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Writer's pictureDani Clifton

Plot Control to Major Tom: Digital Tools for Story Management

Have you ever gotten lost and overwhelmed while crafting your story? I have, and there’s nothing more frustrating. Story management is about taking control of your narrative. It’s the very backbone that keeps everything organized, coherent, and engaging.


digital plotter

Old-school pen and paper files work, but digital tools not only help you centralize your story elements; they also help you track your progress, simplify outlining, facilitate collaboration, and automate tasks.


Using digital tools helps reduce administrative burdens, boost productivity, and improve your narrative consistency and quality. This allows you more time and freedom for creative exploration and ultimately, will enhance your writing process.


An effective digital management tool typically offers key features like organization and structure through outlining and character tracking, collaboration and feedback via real-time commenting and version control, and accessibility and portability through cloud-based storage and mobile app access. Additionally, they provide customization and flexibility through user-defined workflows, templates, and integration with other tools and software.


There’s a multitude of digital tools available to support the various aspects of story management. Writing software like Scrivener and Final Draft are designed for novel, script, and screenplay development. Note-taking apps like Evernote and OneNote, or mind-mapping tools like MindMeister and Coggle, are good for organizing ideas and characters.


Tools like Plottr provide structured frameworks to help you create detailed character profiles and outline your story plots. Plottr aids in visualizing how characters interact within the storyline, and can help you maintain consistency and depth in character development throughout your narrative. These tools streamline the creative process by organizing information and facilitating a deeper exploration of character dynamics and plot progression.


Collaboration platforms like Trello and Asana provide a structured environment for teamwork and feedback. They improve task management by allowing team members to create and assign tasks, set deadlines, and track progress in a centralized location.


These platforms also enhance communication through real-time updates, commenting and discussion, and file sharing. They help increase productivity through streamlined workflows, time tracking, reporting, and analytics. Additionally, collaboration platforms promote better feedback and accountability by tracking task completion rates, enabling peer feedback, and performance monitoring.


Cloud-based storage solutions like Google Drive and Dropbox simplify document access by allowing users to store, access, and share files from any device with internet connectivity. This eliminates the need for physical storage media and facilitates real-time collaboration, as multiple users can edit documents simultaneously, enhancing productivity and teamwork across different locations.


Time management tools such as Pomodoro timers and digital calendars enhance focused writing by structuring work into manageable intervals, typically 25 minutes of work followed by a short break, which helps maintain concentration and reduce burnout. Calendars allow writers to schedule these sessions, set deadlines, and allocate time for research or editing, ensuring a disciplined approach to writing.


Some real-world examples, such as Neil Gaiman's use of Scrivener, show us how digital tools can significantly enhance story management. Scrivener helps to break down your work into smaller, manageable parts, rearrange sections easily, and keep research and notes within the same project file; this helps streamline your writing process and aids in the creation of complex narratives.


Another example of how digital tools can effectively manage extensive world-building and character details can be found in Patrick Rothfuss’s use of Evernote for his Kingkiller Chronicle series. Evernote enables Rothfuss to store, organize, and access notes from anywhere, ensuring that the intricate lore and character backstories he creates remain consistent and readily available.


The writers of “Game of Thrones” leveraged Celtx to manage the complex scripts and sprawling storylines of the series. Celtx provides a collaborative platform where scriptwriting, scene breakdown, and scheduling can be handled more efficiently, allowing the writing team to maintain coherence across their numerous plotlines and character arcs.


The production team of the film “The Lord of the Rings” used a custom-built tool to manage their storylines, characters, and world-building. Successful authors have utilized various tools to improve their writing process, while film and television productions have leveraged scriptwriting and story development tools to streamline their workflows. I’ve included these case studies to illustrate the practical benefits of digital tools in helping to manage complex stories, and hopefully enhance your writing process.


To successfully utilize digital story management tools, start by choosing the right tool for your needs. Set up a workflow and find a template that suits your writing style. To get the most out of these tools, establish a writing routine for yourself and stick to it. This may involve setting aside dedicated time to update your story outlines, character profiles, and other relevant documents, as well as experiment with different features and functions. Play with the tools until you find what works best for you.


Work smarter, not harder. Digital story management tools offer a range of benefits for writers, including improved organization, increased productivity, and enhanced creativity. By leveraging these tools, writers can streamline their workflow, focus on their craft, and produce high-quality content.


Plot control to Major Tom: find the right digital tools to help you manage your story. As technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that story management tools will become even more sophisticated. Ultimately, the future of story management and content creation will be shaped by the intersection of technology and creativity, offering exciting possibilities for writers and creators.


What digital tools do you utilize? Has it simplified your writing process? Let us know in the comments, and thank you for reading!

~Dani

 

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