I wanted to try Troy's 2nd method, but didn't know how until several helped (including Troy - thanks). You need to learn about the Beta Act Structure and how to add/rename Chapters, etc. on the "Chapter line" (the top row). I hope it helps. (Different versions of Plottr may be slightly different.) ONE: To turn on the Act Structure Beta, go to your Account by clicking on the little person icon on the top right, then Account > Settings > Beta, then click the switch for Act Structure so it turns on. Now exit the account window. TWO: Go to the Timeline Settings (different from Account Settings) and click on the + to add levels (left and near the top). THREE: click on the word Chapter or Act or Scene, and put in the name YOU want. The first level could be called ACT, and the second could be called Scene... or whatever you choose.
@@The_Lovely_Kel Glad it helped. PLEASE Be Aware that with the Act Structure turned on (while it's in Beta) you CANNOT save a template when in that project. (Turning off Act Structure then allows saving templates again - back up first.) I had to turn off Act Structure because I'm saving templates from this project.
Like OffTheTop007, I'd love to see this template available in the starter templates. Might this be coming? Would love it based more on Jessica Brody's version of Save the Cat Writes a Novel. Thanks :)
Great tutorial. Thanks for the selection of methods. I've taken screenshots so I can evaluate which method is best for a redraft of a novel I wrote before Plottr existed. I can take my chosen Plottr outline into a new Scriviner project, import text from the final MS Word version (which was completely out of sync with Scriviner) and look for where I need to fix the story. Are there any tutorials on workflow best practices?
The Save the Cat (Writes a Novel) is what I use! You have a few things added to this template that I can't figure out how to add to mine - How did you create the "Act 1", "Act 2", "Act 3" labels in the template?
These can't be downloaded yet because they don't exist as templates due to copyright issues. You just have to go in and make them yourself for now. Tedious, but not impossible if you just pause the video and switch between Plottr and RUclips. @@CarolSeymour
I actually created a spreadsheet that tells me the word count by percentages based on overall word count and how they roughly break down into scenes, so all I have to do is input the target word count and roughly how many words per scene I want to have and that lets me know how many scenes per act. My own Save The Cat template otherwise resembles yours.
I appreciate the tutorial as I'm a fan of both Save the Cat! and Plottr. A few questions: 1. In any of your methods, how would you insert and include chapter headings so you know what scenes and beats go into what chapters for a more refined structure as the process moves forward and to eliminate confusion during the writing process? (The problem I'm encountering is I cannot insert custom headings without affecting the default continuity of the Chapter headings, which suggests having to 1) choose either leaving the entire heading area alone so it generates the one-function Chapter sequence/continuity OR, 2) retype all the headings manually even if only one custom heading is desired. Presently, for example, if I rename Chapter 2 as "Test," then what I have to work with is Chapter 1, "Test", and then Chapter 3). It would be interesting to see the user having more control over the headings area and even be able to create multiple headings and/or multiple heading time lines and have the ability to correct any continuity break(s) in the headings area. 2. What about adding character plot lines so we know what characters are doing what action? Or, are your methods a way to somehow eliminate having to use character plot lines? Of course we must keep in mind Outline mode as whatever the method employed on the Timeline will affect the Outline structure/output. 3. In your second method, the scenes run horizontally across the entire heading area, but you have an entry on the Main Plot line "Your Scenes Go Here". Help. 4. In one of the methods, you have a solid box around the three Act headings but not the other headings. I don't find any such option to selectively place borders around certain headings and not others. 5. The second method, you collapse the headings of which I find no option to perform that function either. Any insight and help is appreciated. Thank you.
These are some in depth questions. Most are answered by various tutorials on the Plottr site. There is an act structure in beta that will help with many of the structure ideas you have. But I didn’t want to demo those until they are available. Coming soon. The collapse action is a pretty easy one, and a recent post in the Facebook group explains it.
@@TroyLambertAuthor I have the same question that Darrell mentions in #4 - How do you create a box around some chapter headings and not the other chapters? The customize options for chapters seem to apply to all chapters and not individually.
It seems like in his Plottr version, he can change the Act/Beat title (or the very first row) to different colors and collapse them, but my version only shows that I can add another act/beat/chapter, change the name, or delete. Am I missing something? I just downloaded Plottr, so I assume I am using most current version. Thank you!
I wanted to try Troy's 2nd method, but didn't know how until several helped (including Troy - thanks). You need to learn about the Beta Act Structure and how to add/rename Chapters, etc. on the "Chapter line" (the top row). I hope it helps. (Different versions of Plottr may be slightly different.)
ONE: To turn on the Act Structure Beta, go to your Account by clicking on the little person icon on the top right, then Account > Settings > Beta, then click the switch for Act Structure so it turns on. Now exit the account window.
TWO: Go to the Timeline Settings (different from Account Settings) and click on the + to add levels (left and near the top).
THREE: click on the word Chapter or Act or Scene, and put in the name YOU want. The first level could be called ACT, and the second could be called Scene... or whatever you choose.
THANK YOU! I could not for the life of me figure out how to set that up!
