This document provides an introduction to using the basic features of a story writing application. It outlines how to create a new project, add story cards representing scenes and chapters, link scenes together, add notes, organize scenes and chapters in a story stack, write scenes in a text editor, and view the manuscript. The key features covered are the workspace for organizing ideas, linking scenes, adding notes, rearranging in the story stack, and writing scenes in the text editor.

1. introduction for early adopters
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2. outlining in the workspace
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To start, select “New” from the story menu
and create a title for your project.

4. This is the basic workspace: a place to brainstorm,
organize, and connect your story.
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5. Story cards represent different scenes, chapters, and parts.
You can also use story cards to store ideas and notes.
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6. Drag and drop story cards– parts, chapters, scenes,
and notes— into the workspace.
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7. Right-click on a scene card to change its icon.
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8. Link scene cards together by
dragging one on to another.
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9. To add notes to a scene, right click on a
scene card and select “Contents.”
Later, these bulleted notes will also
appear in the text editor. 9

10. Back in the workspace, keep connecting scenes by
dragging a scene card onto another scene card.
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11. Drag and drop groups of scene cards into chapters.
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12. The scenes we just dragged into the
chapter are now dropped inside it.
You can also drag chapters into parts.
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13. To view your scenes inside a chapter, right click
on the chapter and select “Contents.”
Here, you can add notes to the chapter or to
individual scenes.
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14. You can also rearrange scenes inside the chapter.
To move a scene out of the chapter and back to the
workspace, drag the scene card to the workspace icon.
If you want to delete it, drag it to the trashcan.
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15. organizing with the story stack
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16. This is the story stack, where you place story cards
in the order you want them in your manuscript.
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17. Drag story cards into the story stack to view your work linearly.
Click the parts and chapters to reveal their contents.
You can rearrange the scenes here too, or drag them back into the
workspace to remove them.
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18. writing with the text editor
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19. Double-click on a story card to open the text editor.
You can also right-click on a story card and select
“Write.”
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20. The text editor is where you write the text of your story.
Click the check mark to return to the workspace.
(Your work is automatically saved.)
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21. Your chapter titles and chapter notes are visible at the top of the screen.
(Your chapter notes are just for you– they won’t be visible in your finished
manuscript.)
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22. Your scenes are matched up with your scene notes.
(Your scene titles and notes are just for you-- they won’t be
visible in your finished manuscript.)
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23. sharing your manuscript
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24. To view your manuscript in its polished form,
click “Manuscript.”
Your manuscript will only show story cards that you added to
the story stack. Everything else stays in the workspace.
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25. Your lovely manuscript opens in a new tab.
*More sharing/exporting options coming soon!
Your custom chapter titles remain visible, while your scene
titles and notes are hidden. 25

26. THANKS!
Please send us your questions, suggestions,
and bugs...
no issue is too small.
team@betternovelapp.com
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