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PlotForge
PlotForge User Guide

Master PlotForge in Every Stage of Your Novel

This guide walks you through the entire PlotForge workflow, from outlining your story and planning scenes to drafting chapters, managing characters, and refining your manuscript with AI-powered tools.

Walkthrough Video

See PlotForge in Action

Watch this quick overview to learn exactly how to move through the PlotForge workflow before you dive into the step-by-step guide below.

📖 PlotForge User Guide

Welcome to PlotForge, the complete story development platform! This guide will help you master all features, from professional organization tools to optional AI assistance.

🎯 What is PlotForge?

PlotForge is a professional story development platform that works your way: manually, with AI assistance, or both. It provides comprehensive tools for story organization, character development, worldbuilding, timeline management, and consistency tracking. Use AI to jumpstart your work, or build everything by hand with professional tools designed for serious authors.

Who is PlotForge For?

  • Novelists writing fiction in any genre (fantasy, sci-fi, romance, mystery, thriller, literary)
  • Screenwriters developing scripts and treatments
  • Worldbuilders creating complex fictional universes
  • Plotters who plan everything before drafting
  • Pantsers who organize after writing
  • Hybrid writers who use both approaches
  • Series authors managing continuity across multiple books
  • NaNoWriMo participants needing fast organization and optional AI drafting
  • Professional authors who demand serious organizational tools

📥 Smart Import

PlotForge offers three powerful ways to import your existing work. All imports use AI to extract characters, worldbuilding, relationships, and more.

📚 Manuscript Import (New Project)

What it does: Upload a complete manuscript to create a new project with all your story data extracted automatically.

How to use it:

  1. From the Dashboard, click "New Project"
  2. Select "Import Manuscript"
  3. Drag and drop your file or click to browse
  4. Optionally enter a custom project title
  5. Click "Import Manuscript"
  6. Wait for AI analysis (may take 1-2 minutes for large manuscripts)

What Gets Extracted:

  • Full Chapter Text: All your writing, ready to continue editing
  • Story Outline: Acts and scenes with emotional arc data
  • Characters: Profiles with relationships, motivations, and arcs
  • Worldbuilding: Locations, factions, magic systems, cultures, history
  • Timeline Events: Major plot points in chronological order
  • Consistency Items: Character traits, plot points, and world rules

Limits: Up to 200,000 words per manuscript

📄 Chapter Import (Existing Project)

What it does: Add individual chapters to an existing project. AI analyzes each chapter and extracts new characters, worldbuilding, and consistency items to build your story bible incrementally.

How to use it:

  1. Open your project and go to the Draft tab
  2. Click "Import Chapter" button
  3. Upload a DOCX, TXT, or Markdown file containing your chapter
  4. Optionally set a custom chapter title
  5. Click "Import Chapter"

What Gets Extracted:

  • Chapter Content: Full text added to your chapters
  • New Characters: Any characters not already in your project
  • Worldbuilding Elements: Locations, factions, magic systems mentioned
  • Timeline Events: Major plot points from the chapter
  • Consistency Items: Facts that need tracking

Pro Tip: Import chapters one at a time to build up your story bible. Each import adds to your existing data without duplicating.

👥 Character Import (Existing Project)

What it does: Import character sheets, story bibles, or any document describing your characters. AI extracts detailed profiles and automatically links relationships between characters.

How to use it:

  1. Open your project and go to the Characters tab
  2. Click "Import Characters" button
  3. Upload a DOCX, TXT, or Markdown file with character descriptions
  4. Click "Import Characters"

What Gets Extracted:

  • Character Profiles: Name, role, age, background, personality
  • Motivations & Goals: What drives each character
  • Strengths & Weaknesses: Character traits and flaws
  • Relationships: Automatically linked between characters (allies, enemies, family, romantic, mentors, rivals)
  • Character Arcs: Development journey
  • Worldbuilding: Locations, factions, and elements mentioned in character backgrounds

Pro Tips:

  • Import a story bible to populate multiple characters at once
  • Relationships are automatically linked by character name
  • Existing characters are skipped (no duplicates)
  • Worldbuilding mentioned in character docs is also extracted

Import Best Practices

Supported Formats:

  • DOCX: Microsoft Word documents
  • Markdown: .md files from any text editor
  • Plain Text: .txt files

For Best Results:

  • Use clear chapter markers (e.g., "Chapter 1", "CHAPTER ONE", "Part I")
  • Named characters should appear more than once for detection
  • Include descriptive passages for better worldbuilding extraction
  • Consistent formatting helps AI identify structure

After Importing:

  • Review imported characters and add missing details
  • Check worldbuilding elements and expand with specialized fields
  • Use "AI from My Data" in the Outline tab to generate an outline from imported chapters
  • Use the Consistency Engine to scan for additional items

Availability: Starter and Pro plans only

📝 Story Planning & Organization

📋 Professional Story Structure Templates

What it does: Apply proven story structures with one click, then customize every beat manually or with AI assistance.

