The Marshall Plan
Evan Marshall and his wife, Martha, have developed a software programme called The Marshall Plan® Novel Writing Software which is available to purchase ($149), and download at www.marshall-plan.com/software.htm.
Over a three year period, Evan learned programming, and he programmed the software himself. Evan contacted me via my old blog and kindly offered to send me a copy of the software, and asked me to review it.
I had previously been using Excel to keep my plotting in order, but this software really is straightforward to use. Once you’ve begun a new template, you can enter your name, your novel’s title, the number of words you’re working to, character names, and so on. The template keeps adjusting according to the information you’re inputting. If you’re writing a 144,000 word novel for example (as I am), you will learn that you need to have 28 sections in your novel beginning, 56 in the middle and 28 in the end. You’re prompted to use an action / reaction section as appropriate, and as to when you should be giving your lead character a crisis to deal with etc. There is a section template to fill in more details. Each of the tabs you click on gives useful advice. The only thing is, that after section 15 in my case, I’m kind of on my own regarding section order, which is a bit scary. But no-one can really help with this, and Evan does advise you regarding the total number of sections you need for each character and the subplot, so it’s just a matter of threading the storylines together in a logical and (hopefully) compelling way. And you can always adjust the order when you come to edit your manuscript.
Everyone has their own method of working, but if you are looking for some software to help with your novel plotting, then Evan’s programme is well worth considering, budget permitting of course! And one of Evan’s books would be a cheaper, no less worthy, alternative.