Is there a writing software that you can sort scenes like slides in PowerPoint?












6















I generally use PowerPoint for outlining my scenes (prose, not script). I put a general description of what the scene is on the slide, and then give more details in the notes section. I like that I can see all the scenes and the flow of the story in the slide sorter view. I can then easily move scenes around to better fit the pace or development of the story. However, this program has some drawbacks, especially when the number of scenes gets up above 25 or so. I end up doing separate PPts for different arcs. Is there any kind of writing software where you can view and shift scenes around like this?










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  • Nice question! I think something like that would be useful. My spouse uses index cards! He's organizing a 20 issue comic book series with as many characters and plotlines as a huge soap opera. I can imagine many other places this could be very helpful.

    – Cyn
    2 hours ago











  • Oh, that's clever -- I never thought to use PowerPoint like that. And I agree it's not ideal for larger works, so I hope you get some good answers here.

    – Monica Cellio
    2 hours ago
















6















I generally use PowerPoint for outlining my scenes (prose, not script). I put a general description of what the scene is on the slide, and then give more details in the notes section. I like that I can see all the scenes and the flow of the story in the slide sorter view. I can then easily move scenes around to better fit the pace or development of the story. However, this program has some drawbacks, especially when the number of scenes gets up above 25 or so. I end up doing separate PPts for different arcs. Is there any kind of writing software where you can view and shift scenes around like this?










share|improve this question







New contributor




anonymouswombat is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





















  • Nice question! I think something like that would be useful. My spouse uses index cards! He's organizing a 20 issue comic book series with as many characters and plotlines as a huge soap opera. I can imagine many other places this could be very helpful.

    – Cyn
    2 hours ago











  • Oh, that's clever -- I never thought to use PowerPoint like that. And I agree it's not ideal for larger works, so I hope you get some good answers here.

    – Monica Cellio
    2 hours ago














6












6








6


2






I generally use PowerPoint for outlining my scenes (prose, not script). I put a general description of what the scene is on the slide, and then give more details in the notes section. I like that I can see all the scenes and the flow of the story in the slide sorter view. I can then easily move scenes around to better fit the pace or development of the story. However, this program has some drawbacks, especially when the number of scenes gets up above 25 or so. I end up doing separate PPts for different arcs. Is there any kind of writing software where you can view and shift scenes around like this?










share|improve this question







New contributor




anonymouswombat is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I generally use PowerPoint for outlining my scenes (prose, not script). I put a general description of what the scene is on the slide, and then give more details in the notes section. I like that I can see all the scenes and the flow of the story in the slide sorter view. I can then easily move scenes around to better fit the pace or development of the story. However, this program has some drawbacks, especially when the number of scenes gets up above 25 or so. I end up doing separate PPts for different arcs. Is there any kind of writing software where you can view and shift scenes around like this?







software






share|improve this question







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anonymouswombat is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







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anonymouswombat is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









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asked 6 hours ago









anonymouswombatanonymouswombat

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311




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Check out our Code of Conduct.













  • Nice question! I think something like that would be useful. My spouse uses index cards! He's organizing a 20 issue comic book series with as many characters and plotlines as a huge soap opera. I can imagine many other places this could be very helpful.

    – Cyn
    2 hours ago











  • Oh, that's clever -- I never thought to use PowerPoint like that. And I agree it's not ideal for larger works, so I hope you get some good answers here.

    – Monica Cellio
    2 hours ago



















  • Nice question! I think something like that would be useful. My spouse uses index cards! He's organizing a 20 issue comic book series with as many characters and plotlines as a huge soap opera. I can imagine many other places this could be very helpful.

    – Cyn
    2 hours ago











  • Oh, that's clever -- I never thought to use PowerPoint like that. And I agree it's not ideal for larger works, so I hope you get some good answers here.

    – Monica Cellio
    2 hours ago

















Nice question! I think something like that would be useful. My spouse uses index cards! He's organizing a 20 issue comic book series with as many characters and plotlines as a huge soap opera. I can imagine many other places this could be very helpful.