Available Templates:

  • 3-Act Structure: Classic beginning, middle, end with clear turning points
  • Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell's monomyth for epic adventures (12 stages)
  • Save the Cat: Blake Snyder's 15-beat screenplay structure
  • 7-Point Plot: Dan Wells' structure for tight plotting
  • Freytag's Pyramid: Traditional dramatic arc with rising/falling action

How to use it:

  1. Go to the "Outline" tab
  2. Click "Apply Template" dropdown
  3. Select your desired structure
  4. Template populates with pre-filled scene beats
  5. Customize every beat to fit your story
  6. Add, remove, or reorder scenes as needed
  7. Optionally use AI to expand any beat into full scenes

Pro Tips:

  • Try different templates to find what fits your story
  • Templates are starting points, so customize freely
  • Mix template scenes with your own original scenes
  • Perfect for learning story structure by doing

2. 👥 Character Relationship Mapping

What it does: Track complex character dynamics with structured relationship data.

8 Relationship Types:

  • Family: Parents, siblings, relatives with blood bonds
  • Romantic: Love interests, partners, past relationships
  • Friendship: Close friends, allies, confidants
  • Professional: Colleagues, business partners, co-workers
  • Antagonistic: Enemies, adversaries, opposing forces
  • Mentor/Student: Teachers, guides, apprentices
  • Rivalry: Competitors, rivals, challengers
  • Acquaintance: Casual connections, background characters

Features:

  • Strength Tracking: 1-10 scale from weak to very strong bonds
  • Status Monitoring: Past, Current, Developing, or Ended
  • Evolution Notes: Track how relationships change over time
  • Visual Cards: Color-coded relationship cards for instant recognition
  • Bidirectional: Define relationships from both character perspectives

How to use it:

  1. Go to "Characters" tab
  2. Select a character
  3. Scroll to "Relationship Mapping" section
  4. Click "Add Relationship"
  5. Select the other character
  6. Choose relationship type
  7. Set strength (1-10) and status
  8. Add description and evolution notes
  9. Save relationship

Pro Tips:

  • Map relationships before writing to understand dynamics
  • Update evolution notes as your story progresses
  • Use strength ratings to show relationship changes
  • Perfect for ensemble casts and multi-POV novels
  • Essential for romance, family sagas, and political intrigue

3. 🌍 Detailed Worldbuilding System (60+ Specialized Fields)

What it does: Create comprehensive world bibles with type-specific fields for every element.

6 Element Types:

Locations (10 fields)

  • Climate, Population, Government, Economy
  • Notable Features, Geography, Landmarks
  • Atmosphere, Dangers, Resources

Factions (12 fields)

  • Leader Name/Title, Member Count, Goals, Methods
  • Resources, Allies, Enemies, Territory
  • Structure, Beliefs, Reputation

Magic Systems (11 fields)

  • Source, Rules, Limitations, Cost
  • Users, Visual Effects, Learning Method
  • Rarity, Cultural Significance, Dangers, History

History (8 fields)

  • Date/Era, Key Figures, Location, Causes
  • Events, Consequences, Cultural Impact, Related Events

Culture (10 fields)

  • Language, Religion, Customs, Traditions
  • Taboos, Art/Music, Clothing, Food
  • Social Structure, Values

Technology (10 fields)

  • Function, Inventor, Creation Date, Rarity
  • Power Source, Limitations, Cost, Appearance
  • Cultural Impact, Military Use

How to use it:

  1. Go to "Worldbuilding" tab
  2. Click "Create Element"
  3. Select element type (Location, Faction, Magic, etc.)
  4. Fill in basic info (name, description)
  5. Expand "Detailed Fields" section
  6. Fill in relevant specialized fields
  7. Save element
  8. Cross-reference in scenes (see below)

Pro Tips:

  • Fill in 3-5 most relevant fields per element
  • Leave some fields blank if not applicable
  • Update fields as your world develops
  • Export world bible for reference while writing
  • Perfect for fantasy, sci-fi, and historical fiction
  • Essential for series continuity

4. 📅 Visual Timeline View (3 Modes)

What it does: Visualize your complete narrative timeline with filtering and organization.

3 Viewing Modes:

  • Story Timeline: All scenes from your outline in chronological order
  • Historical Timeline: Worldbuilding history events and backstory
  • Combined View: See how backstory relates to current events

Features:

  • Act Filtering: Focus on specific story sections
  • Character Filtering: Track individual character arcs
  • Summary Statistics: Scene count, character involvement
  • Color-Coded Dots: Purple for story events, blue for history
  • Scene Cards: Show title, description, and cross-references

How to use it:

  1. Go to "Timeline" tab
  2. Select viewing mode (Story, History, or Combined)
  3. Use filters to focus on specific acts or characters
  4. Scroll through chronological timeline
  5. Click any event to see full details
  6. Use for pacing analysis and continuity checking

Pro Tips:

  • Use combined view to see backstory context
  • Filter by character to ensure even distribution
  • Perfect for non-linear narratives and flashbacks
  • Essential for historical fiction and epic fantasy
  • Great for series planning across multiple books

5. 🔗 Complete Cross-Referencing System

What it does: Link every element of your story for total interconnectivity.

