My Favorite Book Writing Software & Novel Outlining Tool - Campfire Writing Tutorial

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My Favorite Book Writing Software & Novel Outlining Tool - Campfire Writing Tutorial // Everyone always asks me, “What writing software do you use?” And my answer is Campfire and Microsoft Word. I use Campfire to outline, plan, and write the first draft of my novel. I use this writing software to create character profiles, timelines, take notes on locations in my book, and more! In this video, I’m showing you how I use Campfire as an outlining tool, how I use it to draft my novel, and how I use it to take notes on editing. This is my favorite writing software to use as an author, I hope you love this fun tool for writers as much as I do! Let me know what your favorite writing software is in the comments below!
Videos Mentioned:
Writing 5,000 Words a Day Until I Finish Writing the First Draft of my Book: • Writing 5,000 Words a ...
IN THIS VIDEO:
0:00 - Intro
1:02 - How I use Campfire as a writing software
1:50 - Things to know about Campfire
3:31 - Start of Campfire tutorial
5:18 - Character profiles
7:40 -Timelines
10:31 - Character relationships
12:00 - Campfire as a writing software
17:02 - Writing a series/linked project
18:38 - Writing stats
20:48 - Locations
21:31 - Maps
22:36 - Timeline in my current work in progress
22:58 - Customizing theme
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Mandi Lynn published her first novel when she was seventeen. The author of multiple books, Mandi spends her days continuing to write and creating KZbin videos to help other writers achieve their dreams of seeing their books published. Mandi is the owner of Stone Ridge Books, a company that works to help authors bring their books to life through cover design and digital book marketing. She is also the creator of The Book Launch Planner, a planner designed to help authors publish and market their books. When she’s not creating, you can find Mandi exploring her backyard or getting lost in the woods.
• My Favorite Book Writi...
#writingsoftware #bookwriting #bookoutline
DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links. By purchasing a linked product or service, Mandi Lynn will receive a small commission at no additional fee to you.

[@MandiLynnWrites]

Wondering how you can use Campfire Writing to also promote your book? Check it out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oX2pnZJ7nLxmgc0 Self-publishing a book this year? Learn how to format your book yourself with my online course: bit.ly/formattingcourse

[@sabrina-vt4wi]

Very well done video! In depth explanations with visual examples. Thank you!

[@agl5132]

Love this. I have researched different writing software for a couple of weeks. There are some great options but I am a very visual person and this has exactly what I need. I will probably just need the character, manuscript, timeline, and outline features.

[@destresswithyoga]

Wow!! What a great software program! Thanks for the great info.

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

Great Review! I'm working on a memoir, and will check this out starting today! Thanks!

[@hockeyvines2265]

Mandi, Probably the most helpful and clear presentation on writing software. I started writing sort of a biography and it evolved towards a fiction novel I'm at 12,000 words and was looking for something to help me with the outline and the keeping track of people. I will try Campfire.

[@AMMolloy]

Campfire looks hella dope. I'm old school though so I think I'll just stick to Word, for now, it was fun learning about new software and other writing options. Love your video style. It's so interesting that I watched a whole video on something I may never even use.

[@RavenShonice]

I Stan classic, trusted Microsoft Word, but I'm a visual person and this program looks amazing. I can't wait to try it!

[@carolseymour1105]

Im very impressed with campfire. Ive been looking for a visual writing software, Thank you for sharing.

[@pocacook9246]

Thank you, you help me so much 🙏🏼

[@creativesoulwriter8864]

I’ve been waiting for a video like this.

[@MandiLynnWrites]

Hope you find it helpful!

[@hollyhunter8363]

Thank you so much for this awesome video! Dying to use this tool to start my first book. As soon as you said Meet Me at the Summit I paused to go order your book! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and I can't wait to read your novel!

[@MandiLynnWrites]

Thanks! Hope you love the book!

