Screenwriting : Anyone use digital index card software for mapping out stories? by Michele Meek

Look at Prewrite. It's the best bit of software I've seen for story development, is collaborative, and you can build one story on there for free.

I often do that with most of my writing, more specifically for short film script. For feature films it depends though; based on what I'm writing. For instance, for two of my script connected to magical realism and surrealism I didn't make use of index cards in my software(Kitscenarist, Scrievener) , as it would be counter intuitive for the theme, story forming is what I feel.

For thrillers, action, drama I often create index cards. I feel I need to research and see through how the real world life situations can be included which helps the story.

Both Kitscenarist, Scrievener have cards. I have tried Writersolo(which is desktop version of Writerduet), it got cards, but it's not that efficient in my experience. There is another software called Dramaqueen which got something like plotting option, outlining option which is quite amazing. Recently I have explored it, it's pretty good. I have attached that image of Drama Queen.

I mostly use Kit Scenarist , as it also got mapping tool which is helpful. Sorry I can't share my KitScenarist screenshot as I have a different story structure framed. But you can download Kitscenarist which got both cards, maps and graphs too. Even Dramaqueen got graphs etc.

There is one Indian software called Scrite http://scrite.io/ The also provide index card, map, graphs and other options alongside screenwriting and it's free.

Personally, my process is I first write a story, so I use free version of Scrivener to write a story. Consult with friends about how it is and rework on it. And depending on what story I'm writing I make cards or go free flow. Even Scrievener is quite amazing to form folders like a indexed tree which helps. After that I use Kitscenarist or Fountain or any which I mentioned to write script based on what seems easy for that day.

I keep changing the softwares so that I be able to learn stuff and keep adapting to new things and don't want to be stuck to one thing while it would push me not to leave it sort off. So. yeah. see what works for you try it. Scrite, KitScenarist, WriterSolo which are free which you can try which gives everything what you are looking for. Also do check Dramaqueen. It got 30 day free version.

Michele, I'm with CJ in that I'm a Prewrite believer, also. I use it to fine-tune the screenplays I've already completed...but it works great, too, if you're starting a story from scratch. You can always complete a story on Prewrite and then send the story to Final Draft.

Wishing you all the VERY BEST, Michele...glad you're here on Stage 32!

Writerduet has these sort of tools built in. But I find anything that has a structured form a bit restrictive during this phase. I just insane disjointed notes in a doc.

I use the Final Draft beat board & story map during a draft rewrite. The color coding option is great. It saves so much space, especially when I move it to a second monitor. But, I wish Final Draft had a ‘Character Bible’ option.

Lol blech. I love the old big paper and cue cards and colored pens method. Nothing digital can replace that method for releasing creative juices when macro mapping a story. Save your cash and remember how to have fun!

I growed up using 3 x 5 cards, paper clapped to a taught string - still works for me.

Prewrite looks pretty cool I have to say - this might be the thing for me.... I have final draft but that feature feels less user-friendly.

The Final Draft beat board is the stuff of nightmares.