Cross-Reference Types:

  • Characters to Scenes: Track which characters appear where
  • Locations to Scenes: Map where events take place
  • World Elements to Scenes: Link factions, magic, technology to plot

Features:

  • Visual Badge Selection: Easy multi-select interface
  • Reverse Lookup: See all scenes featuring a character/location
  • Auto-Linking: AI-generated outlines include cross-references
  • Manual Linking: Add cross-references to any scene

How to use it:

  1. Go to "Outline" tab
  2. Select a scene
  3. Scroll to "Cross-References" section
  4. Click character/location/element badges to select
  5. Selected items show with colored badges
  6. Save scene with cross-references
  7. View cross-references in Timeline view

Pro Tips:

  • Cross-reference as you plan scenes
  • Use reverse lookup to track character appearances
  • Perfect for ensemble casts and complex worlds
  • Essential for mystery writers tracking clues
  • Great for ensuring consistent location descriptions

6. ✅ Smart Consistency Tracking

What it does: Track character traits, plot threads, and world rules manually or auto-populate from AI generation.

Features:

  • Auto-Population: AI-generated outlines create consistency items automatically
  • Manual Creation: Add your own tracking items
  • 3 Categories: Character, Plot, World
  • Chapter Scanning: Check chapters against tracked items
  • Reference Tagging: Mark items as "Generated from outline" or custom

How to use it:

  1. Go to "Consistency" tab
  2. View auto-populated items (if using AI generation)
  3. Click "Add Item" to create manual entries
  4. Select category (Character, Plot, World)
  5. Enter title and detailed content
  6. Save item
  7. Use "Scan Chapter" to check for inconsistencies

Pro Tips:

  • Review auto-populated items and edit as needed
  • Add custom items for unique story elements
  • Scan chapters before finalizing
  • Perfect for catching plot holes early
  • Essential for series continuity

🤖 AI-Powered Writing Tools

All AI features are optional. You can use PlotForge entirely manually if you prefer.

📝 Story Idea & Concept Development

What it does: The starting point for every project where you define your story's core concept.

Features:

  • Story Idea Input: Write a brief description of your story concept (can be as short as a sentence or as detailed as several paragraphs)
  • Genre Selection: Categorize your story (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Romance, Mystery, Thriller, etc.)
  • Theme Definition: Identify the central themes and messages of your story
  • Target Audience: Specify who you're writing for

How to use it:

  1. Create a new project from your dashboard
  2. Navigate to the "Idea" tab
  3. Enter your story concept in the text area
  4. Save your idea; this becomes the foundation for AI-generated outlines

Pro Tips:

  • Include key plot points, conflicts, or character dynamics in your idea
  • Mention the setting, time period, or unique world-building elements
  • The more detail you provide, the better the AI can generate relevant outlines

8. 📚 AI Outline Generation (Optional)

What it does: Optionally use AI to transform your story idea into a structured, multi-act outline with scenes, conflicts, and character arcs. Or build your outline manually using templates and tools.

AI Generation Features:

  • Multi-Act Structure: Automatically organizes your story into acts
  • Story Format Presets: Novel, Short Story, Screenplay, Novella
  • Scene Breakdown: Each act contains multiple scenes with descriptions
  • Conflict Mapping: Identifies key conflicts and tension points
  • Character Arc Integration: Weaves character development throughout
  • Pacing Guidance: Suggests climactic moments and quiet beats
  • Cross-References: Auto-links characters, locations, world elements to scenes
  • Relationship Generation: Creates character relationships automatically
  • Detailed Worldbuilding: Populates 60+ specialized fields
  • Consistency Items: Auto-creates tracking items for characters, plot, world

Manual Creation Options:

  • Apply story templates (see Phase 2 features above)
  • Build outline from scratch scene by scene
  • Mix AI-generated and manually created scenes
  • Edit every AI-generated element
  • Full control over all content

How to use AI generation:

  1. Go to the "Outline" tab
  2. Ensure you have a story idea in the "Idea" tab
  3. Select Story Format (Novel, Short Story, etc.)
  4. Click "Generate Outline" button
  5. Wait 30-60 seconds for AI generation
  6. Review generated acts, scenes, characters, worldbuilding
  7. Edit any element directly
  8. Add, remove, or reorder scenes
  9. Customize to fit your vision

Pro Tips:

  • AI generation is a starting point, so customize everything
  • Mix AI-generated content with your own original work
  • Use AI to overcome blank page paralysis
  • Or skip AI entirely and build manually
  • Perfect for rapid prototyping or learning story structure

3. ✍️ Chapter Drafting

What it does: Converts outline scenes into full-length chapter prose that matches your writing style.

