Welcome to Writing Shed Pro, the professional writing app designed for authors, poets, playwrights, and fiction writers. Whether you're crafting your first haiku or your tenth novel, Writing Shed Pro provides the tools you need to write, oWSP Is Writing Shed Pro?
Writing Shed Pro is a complete writing environment that runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It's built from the ground up for writers who take their craft seriously. Unlike generic word processors, every feature is designed with creative writing in mind.
Keep all your writing organized in projects. Each project contains folders and files that sync seamlessly across all your devices via iCloud.
Poets who need syllable counting, stress pattern analysis, and templates for traditional forms like sonnets, haiku, and villanelles.
Fiction Writers who want to organize scenes, track plot elements, and manage characters and locations.
Playwrights and Screenwriters who need professional script formatting with support for both stage plays and screenplays.
Essayists and Bloggers who want a distraction-free writing environment with powerful formatting tools.
Anyone who takes their writing seriously and wants a professional tool that grows with them.
This guide is organized into sections that mirror your writing workflow:
You can read straight through or jump to the sections most relevant to your needs.
Get writing in Writing Shed Pro in just five minutes. This guide walks you through creating your first project and writing your first document.
When you first open Writing Shed Pro, you'll see an empty project list.
Your new project appears in the list. Tap it to open.
Every file in your project has a workflow status that organises it automatically:
Poetry and short fiction projects also include: - Collections – Group related files together - Publications – Magazines and competitions you submit to - Submissions – Track what you've sent where
The file opens automatically in the editor.
Start typing. The editor works like any word processor:
The formatting toolbar provides quick access to:
Writing Shed Pro auto-saves continuously. Every change is preserved automatically:
To see your save history, look at file versions in the file details view. The version toolbar appears at the top of the editor, showing which version you're viewing. Use the arrow buttons to navigate between versions, or tap + to create a new version.
As you write more, keep things organized using workflow status:
Every file has a status that tracks where it is in your writing process:
Files move between the Draft, Ready, and Set Aside folders automatically when you change their status. This makes it easy to track your progress and focus on current work.
You've learned the basics! Here's where to go next:
Writing Shed Pro lets you explore the app and start writing before purchasing. You can create a project, add files, and use the full editor — when you reach the file limit, you'll be prompted to unlock the full version with a one-time in-app purchase. There's no subscription and no time limit on the trial.
This tutorial walks you through writing a Shakespearean sonnet in Writing Shed Pro, using the poetry tools to guide your meter and rhyme. By the end, you'll have a polished poem and know how to use syllable counting, stress analysis, and form templates.
Time: 20–30 minutes
Project Type: Poetry
Difficulty: Beginner
Your project opens with the standard Poetry folder structure: Poems, Collections, Submissions, Manuscript, Research, and more.
The poem opens in the editor. You'll see the form template as a guide — it shows the expected structure: 14 lines, organized as three quatrains and a closing couplet.
Before writing, look at what the template tells you:
| Section | Lines | Rhyme Scheme |
|---|---|---|
| Quatrain 1 | Lines 1–4 | ABAB |
| Quatrain 2 | Lines 5–8 | CDCD |
| Quatrain 3 | Lines 9–12 | EFEF |
| Couplet | Lines 13–14 | GG |
Each line should have 10 syllables in iambic pentameter (five pairs of unstressed-stressed syllables: da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM da-DUM).
Start typing your first four lines. Don't worry about perfection — get your ideas down first.
Try something like:
The morning breaks across the silent hill
And golden light spills through the frosted pane
A robin sings beside the windowsill
While mist dissolves like half-remembered rain
Look at the syllable counter in the toolbar. Each line should show 10 syllables. If a line is off:
The counter updates in real time as you type.
Tap the stress pattern button (the meter icon) to see the stressed and unstressed syllables highlighted:
For iambic pentameter, look for an alternating pattern. Don't worry if it's not perfectly regular — Shakespeare himself varied his meter for effect.
Now check that your rhyme scheme works:
You need line 3 to rhyme with line 1 (A rhyme), and line 4 to rhyme with line 2 (B rhyme).
If you're stuck for a rhyme, the rhyme tool suggests options. You can tap a suggestion to see it in context.
Continue writing the second quatrain (lines 5–8) with a new CDCD rhyme scheme, the third quatrain (lines 9–12) with EFEF, and finally the closing couplet (lines 13–14) with GG.
Tips for each section:
Keep checking your syllable count and stress patterns as you go.
Enable Verse Highlighting to see your poem's structure color-coded:
This gives you a visual overview of where the form is working and where it needs attention.
Read through your complete sonnet. Check for:
Make edits. The syllable counter and stress display update as you type. The rhyme tool helps you find alternatives when a rhyme isn't working.
When you're satisfied with your sonnet:
Your poem moves from Draft to Ready status, signaling that it's complete.
This tutorial takes you through creating a chapbook-ready poetry manuscript in Writing Shed Pro — from organizing poems into collections to assembling front matter, body matter, and exporting a polished PDF.
Time: 30–40 minutes
Project Type: Poetry
Difficulty: Intermediate
Prerequisites: A Poetry project with at least 6–8 poems written
A chapbook is typically 20–40 pages of thematically linked poems. Before using the tools, decide:
For this tutorial, we'll create a chapbook called "Seasons Turning" with two sections: "Spring/Summer" and "Autumn/Winter".
Collections are how you group poems in Writing Shed Pro. Each section of your chapbook becomes a collection.
You now have two collections in the Collections folder.
Repeat for the "Autumn/Winter" poems.
Open each collection to see its contents. The poems appear in the order you added them.
Remember: Adding a poem to a collection doesn't move it. The poem stays in the Poems folder — the collection is a virtual grouping. A poem can belong to multiple collections.
The order of poems in a collection matters — it's the reading order in your chapbook.
Think about flow: - Start strong with an accessible, inviting poem - Build emotional intensity through the middle - End with your strongest or most resonant piece
Repeat for the "Autumn/Winter" collection.
Now assemble the manuscript. Body Matter is where you define what appears in the final document and in what order.
The Body Matter view now shows both collections. Each collection expands to show its poems underneath.
If you need to change the order: 1. Tap Edit in the Body Matter view 2. Drag collections (or individual poems) to reorder 3. Tap Done
If you have poems that don't belong to a collection but should appear in the chapbook: 1. Tap + in Body Matter 2. Select individual poems to add 3. Position them where you want (between collections, at the start, or at the end)
A chapbook needs at minimum a title page. Professional submissions often include copyright and dedication pages too.
© 2026 [Your Name]
All rights reserved.Tip: You don't need to use all front matter files. Only the ones you add content to will appear in the export.
Before exporting, preview how the chapbook will look:
If you want chapbook-sized pages:
Your chapbook is now a professional PDF ready for submission or printing.
This tutorial walks you through the complete Fiction workflow in Writing Shed Pro — from setting up your project with characters and a story structure, to writing scenes, organizing chapters, and building toward a manuscript.
Time: 45–60 minutes
Project Type: Fiction (Novel)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Your project opens with the Fiction folder structure: Scenes, Chapters, Plot Elements, Characters, Locations, and more.
The Three-Act Structure gives you predefined plot stages to attach scenes to: - Act 1 – Setup: Introduce world, characters, inciting incident - Act 2 – Confrontation: Rising action, complications, midpoint - Act 3 – Resolution: Climax, falling action, resolution
Before writing a word, sketch your main characters. This helps you stay consistent throughout the novel.
Repeat for 4–5 more characters so you cover the core role set:
| Name | Role | Key Trait |
|---|---|---|
| Marco | Mentor | Wise old guide, knows the mountain's secrets |
| Dr. Strand | Antagonist | Geologist who wants to mine the glass deposits |
| Lucia | Ally | Elena's childhood friend who chooses loyalty when stakes rise |
| Inez | Skeptic | Practical council member who challenges every mountain myth |
| Tomas | Trickster | Charismatic scavenger whose jokes and schemes expose hidden truths |
Tip: You don't need every character before you start writing. Add new ones as the story reveals them.
Create as many locations as you need. Like characters, you can add more later.
Plot elements map your story against the chosen structure. With Three-Act Structure, you'll see predefined stages.
Now the planning pays off. Time to write.
The scene opens in the editor. Write your opening:
The trail was slick with last night's rain, and Elena placed each boot with the practiced care of someone who'd learned what carelessness cost...
Write freely. Don't worry about perfection — this is a draft.
After writing (or before, your choice):
These links help you track which characters appear where, which plot points are covered, and which locations are used.
Create and write several more scenes. Here's a sample set:
| Scene | Plot Element | Characters | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning Route | Ordinary World | Elena, Marco | The Glass Mountain |
| Strand Arrives | Inciting Incident | Elena, Dr. Strand, Lucia | Pueblo Cristal |
| The Journal | First Turning Point | Elena | The Glass Mountain |
| Living Glass | Rising Action | Elena, Dr. Strand | The Glass Mountain |
| The Vibration | Midpoint | Elena | The Glass Mountain |
| Test Drilling | Complications | Elena, Dr. Strand, Marco | The Glass Mountain |
| The Climb | Climax | Elena | The Glass Mountain |
| The Mountain Speaks | Resolution | Elena, Lucia, Marco | Pueblo Cristal |
Each scene is a self-contained writing unit. Write them in any order — you don't have to work linearly.
Once you have scenes written, group them into chapters.
Or from the scene side: 1. Open the scene's details 2. Tap Chapter 3. Select the chapter this scene belongs to
| Chapter | Scenes |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1: The Guide | Morning Route, Strand Arrives |
| Chapter 2: The Journal | The Journal |
| Chapter 3: Living Glass | Living Glass, The Vibration |
| Chapter 4: The Stakes | Test Drilling |
| Chapter 5: The Summit | The Climb, The Mountain Speaks |
In the Scenes view, you can see your scenes organized by their chapter assignment:
This view gives you an overview of your novel's structure at a glance. You can spot gaps (chapters with only one scene) or bottlenecks (chapters that are too long).
To assemble the manuscript:
The body matter defines the final manuscript order. Reorder chapters here if needed.
Use the project overview to see where you stand:
Write more scenes to fill gaps in your structure.
This tutorial guides you through creating a Short Fiction project in Writing Shed Pro — writing individual stories, organizing scenes, and assembling a collection for submission or export.
Time: 20–30 minutes
Project Type: Fiction (Short Fiction)
Difficulty: Beginner–Intermediate
Best for: Short story writers, flash fiction, anthologies, story collections
The project opens with the Short Fiction folder structure. The key areas are:
Short Fiction uses a simpler structure than Novel: scenes are your primary writing unit, and stories are optional containers that group related scenes together.
Before writing, sketch out a few stories. For this tutorial, we'll create three:
| Story | Scenes | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| The Last Bus | 3 scenes | A commuter's unexpected late-night encounter |
| Rooftop Garden | 2 scenes | Two neighbours connect over a shared garden |
| The Waiting Room | 1 scene | A single continuous scene in a hospital waiting room |
Notice that stories can have multiple scenes or just one. A flash fiction piece might be a single scene; a longer story might have three or four scenes representing shifts in time, location, or perspective.
Create a few more scenes: - "The Platform Stranger" — "A conversation with a mysterious traveller on the empty platform" - "Arrival" — "Alex arrives home changed by the encounter" - "Seeds" — "Mei discovers a rooftop garden she never knew existed" - "Growing" — "The garden becomes a meeting point; an unlikely friendship forms" - "Three Hours" — "A father waits for news, watching others in the waiting room"
Open "Missing the Express" and start writing. A few tips for writing scenes in Short Fiction mode:
Each scene has metadata you can set: - Synopsis: A brief summary (you added this when creating) - Status: Draft, Ready, or Set Aside - POV Character: Whose perspective drives this scene (set up characters in Step 6)
Write a few paragraphs for "Missing the Express." Don't worry about perfection — you can revise later.
Now organize your scenes into their stories.
Create two more stories: - "Rooftop Garden" — "Two neighbours find common ground above the city" - "The Waiting Room" — "Time stretches in a hospital waiting room"
Assign all scenes to their stories: - "Missing the Express," "The Platform Stranger," "Arrival" → The Last Bus - "Seeds," "Growing" → Rooftop Garden - "Three Hours" → The Waiting Room
Remember: A scene can only belong to one story. If you need the same content in two places, create separate scenes.
Short Fiction projects include Characters and Locations folders, which help you track details across your collection.
Add more characters: - Mei — Protagonist of "Rooftop Garden" - David — The father in "The Waiting Room" - The Traveller — A mysterious figure in "The Last Bus"
Add more: - The Rooftop — "A hidden garden on a six-storey apartment building" - City General Hospital — "Beige walls, plastic chairs, a muted television"
Set the POV character for each scene in its scene settings. This helps you track which characters drive which parts of the story.
As you finish writing and revising each scene:
Only scenes marked as Ready are included in manuscript assembly. This lets you keep experimental scenes or fragments in your project without them appearing in your export.
Tip: Use Set Aside for scenes you've written but decided not to include — they stay in the project but are clearly flagged as inactive.
Each story expands to show its scenes. The manuscript will include all Ready scenes in the order they appear within each story.
Between scenes within a story, Writing Shed Pro inserts scene breaks (typically represented by a blank line or centered marker like * * *). Between stories, a new section or page break begins.
For a collection, consider adding: - Title Page: Collection title and author name - Table of Contents: Auto-generated from story titles - Author's Note: Optional back matter
If you want to export just one story (e.g., for submission to a magazine): 1. Navigate to the story 2. Use the export option for that story only 3. This includes only the scenes within that story
This is particularly useful when submitting individual stories to different publications. See the Submitting Your Work tutorial for the full submission workflow.
A verse novel tells a story through poetry — combining the narrative arc of fiction with the precision and rhythm of verse. This tutorial shows you how to use Writing Shed Pro's Verse Novel mode to plan, write, and assemble one.
Time: 30–40 minutes
Project Type: Fiction (Verse Novel)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Familiarity with Poetry editing tools (see Tutorial: Your First Poem)
A verse novel is a full-length narrative written in verse rather than prose. Famous examples include The Odyssey, Aurora Leigh, and modern works like The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. The text reads as poetry — with attention to line breaks, rhythm, and compression — but follows a story arc with characters, conflict, and resolution.
