Chapterly How-To

Let’s see how to use Chapterly.

Once you create a password and load the app, you need to choose if you are a new writer or  an experienced one. This will direct the app on how best to serve you. Content/advice will vary based on the answer.

If you are an experienced writer, the app will ask you to upload your manuscript. You can add the file and then edit right on the screen. The manuscript will also help the AI to suggest content for you. (It reads the doc and notes keywords.)

The app poses other questions to help learn about you, including the type of writing, genre, subcategory, and description of your work. The AI can help, but only if you add enough description for it to work with. Last, title your work.

Next, the app goes to the payment page. To receive a free trial, you must put in your payment information. You can cancel at any time. Be sure to note your payment date to avoid being charged if the app is not for you.

After payment is complete, set a daily goal for word count of 100, 500, or 1000. Later, you can adjust the goal to better fit your needs. Next, the app offers outlining guides. You can choose an outline method—27 chapter, 20-day method, Freytag’s pyramid, or you can skip the step.

Finally, the app opens to the draft page. The structure is similar to Scrivener, with an outline on the left and a blank page in the middle. Notes can be added to the right side by clicking the double arrow to open an information column. Pages and folders are added with the plus sign next to the manuscript in the outline menu. Pages can be dragged and dropped to reorganize the material. Click in the center and type away. To return to the draft page, use the dashboard or the library. Click on either option on the left and choose the title you need.

Other items/features on the left outline menu include characters and location. You can add characters and settings with quick access to the data. Hit the plus sign to add a new character. The page will have detailed questions and a place for a picture. Locations works similarly. You can even use the AI to help you create either.

To change your goal, click on Goals on the left and then New Goal. Here you can make your goal daily, weekly, or monthly. There are various totals to choose from (though not the 1667 daily for NaNo. Use the 50k for the month for that.) You can also put the goal on a specific work in progress. Last, choose how Chapterly will remind you about your goal—daily, weekly, monthly, and time of day.

Boards are an organizing, plotting element. You can plan the story, and the outline is a click away. The feature is like Scapple. You can make a flowchart or random boxes around the space. Click and drag boxes to reorganize your plot or add boxes to deepen it. Add new content with the Add Book Parts menu. Characters, locations, and pictures can be added, not just notes. You can also add new text and pictures with the icons.

Last on the menu, you can create a book cover for your WIP. Click on the plus next to Cover and then Blank Cover. Next, the app will prompt you to select the type you need. And yes, they have paperback covers. Add images, words, and such as you would in a photo app. The paperback cover will already have dimensions and settings for the spine, ISBN, and barcode.

Other features of the app include marketing and classes. On the far-left menu, the Audience feature allows users to connect with social media to share their process as they create their work. You can connect through TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and others. You must give Chapterly access to the accounts.

Under the Audience button, is a cart. It displays the classes and services available. I didn’t explore them as they were payment only. But there is a wide variety of services, from coaching to editing, cover design and blurb assistance, and courses.

Next week, we will discuss how to use the app as an author.