Features:

  • Scene-to-Chapter Conversion: Select one or more scenes from your outline to draft into a chapter
  • Style-Aware Writing: AI adapts to your configured voice, tense, and preferences
  • Character Consistency: References your character profiles for accurate portrayal
  • Contextual Awareness: Considers previous chapters for continuity
  • Length Control: Generates chapters of appropriate length (typically 2,000-4,000 words)

How to use it:

  1. Navigate to the "Draft" tab
  2. Click "Create New Chapter"
  3. Select which outline scene(s) to base the chapter on
  4. Optionally provide additional instructions or context
  5. Click "Generate Chapter"
  6. Wait for AI to write the chapter (1-3 minutes depending on length)
  7. Review and edit the generated content
  8. Reorder chapters using drag-and-drop

Chapter Management:

  • Edit Chapters: Click any chapter to edit the content directly
  • Reorder Chapters: Drag chapters to rearrange their sequence
  • Delete Chapters: Remove chapters you don't want
  • Chapter Titles: Customize chapter titles at any time

Pro Tips:

  • Draft chapters in order for better continuity
  • Provide specific instructions for tone or focus
  • Use the refinement tools (see below) to polish drafts
  • Save frequently; your work auto-saves but manual saves ensure nothing is lost

4. 🎨 Text Refinement & Editing

What it does: Provides AI-powered editing tools to polish and improve your chapter content.

Refinement Options:

Expand

  • Adds more detail, description, and depth to selected text
  • Useful for: Fleshing out sparse scenes, adding sensory details, deepening emotional moments

Shorten

  • Condenses text while preserving key information
  • Useful for: Tightening pacing, removing redundancy, meeting word count targets

Regenerate

  • Rewrites selected text with a fresh approach
  • Useful for: Trying different angles, fixing awkward passages, exploring alternatives

Polish

  • Improves clarity, flow, and prose quality
  • Useful for: Polishing final drafts, fixing grammar, enhancing readability

How to use it:

  1. Open a chapter in the Draft tab
  2. Click the refinement button (Expand, Shorten, Regenerate, or Polish)
  3. Review the AI's suggested changes
  4. Accept or reject the changes
  5. Continue editing as needed

Pro Tips:

  • Refine in small sections for better control
  • Use "Regenerate" multiple times to see different versions
  • Combine refinement tools (e.g., expand then polish)
  • Always review AI suggestions; you're the final editor

5. ✂️ Scene Surgery: Precision Chapter Editing

What it does: Provides AI-powered analysis and targeted improvements for entire chapters or specific text selections. Scene Surgery is your precision editing tool for line-level improvements.

Two Powerful Modes:

Full Chapter Mode

  • Analyzes entire chapter structure, pacing, and content
  • Provides comprehensive improvement suggestions
  • Shows detailed metrics (word count, dialogue %, description %, action %)
  • Suggests 3-4 actionable improvements for the whole chapter

Selection Mode (NEW!)

  • Highlight specific text (sentences, paragraphs, dialogue exchanges)
  • Get targeted AI suggestions for only the selected passage
  • Perfect for line-level editing and precision improvements
  • Visual indicators show word count and selection status

Improvement Types:

  1. Pacing and Flow: Smooth transitions, better rhythm, improved scene progression
  2. Dialogue Naturalness: More authentic conversations, character voice consistency
  3. Emotional Impact: Deeper character emotions, stronger reader engagement
  4. Sensory Details: Rich descriptions, show-don't-tell improvements
  5. Scene Structure: Clear beats, better organization, stronger openings/closings

How to use Full Chapter Mode:

  1. Navigate to the "Draft" tab
  2. Find the chapter you want to improve
  3. Click "Scene Surgery" button
  4. Wait for AI analysis (shows metrics and suggestions)
  5. Review 3-4 improvement suggestions
  6. Click "Apply" on any suggestion
  7. AI rewrites the chapter with that improvement
  8. Review changes and save

How to use Selection Mode:

  1. Click "Edit" on a chapter to enter edit mode
  2. Highlight specific text you want to improve (e.g., a paragraph, dialogue, description)
  3. Cyan banner appears showing word count: "X words selected"
  4. Click "Scene Surgery (Selection)" button (has cyan ring)
  5. AI analyzes only your selected text
  6. Review targeted suggestions for that passage
  7. Click "Apply" on any suggestion
  8. AI returns improved version of selected text only
  9. Review and save changes

Scene Metrics Provided:

  • Word Count: Total words in chapter or selection
  • Dialogue Percentage: How much of the text is dialogue
  • Description Percentage: How much is narrative description
  • Action Percentage: How much is action/movement
  • Average Sentence Length: Helps identify pacing issues
  • Paragraph Count: Shows scene structure