In Writing Shed Pro, a verse novel uses: - Books instead of chapters (like sections of an epic poem) - Episodes instead of scenes (each episode is a poem or verse passage) - The poetry editor with syllable counting, stress analysis, and rhyme tools
The project opens with Verse Novel folders: Episodes (instead of Scenes), Books (instead of Chapters), Plot Elements, Characters, Locations, and more.
The Verse Novel hierarchy mirrors a novel but uses poetry terminology:
| Novel | Verse Novel | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Chapter | Book | Major section of the narrative |
| Scene | Episode | Individual verse passage or poem |
| Prose editor | Poetry editor | Writing environment |
Each episode is written using the poetry editor, so you have access to syllable counting, stress patterns, and all poetry tools while writing your narrative.
Think of books as the major sections of your narrative. For "Salt Roads", we might plan:
| Book | Theme | Episodes |
|---|---|---|
| Book I: Departure | Leaving home, the journey begins | 5–7 episodes |
| Book II: The Crossing | The difficult middle, trials and growth | 6–8 episodes |
| Book III: Arrival | New land, resolution, transformation | 5–7 episodes |
Repeat for Books II and III.
The episode opens in the poetry editor. Notice you have all the poetry tools available: - Syllable counter in the toolbar - Stress pattern display - Rhyme tools - Verse highlighting
The flats stretch white as bone beneath the sun,
each crystal catching light like tiny fires.
Mira kneels. Her fingers find the seam
where earth and salt divide — the place her mother
said to listen. Pressed against the ground,
she hears it: low vibration, half a song,
the sound the land makes when it knows
you're leaving.
The poetry editor counts syllables per line and shows stress patterns — essential tools even for free verse, where rhythm matters.
Continue writing episodes for your first book. Here's a possible sequence:
| Episode | Book | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| The Salt Flats at Dawn | Book I | Mira says goodbye to the landscape |
| Packing Light | Book I | What she takes, what she leaves behind |
| Her Mother's Hands | Book I | Memory of learning salt harvesting |
| The Road Out | Book I | First steps of the journey |
| Night Camp | Book I | Alone for the first time |
While writing each episode, the poetry tools support your craft:
Once you have several episodes written:
The order within a book is the reading order: how the episodes will appear in the manuscript.
Look at your book from a narrative perspective: - Does the sequence create forward momentum? - Are there emotional peaks and valleys? - Does each episode reveal something new?
Assemble your manuscript:
Each book expands to show its episodes. The body matter order is the manuscript reading order.
Verse novels benefit from clean, minimal front matter:
Tip: Some verse novels include a brief note about the form — explaining that the story is told in verse. This can go in the front matter as a brief author's note.
The poetry formatting is preserved in the export — line breaks, stanza spacing, and indentation all appear as you wrote them.
This tutorial walks you through writing a short script in Writing Shed Pro using Drama Markup Language (DML). You'll learn the basic markup, preview formatted output, switch between film and stage formats, and organize scenes into acts.
Time: 30–40 minutes
Project Type: Drama
Difficulty: Beginner
Drama Markup Language (DML) is Writing Shed Pro's simple markup for scripts. You write plain text with a few special characters, and it renders as a properly formatted screenplay or stage play. The same source works for both formats — only the output styling changes.
The project opens with Drama folders: Scenes, Acts, Plot Elements, Characters, Locations, and more.
The scene opens in the editor. Unlike other project types, Drama scenes use DML markup.
Type the following into your scene. Each line type is explained below.
# Scene 1
@ INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY
= A sterile, fluorescent-lit room with plastic chairs. A clock ticks loudly.
> Two people sit at opposite ends. ANNA (30s, crisp suit, checking her phone) and BEN (40s, paint-stained jeans, fidgeting).
> The clock ticks. Beat.
BEN
(clearing his throat)
Been waiting long?
ANNA
(not looking up)
Depends what you mean by long.
BEN
I mean... hours? Minutes?
ANNA
(finally looks up)
I stopped counting.
> Ben shifts in his chair. The clock seems louder.
BEN
I'm Ben, by the way.
ANNA
I didn't ask.
~ CUT TO:
| Marker | Purpose | Example |
|---|---|---|
# |
Scene heading / slug line | # Scene 1 |
@ |
Location line (INT./EXT.) | @ INT. WAITING ROOM - DAY |
= |
Scene description / setting | = A sterile room... |
> |
Stage direction / action | > Two people sit... |
NAME |
Character name (all caps on its own line) | BEN |
(text) |
Parenthetical (in brackets, after character name) | (clearing his throat) |
| Text after name | Dialogue lines | Been waiting long? |
~ |
Transition | ~ CUT TO: |
That's the core of DML. Six markers cover most script writing needs.
Now see how your markup looks as a proper script:
In Film format, you'll see: - Scene headings left-aligned and underlined - Character names centered - Dialogue in a narrow column - Parentheticals indented under character names - Transitions right-aligned
Toggle back to source view to continue editing.
The same DML produces different output depending on format:
| Element | Film Format | Stage Format |
|---|---|---|
| Scene headings | INT./EXT. slug lines | ACT/Scene headings |
| Character names | Centered, caps | Left-aligned, caps |
| Dialogue | Narrow center column | Full-width |
| Stage directions | Full-width, italicized | Italicized, indented |
| Transitions | Right-aligned | Centered |
Both render from the same DML source, so you can write once and output in either format.
# Scene 2
@ INT. WAITING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
= The same room. The clock has stopped.
> Anna stands and walks to the clock. She taps it. Nothing.
ANNA
(to herself)
That's odd.
BEN
It stopped about an hour ago. Maybe two. Hard to tell.
ANNA
And you didn't think to mention that?
BEN
(smiling)
I was waiting for the right moment.
> Anna looks at Ben properly for the first time. Something shifts.
ANNA
What are we waiting for, exactly?
BEN
(standing)
I was hoping you could tell me.
> They face each other. The fluorescent light flickers.
= BLACKOUT
= BLACKOUT uses the scene description marker for a stage direction that ends the sceneCONTINUOUS) tell the reader we're in the same locationFor longer scripts, you'll want to organize scenes into acts.
Assign both scenes to Act I. For a longer script, you might have: - Act I: Setup and inciting incident - Act II: Complications and rising action - Act III: Climax and resolution
In the main Scenes view:
This view helps you see the overall structure of your script at a glance.
As your script grows, you'll want these additional DML features:
BEN | ANNA
I think we should — | No, listen —
BEN
I *really* don't think that's a good idea.
// TODO: Add more tension to this exchange
See DML Reference for every available markup option, including lyrics, sound effects, and more.
The PDF uses industry-standard formatting appropriate for the chosen format — ready for a table read, submission, or production.
#, @, =, >, ~, and character names| Marker | Purpose |
|---|---|
# |
Scene heading |
@ |
Location |
= |
Setting / scene description |
> |
Stage direction / action |
CHARACTER |
Character name (caps, own line) |
(text) |
Parenthetical |
~ |
Transition |
// |
Note (hidden in output) |
*text* |
Emphasis |
This tutorial covers the complete submission workflow in Writing Shed Pro — from setting up publications to tracking responses. You'll learn to manage submissions, set notification reminders, and handle simultaneous submissions.
Time: 20–30 minutes
Project Type: Poetry (works similarly for Fiction and Drama)
Difficulty: Intermediate
Prerequisites: A project with finished work ready to submit
Before submitting, define where you'll send your work.
For the competition, set a reminder so you don't miss the deadline:
Tip: Create entries for all the publications you regularly submit to. The notes field is perfect for remembering submission guidelines, response times, and past experiences.
For poetry submissions, the recommended workflow is to create a collection of the poems you want to submit together.
The order matters — it's how the editor will read them. Put your strongest poem first.
Now record the actual submission:
Writing Shed Pro records: - Which poems (and which versions) were submitted - The date of submission - The target publication - The initial status: Pending
Most publications take weeks or months to respond. Set a reminder so you don't forget:
This is especially useful when you have submissions at multiple publications — the reminders keep track so you don't have to.
When you hear back, update the status:
If you withdraw the submission (perhaps a poem was accepted elsewhere): 1. Open the submission 2. Change status to Withdrawn 3. Add notes explaining why 4. Save
Many writers submit the same work to multiple publications at once. Here's how to manage that:
Review your publication notes — some publications don't allow simultaneous submissions. The notes field you filled in earlier is your reference.
If a publication accepts work that you also submitted elsewhere: 1. Update the accepted submission to Accepted 2. Open the other submissions containing the same poems 3. Update those to Withdrawn 4. Add a note: "Withdrawn — accepted by [Publication Name]"
To see all submissions at a glance:
You can see: - Pending: Work still out for consideration - Accepted: Successfully placed work - Rejected: Declined submissions - Withdrawn: Submissions you pulled back
This history builds over time into a complete record of your submission activity.
Rejection is part of writing. When a piece comes back:
Over time, your submission history shows each piece's journey from draft to publication.
Here's the full submission lifecycle:
1. Write poems → mark as Ready
2. Create a Collection → add poems
3. Set up Publication → add notes and guidelines
4. Submit to Publication → status: Pending
5. Set a follow-up Reminder
6. Wait...
7. Hear back → update status:
├── Accepted → celebrate, withdraw other subs
├── Rejected → revise or resubmit elsewhere
└── No response → reminder fires → follow up
This tutorial walks you through preparing a complete, professionally formatted manuscript in Writing Shed Pro — covering page layout, paragraph styles, footnotes, table of contents, front and back matter, and PDF export.
Time: 40–50 minutes
Project Type: Any (examples use Prose and Fiction)
Difficulty: Advanced
Prerequisites: A project with written content ready for export
Start with the physical page dimensions and margins.
Select a standard size for your manuscript type:
| Manuscript Type | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| Standard submission | US Letter (8.5" × 11") or A4 |
| Novel (trade paperback) | 6" × 9" |
| Poetry chapbook | 5.5" × 8.5" (Digest) |
| Academic paper | A4 or US Letter |
Standard manuscript margins: - Top: 1 inch (2.54 cm) - Bottom: 1 inch - Left: 1.25 inches (slightly wider for binding) - Right: 1 inch
Adjust as needed for your target publication's guidelines.
Tip: Front matter pages typically use Roman numeral page numbers (i, ii, iii...) while body matter uses Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3...). Writing Shed Pro handles this automatically when you use the Manuscript folder structure.
The Stylesheet Editor controls how every paragraph type looks in your exported document.
Changes save automatically. The stylesheet applies to all files in the project — edit once, format everywhere.
Footnotes are valuable for academic writing, historical fiction, and annotated editions.
For endnotes (all notes collected at the end): - Write your footnotes as normal - In Export Options, select Endnotes instead of Footnotes - They'll be collected into the Back Matter automatically
A Table of Contents (TOC) helps readers navigate longer works.
Writing Shed Pro can generate a TOC from your heading styles:
The TOC generates automatically during PDF export, pulling chapter titles and page numbers from your body matter.
For complete control, write your own TOC: 1. Open the Table of Contents file 2. Type chapter titles and placeholder page numbers 3. Update page numbers after a test export
Front matter appears before your main content. Open Manuscript → Front Matter and populate the files you need:
Publisher/imprint (if applicable)
Copyright ``` © 2026 [Your Name] All rights reserved.
Published by [Publisher] ISBN: [number]
No part of this publication may be reproduced... ```
Dedication — Brief, personal
Table of Contents — Auto-generated or manual
Acknowledgments — Thank contributors, editors, supporters
You don't need all of these — only files with content are included in the export.
Back matter appears after your main content. Open Manuscript → Back Matter:
Writing Shed Pro can generate these automatically from your content:
In the Back Matter folder, reorder items to match your publisher's requirements. Common order: 1. Endnotes 2. Glossary 3. Bibliography/References 4. Index 5. About the Author
Your main content needs to be in the Body Matter folder:
If a file shouldn't appear in the manuscript (notes, drafts, alternate versions): 1. Open the file's context menu 2. Toggle Include in Manuscript off 3. The file stays in your project but is skipped during assembly
Before the final export, preview everything:
For submissions that require editable documents: 1. In Export Options, select RTF 2. Export alongside your PDF 3. RTF preserves formatting while remaining editable
Before submitting, verify:
This tutorial walks you through managing a large Prose project in Writing Shed Pro — using sections, search and replace, and manuscript assembly to keep a complex work organized and export-ready.
Time: 30–40 minutes
Project Type: Prose
Difficulty: Intermediate
Best for: User guides, essay collections, multi-part articles, research projects, memoirs
The project opens with the Prose folder structure: Manuscript, Sections, Prose, Collections, Submissions, Research, and more.
For this tutorial, we're writing a reference guide with multiple parts and many files. Prose mode's sections and organization tools are designed for exactly this.
Sections in Prose projects work like chapters in fiction — they group related files into logical units. Plan your structure before writing:
| Section | Contents | Files |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Overview, how to use this guide | 2–3 files |
| Broadleaf Trees | Oak, beech, birch, etc. | 8–10 files |
| Coniferous Trees | Pine, spruce, cedar, etc. | 6–8 files |
| Ornamental Trees | Cherry, magnolia, etc. | 5–7 files |
| Appendices | Glossary, further reading | 2–3 files |
Repeat for each section: Broadleaf Trees, Coniferous Trees, Ornamental Trees, and Appendices.
This order determines how sections appear in the file list and (later) in the manuscript.
For example: - "How to Use This Guide" → Introduction - "English Oak" → Broadleaf Trees - "Scots Pine" → Coniferous Trees - "Japanese Cherry" → Ornamental Trees
To assign multiple files at once: 1. Tap Edit in the file list 2. Select multiple files (e.g., all the broadleaf tree entries) 3. Tap Assign to Section 4. Select Broadleaf Trees
In the main Prose file list, files appear grouped under their section headings:
▼ Introduction
How to Use This Guide
About Urban Trees
▼ Broadleaf Trees
English Oak
Silver Birch
Common Beech
Horse Chestnut
▼ Coniferous Trees
Scots Pine
Norway Spruce
▼ Ornamental Trees
Japanese Cherry
Star Magnolia
▶ Appendices (collapsed)
Unassigned
(files not yet assigned to a section)
Now write! Open any file and start. A few tips for large projects:
For a reference guide, each tree entry might follow a template:
# English Oak
## Identification
- **Height**: 20–40 meters
- **Leaves**: Lobed, 10–12 cm long
- **Bark**: Grey-brown, deeply fissured
## Where to Find It
Common in parks, streets, and gardens throughout the UK...
