# PlotForge - Novel Writing & Story Development Software

> Plan, draft, and revise novels with professional organization tools and optional AI assistance.

## Product Summary

PlotForge is a comprehensive story development platform for novelists, screenwriters, and worldbuilders. It combines manual-first organization tools (outlines, character development, worldbuilding, timelines) with optional AI assistance that respects your creative vision. The Story Compass feature ensures every tool—manual or AI—stays aligned with your theme, conflicts, and world rules.

## Key Features

- **Story Compass**: Centralized guidance system for theme, conflicts, world rules, and character goals
- **Professional Story Templates**: 3-Act, Hero's Journey, Save the Cat, 7-Point Plot, Freytag's Pyramid
- **Character Relationship Mapping**: 8 relationship types with strength ratings and evolution tracking
- **Worldbuilding System**: 60+ specialized fields across locations, factions, magic, history, culture, technology
- **Visual Timeline**: 3 viewing modes (story, historical, combined) with act/character filtering
- **Smart Import**: Manuscript, chapter, and character sheet import with AI extraction
- **Project Cloning**: Duplicate projects for series continuity with granular copy options
- **Scene Surgery**: AI-powered editing for full chapters or selected text passages
- **AI Chat Assistant**: Context-aware brainstorming that respects your Story Compass
- **Voice Engine** (Pro): Train AI on your writing samples for voice-matched prose
- **Consistency Tracking**: Plot hole detection and continuity management across series
- **Professional Exports**: JSON backups (free), DOCX/PDF packages (Pro)

## Pricing

- **Free**: 1 project, 8,000 AI words/month, 20 chat messages/month
- **Starter** ($19/mo): 3 projects, 50,000 AI words/month, 100 chat messages/month
- **Pro** ($39/mo): Unlimited projects, 200,000 AI words/month, 500 chat messages/month, Voice Engine

## Target Users

- Novelists (fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction)
- Screenwriters developing scripts and treatments
- Worldbuilders creating complex fictional universes
- Series authors managing continuity across multiple books
- NaNoWriMo participants needing fast organization
- Plotters who plan everything before drafting
- Pantsers who organize after writing
- Hybrid writers using both approaches

## Key Pages

- Homepage: https://plotforge.app/
- Features: https://plotforge.app/features
- User Guide: https://plotforge.app/user-guide
- Pricing: https://plotforge.app/pricing
- Blog: https://plotforge.app/blog
- Demo Project: https://plotforge.app/projects/demo-project-starfall-odyssey
- Novel-in-30 Challenge: https://plotforge.app/challenge

## Documentation

The User Guide covers:
- Smart Import (manuscript, chapter, character sheet)
- Project Cloning for series writers
- Story Compass guidance system
- Professional story structure templates
- Character relationship mapping
- Worldbuilding system (60+ fields)
- Visual timeline view
- Cross-referencing system
- AI outline generation (optional)
- Scene-by-scene planning
- Scene Surgery editing
- AI Chat Assistant
- Voice Engine (Pro feature)
- Draft chapter workflow
- Consistency tracking
- Professional exports

## Differentiators

1. **Manual-First Design**: All features work without AI; AI is optional enhancement
2. **Story Compass Alignment**: Every tool (manual or AI) references your creative brief
3. **Privacy-First**: Secure cloud workspace, no training on user data
4. **Voice-Safe AI**: Voice Engine preserves your unique writing style
5. **Series-Ready**: Project cloning and continuity tracking for multi-book authors
6. **Comprehensive Worldbuilding**: 60+ specialized fields vs. generic note-taking
7. **Professional Templates**: 5 proven story structures built-in
8. **Generous Free Tier**: 8,000 AI words/month, no credit card required

## Support

- Email: support@plotforge.app
- Discord: https://discord.gg/YN8p53SRqY
- Privacy Policy: https://plotforge.app/privacy
- Terms of Service: https://plotforge.app/terms

## Technology Stack

- Next.js 14 (App Router)
- React 18
- TypeScript
- Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL
- NextAuth.js for authentication
- Stripe for payments
- OpenAI GPT-4 and Anthropic Claude for AI features
- TailwindCSS for styling

## SEO Keywords

novel writing software, story development platform, worldbuilding tools, character development software, outline generator, manuscript planning, fiction writing app, series bible software, plot hole detection, AI writing assistant, novel planning software, screenwriting software, story structure templates, timeline software for writers, consistency tracking, manuscript import, project cloning for series

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Last updated: January 2025
Version: 2.0