Visual Indicators:

  • Selection Mode Badge: Shows "Selection Mode: X words" when text is selected
  • Cyan Ring: Highlights Scene Surgery button when in selection mode
  • Word Counter: Real-time display of selected word count
  • Analysis Panel: Shows metrics and suggestions with color-coded cards

How to use it:

  1. Open a chapter in the Draft tab
  2. Choose your mode:
    • Full Chapter: Just click "Scene Surgery"
    • Selection: Click "Edit", highlight text, then click "Scene Surgery (Selection)"
  3. Review AI analysis and suggestions
  4. Click "Apply" on the improvement you want
  5. Review the improved text
  6. Save your changes

Pro Tips:

  • Use Selection Mode for:

    • Fixing clunky dialogue exchanges
    • Enhancing specific descriptions
    • Tightening slow paragraphs
    • Improving scene transitions
    • Polishing opening/closing lines

  • Use Full Chapter Mode for:

    • Overall pacing analysis
    • Comprehensive structure review
    • Finding multiple improvement areas
    • Learning what needs work across the chapter

  • Workflow Tips:

    • Start with Full Chapter Mode to identify problem areas
    • Then use Selection Mode to fix specific issues
    • Save word count by only processing what needs improvement
    • Combine with other refinement tools for best results
    • Always review AI suggestions; you're the final editor

Example Use Cases:

  1. Dialogue Polish: Highlight a conversation, improve naturalness
  2. Description Enhancement: Select a sparse paragraph, add sensory details
  3. Pacing Tightening: Highlight a slow section, improve flow
  4. Emotional Deepening: Select a character moment, strengthen impact
  5. Opening Hook: Highlight first paragraph, make it more compelling

6. 👥 Character Development

What it does: Creates detailed character profiles with backstories, motivations, relationships, and arcs.

Character Profile Includes:

  • Basic Information: Name, age, appearance, occupation
  • Personality Traits: Core characteristics, quirks, habits
  • Backstory: Personal history, formative experiences
  • Motivations: Goals, desires, fears, internal conflicts
  • Relationships: Connections to other characters
  • Character Arc: How they change throughout the story
  • Voice & Dialogue: Speaking patterns and mannerisms

How to use it:

  1. Go to the "Characters" tab
  2. Click "Generate Character" or "Add Character"
  3. For AI generation:
    • Provide a brief character description or role
    • Specify any key traits or requirements
    • Click "Generate"
    • Review and edit the generated profile
  4. For manual creation:
    • Fill in the character profile fields
    • Add as much or as little detail as you want

Character Management:

  • Edit Characters: Update profiles as your story evolves
  • Delete Characters: Remove characters no longer needed
  • Reference in Drafting: AI uses character profiles when generating chapters
  • Export Characters: Download character sheets for reference

Pro Tips:

  • Create characters before drafting for better consistency
  • Include contradictions and flaws for depth
  • Update character arcs as your story develops
  • Generate supporting characters to populate your world

7. 🔄 Consistency Tracking

What it does: Helps you maintain continuity across your story by tracking important details.

Consistency Categories:

  • World-Building: Settings, locations, rules of your world
  • Plot Points: Key events, timelines, cause-and-effect chains
  • Character Details: Physical descriptions, relationships, knowledge
  • Magic/Technology Systems: Rules and limitations
  • Historical Events: Backstory, lore, world history
  • Custom Categories: Create your own tracking categories

Features:

  • Add Consistency Items: Document important details as you write
  • Reference System: Link items to specific chapters or scenes
  • Search & Filter: Quickly find tracked information
  • Edit & Update: Modify items as your story evolves

How to use it:

  1. Navigate to the "Consistency" tab
  2. Click "Add Item"
  3. Select a category
  4. Enter the title and details
  5. Optionally add a reference (chapter, scene, or page)
  6. Save the item

Pro Tips:

  • Add items as you write, not after
  • Track character eye colors, ages, and physical descriptions
  • Document your magic/tech system rules early
  • Note timeline events to avoid continuity errors
  • Review consistency items before drafting new chapters

8. 🎭 Style Configuration

What it does: Defines your writing voice and preferences so AI-generated content matches your style.