## Interesting Facts
The English oak can live for over 1,000 years...
Consistent structure makes the final document feel cohesive.
Apply heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3) consistently: - Heading 1: Tree name (generates TOC entries) - Heading 2: Section within each entry - Heading 3: Sub-sections if needed
These headings matter for the auto-generated table of contents.
When writing a large project, you'll often need to make consistent changes across many files. For example, you realize you've been inconsistently writing "metres" and "meters".
metersmetresControl the reading order within each section:
This order determines the manuscript reading order within each section.
Now bring everything together for export:
If some files aren't ready for the manuscript: 1. Open the file's context menu 2. Toggle Include in Manuscript off 3. The file is skipped during assembly but remains in your project
For an editable version, also export as RTF.
Writing Shed Pro is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac through the App Store. This guide covers installation and initial setup.
The app icon appears on your Home Screen (iOS/iPadOS) or in Applications (Mac).
When you first open Writing Shed Pro:
No data loss if you lose or replace a device
Notifications: Optional push notifications for submission reminders and deadlines
Empty Project List: You'll see an empty project list, ready for you to create your first project
Writing Shed Pro uses iCloud to store and sync your projects. To ensure this works:
You can use Writing Shed Pro without iCloud: - Projects are stored locally on your device - No sync between devices - Risk of data loss if device is lost or damaged - We strongly recommend enabling iCloud
Writing Shed Pro updates automatically if you have automatic updates enabled. To update manually:
If you delete and reinstall Writing Shed Pro: - With iCloud enabled: All your projects will sync back automatically - Without iCloud: Your local projects will be lost
Writing Shed Pro works across all your Apple devices:
If you edit the same file on two devices simultaneously: - The most recent changes are preserved - If you have created multiple versions of a file, each version syncs independently
See iCloud Sync for detailed troubleshooting.
A project is the foundation of your writing in Writing Shed Pro. Every poem, story, script, or document lives inside a project. This guide walks you through creating and setting up your first project.
A project is a container for related writing work. Think of it as a binder or portfolio. For example:
When creating a project, you choose a type that determines its features and folder structure:
| Type | Best For | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prose | Essays, articles, general writing | Simple folders, flexible organization |
| Poetry | Poems and verse | Syllable counting, rhyme tools, form templates |
| Fiction | Novels and short stories | Scenes, chapters, plot elements, characters |
| Drama | Scripts and plays | DML formatting, film/stage output |
You can't change a project's type after creation, so choose the one that best fits your work.
Your new project opens automatically.
Every project starts with standard folders:
Every file has a workflow status that determines where it appears:
After creating a project, you can customize its settings:
.wsp archiveYou can have as many projects as you need. The project list shows all your projects with options to:
For novels and screenplays, use one project per work. This keeps everything organized and allows proper export of the full manuscript.
For poetry or short stories, you might keep a year's worth of poems in one project, using folders and collections to organize.
Name projects clearly: "Spring 2026 Poems" is better than "Poems." You can always rename later.
To delete a project:
Alternatively, swipe left on a project in the list and tap Delete.
Warning: Deleting a project forever permanently removes all its files. This action cannot be undone. Consider exporting important work before deleting.
This guide walks you through Writing Shed Pro's interface, helping you understand where everything is and how to navigate efficiently.
When you launch Writing Shed Pro, you see the Project List. This is your home base.
Tapping a project opens its folder structure. The layout adapts to your device:
The toolbar appears at the top of most screens and provides context-specific actions.
When editing text, a formatting toolbar appears above the keyboard:
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| →| | Insert tab (iPhone only, hidden with external keyboard) |
| 🖼 | Image settings (enabled when an image is selected) |
| 📋 | Notes (footnotes, comments, and other annotations) |
| ¶ | Paragraph style picker |
| BIU | Text formatting menu — tap to choose Bold, Italic, Underline, or Strikethrough (iPhone only; individual buttons on iPad) |
| ◂≡ | Decrease indent |
| ≡▶ | Increase indent |
| ≡ | Add to index (only shown when index is enabled in manuscript settings) |
| ⌨↓ | Hide keyboard (iPhone/iPad only, hidden with external keyboard) |
Tap ¶ to see available paragraph styles: - Body (default text) - Heading 1, 2, 3 - Subheadline - Caption - Footnote - And more...
At the top of the paragraph style list, an Edit button opens the Stylesheet Editor where you can customise fonts, sizes, spacing, and other formatting for each style. See Stylesheet Editor for details.
Tap a style to apply it to the current paragraph.
Tap the insert button in the navigation bar to add content to your document: - Image: Add a photo or illustration - Comment: Add a revision note - Footnote: Create a numbered footnote - Endnote: Add an endnote (when enabled in manuscript settings) - Glossary Term: Add a glossary entry (when enabled in manuscript settings) - Reference: Add a reference (when enabled in manuscript settings) - Index Entry: Mark text for the index (when enabled in manuscript settings) - List: Insert a numbered or bulleted list - Page Break: Insert a manual page break
When you select text by double-tapping or dragging, a menu appears:
See Keyboard Shortcuts for the complete list.
Writing Shed Pro follows your system's appearance settings: - Light mode - Dark mode - Automatic (follows system)
Text in the editor respects your system's Dynamic Type settings. Increase system text size in Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size for larger editor text.
Writing Shed Pro uses iCloud to keep your projects synchronized across all your Apple devices. This guide explains how sync works and how to troubleshoot issues.
When you enable iCloud: - All projects are stored in iCloud Drive - Changes sync automatically within seconds - Your work is backed up continuously - Devices must be signed into the same Apple ID
When you first open Writing Shed Pro with iCloud enabled: 1. The app creates a container in iCloud Drive 2. Existing projects (if any) upload to iCloud 3. Projects from other devices appear automatically
For seamless sync across devices: 1. Install Writing Shed Pro on each device 2. Sign into the same Apple ID on all devices 3. Enable iCloud Drive on all devices 4. Enable Writing Shed Pro in iCloud settings on all devices
Writing Shed Pro works fully offline: - All recent projects are available locally - You can read and edit without internet - Changes are queued for sync - When you reconnect, changes upload automatically
If you edit the same file on two devices before sync completes:
Projects count toward your iCloud storage quota.
If you need to disable iCloud sync:
Warning: This will remove Writing Shed Pro data from iCloud. Projects on other devices may no longer be accessible.
This message appears when there's a potential conflict: 1. Save your work 2. Wait a moment for sync 3. Reload the file 4. Your changes and the other device's changes will both be preserved
If data appears to be missing: 1. Check iCloud.com in a web browser 2. Look in iCloud Drive → Writing Shed Pro 3. Check the Trash folder in your projects 4. Restore from iCloud backup if necessary
Your writing in iCloud is protected by: - End-to-end encryption in transit - Encryption at rest on Apple servers - Your Apple ID password - Optional two-factor authentication (highly recommended)
Writing Shed Pro never has access to your Apple ID password. All sync is handled securely by the system.
Writing Shed Pro's Settings screen gives you quick access to app-wide features, import tools, appearance options, and support. Open it by tapping the gear icon (⚙) in the toolbar on the project list screen.
View version information, build number, and credits.
Review and restore your in-app purchases. If you've reinstalled the app or switched devices, use this to restore previous purchases.
Open the stylesheet editor to create and customise stylesheets for your documents. Stylesheets control fonts, sizes, spacing, and other formatting when you export or print. See Stylesheet Editor for details.
Import a .wsp file — a Writing Shed Pro project archive. Choose the file from your device or iCloud Drive, and it will be added to your project list. The .wsp format includes all project data: files, versions, folders, submissions, and metadata. See Creating Projects for details on what's included and the full import/export workflow.
Choose how Writing Shed Pro's interface appears:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| System | Follows your device's light/dark mode setting |
| Light Mode | Always uses a light background |
| Dark Mode | Always uses a dark background |
Note: On Mac, Writing Shed Pro follows your system appearance automatically. The Appearance section is not shown on Mac.
View the status of iCloud sync and troubleshoot any issues. This shows details about your sync container, pending operations, and recent sync activity. See iCloud Sync for more about sync.
Send a message to the Writing Shed Pro support team. This opens a pre-filled email with your app version and device information included, helping us assist you more quickly.
If you're enjoying Writing Shed Pro, tapping this opens the App Store rating dialog so you can leave a review. Your feedback helps other writers discover the app.
Writing Shed Pro offers four project types, each designed for a specific kind of writing. Choosing the right type gives you access to specialized tools that make your writing process more efficient.
| Project Type | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Prose | Essays, articles, general writing | Simple organization, flexible structure |
| Poetry | Poems and verse | Syllable counting, rhyme tools, form templates |
| Fiction | Novels, verse novels, and short stories | Scenes, chapters, plot elements, characters |
| Drama | Scripts and plays | Script formatting, DML markup, Film/Stage output |
Prose projects are the most flexible type, suitable for any writing that doesn't fit the specialized categories.
Deleted files go to the Trash folder.
Poetry projects include specialized tools for writing verse in both free and formal styles.
See Poetry Mode Overview for details.
Fiction projects help you organize and write novels, verse novels, and short stories.
When creating a fiction project, you choose a class:
| Class | Structure | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Novel | Chapters contain Scenes | Long-form fiction |
| Verse Novel | Books contain Episodes (verse) | Novel-length poetry |
| Short Fiction | Scenes only (no chapters) | Short stories, novellas |
Choose a story structure to help organize your plot:
Further Reading: The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler.
See Fiction Mode Overview for details.
Drama projects provide script formatting tools for playwrights and screenwriters.
Choose how your script is formatted:
See Drama Mode Overview for details.
Create separate projects for different kinds of work:
No. The project type is set at creation and cannot be changed. This is because each type has a different data structure optimized for that kind of writing.
If you realize you need a different type:
This guide covers everything you need to know about creating new projects in Writing Shed Pro.
Enter a descriptive name for your project. Examples:
You can rename the project later if needed.
Choose from:
See Project Types Overview for details on each type.
When creating a Fiction project, also select:
Optionally select a story structure:
Further Reading: The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler.
You can change the structure later in Project Settings.
Your new project opens automatically, showing its folder structure. Depending on the project type, you'll see different folders ready for your content.
Good names help you find projects quickly:
Add year, genre, or status when helpful:
Long names may be truncated in the project list:
Writing Shed Pro has no hard limit on the number of projects you can create. However:
You can import projects into Writing Shed Pro from .wsp files — the native project archive format.
.wsp file from your device or iCloud DriveA .wsp file contains your complete project:
Importing a project with the same name as an existing project creates a separate copy with a number appended to the name (e.g. "My Project 2"). Projects are never overwritten or merged during import.
To export a project as a .wsp file, see Project Settings.
See Export Options for details on all export formats including WSP.
Every project has settings that control its behavior and appearance. This guide explains what you can configure and how.
Open project settings via the ⋯ (ellipsis) button in the toolbar when a project is open.
Change the project's display name. Changes sync immediately across devices.
Set the author name for the project. This is used in page headers and footers via the {{Author}} placeholder in your page setup template.
Add a description or notes about the project, such as:
The project type is shown but cannot be changed after creation. This includes:
If you need a different project type, create a new project and move your content.
For Fiction and Drama projects, you can change the story structure at any time:
When you change the structure:
For Drama projects, choose how scripts are formatted:
This affects how Drama Markup Language (DML) is rendered, not how you write it.
Each project has a stylesheet that defines text formatting.
See Stylesheet Editor for details.
Configure how pages are formatted for export and printing.
See Page Setup for details.
To export a project as a .wsp file:
The file is saved as ProjectName.wsp.
To make a full copy of a project:
Writing Shed Pro creates a complete duplicate with a new internal ID, so the copy is independent of the original.
If a project with the same name already exists, the duplicate is automatically renamed with a number suffix.
Some settings can cause data loss if used incorrectly.
All project settings sync across your devices via iCloud:
Writing Shed Pro organizes your work in a hierarchy of folders and files within each project. This guide explains how to work with both.
For organization strategy (status lifecycle, ordering strategy, and manuscript assembly planning), see Organizing Your Work.
Project
└── Folders
└── Files
Draft, Ready, Set Aside, and Published are file workflow statuses, not folders.
In content views, status tabs appear at the top with counts: - All - Draft - Ready - Set Aside - Published
Tap a status tab to filter the file list.
Published is set automatically when a submission is accepted.
Additional project folders: - Poems: Your main writing area for poems - Collections: Poetry body containers — group related poems together for manuscript assembly - Submissions: Track what you've sent - Magazines: Publication targets - Competitions: Contest targets
Additional project folders: - Scenes (or Episodes for Verse Novel): Your story scenes - Chapters (Novel), Books (Verse Novel): Body containers used in manuscript assembly - Plot Elements: Story beats - Characters: Character profiles - Locations: Setting definitions - Submissions: Track what you've sent - Publishers / Agents: Submission targets
Create a new file:
The file opens automatically in the editor.
Rename files from the ⋯ (ellipsis) button in the file row.
Files can be reordered within a folder:
For guidance on when to use Name, Date Modified, or User's Order as a long-term strategy, see Organizing Your Work.
Deleted files go to Trash and can be restored.
Deleted files aren't immediately destroyed—they go to Trash.
Items are restored to their original location.
Warning: Emptying Trash permanently deletes all items. This cannot be undone.
Copy files from one project to another without removing them from the original.
View information about a file:
Writing Shed Pro automatically creates versions as you edit:
The current content becomes a new version, so nothing is lost.
A well-organized project makes writing easier and more productive. This guide focuses on organization strategy: workflow status, ordering, and manuscript assembly decisions.
For step-by-step actions (creating, renaming, deleting, restoring, and detailed list operations), see Folders and Files.
Writing Shed Pro uses file workflow statuses to support a natural writing lifecycle:
Draft → Ready → Published
↓
Set Aside
Deleted items go to the Trash folder.
Where new work begins. Use Draft for:
Use Ready when a file is polished and complete. Ready signals:
For work you're not actively pursuing:
Published is usually set automatically when a submission is accepted.
Deleted items land here. You can:
Control how files appear in lists:
For exact tap-by-tap sorting and drag-reorder steps, see Folders and Files.
Writing Shed Pro uses project-specific body containers to group content for manuscript assembly. Poetry Collections are one example, not the only one.
