best programs for planning stories

Scrivener is excellent for story planning. It has features that help you break down your story into manageable parts. For example, you can set word count goals for each section. Plottr is also a good one. It focuses on plotting and allows you to create timelines, plot arcs, and connect different plot points easily. It gives you a clear overview of your story's structure. Then there's Google Docs. It's simple but effective. You can use headings to separate different aspects of your story plan and collaborate with others if needed.

Yes, there is. LibreOffice Writer is a free alternative. It has a similar set of features to Microsoft Word in terms of basic writing and formatting capabilities. You can write, edit, and format your story with ease using this program.

Another free one is yWriter. It focuses on helping you organize your novel. You can break your story into chapters and scenes, and it has features to keep track of your characters and their details.

The University of Texas at El Paso offers an excellent online MFA program for short stories. Their program often includes workshops where students can get feedback on their short story drafts from peers and instructors. Lindenwood University's online MFA also stands out. It offers flexibility in terms of study schedule, which is great for those who want to focus on short story writing while managing other commitments. Additionally, the University of Nebraska - Omaha has an online MFA with a good reputation for short story instruction. They have courses specifically designed to enhance the skills needed for writing engaging short stories.

Scrivener is a great program. It has features like organizing your chapters, scenes, and research materials all in one place. You can easily move sections around and keep track of your plot lines. Another one is Google Docs. It's free, cloud - based, so you can access your work from anywhere. It also has basic formatting and sharing options which are useful for getting feedback on your novel.

Scrivener is a great one. It has features like corkboard view where you can easily jot down and organize your plot points, characters, and settings in a visual way. It also allows for easy re - ordering of sections, which is very useful for novel outlining.

Microsoft Word is also a top choice. It's widely used and has a lot of formatting options. You can customize the font, paragraph styles, and it has a reliable spell - check. It's easy to save your work and share it with others.

The Columbia University MFA in Fiction is among the best. It has a rich history and a faculty that consists of accomplished writers. The program emphasizes both the craft of writing and the exploration of different literary styles. In addition, the University of Virginia's MFA program for fiction is notable. It offers a combination of workshops, seminars, and one - on - one mentoring to help students develop their writing skills.

Scrivener is a great one. It has features like organizing your manuscript into sections, doing research within the program, and setting writing goals. It helps you keep all your ideas and drafts in one place, making the novel - writing process more organized.

The best process for planning a story involves multiple steps. Initially, do some research if needed, especially if your story is set in a specific time or place. Then, determine the point of view, whether it's first - person, third - person, etc. Create a rough timeline for the story events. Consider the emotions you want to evoke in the readers. For instance, if you want them to feel excited, plan action - packed scenes. Also, leave room for unexpected twists and turns in the plot. This makes the story more engaging and unpredictable.