[@vinnyvmir]

Oh my goodness, thank you so much for making this video! I remember actually discovering Campfire way back when it was first getting started (as Pro) and was very interested in the idea of potentially getting it once it became more developed and went more on sale on Steam. I didn't really do or look into it much since they introduced Blaze, but it was always in the back of my mind, so when I was looking into different writing / novel aiding software recently, I recalled it and went to check it out again. That's when I saw these new changes of it being modules now and all that, and everything looked and sounded very clean! And although there are some reviews here and there, yours is the only video one I've come across that's recent it seems. The software looks good and has definitely expanded a lot. The different purchase options are nice, especially the lifetime one-time ones. Watching your use of it has definitely pushed me more in its direction! Definitely gonna give those free limited uses a try, but already feeling like I might end up getting Campfire (at least the modules I know I'll need forever or for now)!

[@MandiLynnWrites]

Glad you found the video helpful! Hope you enjoy the software as much as I do!

[@StarlasAiko]

I got all the modules in lifetime licence, except for Research. Anything that would normally go there, I dump into Encyclopedia. So far, I only used Campfire as World Bible (more or less, I need to use it a lot more) and have not yet investigated how to use it for plotting and outlining. I basically combine Campfire with Scrivener and Novel Factory. I tend to snowflake in NovelFactory and then transfer over to Scrivener with Campfire open on the second monitor. Once done with outlining, I push Scrivener into the second monitor and write in LibreOffice Write. I will eventually try out Campfire for outlining and writing. Maybe with my next project.

[@mr.anonymous6374]

This is awesome Mandi. Million Hearts from India :) I am really going to make use of this software to let out my mind in the form of words

[@jahanshahjavid7874]

Thank you Mandi for this informative video. I am looking into starting an online book publishing company for Persian-readers. Do you know which of the main book publishing softwares supports Arabic/Persian alphabet? Thanks again for your good work. Thank you again for your good work.

[@andrewjgrimm]

As I’m working on a picture book, I won’t be needing it (hopefully!), but a very interesting video. Better than storing everything in a spreadsheet!

[@peterloader974]

Plotter rocks too!

[@annfinney9066]

Thank you! Your video helped me navigate and understand how this program works better than the tutorials.

[@MandiLynnWrites]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nekoprankster2184]

A few years ago I bought Campfire Pro on Steam because I didn't like how World Anvil was subscription-based. I tried it out a bit over the years but I just found difficulty with organizing the panels which pushed me away from using it as a tool. Recently I learned about Write and wasn't sure if it'd be worth spending all that money for a lifetime purchase, but this video was exactly what I needed to make my decision! I can tell that everything has improved since Pro and it looks easier to work with now. Plus, the manuscript's options were more than I were expecting. Thank you for this great overview, since I was having a hard time with finding videos that weren't about Pro or Blaze instead.

[@nekoprankster2184]

@Melvin Deeply Yes, very much! And they keep improving the panels, too.

[@allauk8790]

Do they have an app? Thank you for sharing this discovery on the product. I use Microsoft Word Document to do my writings, but it’s not designed for writing a book it seems. Does this “Campfire” tool has where I can add or create my own symbols like A star of David or crescent moon, or omega…as well religious symbols?

[@DKDFury]

well I know what I'll be using for my fantasy ideas

[@path1400]

I think I will try the free Campfire to see if I like it. I am a beginner writer and awful speller. But my problem is I forget what I wrote and repleate it in a different chapter. I hope Campfire will help me with that.

[@duartepereira7255]

thanks so much for this Mandy. i’ve been searching for such a tool, for a few years, now.. I started with OneNote, but i wanted to get a more visual & mind-mapping like interface. i’ve tied a bunch of iPad apps, as well as FreeMind, off course,…. but Campfire just seems to being a lot closer to perfect..for my needs. Are you able to use at all, on iOS, and/or an iPad ? thanks again !

[@MandiLynnWrites]

Not sure if they have an ipad specific app, but I do know it works for iOS devices!

[@MandiLynnWrites]

If you have a favorite writing software, let me know what it is in the comments below! If you want to check out Campfire, be sure to use the link in my bio and use code MANDI to get 20% off any lifetime purchases! www.campfirewriting.com/write/for-novelists?ML_Q1_22 Self-publishing a book this year? Learn how to format your book yourself with my online course: bit.ly/formattingcourse

[@RubyRaven0]

Word or Docs? (For final stuff)

[@djwarrior1421]

I really like the feel of Campfire. My issue: How do I paste my current WIP chapters into the manuscript on Campfire? It's not letting me. I have been looking for videos on KZbin about this, but I don't see any. Any advice? Thanks for the great videos.