These units are added to Manuscript → Body Matter and reordered. During export, body matter is assembled in that order.
See Manuscript Structure for full assembly behavior across project types, and Poetry Collections for Poetry-specific details.
Find files quickly with search:
Search scope is limited to the current folder.
For advanced find/replace workflows inside files, see Search and Replace.
While Writing Shed Pro doesn't have explicit tags, you can use:
Add prefixes or suffixes to file names:
[WIP] Poem Title for work in progressPoem Title - Sonnet for formPoem Title (Contest) for destinationUse the file details field for notes, tags, or metadata.
Keep your project healthy:
Writing Shed Pro uses a Manuscript folder to organize your work for export and publication. This guide covers the manuscript structure, its subfolders, and the special files for front and back matter.
For organization strategy (workflow status and deciding what to include), see Organizing Your Work.
The Manuscript folder provides a structured way to assemble your writing into a complete, publishable document. It contains three main subfolders:
Manuscript/
├── Front Matter/
│ ├── Title Page
│ ├── Copyright
│ ├── Dedication
│ ├── Table of Contents
│ └── (other front matter files)
├── Body Matter/
│ └── (your writing organized by type)
└── Back Matter/
├── Endnotes (auto-generated)
├── Glossary (auto-generated)
├── References/Bibliography (auto-generated)
├── Index (auto-generated)
└── Contributors (user-created)
The body folder is always called Body Matter for all project types. You manage its contents through the Body Matter view, where you can add, remove, and reorder body containers (or direct files, where supported) for manuscript assembly.
Front matter appears at the beginning of your manuscript, before the main content. Writing Shed Pro provides files for common front matter elements, but you supply the content.
| File | Purpose | Content to Add |
|---|---|---|
| Title Page | Book title and author | Title, subtitle, author name, publisher logo |
| Copyright | Legal information | Copyright notice, ISBN, publisher info, rights statements |
| Dedication | Personal dedication | To whom you dedicate the book |
| Acknowledgments | Thanks | People and organizations to thank |
| Epigraph | Introductory quote | A quotation that sets the tone |
| Table of Contents | Chapter listing | Auto-generated from headings, or manually created |
| Foreword | Introduction by another person | Written by someone other than the author |
| Preface | Author's introduction | Why and how you wrote the book |
| Introduction | Subject introduction | Background on the subject matter |
The Table of Contents (TOC) can be: - Auto-generated: Writing Shed Pro creates it from your heading styles during PDF export - Manual: You write and format it yourself
To enable auto-generated TOC: 1. Go to Export Options 2. Enable Include Table of Contents 3. The TOC will be generated based on Heading 1, Heading 2, etc. styles in your content
Note: Auto-generated TOC requires consistent use of heading paragraph styles.
The middle folder contains your actual writing, organized according to project type. How body content is assembled into the manuscript differs for each type:
| Project Type | Body Folder | Hierarchy | Assembly Order |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prose | Body Matter | Sections → Files | Section order, then file order within each section |
| Poetry | Body Matter | Collections and individual poems | Body matter order (collections and individual poems) |
| Novel | Body Matter | Chapters → Scenes | Chapter order, then scene order within each chapter |
| Verse Novel | Body Matter | Books → Episodes | Book order, then episode order within each book |
| Short Fiction | Body Matter | Flat (scenes only) | Scene order |
| Drama | Body Matter | Acts → Scenes (or flat) | Act order, then scene order; standalone scenes appended |
Files are included in manuscript assembly by adding their parent body container to Body Matter. For example: - In a Novel, add a chapter to Body Matter to include all its scenes - In Poetry, add a collection or individual poem to Body Matter - In Prose, add a section to Body Matter to include all its files
To exclude a file from the manuscript, remove it from its container or move it to a container that is not included in Body Matter.
For project-type container naming and organization patterns, see Organizing Your Work.
Each project type has unique assembly features documented in its own guide:
Back matter appears at the end of your manuscript. Some sections are auto-generated from references in your text, while others are user-created.
Back matter sections must be enabled before they appear in export:
Only enabled sections with actual content appear in the exported manuscript.
These sections are created automatically based on content you've added to your files using the Insert menu (⊕) in the editor toolbar. Each reference type creates an inline marker in your text and a corresponding entry in the back matter.
If you use footnotes in endnotes mode, they appear here: - Collected from all files in order - Numbered sequentially across the manuscript - Preserves all footnote formatting
Note: Footnotes vs. endnotes is a display setting — your footnote content can appear either at page bottoms (footnotes) or collected at the end (endnotes).
See Footnotes for details on adding footnotes.
Terms you've marked for the glossary appear here: - Alphabetically sorted, grouped by first letter - Each entry shows the term and its definition - Terms appear as styled inline markers in the text - Only terms actually referenced in your text are included
To add a glossary entry: 1. Place the cursor where you want the term to appear 2. Tap ⊕ → Glossary Term 3. Enter the term and its definition 4. The term appears as an inline marker in your text
You can also select text and use the context menu's Add to Glossary action.
Bibliographic citations appear here: - Formatted in citation style (author/date) - Only referenced works are included - Sorted alphabetically by author - Each reference shows author, publication date, and details
To add a reference:
1. Place the cursor at the citation point
2. Tap ⊕ → Reference
3. Enter the author, publication date, and details — or select an existing reference
4. A marker like [Author, 2026] appears in your text
References support full academic citation fields including title, source, URL, DOI, volume, issue, pages, and more.
Figure references placed in your text are collected into a table of figures: - Listed in document order - Each entry shows the figure number and caption - Numbered sequentially across the manuscript
To add a figure reference, use ⊕ → Figure Reference in the editor toolbar.
Index entries with page numbers appear here: - Alphabetically sorted main entries - Sub-entries indented under parents (up to 3 levels of hierarchy) - Page numbers calculated from pagination, with ranges (e.g., "1, 3, 5–7, 12") - Cross-references ("See" and "See also") - Primary references shown in bold
To add an index entry: 1. Place the cursor at the relevant location 2. Tap ⊕ → Index Entry 3. Enter the keyword 4. Optionally set a parent entry for sub-entries 5. Mark as a primary reference if desired
See Index Generation for details on creating index entries.
Note: Index with page numbers is only available in PDF export, since other formats don't have fixed page numbers.
All reference types insert inline markers in your text: - In the editor: Markers appear as colored inline elements - In PDF export: Markers are rendered in the appropriate format for the reference type - In plain text export: Markers are converted to readable text (e.g., "see Note 1", "see Glossary")
Markers are stored as metadata — they don't alter your text content. Deleting a marker removes the reference without affecting surrounding text.
For anthologies, magazines, and collaborative works: - Add contributor names and biographies - Automatically sorted by surname - Format customizable in export
See Contributors for details.
You can add additional back matter files for: - Appendices: Supplementary material, data, or documents - About the Author: Your biography - Also By: List of your other works - Colophon: Information about the book's production - Reading Group Guide: Discussion questions
To add a custom back matter file: 1. Open Back Matter folder 2. Tap + to create a new file 3. Name it appropriately 4. Add your content
When exporting your manuscript, you can control which sections are included:
The exported manuscript follows this order: 1. Front Matter (in file order) 2. Body Matter Content (in file/chapter order) 3. Back Matter: - Endnotes - Glossary - References/Bibliography - Contributors - Index - (Custom files in order)
Use paragraph styles consistently throughout your manuscript. This ensures: - Auto-generated TOC works correctly - Export formatting is uniform - Professional appearance
Always preview your assembled manuscript: - Check that all sections are included - Verify page numbering is correct - Ensure cross-references resolve
If a back matter section has no entries (e.g., no glossary terms defined), it won't appear in the export. This prevents empty sections in your final document.
Files in Front Matter and Back Matter appear in the order shown in the folder. To reorder: 1. Tap Edit in the folder 2. Drag files to the desired order 3. Tap Done
The editor is where you spend most of your time in Writing Shed Pro. It's designed to be clean, focused, and powerful. This guide covers everything you need to know about writing and editing text.
Tap any file to open it in the editor. The editor fills the screen, giving you maximum space for writing.
The main area shows your text with full formatting: - Paragraph styles are visible (headings appear larger, etc.) - Character formatting shows (bold, italic, underline) - Images appear inline - Footnote markers are visible and tappable - Endnote markers can be inserted for notes collected in manuscript back matter - Glossary terms, references, and index entries can be inserted inline
A toolbar appears above the keyboard with quick access to formatting:
| Button | Function |
|---|---|
| ¶ | Paragraph style picker |
| B | Bold |
| I | Italic |
| U | Underline |
| S̶ | Strikethrough |
| ⊕ | Insert menu |
On iPhone in compact layouts, some actions may be grouped under a menu to keep the toolbar focused on the most common formatting controls.
Tap ¶ to see available paragraph styles. Tap a style to apply it to the current paragraph. Available styles include: - Body (default) - Heading 1, 2, 3 - Subheadline - Caption - Footnote - And more...
Select text, then tap a formatting button: - B toggles bold - I toggles italic - U toggles underline - S̶ toggles strikethrough
Tap ⊕ to open insert actions. Depending on platform and manuscript settings, available actions include: - Image: Add a photo or illustration - Footnote: Create a numbered footnote - Comment: Add a revision note - Endnote: Add an endnote (collected at the end of the manuscript) - Glossary Term: Mark a term for the glossary - Reference: Add a bibliographic reference - Index Entry: Add an index entry at the cursor position - Figure Reference: Insert a figure reference marker
On Mac Catalyst, these actions are also available through the app's menu commands.
Note: Reference options appear only when the corresponding back matter section is enabled in your project's manuscript settings. See Manuscript Structure for details.
When you select text, a menu appears with options:
See Text Formatting and Headings and Styles for detailed formatting workflows.
Writing Shed Pro maintains a full undo history:
The undo history is maintained during your editing session. It resets when you close the file.
Your work saves automatically: - Changes are saved continuously as you type - No "Save" button needed - Saves sync to iCloud within seconds - Never lose work to a crash or power loss
Adjust the text size while editing:
Zoom is for editing comfort only; it doesn't affect the saved document.
For distraction-free writing:
See Word Count and Statistics for detailed statistics.
Every file in Writing Shed Pro supports multiple versions — snapshots of your content that you can create, navigate, and manage.
When editing a file, the version toolbar appears with four controls:
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| ◀ | Go to previous version |
| ▶ | Go to next version |
| ＋ | Create a new version (duplicates current) |
| 🗑 | Delete the current version |
A label shows your position: "Version 2 of 3".
Tap ＋ to create a new version. This duplicates the current version's content (including all formatting, comments, and footnotes) with the next sequential version number. You can then edit the new version independently.
Use ◀ and ▶ to move between versions. The editor reloads with the selected version's content. Your current position is saved when you switch.
Tap 🗑 to delete the current version (a confirmation dialog appears). You cannot delete the last remaining version.
Each version can have optional notes — useful for recording what changed or why. Access notes from the formatting toolbar's Notes action.
When a version is linked to a submission that has been sent to a publication, the version becomes locked. Locked versions show a warning if you try to edit them, with an option to "Edit Anyway" or cancel. This protects submitted content from accidental changes.
Write first, format later. Get your ideas down, then apply styles.
Instead of manual formatting, use paragraph styles. This ensures consistency and makes global changes easy.
Focus on words during your first draft. Return for formatting during revision.
Keyboard shortcuts dramatically speed up your workflow. See Keyboard Shortcuts.
Writing Shed Pro provides rich text formatting to make your documents look professional. This guide covers all the formatting options available.
Character formatting applies to individual words or characters within a paragraph.
Make text bold to add emphasis. - Select text, tap B in the toolbar - Keyboard: ⌘B
Make text italic for titles, foreign words, or subtle emphasis. - Select text, tap I in the toolbar - Keyboard: ⌘I
Underline text when needed (use sparingly). - Select text, tap U in the toolbar - Keyboard: ⌘U
Show ~~deleted~~ or removed text. - Select text, tap S̶ in the toolbar
You can combine formats: - Bold italic - Bold with ~~strikethrough~~ - Any combination you need
Paragraph formatting applies to entire paragraphs. Tap the ¶ button to see paragraph styles.
| Style | Use For |
|---|---|
| Body | Regular text (default) |
| Heading 1 | Main chapter or section titles |
| Heading 2 | Subsection titles |
| Heading 3 | Sub-subsection titles |
| Subheadline | Secondary titles or leads |
| Caption | Image captions, small notes |
| Footnote | Footnote text (automatic) |
| Large Title | Very prominent titles |
You can create and modify styles in the Stylesheet Editor. See Stylesheet Editor.
Control how text aligns within the paragraph:
| Alignment | Description |
|---|---|
| Left | Text aligns to left margin (default) |
| Center | Text centers between margins |
| Right | Text aligns to right margin |
| Justify | Text stretches to fill line |
Control paragraph indentation:
The first line of a paragraph can be indented. Common in fiction: - Set in paragraph style - Typically 0.5 inches or 12 points
Indent the entire paragraph from left and/or right margins: - Used for block quotes - Set in paragraph style
Space between lines within a paragraph: - Single spacing (1.0) - 1.5 spacing - Double spacing (2.0) - Custom values
Space before and after paragraphs: - Space Before: Gap above the paragraph - Space After: Gap below the paragraph
These are set in paragraph styles.
Change text color for emphasis or special purposes:
Note: Use color sparingly in most writing. It may not export to all formats.
Create bulleted or numbered lists to organize information clearly.
To start a list: 1. Place your cursor on a blank line 2. Tap the ¶ (paragraph style) button in the toolbar 3. Select Numbered List or Bullet List
The list marker (number or bullet) appears automatically. Each time you press Return, a new list item is created with the next number or bullet.
Use bullets for unordered items where sequence doesn't matter.
Use numbers when order or sequence is important. Numbers update automatically as you add, remove, or reorder items.
Create sub-lists to organize hierarchical information. Sub-lists can be indented up to three levels deep.
