Introducing scene prompts in First Draft Pro
Ever wished that you could see your outline and your manuscript at the same time? Or wished you had a way to keep track of how to get your character from where they are now, to where they need to be in the next scene?
First Draft Pro makes this a reality with scene prompts based on your outline. You’ll never have to refer back to separate notes or outlines, as you’ll have everything you need right on the page!
How to use scene prompts in First Draft Pro
💭 Do you like to plan everything out in advance?
If you're a planner, use the outlining tool to jot down each scene in the order you imagine your plot unfolding. When you're done, you'll have a neat overview of each chapter and the scenes within them.
Once you switch over to your manuscript, you can view your scene sketches in the right-hand panel, using them for cues as you write. Your pre-written scene prompts act as a guide to your writing, making sure you always know what's coming up!
👖 Prefer to write by the seat of your pants?
Perhaps you prefer your plot to take shape organically? No worries! First Draft Pro doesn't impose a particular way of working – you can still use scene prompts to support your creative process.
Jump right into manuscript mode to start writing. If a thought occurs to you about a current or upcoming scene, simply add them as you go. These notes are automatically added to your outline view so that you can drag and drop scenes later when refining your structure.
You can also structure your work while you're writing by creating a chapter or a scene break. Simply click at the point where you want the break to be and hit the button to split a scene or chapter.
Stay on track with scene prompts
With First Draft Pro, you can create or refer to your scene prompts right from your manuscript, making it easy to keep an eye on how your narrative is shaping up.
Plan your plot in advance and use your scene prompts as cues, so that you always know what you're working towards. Or start on a blank page and build your story as you go! Whichever way you choose to work, scene prompts are there to help you navigate your manuscript and stay on track.
