellers, including novelists, screenwriters, producers, directors, and even RPG masters. Whether you are a professional writer or just starting out, this app can significantly enhance your writing process. It is particularly beneficial for those who struggle with organizing their ideas, developing characters and plotlines, and managing the structural aspects of their stories.
Key Features and Benefits:
- Organization: Story Planner allows you to create custom projects, organize them by tags, and archive them for easy access. You can take notes, develop detailed characters and locations, and add images to make profiles more complete.
- Plot Development: The app helps you link all elements of your story together, organize plot lines using color codes, and divide your structure into acts, parts, chapters, or episodes. You can write scenes in any order and reorganize them later using the Drag & Drop feature.
- Productivity Tools: It includes features like quick search and filter tools, split-view on iPad, multiple windows on Mac, and keyboard shortcuts to boost productivity. You can also set goals, track progress, and configure widgets to see your progress bar.
- Export and Sharing: Story Planner allows you to compile your work into a single document, export to various formats (including Word, Scrivener, Final Draft, and Ulysses), and print or create PDF files.
- Privacy and Safety: The app ensures your projects are private, protected by code or Face/Touch ID, and automatically backed up.
User Experience:
Users have praised Story Planner for its ease of use and effectiveness in outlining stories. It encourages writers to consider the “why” behind their creative choices, helping to lay a solid foundation for their stories. The developer is also highly responsive to feedback, which ensures the app is continuously improved.
Overall Recommendation:
Story Planner is a must-have tool for any writer looking to streamline their story development process. Its intuitive interface, comprehensive features, and seamless integration across devices make it an essential part of any writer’s toolkit. Whether you’re working on a novel, screenplay, or any other form of fiction, Story Planner can save you countless hours of rewrites and help you produce well-structured and engaging stories. Given its reasonable pricing and lack of in-app purchases, it offers great value for writers at all levels. If you’re serious about improving your writing process, Story Planner is definitely worth considering.