Using the Toolbar (iPhone/iPad): 1. Place cursor in a list item 2. Tap the Increase Indent button (→|) to create a sub-list 3. Tap the Decrease Indent button (|←) to promote an item back up
Using Keyboard Shortcuts (External Keyboard): - Press Tab to increase indent level (create sub-list) - Press Shift+Tab to decrease indent level (promote item)
Each sub-list level uses a different numbering style:
| Level | Numbered Style | Bullet Style |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1. 2. 3. | • (bullet) |
| 2 | a. b. c. | ◦ (circle) |
| 3 | i. ii. iii. | ▪ (square) |
Important: Sub-list numbering restarts when you return to a higher level. For example:
1. First main item
a. Sub-item under first
b. Another sub-item
2. Second main item
a. Sub-item starts at 'a' again
b. Because we're under a new parent
1. Planning Phase
a. Define objectives
b. Identify stakeholders
i. Internal team
ii. External clients
c. Set timeline
2. Execution Phase
a. Assign tasks
b. Monitor progress
To stop the list and return to normal body text:
Method 1 - Decrease Indent: - When at Level 1, press Shift+Tab (or tap Decrease Indent) - This applies the Body style
Method 2 - Change Style: - Tap the ¶ button - Select Body or another non-list style
Method 3 - Empty Line: - Press Return twice on an empty list item - The second Return may exit the list (behavior varies)
Format quotations as block quotes: - Apply the Block Quote style - Text is indented from both margins - May have different font or styling
Use paragraph styles consistently. If all your chapter headings use "Heading 1," you can change their appearance globally by editing the style.
Resist over-formatting. Clean, simple formatting often reads better than heavily styled text.
Write first, format later. Getting your ideas down is more important than how they look initially.
Consider how your formatting will appear in exported formats: - PDF preserves most formatting - RTF may simplify some features - Plain text removes all formatting
To remove character formatting: 1. Select the formatted text 2. Remove individual formats (⌘B to toggle off bold, etc.)
To reset to default style: 1. Select the paragraph 2. Apply the Body style
When formatting: - Don't rely on color alone to convey meaning - Use heading styles properly (they help screen readers) - Ensure sufficient contrast - Keep text readable (not too small)
Headings structure your document, making it easier to navigate and understand. Styles ensure consistent formatting throughout your work. This guide covers both.
Headings create a hierarchy in your document:
Heading 1: Main Title
├── Heading 2: Section
│ ├── Heading 3: Subsection
│ └── Heading 3: Subsection
└── Heading 2: Section
| Level | Use For | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Heading 1 | Main title, chapter titles | "Chapter 1", "Introduction" |
| Heading 2 | Major sections | "Background", "Methods" |
| Heading 3 | Subsections | "Data Collection", "Analysis" |
A style is a saved set of formatting attributes. Instead of manually formatting each paragraph, you apply a style.
Writing Shed Pro includes these default styles:
| Style | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Body | Regular paragraph text |
| Heading 1 | Primary headings |
| Heading 2 | Secondary headings |
| Heading 3 | Tertiary headings |
| Subheadline | Subtitle or lead text |
| Caption | Image captions, notes |
| Footnote | Footnote content |
| Block Quote | Quotations |
Tap ¶ to open the style picker:
You can modify any style to match your preferences:
Changes apply to all paragraphs using that style.
See Stylesheet Editor for complete details.
If the built-in styles don't meet your needs:
Your custom style appears in the style picker.
Styles can inherit from other styles:
This makes it easy to maintain consistent base formatting while varying specific elements.
Well-structured documents are easier to: - Navigate - Understand - Export to other formats - Convert to table of contents
The Garden Novel
├── Part One: Spring
│ ├── Chapter 1: First Bloom
│ ├── Chapter 2: Growing Pains
│ └── Chapter 3: Unexpected Frost
└── Part Two: Summer
├── Chapter 4: Long Days
└── Chapter 5: Heat Wave
Each part title might be Heading 1, each chapter Heading 2.
Heading styles can display automatic numbering — numbers that appear before the heading text without being part of the document content. Numbering is configured per style in the Stylesheet Editor.
| Format | Example |
|---|---|
| Decimal | 1, 2, 3… |
| Lowercase Roman | i, ii, iii… |
| Uppercase Roman | I, II, III… |
| Lowercase Letter | a, b, c… |
| Uppercase Letter | A, B, C… |
Adornments control what appears around the number:
| Adornment | Example |
|---|---|
| Plain | 1 |
| Period | 1. |
| Parentheses | (1) |
| Right Paren | 1) |
| Dash Before | -1 |
| Dash After | 1- |
| Dash Both | -1- |
Styles can have a parent style to create compound numbering like 1.a or 1.1.1:
1.1, 1.2, etc.1.1.1, 1.1.21.a, 1.bHeading numbers are not stored in your text — they are rendered dynamically: - In the editor while writing - In pagination/print preview - In PDF export
This means changing a numbering style instantly updates all headings using that style, and numbers are always correct even when you reorder content.
Numbered and bullet lists also use the numbering system: - The formatting toolbar has numbered list and bullet list buttons - Tab and Shift-Tab increase/decrease list indent level - Three indent levels are supported for both numbered and bullet lists
Writing Shed Pro supports inline images in your documents. Add photos, illustrations, diagrams, or any visual content to complement your writing.
Tap an image to select it and access its properties: You can also use the image controls button in the editor toolbar when an image is selected.
Adjust the image size: - 10% to 200% of original - Slider or type exact value - Maintains aspect ratio
Control horizontal position: - Left: Image aligns to left margin - Center: Image centers in the text column - Right: Image aligns to right margin - Inline: Image flows with text like a character
Add a caption below the image: 1. Toggle Show Caption on 2. Enter caption text 3. Select caption style
Images can use styles defined in your project's stylesheet:
New images use the default style with: - Centered alignment - 100% scale - No caption (initially)
Create styles for different image uses: - Figure: Centered, 80% scale, numbered caption - Photo: Full width, minimal caption - Diagram: Centered, specific scale
Apply styles by tapping an image and selecting the style.
Captions help readers understand your images:
Caption styles control: - Font and size - Alignment (relative to image) - Numbering (Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.)
Or drag and drop within the document.
Large images increase: - Document file size - iCloud sync time - Export time
Writing Shed Pro optimizes images for storage, but starting with reasonably sized images helps.
When you export your document:
RTF export does not include inline images. Writing Shed Pro warns you before export so you can choose a format like PDF when images must be preserved.
Footnotes let you add supplementary information without interrupting the flow of your text. They're essential for academic writing, useful for annotations, and can add depth to fiction and poetry.
A footnote consists of two parts: 1. Marker: A superscript number in your text (¹, ², ³) 2. Content: The actual note text, displayed at the page bottom
Writing Shed Pro numbers footnotes automatically.
The marker appears in your text as a superscript number.
To see all footnotes in your document:
The list shows: - Footnote number - Preview of content - Location in document
Tap any footnote to jump to its marker in the text.
When you delete a footnote, remaining footnotes renumber automatically.
Footnotes are numbered sequentially: - First footnote is ¹ - Second is ² - And so on...
When you add or delete footnotes: - All numbers update automatically - References stay accurate - No manual renumbering needed
Writing Shed Pro supports two display modes:
The content doesn't change—only where it appears.
In pagination view (full-page layout): - Footnotes appear at page bottom - A separator line divides text from footnotes - Long footnotes may continue on the next page - Professional typesetting rules apply
Footnote text uses the Footnote paragraph style: - Typically smaller than body text - May have different indentation - Customize in Stylesheet Editor
Footnotes should supplement, not replace, main text. If a note is very long, consider incorporating the information elsewhere.
Place footnote markers: - After punctuation when possible - At natural pause points - Consistently throughout
Check footnotes in pagination view before exporting to ensure they appear correctly.
Comments let you add notes, feedback, and reminders without modifying your text. They're perfect for revision notes, editor feedback, and collaborative review.
Comments appear as small indicators in your text: - A speech bubble icon marks the comment location - Tap to reveal the full comment content - Comments don't print or export (by default)
A comment indicator appears at that position.
Tap any comment indicator to see: - The comment text - When it was created - Options to edit or delete
For documents with many comments: 1. Open the Insert menu 2. Select View Comments 3. See all comments in a list
When you've addressed a comment: 1. Tap the comment indicator 2. Tap Resolve
Resolved comments: - Appear grayed out - Remain in the document - Can be filtered in the Comments panel - Can be "unresolve" if needed
Use comments to mark: - Sections needing revision - Research to add later - Questions to consider - Alternative phrasings
Share documents with editors or beta readers who can: - Add their comments - Suggest changes - Ask questions
Work through comments systematically: 1. Open Comments panel 2. Address each comment 3. Resolve when done 4. Delete or keep for reference
| Feature | Comments | Footnotes |
|---|---|---|
| Visible in export | No (by default) | Yes |
| For readers | No | Yes |
| Numbered | No | Yes |
| Purpose | Notes to self/collaborators | Reader information |
Use footnotes for reader-facing notes; use comments for behind-the-scenes notes.
Tracking your writing progress is motivating and practical. Writing Shed Pro provides detailed statistics at multiple levels.
For detailed counts at the file level:
| Statistic | Description |
|---|---|
| Words | Total word count |
| Characters | Total characters (with spaces) |
| Lines | Number of lines |
Body Matter totals now appear directly in manuscript navigation:
This gives you quick progress visibility without opening each item.
For a broader project view:
Get counts for selected text only:
Writing Shed Pro counts words by: - Separating on whitespace and punctuation - Handling contractions as single words - Including hyphenated words as single words
This matches most submission guidelines.
Different tools may count slightly differently: - Hyphenated words - Numbers - Contractions
For submissions, note "approximately X words" or use the publication's preferred counting method.
Page estimates depend on: - Page size settings - Font size - Margins - Spacing
Use pagination view for accurate page counts.
When you need to report statistics: - Copy from the Statistics view - Include in document exports - Reference in cover letters
Prose projects are the most flexible project type in Writing Shed Pro. They're designed for essays, articles, blog posts, technical documentation, and any writing that doesn't require the specialized tools of Poetry, Fiction, or Drama projects.
Choose a Prose project when writing: - Essays and academic papers - Blog posts and articles - Personal journals and diaries - Technical documentation - Business documents - Any general-purpose writing
When you create a Prose project, you get these folders:
| Folder | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Prose | Your main writing area - all files live here |
| Sections | Optional organizational divisions |
| Trash | Deleted files (recoverable until emptied) |
Like other project types, Prose uses workflow status (Draft, Ready, Set Aside, Published) on files rather than separate status folders. In Prose, files live in a single Prose folder.
Every file has a workflow status:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Draft | Work in progress |
| Ready | Complete and ready for use/export |
| Set Aside | On hold or archived |
| Published | Final, published version |
At the top of the file list, tap status tabs to filter: - All - Show all files - Draft (n) - Show only drafts - Ready (n) - Show ready files - etc.
Sections let you organize files into logical groups within a Prose project.
Sections are like chapters or parts—they group related files together: - A user guide might have sections for "Getting Started", "Features", "Reference" - An essay collection might have sections for themes or time periods - A journal might have sections for different years
When files are assigned to sections, the main file list groups them by section: - Tap a section header to expand/collapse - Use the expand/collapse button to show/hide all sections - File count displayed in each section header
See Working with Sections for detailed instructions.
| Feature | Prose | Poetry | Fiction | Drama |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple folder structure | ✓ | |||
| Sections for organization | ✓ | Poetry Collections | Chapters/Books | Acts |
| Syllable counting | ✓ | |||
| Scene management | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Script formatting | ✓ | |||
| Workflow status | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Don't worry about organization initially. Create files, write content, then organize later.
If your project has 10+ files, consider grouping them into sections.
Use Draft → Ready → Published to track progress. Filter by status to focus on current work.
Export finished work to PDF or other formats for backup and sharing.
Sections help you organize files in Prose projects into logical groups. This guide covers creating, managing, and using sections effectively.
Sections are organizational containers within a Prose project: - Each section can hold multiple files - Files can be assigned to one section (or none) - Sections appear in the main file list as collapsible groups
Open the Sections folder to see all sections with: - Section name - File count - Synopsis preview
The order affects how sections appear in the main file list.
Note: Deleting a section unassigns its files (moves them to "Unassigned") but does not delete the files themselves.
Only files marked as "Ready" can be assigned to sections. This encourages completing drafts before organizing them into the final structure.
To move a file to a different section: 1. Select the file in Edit mode 2. Tap Add to Section 3. Choose the new section
To unassign a file from its section: 1. Select the file in Edit mode 2. Tap Add to Section 3. Choose None or Unassigned
When files are assigned to sections, the main file list displays them grouped:
Each section shows: - Disclosure triangle (▶/▼) - Folder icon - Section name - File count in parentheses
Files not assigned to any section appear in an "Unassigned" group at the bottom of the list.
The collapsible section view only appears when: - Multiple sections exist with assigned files - You're viewing the main Prose file list (not a specific section)
Expand a section header to see its files inline.
This dedicated view allows: - Reordering files within the section - Focused editing without other sections visible
When viewing a specific section's files: 1. Drag files to reorder them 2. Order is preserved for export
The order matters for: - Export order when generating combined documents - Reading sequence
Before creating sections, sketch out your project's organization. It's easier to assign files to a planned structure than to reorganize later.
Section names should clearly indicate content: "Chapter 1: Introduction" rather than just "Chapter 1".
If a section has 20+ files, consider splitting it into subsections or rethinking your organization.
Periodically check the Unassigned group—these files may need to be organized or deleted.
When exporting, you can choose to export individual sections as separate documents.
This guide covers strategies for organizing files within Prose projects, from simple single-file documents to complex multi-file projects.
For short documents (articles, essays, blog posts): - Create one file per document - Use workflow status to track progress - No sections needed
For longer documents (user guides, book-length works): - Break content into logical files - Use sections to group related files - Order files within sections for export
Mix both as needed: - Main content in organized sections - Supporting materials (notes, research) as standalone files
Good file names help you navigate your project quickly.
Numbered Prefix
01-introduction
02-getting-started
03-main-features
04-advanced-topics
Category Prefix
guide-installation
guide-features
ref-shortcuts
ref-faq
Date Prefix (for journals/logs)
2025-01-15-meeting-notes
2025-01-20-project-update
Use workflow status to track where each file is in your process:
Draft → Ready → Published
For Ongoing Projects
Draft → Ready (loop back as needed)
For Review Process
Draft → Ready (for review) → Published (after approval)
Use "Set Aside" for: - Content you might use later - Alternate versions - Archived material
This keeps your active lists focused.
Filter to Draft to see only work in progress.
Filter to Ready when preparing to: - Export documents - Assign files to sections - Do final review
Filter to Published to see completed work.