– Cyn
2 hours ago





Nice question! I think something like that would be useful. My spouse uses index cards! He's organizing a 20 issue comic book series with as many characters and plotlines as a huge soap opera. I can imagine many other places this could be very helpful.

– Cyn
2 hours ago













Oh, that's clever -- I never thought to use PowerPoint like that. And I agree it's not ideal for larger works, so I hope you get some good answers here.

– Monica Cellio
2 hours ago





Oh, that's clever -- I never thought to use PowerPoint like that. And I agree it's not ideal for larger works, so I hope you get some good answers here.

– Monica Cellio
2 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















5














At the least, just the ones I know about are Scrivener and Organon. More generally, these are called "plot management" or "scene management" software. Either one will easily handle enough scene entries for a very, very long novel.






share|improve this answer































    4














    ARCHIVOS might be what you want. (Free account lets you build a world!) It allows you to create scenes, establish relationships between them. Characters (and relationships with them), plus a timeline. Lots of ways to link up info, but I don't know if it specifically links them to "scenes."



    One feature I've asked for is multiple timelines in a single story setting -- so if I'm writing about the Adventures of Superman radio show, I can have an in-story timeline, and a broadcast-date timeline (for context).



    So for you, 2-timelines may also allow you to have "storyline" timeline (what HAPPENS when) and "novel" timeline (when is the info presented). (I repeat, this doesn't seem to exist (yet) as a feature.)



    This may work for you if scene-occurrence and scene-presentation match. Archivos is ALL about the relationships between and within people, events, locations.



    from https://archivos.digital/about-archivos/:




    First, ARCHIVOS helps Storytellers document the characters, places, and events of their stories, detailing the basic framework for the tale.



    Then, Storytellers connect those story elements by defining the relationships between them that articulate not just the existence of the connection but also its nature (professional, personal, political, geographical, etc.).



    The relationships in ARCHIVOS also support a hierarchy, like that of a parent to a child, or a manager to an employee. This framework will help identify and organize the structures within the story world.



    As those structures become clear, Storytellers become true story architects, able to refine the and enhance the impact of their stories.




    Here's info on how to create/arrange things:
    https://archivos.digital/getting-started-archivos/ (scroll to "adding story elements"




    You can choose from the following list to define the Type of Story Element you’re creating:

    Person* – from protagonists to the smallest walk-on role

    Region* – worlds, continents, countries, counties, mountain ranges, forests, etc.

    Location* – towns, buildings, landmarks, ruins, etc.

    Organization – governments, guilds, religions, cabals, corporations, etc.

    Item – relics, artifacts, unique tools, cars, ships, etc.

    Event* – battles, treaties, plagues, births, deaths, graduations, etc.

    Culture– ethnicity, as well as speculative cultures (elves, dwarves, giants, aliens, etc.)

    Discipline – magic, kung-fu, cloak fighting, psionics, etc.




    This link has information about the relationships you can see and manipulate: https://archivos.digital/story-web-archivos/






    Disclosure - I became facebook friends with the guy who created this after I saw a demo at BaltiCon last year. When/if I have enough time/energy, I definitely want to play with it more. No actual connections to it, and I haven't used it in depth. Again - it's FREE to set up a single world and use all features!




    share|improve this answer































      3














      You could try campfire, it's marketed as a worldbuilding and planning tool.



      I've also looked at Scrivener, which may have a more familiar interface to that of PowerPoint.



      WorldAnvil is another tool, although this one may or may not handle scene management as easily (I've not used this one extensively enough to figure that out yet), WorldAnvil will allow you to build a sort of Wiki for your novel and create links between characters, locations, events and all sorts of other details.






      share|improve this answer
























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        3 Answers
        3






        active

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        3 Answers
        3






        active

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        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        5














        At the least, just the ones I know about are Scrivener and Organon. More generally, these are called "plot management" or "scene management" software. Either one will easily handle enough scene entries for a very, very long novel.






        share|improve this answer




























          5














          At the least, just the ones I know about are Scrivener and Organon. More generally, these are called "plot management" or "scene management" software. Either one will easily handle enough scene entries for a very, very long novel.