@@The_Lovely_Kel Glad it helped. PLEASE Be Aware that with the Act Structure turned on (while it's in Beta) you CANNOT save a template when in that project. (Turning off Act Structure then allows saving templates again - back up first.) I had to turn off Act Structure because I'm saving templates from this project.
Love your videos. So helpful.
Most comfortable voice on RUclips. Plus content. Cool.
I'm in awe. Thanks for this.
So glad!
Like OffTheTop007, I'd love to see this template available in the starter templates. Might this be coming? Would love it based more on Jessica Brody's version of Save the Cat Writes a Novel. Thanks :)
Unfortunately, due to copyright issues, we cannot include it in starter templates. We’d love to resolve that at some point if possible
@@TroyLambertAuthor totally get it. Fingers crossed on someday. It’d be fabulous. 😁
@@TroyLambertAuthor I created my own, patterned after yours. Thanks!
I made my own, too, based on Jessica's from her book, with an addition to the Climax by Savannah Gilbo
Great tutorial. Thanks for the selection of methods. I've taken screenshots so I can evaluate which method is best for a redraft of a novel I wrote before Plottr existed. I can take my chosen Plottr outline into a new Scriviner project, import text from the final MS Word version (which was completely out of sync with Scriviner) and look for where I need to fix the story. Are there any tutorials on workflow best practices?
Nice job. Loved the way you showed different options. Thank you.
Thanks Troy. Awesome video. Definitely helped me get setup "exactly" how I wanted with this template structure. Love all your vids :)
The Save the Cat (Writes a Novel) is what I use! You have a few things added to this template that I can't figure out how to add to mine - How did you create the "Act 1", "Act 2", "Act 3" labels in the template?
Thanks, Tammy! This is using the beta Act Structure functionality, which you can enable via the Settings in the Dashboard.
Where can I download the templates that you reviewed? I checked the demo library and didn't find anything.
I am needing an answer to your question also.
These can't be downloaded yet because they don't exist as templates due to copyright issues. You just have to go in and make them yourself for now. Tedious, but not impossible if you just pause the video and switch between Plottr and RUclips. @@CarolSeymour
I actually created a spreadsheet that tells me the word count by percentages based on overall word count and how they roughly break down into scenes, so all I have to do is input the target word count and roughly how many words per scene I want to have and that lets me know how many scenes per act. My own Save The Cat template otherwise resembles yours.
Nice job!
I appreciate the tutorial as I'm a fan of both Save the Cat! and Plottr. A few questions:
1. In any of your methods, how would you insert and include chapter headings so you know what scenes and beats go into what chapters for a more refined structure as the process moves forward and to eliminate confusion during the writing process? (The problem I'm encountering is I cannot insert custom headings without affecting the default continuity of the Chapter headings, which suggests having to 1) choose either leaving the entire heading area alone so it generates the one-function Chapter sequence/continuity OR, 2) retype all the headings manually even if only one custom heading is desired. Presently, for example, if I rename Chapter 2 as "Test," then what I have to work with is Chapter 1, "Test", and then Chapter 3). It would be interesting to see the user having more control over the headings area and even be able to create multiple headings and/or multiple heading time lines and have the ability to correct any continuity break(s) in the headings area.
2. What about adding character plot lines so we know what characters are doing what action? Or, are your methods a way to somehow eliminate having to use character plot lines? Of course we must keep in mind Outline mode as whatever the method employed on the Timeline will affect the Outline structure/output.
3. In your second method, the scenes run horizontally across the entire heading area, but you have an entry on the Main Plot line "Your Scenes Go Here". Help.
4. In one of the methods, you have a solid box around the three Act headings but not the other headings. I don't find any such option to selectively place borders around certain headings and not others.
5. The second method, you collapse the headings of which I find no option to perform that function either.
Any insight and help is appreciated.
Thank you.
These are some in depth questions. Most are answered by various tutorials on the Plottr site. There is an act structure in beta that will help with many of the structure ideas you have. But I didn’t want to demo those until they are available. Coming soon.
The collapse action is a pretty easy one, and a recent post in the Facebook group explains it.
@@TroyLambertAuthor I have the same question that Darrell mentions in #4 - How do you create a box around some chapter headings and not the other chapters? The customize options for chapters seem to apply to all chapters and not individually.
@@april.aberdeen as far as I know, it’s the same for all chapters in the settings
This was beyond helpful. Thank you.
It seems like in his Plottr version, he can change the Act/Beat title (or the very first row) to different colors and collapse them, but my version only shows that I can add another act/beat/chapter, change the name, or delete. Am I missing something? I just downloaded Plottr, so I assume I am using most current version. Thank you!
You mentioned you did a recording like this of the sleuth's journey. Where do I find that?
Here's a direct link: ruclips.net/video/zCWjP2q1x-k/видео.html
Love this Thank you!
Hi, Troy - does the novel Never Heard exist?
Not yet, but it may at some point. :)
You need to add the Five Point Finale.
Thanks for the suggestion!
Is this already set up as a template in Plottr, but I'm just not seeing it?
No, not at this time
How do you define a scene?
There can be several scenes in a chapter or even a beat. A scene is really one event in your story.
Simple math that even a writer can do hhh Who's offended by that? Literally nobody.