Who it is best for
LivingWriter is best for authors who want cloud drafting, goals, planning boards, and research in the same environment.
Comparisons
Book Plots vs LivingWriter: Which is better for first-time fiction authors?
LivingWriter is a cloud-based writing app for authors with manuscript drafting, boards, goals, outlines, research, cloud sync, and AI-related features. It is broader than a planning-only tool.
Short verdict: Choose Book Plots if you want a focused plotting workspace. Choose LivingWriter if you want cloud writing, manuscript planning, goals, boards, and AI-assisted writing features together.
Interface focus
Book Plots
Plot board
Chapter map
Characters
Notes
Interface focus
LivingWriter
Manuscript
Boards
Goals
Research
Honest recommendation
The simpler answer depends on what problem you are solving.
Where it can feel broad
For first-time authors who already draft elsewhere, the writing, goal, and AI feature set may be more surface area than they need for plotting.
Why a new author may prefer Book Plots
Book Plots keeps planning separate and simple: make the story structure clear, then draft wherever you work best.
Simplest recommendation
Choose LivingWriter for a cloud writing suite. Choose Book Plots for a dedicated planning workspace.
Price comparison
Book Plots starts lower for authors who only need plotting.
Prices change, discounts come and go, and some tools use one-time licenses instead of subscriptions. This is the practical first-author view: what does it cost to start solving the plotting problem?
Book Plots
As little as $4/month
A lower-cost starting point for new fiction authors who want to organize scenes, chapters, arcs, characters, and notes before learning a broader writing system.
LivingWriter
$14.99/month, or $12/month when billed yearly
LivingWriter bundles manuscript writing, boards, research, goals, and export tools. Book Plots starts lower for authors who want planning first and do not need a full cloud writing suite.
View current LivingWriter pricingFeature comparison
Book Plots vs LivingWriter
| Criteria | Book Plots | LivingWriter |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of use for beginners | Focused on turning an idea into scenes, chapters, arcs, characters, and notes without learning a large writing system first. | Approachable, but includes drafting, goals, boards, research, and AI features to learn. |
| Plotting structure | Purpose-built plot board with connected cards, arcs, chapters, and outline import. | Manuscript outline, boards, elements, research, and chapter connections. |
| Character planning | Character records stay close to the scenes and arcs they affect. | Tracks elements such as characters, settings, and items across the manuscript. |
| Series planning | Good for keeping book-level projects, recurring characters, notes, and arc decisions organized while a series grows. | Useful for cloud-managed writing projects; series workflow depends on project setup. |
| Templates/guidance | Guidance is centered on practical planning steps: capture the idea, shape scenes, connect structure, then draft elsewhere if you prefer. | Offers outline and story-structure support, including AI-assisted outline generation on some plans. |
| Writing/drafting support | Planning-first. Use it before or alongside your drafting app. | Strong. Drafting is central to the product. |
| Learning curve | Designed to stay narrow enough for a first-time author to understand quickly. | Moderate because it is a writing suite rather than a narrow plotting board. |
| Best for | New fiction authors who want a simpler way to build a structured book plan. | Authors who want cloud writing, tracking, boards, research, and manuscript tools together. |
Use cases
Which tool fits the way you write?
Best for first-time authors
Book Plots is better if the first task is understanding story shape. LivingWriter is better if you also want to draft in the same cloud app.
Best for series planning
Book Plots is straightforward for recurring characters, arcs, and notes. LivingWriter is broader if you want manuscript goals and cloud drafting too.
Best for visual plotters
Both offer planning surfaces. Book Plots makes the board and structure the main experience.
Best if you already use another writing app
Book Plots avoids asking you to move your manuscript into a new cloud editor.
FAQ
Questions new authors ask before choosing.
Is LivingWriter good for beginners?
LivingWriter can be good for beginners who want cloud drafting and planning together. Book Plots is simpler for beginners who only need plotting help.
What is the best LivingWriter alternative for plotting?
Book Plots is a good alternative if your priority is scene, chapter, arc, and character planning rather than cloud drafting.
Should I use AI to outline my novel?
AI can help generate ideas, but first-time authors still need a clear structure they understand. Book Plots focuses on organizing that structure.
Can I use Book Plots with LivingWriter?
Yes. You can plan in Book Plots and draft in LivingWriter if you prefer LivingWriter's cloud writing environment.
Try plotting your first book with Book Plots.
Book Plots is for new fiction authors who want help turning an idea into a structured book plan without learning a complex writing system first.
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