          share|improve this answer


























            5












            5








            5







            At the least, just the ones I know about are Scrivener and Organon. More generally, these are called "plot management" or "scene management" software. Either one will easily handle enough scene entries for a very, very long novel.






            share|improve this answer













            At the least, just the ones I know about are Scrivener and Organon. More generally, these are called "plot management" or "scene management" software. Either one will easily handle enough scene entries for a very, very long novel.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 5 hours ago









            Zeiss IkonZeiss Ikon

            2,2832623




            2,2832623























                4














                ARCHIVOS might be what you want. (Free account lets you build a world!) It allows you to create scenes, establish relationships between them. Characters (and relationships with them), plus a timeline. Lots of ways to link up info, but I don't know if it specifically links them to "scenes."



                One feature I've asked for is multiple timelines in a single story setting -- so if I'm writing about the Adventures of Superman radio show, I can have an in-story timeline, and a broadcast-date timeline (for context).



                So for you, 2-timelines may also allow you to have "storyline" timeline (what HAPPENS when) and "novel" timeline (when is the info presented). (I repeat, this doesn't seem to exist (yet) as a feature.)



                This may work for you if scene-occurrence and scene-presentation match. Archivos is ALL about the relationships between and within people, events, locations.



                from https://archivos.digital/about-archivos/:




                First, ARCHIVOS helps Storytellers document the characters, places, and events of their stories, detailing the basic framework for the tale.



                Then, Storytellers connect those story elements by defining the relationships between them that articulate not just the existence of the connection but also its nature (professional, personal, political, geographical, etc.).



                The relationships in ARCHIVOS also support a hierarchy, like that of a parent to a child, or a manager to an employee. This framework will help identify and organize the structures within the story world.



                As those structures become clear, Storytellers become true story architects, able to refine the and enhance the impact of their stories.




                Here's info on how to create/arrange things:
                https://archivos.digital/getting-started-archivos/ (scroll to "adding story elements"




                You can choose from the following list to define the Type of Story Element you’re creating:

                Person* – from protagonists to the smallest walk-on role

                Region* – worlds, continents, countries, counties, mountain ranges, forests, etc.

                Location* – towns, buildings, landmarks, ruins, etc.

                Organization – governments, guilds, religions, cabals, corporations, etc.

                Item – relics, artifacts, unique tools, cars, ships, etc.

                Event* – battles, treaties, plagues, births, deaths, graduations, etc.

                Culture– ethnicity, as well as speculative cultures (elves, dwarves, giants, aliens, etc.)

                Discipline – magic, kung-fu, cloak fighting, psionics, etc.




                This link has information about the relationships you can see and manipulate: https://archivos.digital/story-web-archivos/






                Disclosure - I became facebook friends with the guy who created this after I saw a demo at BaltiCon last year. When/if I have enough time/energy, I definitely want to play with it more. No actual connections to it, and I haven't used it in depth. Again - it's FREE to set up a single world and use all features!




                share|improve this answer




























                  4














                  ARCHIVOS might be what you want. (Free account lets you build a world!) It allows you to create scenes, establish relationships between them. Characters (and relationships with them), plus a timeline. Lots of ways to link up info, but I don't know if it specifically links them to "scenes."



                  One feature I've asked for is multiple timelines in a single story setting -- so if I'm writing about the Adventures of Superman radio show, I can have an in-story timeline, and a broadcast-date timeline (for context).



                  So for you, 2-timelines may also allow you to have "storyline" timeline (what HAPPENS when) and "novel" timeline (when is the info presented). (I repeat, this doesn't seem to exist (yet) as a feature.)



                  This may work for you if scene-occurrence and scene-presentation match. Archivos is ALL about the relationships between and within people, events, locations.



                  from https://archivos.digital/about-archivos/:




                  First, ARCHIVOS helps Storytellers document the characters, places, and events of their stories, detailing the basic framework for the tale.



                  Then, Storytellers connect those story elements by defining the relationships between them that articulate not just the existence of the connection but also its nature (professional, personal, political, geographical, etc.).



                  The relationships in ARCHIVOS also support a hierarchy, like that of a parent to a child, or a manager to an employee. This framework will help identify and organize the structures within the story world.



