best apps for plotting a novel

Scrivener is a great app. It allows you to organize your ideas, characters, and plotlines easily. You can create folders for different chapters, write detailed character sketches, and outline the plot in a flexible way. Another good one is Plottr. It offers visual plotting tools, like timelines and story maps, which can help you see the overall structure of your novel clearly. And yWriter is also popular. It focuses on helping you break down your novel into manageable parts and keep track of your progress as you plot and write.

Aeon Timeline is very useful for novels with time - sensitive plots. It helps you maintain a clear timeline of events. Evernote is a multi - purpose app that can be used for collecting plot ideas. You can create notebooks specifically for your novel's plot ideas. Trello is good for those who like a more hands - on, movable approach to plotting. You can drag and drop elements to re - order your plot.

In my opinion, 'Story Engineering' by Larry Brooks is a great choice. It focuses on the fundamental elements of story architecture. It talks about concepts like character arcs in relation to the plot, and how to create tension and conflict at the right moments. It gives a comprehensive view of how to construct a plot that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

I would recommend 'Outlining Your Novel' by K.M. Weiland. It provides in - depth guidance on outlining, which is crucial for plotting. Additionally, 'Writing the Blockbuster Novel' by Albert Zuckerman gives you a peek into how to create plots that will keep readers hooked. Also, 'The Anatomy of Story' by John Truby is excellent as it analyzes different plot types and how to use them effectively.

Novelize. It is a great free option for plotting a novel. It offers templates to start with, which can be customized according to your needs. You can map out your plot, develop characters, and plan the overall arc of your story all in one place.

One major difference is the length of the plot development. In a series, there is more room for extended plot arcs over multiple installments. For example, a TV series can have a season - long mystery that unfolds gradually. In a novel, the plot usually has to be more tightly contained within the length of the book. Also, in a series, characters can have more complex development across different episodes or books in the series. In a novel, character development is often more focused within the single narrative.

Both require a strong central idea. Whether it's a series like 'Breaking Bad' or a novel like 'To Kill a Mockingbird', there needs to be a core concept that drives the story forward. Also, character motivation is important in both. The characters need to have reasons for their actions, like the complex motives of the characters in the 'Sherlock' series and those in a detective novel.

Scrivener is a great app for writing novels. It has features like organizing your manuscript into sections, taking notes, and setting writing goals. It helps you keep your ideas in order and is suitable for both beginners and experienced writers. Another good one is Ulysses. It offers a distraction - free writing environment with a clean interface. You can also easily manage your chapters and export your work in various formats.

A third alternative is Plottr. It offers a visual way to plot your multi - pov novel. You can create different storylines for each POV and then see how they all interact and connect. This can be really helpful in making sure that the different POVs are well - integrated and the overall plot is coherent.

Well, 'Plot & Structure' by James Scott Bell is among the best. It gives insights into creating engaging plots and how to build tension. Then there's 'How to Write a Damn Good Novel' by James N. Frey. It touches on various aspects of fiction writing including plotting. Also, 'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamott has some valuable advice on getting your story's plot together, even though it's not solely focused on plotting.