[@MandiLynnWrites]

There's an option to import a Word doc in

[@tonyhansen7460]

I am looking at Livingwriter because I like to write on my IPad and make notes on my Iphone, on the fly. Has anyone used Livingwriter? Comments about it please?

[@EmersonCaseyBooks]

I'm very interested in this program so I appreciate this video. Question though: Is the manuscript saved to the website? Do you know how it's protected from potential loss or access from others? Also is there any easy way to export the entire manuscript to an outside program? If you can't tell, I've lost several manuscripts to a variety of different problems haha

[@MandiLynnWrites]

It's saved automatically on the website or desktop app (depending on which you use). You can easily export the manuscript at any time. I've also lost manuscripts in the past to computer errors, so I copy and paste each chapter into a Word doc as I finish writing chapters so I always have my book in at least two places.

[@EmersonCaseyBooks]

@@MandiLynnWrites sounds good. Thank you! I'm trying to decide if I want to use the site or the desktop app, but I do think I'll be getting Campfire. Thanks again for the video and for sharing your code!

[@HarryPotter-zn5dm]

nice video

[@aidanlucid9619]

I'm just curious but have you heard of a piece of software called, "Jutoh"? It allows you to write your books and then export them into Kindle and epub format afterwards. There is a little bit of a learning curve and inserting pictures can be a little bit of a pain but it does save you hiring someone to format your book into a ..Mobi or epub file. Check it out. It's reasonably priced.

[@MandiLynnWrites]

I haven't but I use Adobe InDesign or Kotobee author to format books. I'll check out Jutoh though!

[@aidanlucid9619]

@@MandiLynnWrites Do. I hated InDesign and have yet to properly check out Kotobe but I will. Thanks for the great video.

[@MandiLynnWrites]

@@aidanlucid9619 Highly recommend Kotobee! I have a tutorial here if you want to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raOqqICXqZqaiZI

[@aidanlucid9619]

@@MandiLynnWrites ok. I will definitely check out your video. Thanks 👍🙏.

[@sireenadynal4391]

I liked the ease of Campfire but it erased one of my MC's

[@mikel4510]

Looks like a limited edition of World Anvil. Not sayin' it's bad, just limited in number of things - characters, locations, etc. - that can be worked when compared to other apps. but thanks for sharing.

[@newnamesameperson397]

Google docs ftw. It's free and has just about everything you need to write a rough draft. I honestly dislike campfire due to the pricing model. It's kinda whack that manuscript, characters, timeline, Arc, research, etc. Are all things you have to purchase separately. Is convenience really worth 375 dollars? (that's how much the lifetime membership cost) buying Microsoft Word is cheaper (the latest one is 159.99) just open a few tabs and you can do exactly what campfire offers. Hell Google docs which is like word lite can do that and it's free. Imo campfire is software that either nickel and dimes you if you pay a subscription or rips you off entirely if you buy it. There are plenty of free alternatives out there and if you need beta readers or help writing there is a reddit full of people eager to help.

[@samanthacollins9717]

its not allowing me to use it, it just a blank night sky, by the way loved this video

[@loridee21]

I clicked on the link you provided and it's giving me a 'I'm sorry" as if the link is broken. I've tried 3 times.

[@MandiLynnWrites]

Not sure why you're getting that message. I've checked the link and it seems to be working fine from my end www.campfirewriting.com/write/for-novelists?ML_Q1_22

[@ImaraJ2007]

is it free?

[@BazColne]

You know, Mandi, when an idea strikes the first actions are to start writing on a page. This might be a better starting point for the vid. All the fussing about is exactly what people are looking to avoid.

[@theresakidd]

I feel like this was I sponsored video. Well surprise, surprise...

[@MandiLynnWrites]

It is a sponsored video, but I've also been using and loving for Campfire for over two years now, hence why I wanted to create this video.

[@MongoTheClown]

GREAT, informative video. But I wish ta GAWD you'd pronounce "button" correctly.

[@Denaydena]

It just costs way too much!