                  As those structures become clear, Storytellers become true story architects, able to refine the and enhance the impact of their stories.




                  Here's info on how to create/arrange things:
                  https://archivos.digital/getting-started-archivos/ (scroll to "adding story elements"




                  You can choose from the following list to define the Type of Story Element you’re creating:

                  Person* – from protagonists to the smallest walk-on role

                  Region* – worlds, continents, countries, counties, mountain ranges, forests, etc.

                  Location* – towns, buildings, landmarks, ruins, etc.

                  Organization – governments, guilds, religions, cabals, corporations, etc.

                  Item – relics, artifacts, unique tools, cars, ships, etc.

                  Event* – battles, treaties, plagues, births, deaths, graduations, etc.

                  Culture– ethnicity, as well as speculative cultures (elves, dwarves, giants, aliens, etc.)

                  Discipline – magic, kung-fu, cloak fighting, psionics, etc.




                  This link has information about the relationships you can see and manipulate: https://archivos.digital/story-web-archivos/






                  Disclosure - I became facebook friends with the guy who created this after I saw a demo at BaltiCon last year. When/if I have enough time/energy, I definitely want to play with it more. No actual connections to it, and I haven't used it in depth. Again - it's FREE to set up a single world and use all features!




                  share|improve this answer


























                    4












                    4








                    4







                    ARCHIVOS might be what you want. (Free account lets you build a world!) It allows you to create scenes, establish relationships between them. Characters (and relationships with them), plus a timeline. Lots of ways to link up info, but I don't know if it specifically links them to "scenes."



                    One feature I've asked for is multiple timelines in a single story setting -- so if I'm writing about the Adventures of Superman radio show, I can have an in-story timeline, and a broadcast-date timeline (for context).



                    So for you, 2-timelines may also allow you to have "storyline" timeline (what HAPPENS when) and "novel" timeline (when is the info presented). (I repeat, this doesn't seem to exist (yet) as a feature.)



                    This may work for you if scene-occurrence and scene-presentation match. Archivos is ALL about the relationships between and within people, events, locations.



                    from https://archivos.digital/about-archivos/:




                    First, ARCHIVOS helps Storytellers document the characters, places, and events of their stories, detailing the basic framework for the tale.



                    Then, Storytellers connect those story elements by defining the relationships between them that articulate not just the existence of the connection but also its nature (professional, personal, political, geographical, etc.).



                    The relationships in ARCHIVOS also support a hierarchy, like that of a parent to a child, or a manager to an employee. This framework will help identify and organize the structures within the story world.



                    As those structures become clear, Storytellers become true story architects, able to refine the and enhance the impact of their stories.




                    Here's info on how to create/arrange things:
                    https://archivos.digital/getting-started-archivos/ (scroll to "adding story elements"




                    You can choose from the following list to define the Type of Story Element you’re creating:

                    Person* – from protagonists to the smallest walk-on role

                    Region* – worlds, continents, countries, counties, mountain ranges, forests, etc.

                    Location* – towns, buildings, landmarks, ruins, etc.

                    Organization – governments, guilds, religions, cabals, corporations, etc.

                    Item – relics, artifacts, unique tools, cars, ships, etc.

                    Event* – battles, treaties, plagues, births, deaths, graduations, etc.

                    Culture– ethnicity, as well as speculative cultures (elves, dwarves, giants, aliens, etc.)

                    Discipline – magic, kung-fu, cloak fighting, psionics, etc.




                    This link has information about the relationships you can see and manipulate: https://archivos.digital/story-web-archivos/






                    Disclosure - I became facebook friends with the guy who created this after I saw a demo at BaltiCon last year. When/if I have enough time/energy, I definitely want to play with it more. No actual connections to it, and I haven't used it in depth. Again - it's FREE to set up a single world and use all features!




                    share|improve this answer













                    ARCHIVOS might be what you want. (Free account lets you build a world!) It allows you to create scenes, establish relationships between them. Characters (and relationships with them), plus a timeline. Lots of ways to link up info, but I don't know if it specifically links them to "scenes."