Style Settings:

Narrative Voice

  • First Person ("I walked into the room")
  • Second Person ("You walk into the room")
  • Third Person Limited ("She walked into the room")
  • Third Person Omniscient ("She walked into the room, unaware of the danger")

Tense

  • Past Tense ("She walked")
  • Present Tense ("She walks")
  • Future Tense ("She will walk")

Writing Guidelines

  • Do List: Techniques and elements to include
    • Examples: "Use vivid sensory details," "Include internal monologue," "Show don't tell"
  • Don't List: Things to avoid
    • Examples: "No purple prose," "Avoid adverbs," "Don't use passive voice"
  • Banned Phrases: Specific words or phrases to never use
    • Examples: Clichés, overused expressions, pet peeves

How to use it:

  1. Go to your project settings or the "Idea" tab
  2. Find the "Style Configuration" section
  3. Select your preferred voice and tense
  4. Add items to your Do/Don't lists
  5. List any banned phrases
  6. Save your settings

Pro Tips:

  • Configure style before generating outlines or chapters
  • Update style settings as you discover your voice
  • Be specific in your Do/Don't lists
  • Review generated content to refine your style rules
  • Different projects can have different styles

9. 🎤 The Voice Engine (PRO Only)

What it does: Analyzes your writing samples and trains the AI to match your unique voice. Pro-exclusive feature.

Voice Analysis Features:

  • Author Style Matching: See which famous authors your style resembles (e.g., "85% Hemingway")
  • Sentence Analysis: Average length, structure patterns, complexity
  • Vocabulary Assessment: Accessible, moderate, literary, or dense
  • Dialogue Ratio: Percentage of text that is dialogue
  • Pacing Descriptors: Brisk, measured, or languid
  • Tone Descriptors: Witty, dark, introspective, etc.

How to use it:

  1. Go to the "Idea" tab in your project
  2. Find "The Voice Engine" card (Pro users only)
  3. Click "Analyze Voice" to open the dialog
  4. Choose your sample source:
    • Paste Sample: Paste 1,000+ words of your existing writing
    • Use Chapters: Select from your existing chapters
  5. Click "Analyze My Voice"
  6. Wait for Claude to analyze your style (30-60 seconds)
  7. Review your results:
    • Author comparisons with similarity percentages
    • Style metrics and descriptors
    • Generated voice instructions
  8. Toggle "Enable Voice Injection" to apply your voice to all AI generation

What Gets Analyzed:

  • Sentence length and structure patterns
  • Vocabulary level and word choices
  • Dialogue-to-prose ratio
  • Pacing and rhythm
  • Tone and mood
  • Descriptive style

How Voice Injection Works:

When enabled, your voice profile is injected into all AI generation:

  • Chapter drafting
  • Chapter refinement (expand, shorten, regenerate, polish)
  • Scene Surgery improvements

The AI receives instructions based on your analyzed style, producing prose that sounds like you wrote it.

Pro Tips:

  • Use at least 1,000 words for accurate analysis
  • Include a variety of your writing (dialogue, description, action)
  • Re-analyze if your style evolves
  • Toggle voice injection on/off as needed
  • Works best with Claude (Pro tier)

10. 📤 Export & Download

What it does: Allows you to download your work in various formats for editing, publishing, or backup.

Export Options:

Markdown Export

  • Clean, formatted text files
  • Preserves chapter structure
  • Easy to import into other writing tools
  • Includes outline and character information

Full Manuscript

  • Complete story in a single file
  • All chapters in order
  • Formatted for easy reading

Outline Export

  • Structured outline document
  • Acts and scenes organized
  • Useful for planning and reference

Character Sheets

  • All character profiles
  • Formatted for easy reference
  • Can be printed or shared

How to use it:

  1. Navigate to the "Exports" tab
  2. Select what you want to export:
    • Full manuscript
    • Individual chapters
    • Outline
    • Characters
  3. Choose your format (Markdown, PDF, DOCX)
  4. Click "Export"
  5. Download the file to your computer

Pro Tips:

  • Export regularly as backups
  • Use Markdown for maximum compatibility
  • Export to Word/Google Docs for final editing
  • Keep exported versions dated for version control

10. 📊 Usage Dashboard & Word Tracking

What it does: Monitors your AI usage, word generation, and subscription limits.

Dashboard Features:

  • Words Used This Month: Track your monthly word generation
  • Words Remaining: See how many words you have left
  • Usage History: View past generation activity
  • Plan Details: Current subscription tier and limits
  • Reset Date: When your monthly allowance refreshes

Word Limits by Plan:

  • Free: 8,000 words/month
  • Starter: 50,000 words/month
  • Pro: 200,000 words/month

How to use it:

  1. Access from your dashboard or settings
  2. Monitor usage to avoid hitting limits
  3. Upgrade plan if you need more words
  4. View detailed usage logs

Pro Tips:

  • Check usage before starting large projects
  • Use refinement tools sparingly to conserve words
  • Upgrade during high-productivity months
  • Free tier resets monthly, so plan accordingly

11. 🔐 Account & Settings

What it does: Manage your account, subscription, and preferences.

