Blog
News, updates, and writing tips from the Kindling team.
Best Plottr Alternatives for Fiction Writers in 2026
Plottr is great for planning, but it stops at the outline. Here are the best Plottr alternatives — including free options — for fiction writers who want a tool that takes them from outline to first draft.
Read more →Kindling v1.2: Light Theme, Scrivener Workflow, Screenplays & More
The biggest Kindling update yet — light theme, full-page prose editing, typed custom fields, hierarchical tags, screenplay project type, bidirectional Scrivener import/export, smart reference detection, and story structure templates.
Read more →The Best Story Outlining Software for Fiction Writers in 2026
Scrivener, Plottr, Novelcrafter, Dabble, Story Architect, and Kindling compared for fiction writers who outline. Pricing, strengths, and honest limitations.
Read more →Kindling v1.1: Plantser Support, Rolling Outlines & Auto-Updates
Kindling v1.1 adds Rolling Outline Mode for plantsers, blank projects, beat management, command palette, guided onboarding, and automatic updates.
Read more →How to Turn Your Novel Outline Into a First Draft -- A Plotter's Guide
Step-by-step guide for plotters on turning a finished outline into a first draft. Set up scenes, draft beat by beat, and push through to a complete manuscript.
Read more →Best Scrivener Alternatives for Plotters and Outliners (2026)
Looking for a Scrivener alternative that works with your outline? Compare the best writing software for plotters in 2026, including free options.
Read more →Introducing Kindling: Free Open-Source Writing App for Plotters
Kindling is a free, open-source desktop app that turns your outline into a first draft. Import from Plottr or yWriter, draft with beats visible. Now in beta.
Read more →Why Plotters Need Better Writing Software (And What We Built)
Most writing apps are built for pantsers. If you outline first, you know the friction. Here's why plotters need different tools -- and what we built.
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