                    One feature I've asked for is multiple timelines in a single story setting -- so if I'm writing about the Adventures of Superman radio show, I can have an in-story timeline, and a broadcast-date timeline (for context).



                    So for you, 2-timelines may also allow you to have "storyline" timeline (what HAPPENS when) and "novel" timeline (when is the info presented). (I repeat, this doesn't seem to exist (yet) as a feature.)



                    This may work for you if scene-occurrence and scene-presentation match. Archivos is ALL about the relationships between and within people, events, locations.



                    from https://archivos.digital/about-archivos/:




                    First, ARCHIVOS helps Storytellers document the characters, places, and events of their stories, detailing the basic framework for the tale.



                    Then, Storytellers connect those story elements by defining the relationships between them that articulate not just the existence of the connection but also its nature (professional, personal, political, geographical, etc.).



                    The relationships in ARCHIVOS also support a hierarchy, like that of a parent to a child, or a manager to an employee. This framework will help identify and organize the structures within the story world.



                    As those structures become clear, Storytellers become true story architects, able to refine the and enhance the impact of their stories.




                    Here's info on how to create/arrange things:
                    https://archivos.digital/getting-started-archivos/ (scroll to "adding story elements"




                    You can choose from the following list to define the Type of Story Element you’re creating:

                    Person* – from protagonists to the smallest walk-on role

                    Region* – worlds, continents, countries, counties, mountain ranges, forests, etc.

                    Location* – towns, buildings, landmarks, ruins, etc.

                    Organization – governments, guilds, religions, cabals, corporations, etc.

                    Item – relics, artifacts, unique tools, cars, ships, etc.

                    Event* – battles, treaties, plagues, births, deaths, graduations, etc.

                    Culture– ethnicity, as well as speculative cultures (elves, dwarves, giants, aliens, etc.)

                    Discipline – magic, kung-fu, cloak fighting, psionics, etc.




                    This link has information about the relationships you can see and manipulate: https://archivos.digital/story-web-archivos/






                    Disclosure - I became facebook friends with the guy who created this after I saw a demo at BaltiCon last year. When/if I have enough time/energy, I definitely want to play with it more. No actual connections to it, and I haven't used it in depth. Again - it's FREE to set up a single world and use all features!





                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 5 hours ago









                    AprilApril

                    2,408636




                    2,408636























                        3














                        You could try campfire, it's marketed as a worldbuilding and planning tool.



                        I've also looked at Scrivener, which may have a more familiar interface to that of PowerPoint.



                        WorldAnvil is another tool, although this one may or may not handle scene management as easily (I've not used this one extensively enough to figure that out yet), WorldAnvil will allow you to build a sort of Wiki for your novel and create links between characters, locations, events and all sorts of other details.






                        share|improve this answer




























                          3














                          You could try campfire, it's marketed as a worldbuilding and planning tool.



                          I've also looked at Scrivener, which may have a more familiar interface to that of PowerPoint.



                          WorldAnvil is another tool, although this one may or may not handle scene management as easily (I've not used this one extensively enough to figure that out yet), WorldAnvil will allow you to build a sort of Wiki for your novel and create links between characters, locations, events and all sorts of other details.






                          share|improve this answer


























                            3












                            3








                            3







                            You could try campfire, it's marketed as a worldbuilding and planning tool.



                            I've also looked at Scrivener, which may have a more familiar interface to that of PowerPoint.



                            WorldAnvil is another tool, although this one may or may not handle scene management as easily (I've not used this one extensively enough to figure that out yet), WorldAnvil will allow you to build a sort of Wiki for your novel and create links between characters, locations, events and all sorts of other details.






                            share|improve this answer













                            You could try campfire, it's marketed as a worldbuilding and planning tool.



                            I've also looked at Scrivener, which may have a more familiar interface to that of PowerPoint.



                            WorldAnvil is another tool, although this one may or may not handle scene management as easily (I've not used this one extensively enough to figure that out yet), WorldAnvil will allow you to build a sort of Wiki for your novel and create links between characters, locations, events and all sorts of other details.







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 5 hours ago









                            BKlassenBKlassen

                            3465




                            3465






















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