Account Features:

  • Profile Management: Update name, email, password
  • Subscription Management: Upgrade, downgrade, or cancel plans
  • Billing History: View past invoices and payments
  • Authentication: Connect Google account (coming soon) or use email/password
  • Security: Two-factor authentication (if enabled)

How to use it:

  1. Click your profile icon or "Settings"
  2. Navigate to the relevant section
  3. Make your changes
  4. Save updates

🚀 Getting Started: Quick Start Guide

Step 1: Create Your Account

  1. Go to PlotForge website
  2. Click "Get Started" or "Sign Up"
  3. Register with email or Google account (Not yet available)
  4. Verify your email (if required)

Step 2: Create Your First Project

  1. From the dashboard, click "New Project"
  2. Enter a project title
  3. Write your story idea in the Idea tab
  4. Save your project

Step 3: Generate Your Outline

  1. Navigate to the "Outline" tab
  2. Click "Generate Outline"
  3. Wait for AI to create your structure
  4. Review and edit the outline

Step 4: Create Characters

  1. Go to the "Characters" tab
  2. Click "Generate Character"
  3. Describe your character
  4. Review and refine the profile
  5. Repeat for all major characters

Step 5: Configure Your Style

  1. In project settings or Idea tab
  2. Set your narrative voice and tense
  3. Add writing guidelines
  4. Save your preferences

Step 6: Draft Your First Chapter

  1. Open the "Draft" tab
  2. Click "Create New Chapter"
  3. Select the first scene from your outline
  4. Click "Generate Chapter"
  5. Review and edit the draft

Step 7: Refine and Polish

  1. Use Scene Surgery for comprehensive chapter analysis
    • Click "Scene Surgery" for full chapter improvements
    • Or click "Edit", highlight text, and use Selection Mode for precision edits
  2. Use refinement tools (Expand, Polish, etc.) for quick adjustments
  3. Make manual edits as needed
  4. Save your work

Step 8: Continue Writing

  1. Draft subsequent chapters
  2. Track consistency items
  3. Update character profiles
  4. Refine your prose
  5. Export when ready

💡 Best Practices & Tips

For Best AI Results

  • Be Specific: Detailed prompts yield better results
  • Provide Context: Reference previous chapters and character details
  • Iterate: Generate multiple versions and pick the best
  • Edit Actively: AI is a tool, not a replacement for your creativity
  • Use Style Settings: Configure voice and tense for consistency

For Efficient Writing

  • Outline First: A solid outline makes drafting faster
  • Draft in Order: Maintain continuity by writing sequentially
  • Track Consistency: Document details as you write, not after
  • Save Frequently: Auto-save is helpful, but manual saves are safer
  • Export Regularly: Keep backups of your work

For Better Stories

  • Develop Characters First: Rich characters drive compelling plots
  • Show, Don't Tell: Use refinement to add sensory details
  • Vary Pacing: Mix action scenes with quieter character moments
  • Create Conflict: Every scene should have tension or stakes
  • Revise Ruthlessly: First drafts are meant to be improved

🎓 Common Workflows

Workflow 1: Pantser (Discovery Writer)

  1. Write a loose story idea
  2. Generate outline for structure
  3. Draft chapters, deviating from outline as inspiration strikes
  4. Update outline to match actual story
  5. Track consistency items as you discover them

Workflow 2: Plotter (Detailed Planner)

  1. Write detailed story idea with all major plot points
  2. Generate comprehensive outline
  3. Edit outline extensively before drafting
  4. Create all character profiles
  5. Draft chapters strictly following outline
  6. Refine prose in second pass

Workflow 3: Hybrid Approach

  1. Write story idea with key plot points
  2. Generate outline
  3. Create main character profiles
  4. Draft first act following outline
  5. Adjust outline based on what works
  6. Continue drafting with flexible structure

Workflow 4: Revision & Polish

  1. Import existing manuscript (paste into chapters)
  2. Use refinement tools to improve prose
  3. Generate character profiles for consistency
  4. Create consistency tracker for continuity
  5. Refine chapter by chapter
  6. Export polished manuscript

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: How much does PlotForge cost? A: PlotForge offers three tiers:

  • FREE: $0/month - 1 project, 8,000 AI words/month, 20 AI chat messages/month
  • STARTER: $12/month - 3 projects, 50,000 AI words/month, 200 AI chat messages/month
  • PRO: $24/month - Unlimited projects, 200,000 AI words/month, unlimited AI chat, Claude Sonnet 4.5 access

Additional words available as coin packs: $6 for 100k, $18 for 400k, $36 for 1M words.

Q: What AI model does PlotForge use? A: PlotForge uses OpenAI's GPT-4o mini for all AI tasks in FREE and STARTER tiers. PRO users get access to Claude Sonnet 4.5 for superior prose generation and creative assistance.

Q: Can I use PlotForge offline? A: No, PlotForge requires an internet connection for AI generation features.

Q: Is my work private and secure? A: Yes, your projects are private and only accessible to you. See our Privacy Policy for details.

Q: Can I collaborate with other writers? A: Currently, PlotForge is designed for individual writers. Collaboration features may be added in the future.