Switch to All for complete project overview.
When viewing a section's files: 1. Tap Edit 2. Drag files using the reorder handles 3. Tap Done
This order is used when exporting the section.
In the main Prose file list, files are sorted alphabetically by default. Use numbered prefixes in file names to control order.
Deleted files go to Trash rather than being permanently removed.
Warning: Permanent deletion cannot be undone.
To delete all trashed files: 1. Open Trash 2. Tap Empty Trash 3. Confirm
View file information by tapping the file's ⋯ button:
When importing files: 1. Files are added to the Prose folder 2. Status defaults to Draft 3. Section is unassigned
File organization affects export:
Each file exports as a separate document.
Export all files in a section as one combined document (in file order).
Export the entire project (all files) as one document.
One topic per file is easier to manage than monolithic documents.
Sections should represent major divisions (parts, chapters, categories).
Periodically review: - Change completed work to Published - Set aside inactive files - Delete outdated content
Establish naming conventions early and stick to them.
Add synopses to sections to remember what each contains.
This guide covers how Writing Shed Pro assembles Prose project content into a manuscript for export.
Prose manuscripts use a section-based assembly model:
If your project uses sections, body content is assembled in this order: 1. Each section is processed in section order (as arranged in the Sections folder) 2. Within each section, files appear in file order (as arranged within the section) 3. Files not assigned to any section are appended at the end
If your project has no sections, all files are assembled in their list order.
By default, all files in the project are included. You can exclude individual files: 1. Open the file's context menu 2. Toggle Include in Manuscript off 3. The file stays in your project but is skipped during assembly
This is useful for notes, research files, or alternate drafts you want to keep but not export.
Before exporting: 1. Open the Manuscript view 2. Review the assembled content 3. Check that sections appear in the correct order 4. Verify file ordering within sections 5. Confirm no unwanted files are included
Control how sections are separated in the manuscript:
| Break Style | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Page Break | Each section starts on a new page |
| Section Mark | Centered mark (e.g., * * *) between sections |
| Double Space | Extra blank line between sections |
| None | Sections flow together continuously |
You can control whether structural headings appear in the output:
These settings are in Export Options.
Prose manuscripts can be exported in all available formats:
| Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| Final presentation, sharing, printing | |
| RTF | Editable by recipients, Word-compatible |
| HTML | Web publishing, online sharing |
| Markdown | Plain text with formatting, version control |
Choose how footnotes are numbered across the manuscript:
Assign files to sections and set their order before generating the manuscript. The assembly follows your section and file ordering exactly.
Sections map to major parts of your document. For example, a user guide might use sections for "Introduction", "Getting Started", "Reference", and "Appendix".
Use the Include in Manuscript toggle to keep draft files visible in your project without including them in exports.
Always check the manuscript preview before exporting. It's easier to fix ordering issues in the project than to rearrange an exported document.
Poetry projects in Writing Shed Pro provide specialized tools for poets working in both traditional forms and free verse. This overview explains what's available and how to use these features.
Poetry mode understands that poets have unique needs: - Structure matters: Syllable counts, line breaks, stanza organization - Sound matters: Rhyme schemes, stress patterns, meter - Form matters: Templates for sonnets, haiku, villanelles, and more - Precision matters: Every word counts
Poetry projects include specialized folders:
| Folder | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Poems | Your main writing area — all poems live here |
| Manuscript | Front Matter, Body Matter, and Back Matter for export |
| Collections | Poetry Collections — group related poems together |
| Submissions | Track where you've sent work |
| Research | Reference material |
| Magazines | Publication targets |
| Competitions | Contest targets |
| Other | Miscellaneous files |
| Trash | Deleted poems (restorable) |
The poem opens with the form's structure as a guide.
Start with a blank page.
Writing Shed Pro includes templates for 30+ traditional forms:
You can also create your own custom forms — see Forms and Templates for details.
See Forms and Templates for the complete list.
When editing a poem, additional tools are available:
Each line shows an estimated syllable count: - Appears at the line's right edge - Updates as you type - Helps maintain syllabic forms
For metered verse, view the stress pattern: - Unstressed syllables: ˘ - Stressed syllables: ´ - Helps identify rhythm issues
In poetry files, the Insert menu includes Mark Section for lines that are not part of the poem body.
Use this for content such as: - Titles - Epigraphs - Dedications - Signatures - Stanza numbers
Purpose: - Excludes marked lines from poetry analysis (syllables, stress, and related metrics) - Visually distinguishes marked text in gray while drafting - Keeps poem-body metrics focused on actual verse lines
How to use it: 1. Select text (or place the cursor on a line) 2. Open Insert → Mark Section 3. Choose Add Marked Section 4. Use Unmark Selection or Clear All Marks if needed
Access the rules for your selected form: - Tap the Form Info button - See line counts, rhyme schemes, other requirements - Keep visible while writing
Some forms show the expected rhyme scheme: - Letters indicate rhyming lines (A, B, C, etc.) - Helps you track the pattern
When seeking rhymes: - Highlight a word - Access rhyme tools - See suggested rhyming words
See Rhyme Tools for details.
Poetry Collections are first-class entities in Poetry projects. Each collection has its own name, synopsis, and list of linked poems.
Collections can be included in your manuscript's body matter: 1. Open the Manuscript folder → Body Matter 2. Add collections (and individual poems) to body matter 3. Reorder as needed 4. Collections are assembled in order during PDF/manuscript export
See Poetry Collections for more details.
Templates help but don't constrain. Break the rules when the poem demands it.
Syllable counts are estimates—English pronunciation varies. Your ear is the final judge.
No tool replaces hearing your poem. Read it aloud during revision.
Use collections to group poems: - By season or period - By subject - By form - By submission target
Syllable counting is essential for many poetry forms. Writing Shed Pro provides automatic syllable counting to help you maintain proper meter and form requirements.
Many poetry forms require specific syllable counts: - Haiku: 5-7-5 syllables - Tanka: 5-7-5-7-7 syllables - Limerick: Variable, roughly 8-8-5-5-8
Writing Shed Pro counts syllables automatically, displaying the count for each line.
When editing a poem with a syllable-based form:
Writing Shed Pro uses a sophisticated syllable counting algorithm:
Writing Shed Pro supports both American and British English pronunciation:
This affects: - Syllable counting (some words have different syllable counts) - Stress pattern analysis - Rhyme detection
| Word | American | British |
|---|---|---|
| secretary | 4 syllables | 3 syllables |
| laboratory | 5 syllables | 4 syllables |
| advertisement | ad-ver-TISE-ment | ad-VER-tis-ment |
| controversy | CON-tro-ver-sy | con-TROV-er-sy |
For words not in the dictionary: - Estimates based on vowel patterns - Handles most cases well - May vary from your intended pronunciation
Syllable counting is an estimate, not absolute truth:
The count is a guide. If you hear 3 syllables, use 3—regardless of what the tool says.
Use the count as a starting point, then read aloud to confirm.
Learn which words the algorithm misses in your vocabulary.
In poetry, syllables can be elided (combined): - "O'er" for "over" - "E'en" for "even" - Write as you intend to read
The algorithm handles most compounds, but check unusual ones.
If a line is too long: - Find a shorter synonym - Restructure the phrase - Consider elision
If a line is too short: - Add modifiers - Choose longer synonyms - Expand the imagery
For strict forms like haiku: 1. Write your thought 2. Check the count 3. Adjust word choices 4. Verify by reading aloud
Sometimes a line needs an extra syllable for the right word. Many poets prioritize meaning over strict count. Know the rules, then decide when to break them.
Syllable count differs from meter: - Syllables: How many beats - Meter: Which beats are stressed
For metered verse, see Verse Highlighting for stress pattern analysis.
"To be or not to be" has 6 syllables with alternating stress (iambic trimeter):
to BE or NOT to BE
˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘ ´
If you find the counts distracting: 1. Toggle off syllable display in poem settings 2. Re-enable when needed for checking
The feature is there to help—use it when helpful, hide it when not.
Rhyme is a fundamental element of many poetry forms. Writing Shed Pro provides tools to help you identify, plan, and execute rhyme schemes.
When working with a form that has a specific rhyme scheme:
Line 1 (A) When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes
Line 2 (B) I all alone beweep my outcast state
Line 3 (A) And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries
Line 4 (B) And look upon myself and curse my fate
...
Line 13 (G) For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
Line 14 (G) That then I scorn to change my state with kings
Writing Shed Pro recognizes various rhyme types:
Words with identical endings: - cat/hat - love/dove - night/light
Words with similar but not identical sounds: - love/move - eyes/light - moon/on
Rhymes within a line: - "Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary"
When you need rhyming words:
Consider: - Perfect rhymes first - Slant rhymes for more options - Near rhymes for subtle effects
For complex schemes, sketch rhymes before writing: 1. Identify your end words for A lines 2. List possible B rhymes 3. Continue for each rhyme group
Some sounds offer more rhymes: - "ay" sounds (day, way, say, play...) - "ight" sounds (night, light, bright...)
Difficult rhyming sounds: - "orange" (few true rhymes) - "month" (limited options) - "silver" (challenging)
Avoid clichéd pairs: - love/dove/above - heart/apart - moon/June
Don't twist sentences for rhyme: - "The house so white" ← awkward - "The white house" ← natural
In long poems, vary: - Use slant rhymes occasionally - Place rhymes at unexpected spots - Give readers' ears a rest
Exposure builds your mental rhyme dictionary.
Note good rhymes you discover.
Write exercises focusing on specific sounds.
Find synonyms that offer better rhymes.
For poets working with metered verse, Writing Shed Pro provides stress pattern analysis to help you maintain consistent rhythm.
Meter is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry:
| Meter | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Iambic | ˘ ´ | "a-LONE" |
| Trochaic | ´ ˘ | "GAR-den" |
| Anapestic | ˘ ˘ ´ | "in-ter-VENE" |
| Dactylic | ´ ˘ ˘ | "MER-ri-ly" |
| Spondaic | ´ ´ | "HEART-BREAK" |
The number of feet determines the line length: - Trimeter: 3 feet - Tetrameter: 4 feet - Pentameter: 5 feet - Hexameter: 6 feet
Example: Iambic pentameter = 5 iambic feet (˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘ ´)
When stress analysis is enabled:
to BE or NOT to BE that IS the QUES tion
˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘ ´ ˘
Writing Shed Pro uses:
Stress patterns can differ significantly between American and British English. See Syllable Counting for how to switch between dialects.
| Word | American | British |
|---|---|---|
| advertisement | ad-ver-TISE-ment | ad-VER-tis-ment |
| controversy | CON-tro-ver-sy | con-TROV-er-sy |
| primarily | pry-MARE-uh-lee | PRY-muh-ruh-lee |
| research | REE-search / ree-SEARCH | REE-search |
The stress pattern display automatically reflects your chosen dialect.
For formal verse: 1. Write your line 2. Check the stress display 3. Read aloud to confirm 4. Adjust problem areas
Wrong stress on a word - Try a synonym - Rearrange the phrase - Consider if the "error" works poetically
Extra or missing syllables - Adjust word choices - Use elision when appropriate - Consider metrical substitution
Poets regularly substitute feet for effect: - A trochee in iambic verse for emphasis - A spondee for weight - A pyrrhic (˘ ˘) for lightness
Good poetry varies the beat—perfect regularity can sound mechanical.
Traditionally iambic pentameter: - 10 syllables per line - Alternating unstressed-stressed - Substitutions common and encouraged
Iambic pentameter without rhyme: - Shakespeare's plays - Milton's Paradise Lost - Flexibility within the pattern
Alternating tetrameter and trimeter: - Common in folk songs - "Common meter" in hymns
No required meter: - Use stress for emphasis - Create rhythmic phrases - Contrast regular and irregular lines
The master of iambic pentameter. Note where he follows and breaks the pattern.
Always. The stress display is a guide—your voice is the test.
Perfect meter sounds like a metronome. Variation creates life.
If it sounds right, it probably is—regardless of what the analysis shows.
English has natural rhythms. Learn which words are typically stressed.
If the stress marks distract you: 1. Toggle off in poem settings 2. Re-enable when checking meter 3. Use as a tool, not a constant presence
Writing Shed Pro includes templates for over 30 traditional poetry forms. This guide lists available forms and explains how to use templates effectively.
The poem opens with the form's structure as a guide.
Templates show structure—they don't enforce it. You can: - Follow the template exactly - Adapt it to your needs - Delete placeholders and write freely
Begin with shorter forms (haiku, limerick) before tackling villanelles or sestinas.
Study published poems in your chosen form. Understanding comes from exposure.
Learn the form first, then decide when to deviate. Informed rule-breaking is creative; ignorant rule-breaking is sloppy.
Write many poems in a form to truly learn it. One sonnet is practice; twenty is mastery.
You can create your own poetry forms to define personal structures, workshop exercises, or any form not included in the predefined list.
There are two ways to create a custom form:
From the form picker (when creating or editing a poem): 1. When adding a new poem, expand the Poetry Form section 2. Scroll to the Custom category 3. Tap Create Custom Form 4. Fill in the form details and tap Save 5. Your new form is automatically selected for the poem
From Manage Forms: 1. In a Poetry project, tap the project's ⋯ menu and choose Manage Forms, or tap the Manage Forms button in any form picker 2. Tap + to create a new form 3. Fill in the form details and tap Save
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The form's display name |
| Category | Which group the form appears in |
| Description | A brief explanation of the form (required) |
| Line Count | Expected number of lines (optional) |
| Stanza Count | Expected number of stanzas (optional) |
| Syllable Pattern | Syllable counts per line, e.g. 5,7,5 (optional) |
| Rhyme Scheme | Expected rhyme pattern, e.g. ABAB (optional) |
| Meter | Meter pattern, e.g. iambic pentameter (optional) |
| Template Content | Starting text for new poems using this form (optional) |
Open Manage Forms to edit or delete your custom forms: - Tap a custom form to edit its details - Swipe left on a custom form to delete it - If poems use a deleted form, they are reassigned to Free Verse
You can duplicate any predefined form as a starting point for a custom form: 1. Open Manage Forms 2. Tap a predefined form to view its details 3. Tap Duplicate as Custom 4. Modify the duplicate to suit your needs
This guide covers how Writing Shed Pro assembles Poetry project content into a manuscript for export.
