Big News! Introducing the Outlining Your Novel Workbook Software

The various approaches authors bring to outlining their novels are vast. But the one thing we all have in common is the desire for an effective, streamlined process that helps us create a solid foundation for our stories—as painlessly as possible.

I have long been a proponent of outlining, through my many resources both here on the site and via my books Outlining Your Novel and the Outlining Your Novel Workbook. Hundreds of authors have written to tell me they’ve found the workbook an invaluable tool, both as a guided process in helping them brainstorm all the most important parts of their stories, and in giving them a place to actually write out and organize their notes.

But what happens when you need to transcribe your notes to the computer—or you begin a new book and need to start the workbook process all over again? What if you had a computer program for that—one that would let you do all the exercises and answer all the questions (and more) from the paperback workbook—and then transport your scene list to Word or Scrivener—and then let you start all over for your next book?

Whelp (you know what’s coming, right?), I am geek-squeaking all over the place with the announcement that the Outlining Your Novel Workbook software (available for PC, Mac, and international readers) is finally here!

Introducing the Outlining Your Novel Workbook Software

This project has been in the works for almost a year now, and I know many of you are just as excited as I am. So let me tell you the very cool story of how all this came about…

I have long been a connoisseur of organizational software that makes my writing process easier and simpler. That was why, when a user of my workbook emailed me a copy of a computer program he’d put together for himself, based on my Outlining Your Novel Workbook, I flipped out.

Meet Bob.

Programmer, novelist (and magician) Bob Miller from Minnesota is both the muscle and the brain behind the Outlining Your Novel Workbook program. He created the framework for an easy-to-use program that offers all the questions and exercises in my workbook, but in a fun, intuitive digital format that allows you to brainstorm your outline right onto the computer, then export scenes as needed—and reuse over and over again.

We’ve worked together to refine the program into a tool that can help writers figure out their premises, characters, story structures, and scene outlines.

Use the Outlining Your Novel Workbook Software to Take Your Stories to the Next Level

Join me for a full tour of the program!

(You can find lots more video tutorials and information on the Support page.)

The Outlining Your Novel Workbook program is a powerful brainstorming tool for writers. It is designed to help you discover the brilliant possibilities in your ideas, so you can create a solid story that will both entertain and move your readers.

Writing a novel is a complex process that often leaves writers uncertain about where to begin or what questions to ask. By applying an outlining approach to your writing (at any stage in the process), you can gain a big-picture view of your plot, character, and theme. You’ll be able to identify potential plot holes before they ever get started, dig past obvious ideas to those that are truly unique and interesting, and create a plot that taps into the power of a solid Three-Act Structure.

The Outlining Your Novel Workbook provides an intuitive and easy-to-use fill-in-the-blanks format that will guide you through every step of the process. Creating your own outline is as simple as starting on the first screen, using its prompts and lessons to work through your story in the most intuitive way, and clicking through the tabs at the top of the screen to access important sections such as Premise, Characters, and Settings.

Create your scene outline by identifying questions and plot holes still to be addressed, map your character’s arc and theme, and play with fun features that allow you to “cast” your characters and create story-specific playlists (which you can listen to without ever leaving the program).

When you’re finished, you can print your finished outline or export it to popular writing programs such as Scrivener to help write your first draft.

The Outlining Your Novel Workbook program makes outlining a fun and empowering process that will help you write your best story.

Features:

Outline – Create a story with a solid Three-Act plot structure and perfect scene structure.
Premise – Easy fill-in-the-blanks give you a perfect elevator pitch every time.
General Sketches – Brainstorm the big picture of your scene list, character arcs, and theme.
Character – Get to know your characters with an extensive character interview, featuring 100+ questions.
Settings – Keep track of your settings, explore your best options, and answer helpful world-building questions.
Fun Extras – Import your mind maps and world maps, keep track of your story’s timeline, cast your characters, and create story-specific musical playlists.
Print and Export – Print your outline or export your scene list for use in popular writing programs.

Mac Version Here – PC Version Here – International Version Here

(Please note: Due to the constraints of the programming engine, this software will only run on 64-bit computers. If your computer has more than 4 GB of RAM installed, it’s probably a 64-bit.  Most Windows 7, 8, and 10 operating systems are running 64 bits. However, earlier version of Windows, such as XP, are probably incompatible with the program. Check your system properties for a description your computer.)

Help Me Celebrate the Program’s Launch: Win Prizes!

What that’s? A squeal-worthy new computer program to help you write better isn’t enough? Well, of course, not! That’s why we have launch prizes too! For the rest of the week, you will have the opportunity to win one of three prizes:

Grand Prize Winner: A Writer’s Care Package, featuring:

Bark-covered pocket notebook
Handmade twig pencils
Roll-up pencil case
The Lost Book of Fantasy writing-music CD by Peter Gundry
“I write. What’s your superpower?” mug
$25 Starbucks gift card

Second-Place Winner: Three-month Audible subscription.

Third-Place Winner: Bookends

Bonus—Hourly Prize Today Only: E-book versions of my Outlining Your Novel and Bob Miller’s thriller novel The Smart Kid.

From 6 AM to 11 PM, I’ll be drawing a winner from the overall pool of contestants every hour for the digital version of my writing-craft book Outlining Your Novel, which is the perfect companion for the computer program, and Bob Miller’s “thriller with a heart” The Smart Kid. Winning this prize does not exclude you from the Grand Prize drawing on Saturday, but the sooner you enter this one, the better your chances of winning! Check back throughout the day to discover hourly winners, listed below:

6 AM: Cheryl Shih

7 AM: Ali

8 AM: Kate Duncan

9 AM: Jean

10 AM: David

11 AM: Lauren

12 PM: Melanie

1 PM: Terry

2 PM: Kristina

3 PM: Samantha

4 PM: Ted

5 PM: Kate

6 PM: Tom

7 PM: Nate

8 PM: Catherine Wu

9 PM: Hannah

10 PM: Maia Menschik

11 PM: Alexis

To Enter

The contest will run through Saturday, June 3rd. You can earn contest points and increase your chances of winning by sharing your “lucky URL.” The more people who enter via your URL, the more entries you gain for yourself. (Note: no purchase is necessary to enter.)

Good luck to everyone in the drawing, have fun, and thank you for helping Bob and me celebrate the launch of the Outlining Your Novel Workbook computer program! Happy outlining!

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