Usage Questions

Q: What counts toward my word limit? A: Only AI-generated words count. Manual edits and deletions don't affect your limit.

Q: What happens if I hit my word limit? A: You can still edit existing content, but can't generate new AI content until your limit resets or you upgrade.

Q: When does my word limit reset? A: Monthly limits reset on the same day each month that you signed up.

Q: Can I export my work? A: Yes! Export formats vary by tier:

  • FREE & STARTER: Markdown (.txt) exports
  • PRO: DOCX, PDF, and Markdown exports

Export your outline, manuscript, and character profiles anytime.

Technical Questions

Q: Which browsers are supported? A: PlotForge works best on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge (latest versions).

Q: Can I import existing manuscripts? A: You can paste existing text into chapters, but there's no bulk import feature currently.

Q: How long does AI generation take? A: Outlines: 30-60 seconds. Chapters: 1-3 minutes. Characters: 20-40 seconds.

Q: What if AI generation fails? A: Check your internet connection and word limit. If issues persist, contact support.

📊 Feature Limits by Tier

Understanding your plan's limits helps you make the most of PlotForge. Here's what each tier includes:

FREE Tier ($0/month)

Projects & Content:

  • 1 project
  • 10 characters per project
  • 10 chapters per project
  • 10 worldbuilding items
  • 25 consistency tracking items

AI Usage:

  • 8,000 AI-generated words per month
  • 20 AI chat messages per month
  • GPT-4o mini only

Export:

  • Markdown (.txt) format only

Best for: Trying PlotForge, short stories, or writers who primarily work manually

STARTER Tier ($12/month)

Projects & Content:

  • 3 projects
  • Unlimited characters
  • Unlimited chapters
  • 50 worldbuilding items
  • Unlimited consistency tracking items

AI Usage:

  • 50,000 AI-generated words per month
  • 200 AI chat messages per month
  • GPT-4o mini only

Export:

  • Markdown (.txt) format only

Best for: Active writers working on multiple projects, novelists drafting their first book

PRO Tier ($24/month)

Projects & Content:

  • Unlimited projects
  • Unlimited characters
  • Unlimited chapters
  • Unlimited worldbuilding items
  • Unlimited consistency tracking items

AI Usage:

  • 200,000 AI-generated words per month
  • Unlimited AI chat messages
  • Claude Sonnet 4 access (superior prose quality)
  • GPT-4o mini also available

Pro-Exclusive Features:

  • The Voice Engine - Train AI to match your unique writing voice
  • Priority support
  • Professional export formats for agents/editors

Export:

  • DOCX (Microsoft Word format)
  • PDF (print-ready format)
  • Markdown (.txt)

Best for: Professional authors, series writers, heavy AI users, writers needing professional exports

What Happens When You Hit a Limit?

Project Limit:

  • You'll see an upgrade prompt when trying to create a new project
  • Existing projects remain fully accessible

Character/Chapter Limit:

  • Upgrade prompt appears when trying to add more
  • Existing content remains editable

Worldbuilding/Consistency Limit:

  • Clear notification when limit is reached
  • Can edit existing items, but can't add new ones

AI Word Limit:

  • Can't generate new AI content until limit resets or you upgrade
  • Manual editing always works
  • Limit resets monthly on your signup date

AI Chat Limit:

  • Chat becomes unavailable when limit is reached
  • Resets monthly on your signup date
  • PRO users have unlimited chat

Export Format Limit:

  • FREE/STARTER users see locked DOCX/PDF options
  • Can always export as Markdown
  • Upgrade to PRO for professional formats

🆘 Troubleshooting

Problem: AI generation is slow

  • Solution: Check your internet connection. Peak usage times may cause delays.

Problem: Generated content doesn't match my style

  • Solution: Review and update your Style Configuration settings. Be more specific in your Do/Don't lists.

Problem: Characters are inconsistent across chapters

  • Solution: Create detailed character profiles before drafting. Reference them when generating chapters.

Problem: Outline doesn't match my vision

  • Solution: Edit the outline directly. You can modify, add, or delete scenes freely.

Problem: Hit word limit mid-project

  • Solution: Upgrade your plan, or wait for monthly reset. You can still edit existing content.

Problem: Lost work or changes not saving

  • Solution: Check your internet connection. Click "Save" manually. Export backups regularly.

Problem: Can't log in

  • Solution: Reset your password, or try logging in with Google if you used OAuth.

📞 Support & Resources

Getting Help

Additional Resources

🎉 Tips for Success

  1. Start Small: Begin with a short story or single chapter to learn the tools
  2. Experiment: Try different prompts and settings to see what works
  3. Trust Your Voice: AI is a tool; your creativity drives the story
  4. Iterate: First drafts are meant to be revised
  5. Have Fun: Writing should be enjoyable, not stressful

Happy Writing! ✍️

Transform your ideas into epic stories with PlotForge.