Poetry manuscripts use a flat assembly model:
Poems appear in the manuscript in their display order — the order you see them in the file list. To change the order: 1. Tap Edit in the file list 2. Drag poems to reorder using the grip handles 3. Tap Done
The manuscript follows this order exactly.
By default, all poems are included. You can exclude individual poems: 1. Open the poem's context menu 2. Toggle Include in Manuscript off 3. The poem stays in your project but is skipped during assembly
This is useful for unfinished work, experiments, or poems earmarked for a different collection.
Before exporting: 1. Open the Manuscript view 2. Review the assembled content 3. Check that poems appear in the correct order 4. Verify formatting is preserved 5. Confirm no unwanted poems are included
Poetry formatting is preserved during manuscript assembly: - Line breaks are maintained exactly as written - Stanza breaks (blank lines between stanzas) are preserved - Indentation is carried through to the output - Character formatting (bold, italic) is retained
Control how poems are separated in the manuscript:
| Break Style | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Page Break | Each poem starts on a new page |
| Section Mark | Centered mark (e.g., * * *) between poems |
| Double Space | Extra blank line between poems |
| None | Poems flow together continuously |
For most poetry collections, Page Break is the standard — each poem begins on its own page.
You can control whether poem titles appear as headings in the manuscript: - Include File Titles: Shows each poem's title as a heading above it - Disable this if your poems have their own title lines in the content
This setting is in Export Options.
Poetry manuscripts can be exported in all available formats:
| Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| Submissions, chapbooks, reading copies — preserves exact line placement | |
| RTF | Editor collaboration, Word-compatible |
| HTML | Online publication, web journals |
| Markdown | Plain text archives, version control |
PDF preserves line breaks, spacing, and indentation exactly. Other formats may reflow text depending on the reader's settings, which can alter the visual layout of a poem.
In addition to full manuscript export, you can export individual collections: 1. Open a Collection 2. Tap the export/share button 3. Only poems in that collection are included 4. Same format options apply
This is useful for: - Submitting a specific group of poems to a journal - Creating themed chapbooks - Sharing a curated selection with beta readers
For submissions and chapbooks, use Page Break as the section break style. Most editors and publishers expect each poem to start on its own page.
Arrange your poems thoughtfully before exporting. The sequence of poems in a collection or manuscript is a creative decision — it shapes how readers experience your work.
Use the Include in Manuscript toggle to keep exploratory drafts in your project without cluttering the export.
Always preview the PDF to ensure long lines wrap as intended. Adjust page margins if lines are breaking awkwardly.
Fiction projects in Writing Shed Pro provide specialized tools for writing novels and short stories. This overview explains the features available and how to use them effectively.
Fiction mode understands the unique needs of fiction writers:
For longer works with chapter structure:
For novels written in verse:
For stories without chapters:
You cannot change the class after project creation.
Fiction projects contain the following areas:
Every scene has a workflow status that tracks where it is in your writing process:
Use the status filter tabs at the top of the scene list to focus on Draft, Ready, or Set Aside scenes. To change a scene's status, tap Edit in the toolbar, select one or more scenes, then tap Change Status (🔁) and choose the new status.
Choose a structure to help organize your plot:
No predefined stages—organize your plot however you like.
Classic narrative structure:
The monomyth, or Hero's Journey, is a narrative framework commonly used to map a protagonist's transformation through challenge and return. Writing Shed Pro uses the practical 12-stage adaptation popularized in The Writer's Journey.
Christopher Vogler's 12-stage Hero's Journey:
You can change the structure later in Project Settings.
The fundamental unit of fiction. Each scene:
Containers for scenes or episodes:
Story beats and events:
Your story's people:
Where your story happens:
When viewing all scenes in a Novel or Verse Novel project, scenes are automatically grouped under their assigned chapter (or book) in collapsible sections:
This makes it easy to see your story structure at a glance without navigating into individual chapters.
Writing Shed Pro uses different organizational structures depending on your fiction class. Each class has its own terminology, but the principles are the same: smaller units of writing are grouped into larger containers for manuscript assembly.
| Fiction Class | Container | Writing Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Novel | Chapters | Scenes |
| Verse Novel | Books | Episodes |
| Short Fiction | Stories | Scenes |
Chapters in a Novel project: - Are containers for scenes - Determine the order scenes appear in the manuscript - Can include multiple scenes - Are found in the Chapters area of your project
There's no wrong time—do what fits your process.
On iPad/Mac: - Drag scenes from the Scenes list - Drop onto a chapter - Scene is added to that chapter
Scenes appear in the chapter in a specific order:
The order determines how scenes appear in the assembled manuscript.
Note: Deleting a chapter does not delete the scenes—they remain available in the Scenes list. Only the chapter container is removed.
Some options: - "Chapter 1", "Chapter 2"... (simple) - "Chapter 1: The Storm" (numbered with title) - "The Storm" (title only) - "1" (minimalist)
Choose a style and be consistent.
There's no rule, but consider: - Reader attention spans - Natural story breaks - Pacing and rhythm
Short chapters create urgency; long chapters allow immersion.
Scenes don't have to be in chapters: - Keep works-in-progress with Draft status - Use chapters only for manuscript organization - It's okay to have "loose" scenes
When you assemble or export your manuscript: - Chapters appear in order - Scenes within chapters appear in order - Chapter titles become headings
Books in a Verse Novel project work like chapters but are designed for longer verse narratives. Each book contains episodes—individual poems or verse passages that tell part of the story.
Books in Writing Shed Pro: - Are containers for episodes - Determine the order episodes appear in the manuscript - Can include multiple episodes - Are found in the Books area of your project
On iPad/Mac: - Drag episodes from the Episodes list - Drop onto a book
Short Fiction projects have a simpler structure. Scenes are the primary writing unit, and you can optionally group them into stories.
Stories in Writing Shed Pro: - Are containers for scenes - Group related scenes into a single short story - Are found in the Stories area of your project
When assembling a short fiction manuscript: - All scenes with Ready status are included, in order - Scene breaks are indicated between scenes - Stories provide an optional grouping layer
These operations work the same across all fiction classes.
Deleting a container never deletes the writing units inside it—scenes and episodes remain available. Only the container is removed.
When you open a container: - See all writing units in order - View word counts - Access each unit for editing
A scene or episode can only belong to one chapter, book, or story. If content spans containers: - Split into multiple scenes/episodes - Or place in the container where it primarily belongs
Scenes are the fundamental building blocks of fiction in Writing Shed Pro. This guide covers creating, organizing, and linking scenes effectively.
A scene is a continuous unit of action that: - Happens in one place and time - Has a purpose (advance plot, reveal character, etc.) - Ends with a change or outcome
The scene opens in the editor.
Use titles that help you identify scenes: - "Opening - Jake's apartment" (descriptive) - "Jake meets Sarah" (action-based) - "1.1" (numerical, if you prefer)
You can always rename later.
Every scene has a workflow status that tracks its progress:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Draft | Work in progress – still being written or revised |
| Ready | Complete – polished and final |
| Set Aside | On hold – not currently working on |
Use the status filter tabs at the top of the scene list to focus on specific statuses.
The updated status is applied immediately.
Connect scenes to your story structure:
Each scene can store metadata:
Scene order within chapters determines manuscript order. See Organizing Your Fiction.
Don't over-organize while drafting. Write scenes, then sort them into chapters.
Each scene should have one primary purpose. If a scene does too much, consider splitting.
Change scenes to Ready status as you complete them. It's motivating to see your Ready count grow.
This guide covers how Writing Shed Pro assembles fiction project content into a manuscript for export. Each fiction class has its own assembly model. For general manuscript structure (front matter, back matter), see Manuscript Structure.
By default, all scenes are included. You can exclude individual scenes:
This is useful for deleted scenes you want to keep, alternate versions, or notes.
Before exporting:
Control how chapter headings appear in the manuscript:
| Option | Example Output |
|---|---|
| Number only | Chapter 1 |
| Title only | The Storm |
| Number and title | Chapter 1: The Storm |
| Custom format | I — The Storm |
For Verse Novels, book headings follow the same options (e.g., "Book I", "Book I: Origins").
When scenes transition within a chapter, control the separator:
| Break Style | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Page Break | Each scene starts on a new page |
| Section Mark | Centred symbol (e.g., * * * or §) between scenes |
| Double Space | Extra blank line between scenes |
| None | Scenes flow together with no visible break |
For most fiction, Section Mark (e.g., * * *) is the standard scene break convention. Page Break is more common between chapters than between scenes.
The first paragraph of a chapter or scene can have special formatting:
| Style | Description |
|---|---|
| No indent | Traditional — first paragraph is flush left |
| Drop cap | Decorative large initial letter |
| Standard indent | Same indent as all other paragraphs |
Most publishers expect no indent for the first paragraph after a chapter heading or scene break.
Choose how footnotes are numbered across the manuscript:
For submissions to agents and publishers, standard manuscript format is expected:
Fiction manuscripts can be exported in all available formats:
| Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| Submissions, sharing, print — looks identical everywhere | |
| RTF | Editor collaboration — editable in Word |
| HTML | Web publishing, online sharing |
| Markdown | Plain text archives, version control |
See Export Options for full details.
Drama projects in Writing Shed Pro provide specialized tools for playwrights and screenwriters. This overview explains the features available for writing scripts.
Drama mode understands script writing needs: - Dialogue formatting: Character names, dialogue, and directions - Industry formats: Film/screenplay and stage play styles - DML markup: Easy-to-write source that renders professionally - Scene structure: Organize your script logically
Drama projects support the same story structures as Fiction:
No predefined stages—organize your plot however you like.
Classic narrative structure:
Christopher Vogler's 12-stage adaptation of the Hero's Journey from The Writer's Journey:
You can change the structure at any time in Project Settings.
Plot elements in your drama project can be linked to structure stages:
Project
├── Manuscript (Front Matter, Body Matter, Back Matter)
├── Scenes (filtered by workflow status)
├── Acts (group scenes into acts)
├── Plot Elements
├── Characters
├── Locations
├── Submissions
├── Research
├── Publishers / Agents
├── Other
└── Trash
Drama projects share structure with Fiction projects, as scripts have similar organizational needs.
Choose how your script is rendered:
Industry-standard screenplay format: - INT./EXT. scene headings - Centered character names - Dialogue with specific margins - Right-aligned transitions
Traditional theatrical format: - ACT/Scene headings - Character names in caps - Italicized stage directions - Different margin conventions
The same source works for both—only the output changes.
DML is a simple markup that lets you write dialogue naturally:
# ACT I, Scene 1
@ LOCATION: Living Room
= Night, raining
> A modest living room. JOHN stands by the window.
JOHN
(hesitantly)
I don't think we should go.
MARY
We don't have a choice.
This renders as professional script format based on your settings.
See DML Reference for complete syntax.
Like fiction, drama is built from scenes: - Each scene file contains DML content - Scenes are organized into acts (chapters) - Preview shows formatted output
The equivalent of chapters: - Group related scenes - Organize your script structure - Traditional theatrical divisions
When viewing all scenes in a Drama project, scenes are automatically grouped under their assigned act in collapsible sections:
This gives you an at-a-glance view of your script structure without navigating into individual acts.
Define your dramatis personae: - Character names - Descriptions - Relationships - Notes
Your settings and places: - Location names - Descriptions - Practical notes for production
Before writing, define: - Your main characters - Key locations - This helps with consistency
As you write in DML: - Preview shows formatted output - See how dialogue will look - Check scene headings and transitions
Toggle between: - Source view (DML markup) - Preview (formatted script)
| Aspect | Fiction | Drama |
|---|---|---|
| Content | Prose narrative | Dialogue and directions |
| Markup | Standard text | DML formatting |
| Output | Manuscript | Script format |
| Chapters | Reader divisions | Acts (performance divisions) |
Start with simple scenes: - Scene heading - A few characters - Basic dialogue
Read professional scripts to understand: - How dialogue is spaced - When to use parentheticals - How to write action lines
Try rendering in both film and stage: - See how the same content adapts - Understand the differences - Choose appropriately for your target
Writing Shed Pro handles script formatting automatically through Drama Markup Language (DML). This guide explains how your writing becomes professionally formatted scripts.
When you write in DML: 1. You focus on content (dialogue, action, scene headings) 2. Writing Shed Pro applies industry-standard formatting 3. Output matches professional script conventions
Begin with #:
# INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
For stage plays:
# ACT II, Scene 3
Write in ALL CAPS on their own line:
JOHN
The character speaks the following lines until another character or element appears.
Lines following a character name are dialogue:
JOHN
I've been waiting for this moment.
Acting directions in parentheses:
JOHN
(softly)
I've been waiting for this moment.
Begin with >:
> John crosses to the window and stares out at the rain.
Begin with >>:
>> CUT TO:
>> FADE OUT
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
John sits at a corner table, nursing a cold coffee.
JOHN
(softly)
I've been waiting for this moment.
CUT TO:
ACT II, Scene 3
(A coffee shop. JOHN sits at a corner table.)
JOHN
(softly)
I've been waiting for this moment.
BLACKOUT
In screenplays, roughly 1 page = 1 minute of screen time. This helps estimate runtime.
While DML provides defaults, you can adjust:
Use the same conventions throughout your script: - Scene heading format - Parenthetical usage - Transition styles
Action lines should be concise: - ✓ "John enters." - ✗ "John slowly walks into the room, his eyes scanning every corner as if looking for something he lost long ago..."
Only when truly needed: - ✓ "(whispering)" for unexpected delivery - ✗ "(angrily)" when the dialogue makes it obvious
#Writing Shed Pro supports both film/screenplay and stage play formats. This guide explains the differences and when to use each.
| Aspect | Film/Screenplay | Stage Play |
|---|---|---|
| Scene Headings | INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIME | ACT I, Scene 2 |
| Camera | Sometimes referenced | Never used |
| Action | What camera sees | Stage movement and set |
| Margins | Specific industry standard | More flexible |
| Page = Time | ~1 page = 1 minute | Less precise |
| Transitions | CUT TO:, FADE OUT | BLACKOUT, LIGHTS UP |
Always include: - INT. (interior) or EXT. (exterior) - LOCATION - TIME OF DAY
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT
INT./EXT. CAR (MOVING) - CONTINUOUS
Describe what the camera sees: - Present tense - Visual focus - Minimal internal thoughts
> John stares at the letter. His hands tremble.
