On Writing: 5 Amazing Programs to Organize Your Manuscript

Organizing your manuscript can be overwhelming, but no need to worry. Here are five excellent programs to help manage your manuscript.

Megan Donovan –
Book Culture Bookish Lifestyle On Writing
The background is a notebook with a pencil on top of a desk. Next to it on the left is a lit lightbulb. There are three writing program logos on the cover, the first one on the left being Dabble Writer. The Second one on the right is Manuskript, and the one below the others is Bibisco. Dabble Writer and Manuskript are spelt out, where as Bibisco is a green circle with BiBi in the middle of the circle.

Many feats can come with writing a new piece, whether finding the perfect name for your fantasy characters or creating enough tension in your romance. However, something that always happens is that the story ends up everywhere, first in a random Google Doc and then in Microsoft Word. Then, you have the random scenes in your Notes app for when you are on the go. Organizing a story is never simple, but with these five writing programs, it’s never looked easier!

Please note: All prices listed in this article were pulled at the time of writing. For the most accurate pricing, please refer to each program’s website.

Scrivener 3

Scrivener 3 is one of the top writing apps available on Windows and all iOS and Mac devices. It is the third version of the app, with the other versions no longer being compatible. The app is perfect for organizing your manuscripts; even your story planning can be organized here. You can download it directly from your device’s app store or through the app’s website.

The costs differ depending on the device on which you download the app. The cost for iOS, such as iPhones or iPads, is $23.99. For Mac and Windows, the price reaches $59.99. The app is not a subscription but a one-time payment; an upgrade is free if they release Scrivener 4. Despite the steep cost, the features that are included are worth it, and these are just a few: 

  • Project Outline, such as character and setting outlines.
  • Bindelooksok to organize your work by folders and subfolders. 
  • Corkboard look (inside the folder) so that your pages appear like they are on a corkboard.
  • Compiler to compile your work into a manuscript. 
  • Cloud syncing between devices. 
  • Does not include generative AI. 
The opening dashboard of the writing program Scrivener 3. Has the folders and organizing section on the left, showing folders for chapters, scenes, characters, settings, reasearch and templates. On the right hand side is the notes and synoposis areas. In the middle is a page where you write. It is in dark mode, so everything is black and white.
IMAGE VIA MEGAN DONOVAN

Scrivener 3 has many more features that assist with organizing your work, planning, and writing it. It is a reliable app, one of my favorites, and even some of my favorite authors use it to write. It is easy to navigate, with tutorials on what to do and how to use the app appearing when you first load it. A setback is the lack of editing help found in Microsoft Word and Google Docs, which are also compatible with editing programs. It is the perfect app!

Dabble Writer

Dabble Writer is another fantastic app. Unlike Scivener, Dabble Writer can be used in a browser with no restrictions, and can be downloaded directly from their website. It is another app that is available on Mac and Windows. The app not only organizes your stories but also sets goals for you.

Unlike Scrivener, Dabble Writer is a subscription plan, with four options. The first subscription plan is the Basic tier, which contains the features to get started in writing, is $9 per month. The next plan is the Standard tier, which contains everything in the basic tier and some extra features such as plot map, text highlighting, and story notes, for those who are more serious about writing. The developers recommend the Standard tier, which is $19 a month. The final tier is the Premium tier, meant for those working towards publishing. It contains everything in Standard, but includes co-authoring, workshops, advanced grammar checks, and more, and is $29 a month. However, you can download the Lifetime Access for $699, which gives you Premium tier features.

Dashboard of the writing program Dabble Writer. On the left hand side is an area for organization and folders, including folders for characters, plot, story notes, and the manuscript. On the left hand side are the stats showing how much you wrote in this project, as well as a writing timer. The middle is a blank cover page to start the story. It is dark mode so everything is black and white.
IMAGE VIA MEGAN DONOVAN

Some of the Basic tier features include:

  • Unlimited manuscripts, meaning you can write as much as you want. 
  • Cloud syncing, but remember that this doesn’t work on the website version.
  • Goals and stats, with timers to write uninterrupted and word count goals.
  • Spell checks.
  • Blinder’s organization is the same as Scrivener’s in terms of its use of folders. 
  • Does not include generative AI. 

Dabble Writer is the perfect app for those looking for different features, with nothing too committal. Dabble Writer is harder to navigate, but the tutorial is extremely useful in helping you understand where everything is. Not only does it have organizing components similar to Scivener, but the goals and timers you can set help inspire you to keep writing that novel. 

