Creating and Managing Projects: A Step-by-Step Guide
A quick tour of getting set up in Writing Desk, from creating your first project through to the core features you'll use every time you write.
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1
Open Writing Desk
When you open the app, choose Open a Project, Create a New File, or Open a File from your device.
Screenshot needed: The Writing Desk start screen with three opening options -
2
Create a new project
Select Projects, then Create New Project. Choose your project type, novel, short story, or poetry, add a title and target word count, then click Create. Writing Desk sets up a folder structure alongside your manuscript.
Screenshot needed: Creating a new novel project with a title and word count target -
3
Start from a new file
Select New File to create it as a new project, as a note, or to add it to an existing project. Notes are one-off documents not tied to any project.
Screenshot needed: Choosing what a new file becomes, a project, a note, or an addition -
4
Open your manuscript
Opening an existing project takes you straight into the editor, with your manuscript front and centre.
Screenshot needed: The Writing Desk editor with a manuscript open -
5
Use the left-hand menu
Connect related resources, navigate your manuscript's chapters, and add chapter notes to The Pad, all from the left-hand sidebar.
Screenshot needed: The left-hand sidebar with resources and chapter navigation -
6
Track your progress
Top right, the Writing Tracker shows your progress, words written today, and your writing velocity.
Screenshot needed: The Writing Tracker summary in the top-right corner -
7
Run an editorial review
Click Analysis to open Writing Desk's built-in editorial tools.
Screenshot needed: The Analysis menu with editorial tools listed -
8
Export your manuscript
Click the hamburger menu, top left, to access export tools.
Screenshot needed: The hamburger menu with export options -
9
Format and comment
The toolbar has the formatting tools you'd expect from a word processor, and you can add and review comments directly in the manuscript.
Screenshot needed: The formatting toolbar and a comment on the manuscript -
10
Enter Focus Mode
Hit Focus Mode to hide everything else, so you can get down to writing.
Screenshot needed: Focus Mode with all side panels hidden
Want to see it in motion?
Watch the full walkthrough video on the Projects, Notes & Organization help page.