LivingWriter 

LivingWriter is a mix between Dabble Writer and Scrivener. With goals set up to help you write, but with the easy navigating of Scrivener, this app is designed to make writing and organizing your manuscript as easy and fun as possible. LivingWriter is a desktop app that can be downloaded through their link. It is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux, and encourages a non-committal 14-day trial before you decide to get it.

LivingWriter is another subscription program. You can do the Regular Payment option and pay $14.99 a month, or choose the Best Value option and pay a $144 bill per year, which is $12 a month. The best part about this is that no matter what plan you choose, you get the same features, and a few of those are: 

  • Boards! Plot boards, character boards, scene boards, all for organizing!
  • Goals: Manuscript goals, chapter goals, and session goals. 
  • Outlines such as the Hero’s Journey or the Three-Act Structure.
  • Notes are on the sidebar for easy access.
  • Export formats and import from other writing programs. 
  • It includes AI features but is entirely optional in settings. 
Dashboard of the writing program LivingWriter. The middle image shows the full dashboard, with the folders on the side for characters. scenes, and chapters. The rest of the dashboard is the manuscript to write in. There are note pages on the side of the dashboard, looking like sticky notes next to it. Everything is in white, as it is not in Dark mode.
IMAGE VIA LIVINGWRITER

Organizing your story through LivingWriter is easier than ever. With a drag-and-drop feature to easily move folders and notes around, things will never get lost. LivingWriter also includes organization within the boards and the formats, but there is more to discover about this app than just the organizing piece. Even though it differs from the other apps mentioned, you can opt out of its use of AI. LivingWriter is the perfect app for those who are just starting and need something simple. 

Manuskript

Manuskript is a lesser-known one that is on the up. Manuskript is hugely similar to Scrivener and is an excellent app to download if you are really into the planning portion of writing and organizing the novel and the plans. Keep in mind that Manuskript is still in early development, with constant patches and updates getting released. Like the others, it is available on Mac, Linux, and Windows.

However, what differs is that Manuskript is entirely free! There is no cost to download or use this program, but there are ways that you can contribute. You can help by testing programs, developing, or even spreading the word about their program. A simple writing app means simple writing features that everyone needs: 

  • Boards and folders, like the other apps, keep things organized. 
  • The snowflake method is a planning method you learn throughout this course. 
  • Distraction-free writing, so the screen fades away and all you see is your writer, and it is customizable. 
  • Goals, so the distraction-free screen can lock until you hit your goal word count.
  • Notes on mini index cards, keeping notes organized. 
  • No generative AI is directly included.
Dashboard of the writing program Manuskript. The left hand side shows all the folders for each chapter to organize it. Further left are icons to direct you to different places in the app. On the right hand side are tabs that take you to different areas of your project. In the middle is the project, and everything is in white.
IMAGE VIA MANUSKRIPT

Manuskript has all the perfect pieces to help plan and write your stories for free, so nothing can stop you from going. Despite a few setbacks, it is easy to use and a legitimate open-source program. Writing with Manuskript is the perfect and easy way to start your book!

Bibisco 

Bibisco is the final app on this list and is most like Scrivener in price and features, although more features within Bibisco are worth checking out. It is available for Linux, Mac, and Windows and can be downloaded through this website. Bibisco is another excellent app because it offers two payment options. The first is the free version, where you are limited to a few features, but even those are still fun. The second option is $59, as a one-time payment. The second option has a dozen more features, which you can check out in the earlier link. A few features that are offered in both options are: 

  • Unlimited manuscripts!
  • Planning organization, with character development pages, settings pages, and scene pages. 
  • Automatic backups, so that you never lose your work. 
  • Exporting the work into a PDF, Doc, etc
  • A word processor to catch any grammar errors and misspellings.
  • No generative AI included. 
A computer with the dashbaord of the writing program Bibisco. There are yellow lines on a white background going behind the computer. On the screen is the dashboard, with the folders on the left hand side. There are organization areas for locations, objectives, characters, relationships, notes, chapters, architecture and more. On the rest of the dashboard is a cork board like image of each chapter written appearing in order, like sticky notes pinned to a board.
IMAGE VIA BIBISCO

Bibisco is extremely useful as the app has unique planning features. Timelines, tutorials, and templates are all included, making organizing your story easier. Everything from characters to scenes to locations has its own area to make it even more organized. Bibisco is the perfect app for all your organizing needs.

There are a lot of writing programs out there, some with cheaper prices and some with generative AI included. These five programs are the best that don’t include generative AI; if it does, you can opt out. The prices can be a little high, but the best sometimes doesn’t come cheap, and with these features, you will find out that the price is worth every story you write on it and every feature you use. Happy writing! 

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FEATURE IMAGE VIA BOOKSTR / MEGAN DONOVAN