Centered with specific margins:
JOHN
(reading)
"I'm sorry. I can't do this anymore."
Right-aligned:
CUT TO:
FADE OUT.
DISSOLVE TO:
> CLOSE ON: John's face as he reads.
> ANGLE ON: The letter falling to the floor.
Most spec scripts minimize these—directors prefer to make their own choices.
Act and scene structure:
ACT I
Scene 1
ACT II, Scene 3
EPILOGUE
Describe stage action and set: - Often italicized or in parentheses - Describes what audience sees - Includes set information
> (A modest living room. Evening. Rain is heard outside. JOHN stands by the window, his back to the audience.)
Varies by convention:
JOHN
I can't stay here any longer.
MARY
(entering from upstage)
Then don't.
Theatrical terms:
>> BLACKOUT
>> LIGHTS UP
>> CURTAIN
DML lets you write once and render in either format:
Some things translate differently:
DML:
@ LOCATION: Coffee Shop
= Day
Film renders as: INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Stage renders as: (A coffee shop. Day.)
DML:
>> CUT TO:
Film renders as: right-aligned CUT TO:
Stage might render as: (Transition to next scene) or be adapted
Some stories work both ways: - Write in DML - Export for primary target - Adapt for secondary format
Drama Markup Language (DML) is Writing Shed Pro's lightweight markup for script writing. This reference covers all DML syntax elements.
DML is designed to be: - Human-readable: Easy to read and write - Minimal: Common elements require little decoration - Format-agnostic: Same source works for film and stage - Intuitive: Mirrors how you'd naturally write
| Element | Syntax | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scene Heading | # |
# INT. OFFICE - DAY |
| Character | ALL CAPS | JOHN |
| Dialogue | Lines after character | Hello there. |
| Parenthetical | ( ) after character |
(whispering) |
| Action | > |
> John enters. |
| Transition | >> |
>> CUT TO: |
| Location | @ |
@ LOCATION: Office |
| Time/Atmosphere | = |
= Night, rain |
| Note | [[ ]] |
[[Check this scene]] |
Start a line with # for scene headings:
# INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
# EXT. BEACH - SUNSET
# ACT II, Scene 3
Film format: Include INT./EXT., location, time Stage format: Use ACT/Scene notation
Write character names in ALL CAPS on their own line:
JOHN
MARY
DR. SMITH
OFFICER #1
Everything following a character name (until another element) is their dialogue.
Lines following a character name are dialogue:
JOHN
I've been thinking about what you said.
And I think you're right.
Multiple lines of dialogue are fine—they'll be formatted together.
Acting directions go in parentheses after the character name:
JOHN
(hesitantly)
I don't know about this.
MARY
(turning away)
Neither do I.
Parentheticals can also appear mid-dialogue:
JOHN
I think I love you.
(beat)
No, I know I do.
Start with > for action or stage directions:
> John crosses to the window and looks out at the rain.
> Mary enters from the kitchen, carrying a tray.
> The lights dim. Thunder rumbles in the distance.
These render as: - Film: Full-width action paragraphs - Stage: Stage directions (often italicized)
Start with >> for transitions:
>> CUT TO:
>> FADE OUT
>> DISSOLVE TO:
>> BLACKOUT
These render as: - Film: Right-aligned transitions - Stage: Theatrical transitions (centered or as appropriate)
Use @ for location information:
@ LOCATION: Sarah's Apartment
@ LOCATION: The Beach House
This helps DML construct scene headings, especially for stage format.
Use = for time of day and atmospheric conditions:
= Day
= Night, stormy
= Late afternoon, golden light
= Morning, mist
Combined with location:
@ LOCATION: Office
= Night, empty building
Film renders as: INT. OFFICE - NIGHT
Stage renders as: (An office. Night. The building is empty.)
Writer's notes that don't render in output:
[[Remember to add more tension here]]
[[Check with director about this scene]]
[[TODO: Research police procedures]]
Notes are for your reference only—they won't appear in exports.
# ACT I, Scene 1
@ LOCATION: Living Room
= Night, raining
> A modest living room. Rain streaks the windows. JOHN stands
> near the window, agitated. A half-empty glass of whiskey
> sits on the side table.
JOHN
(to himself)
She should be here by now.
> He checks his watch, then resumes pacing.
[[Consider cutting the whiskey reference]]
> The door opens. MARY enters, soaking wet.
MARY
(shaking off rain)
The roads are terrible.
JOHN
I was worried.
MARY
(softening)
I know. I'm sorry.
> She crosses to him. They embrace.
>> BLACKOUT
# ACT I, Scene 2
@ LOCATION: Kitchen
= The next morning
> Bright sunlight. MARY makes coffee. JOHN enters in a robe.
JOHN
Did you sleep?
MARY
Not really.
(beat)
We need to talk about last night.
>> END OF ACT ONE
The example above renders with:
- Scene headings like INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
- Centered character names
- Specific dialogue margins
- Right-aligned transitions
The same source renders with:
- Scene headings like ACT I, Scene 1
- Stage directions in parentheses or italics
- Different margin conventions
- Theatrical transitions
DML is meant to be invisible. Write naturally—don't over-mark.
Use blank lines to separate elements: - Between speakers - Between action and dialogue - Before and after transitions
Choose conventions and stick with them: - Parenthetical style - Action line detail level - Note format
Check the rendered preview often. Adjust if elements don't render as expected.
> for ActionWrong:
John enters.
Right:
> John enters.
Wrong:
John
I'm here.
Right:
JOHN
I'm here.
Wrong:
JOHN
Hello.
MARY
Hi.
Right:
JOHN
Hello.
MARY
Hi.
This guide covers how Writing Shed Pro assembles Drama project content into a manuscript for export.
Drama manuscripts use an act-and-scene assembly model:
If your project uses acts: 1. Each act is processed in act order (as arranged in the Chapters/Acts list) 2. Within each act, scenes appear in scene order 3. Scenes not assigned to any act are appended after all acts
If your project has no acts, all scenes are assembled in their list order — similar to Short Fiction.
Unlike other project types where content is stored as rich text, Drama content is written in Drama Markup Language (DML). During manuscript assembly: 1. Each scene's DML source is parsed 2. The markup is rendered into formatted script output 3. The script format (Film or Stage) determines the visual layout
This means the same source content produces different manuscript output depending on your script format setting.
By default, all scenes are included. You can exclude individual scenes: 1. Open the scene's context menu 2. Toggle Include in Manuscript off 3. The scene stays in your project but is skipped during assembly
This is useful for deleted scenes you want to keep for reference, or alternate versions.
Before exporting: 1. Open the Manuscript view 2. Review the assembled content in your chosen script format 3. Check that acts and scenes are in the correct order 4. Verify DML rendering looks correct 5. Confirm standalone scenes appear where expected
Your project's script format setting controls how the manuscript renders:
INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIMEYou can switch format before exporting without altering your DML source: 1. Open Project Settings 2. Change Script Format (Film or Stage) 3. The manuscript re-renders in the new format
Control how scenes are separated within an act:
| Break Style | Appearance |
|---|---|
| Page Break | Each scene starts on a new page |
| Section Mark | Centred mark between scenes |
| Double Space | Extra blank line between scenes |
| None | Scenes flow together continuously |
For screenplays, scenes typically flow continuously. For stage plays, a new scene within an act may start with a heading but no page break.
You can control whether structural headings appear in the output: - Include Section Headings: Show act names as headings - Include File Titles: Show scene titles as headings
For film scripts, you typically don't use act headings (the scene heading INT./EXT. serves as the divider). For stage plays, act and scene headings are traditional.
Drama manuscripts can be exported in all available formats:
| Format | Best For |
|---|---|
| Industry submissions, table reads, archival — preserves exact script layout | |
| RTF | Collaboration, editable in Word or Final Draft |
| HTML | Online sharing, web publication |
| Markdown | Plain text archives |
Script formatting relies on precise margins and spacing (especially for the 1 page = 1 minute rule in film). PDF preserves this exactly. Other formats may alter margins and spacing.
Choose how footnotes are numbered across the manuscript: - Per File: Numbering restarts in each scene - Continuous: Sequential numbering across the entire manuscript
Acts are the natural divisions of a script. Assign scenes to acts to keep your manuscript organised and ensure the correct assembly order.
Well-structured DML source produces clean manuscript output. See the DML Reference for syntax details.
If you're considering both film and stage production, preview the manuscript in each format to see how your script translates.
Unassigned scenes appear at the end of the manuscript. If this isn't what you want, assign them to an act or exclude them from the manuscript.
For screenplays, review the page count in the manuscript preview. The 1 page ≈ 1 minute guideline helps estimate runtime.
Writing Shed Pro offers multiple ways to export your work for sharing, submission, and printing. This guide provides an overview of export options.
| Format | Best For | Features Preserved |
|---|---|---|
| Submissions, sharing, print | All formatting, pagination, footnotes | |
| RTF | Editor collaboration | Most formatting, editable |
| Markdown | Plain text with structure | Headings, bold, italic, links |
| Plain Text | Maximum compatibility | Text only, no formatting |
| WSP | Backup, sharing, device transfer | Complete project archive |
| Physical copies | All formatting via printing |
All project types support manuscript export — the process of assembling your files into a single document. How files are combined differs by type:
| Project Type | Assembly Model | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Prose | Section-based | Files ordered by section, then by file order within each section |
| Poetry | Flat | Poems in display order, formatting preserved |
| Fiction | Chapter-based | Chapters → Scenes (Novel/Verse Novel) or flat scenes (Short Fiction) |
| Drama | Act-based | Acts → Scenes, with DML rendered to script format |
For type-specific details: - Prose Manuscript and Export - Poetry Manuscript and Export - Fiction Manuscript Formatting - Drama Manuscript and Export
For the overall manuscript structure (front matter, back matter), see Manuscript Structure.
The .wsp format is Writing Shed Pro's native project archive — a single JSON file containing your entire project.
| Data | Included |
|---|---|
| All files and their content | ✅ |
| All file versions | ✅ |
| Formatted text (rich text) | ✅ |
| Comments and footnotes | ✅ |
| Folder structure | ✅ |
| Project settings and metadata | ✅ |
| Publications and submissions | ✅ |
| Poetry collections | ✅ |
| Fiction structure (books, chapters, acts, scenes) | ✅ |
| Characters and locations | ✅ |
| Prose sections | ✅ |
| Workflow status for each file | ✅ |
| Data | Reason |
|---|---|
| Stylesheets | Projects use the device's stylesheets |
| Reference entries (notes, glossary, index, etc.) | Regenerated from in-text markers |
| Trash contents | Excluded from export |
| Undo history | Session-only data |
ProjectName.wsp.wsp file from your device or iCloud DriveImporting a project with the same name as an existing project creates a separate copy — it does not overwrite or merge.
See Creating Projects for more about importing.
PDF is the most reliable export format for sharing and submissions. The PDF looks identical on every device and platform.
Before exporting, ensure your page setup is correct: - Paper size (Letter, A4, etc.) - Margins - Headers and footers - Orientation
These settings determine how the PDF appears.
Always preview before exporting:
PDF size depends on: - Number of pages - Number and size of images - Embedded fonts
After export, share via: - Email: Attach the PDF - AirDrop: Quick iOS/Mac sharing - Cloud Storage: Upload to iCloud, Dropbox, etc. - Files App: Save and access from other apps
Many submissions expect: - Standard fonts (Times New Roman, Courier) - Double spacing - 1-inch margins - Page numbers - Author name/title in header
Configure these in Page Setup and Stylesheet before exporting.
Always read submission guidelines. Some specify: - Maximum file size - Specific formatting - Cover letter requirements - Naming conventions
RTF (Rich Text Format) produces editable documents compatible with most word processors. Use RTF when you need recipients to be able to edit the content.
RTF is an interchange format, not a final format:
Recipients may need to: - Adjust formatting - Set up page layout - Apply their own styles
RTF is for editing. The document will likely change.
| Aspect | RTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Editable | Yes | No |
| Appearance | Varies | Fixed |
| File size | Smaller | Larger |
| Features | Some lost | All preserved |
| Use case | Collaboration | Final output |
If RTF doesn't meet your needs:
Writing Shed Pro supports printing on both iOS and Mac. Print directly to any available printer for physical copies of your work.
Print any individual text file.
Print all files in a collection as a single document.
Print all files in a submission together.
Print your assembled manuscript with chapters in order.
Select how many copies to print.
Match your page setup settings: - Letter (8.5 × 11 inches) - A4 (210 × 297 mm) - Other sizes as available
Always preview before printing:
The print dialog shows a preview. Pinch to zoom and scroll through pages.
Click the preview in the print dialog. Review all pages before printing.
Before printing, ensure your page setup matches:
See Page Setup for details.
Many writers catch errors on paper that they miss on screen. Print drafts for review.
For quick reviews, consider: - Lower quality settings - Single-sided - Cheaper paper
For submissions or archiving: - High-quality settings - Good paper - Check for smudges or issues
If direct printing isn't working: 1. Export as PDF 2. Print the PDF from any device/app 3. Use a different printer or print service
Writing Shed Pro helps poets and fiction writers track where they've submitted their work. Know what's pending, accepted, or rejected at a glance.
The submission system tracks: - Publications: Magazines, journals, competitions - Submissions: What you sent, when, and current status - Submitted Files: Which specific file versions you sent
Before tracking submissions, define your target publications:
When you send work out:
The recommended workflow: 1. Create a Collection with the files to submit 2. Open the Collection 3. Tap Submit to Publication 4. Select the publication 5. Confirm submission details 6. The submission is recorded
Track the lifecycle of each submission:
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Submitted, awaiting response |
| Accepted | Publication accepted the work |
| Rejected | Publication declined |
| Withdrawn | You withdrew the submission |
All submissions appear here: - Grouped by status - Shows publication name - Shows submission date - Shows file count
Open a publication to see: - All submissions to that publication - History of your relationship - Acceptance rate
Open a file's details to see: - Where it's been submitted - Current status of each submission - Submission history
Many writers submit the same work to multiple publications: 1. Submit to Publication A 2. Submit same file to Publication B 3. Both submissions track independently 4. When one accepts, update statuses appropriately
Submissions record the exact version you sent: - If you edit the file later, the submission still references the original version - You can see exactly what was submitted - Helpful if an editor references specific content
Writing Shed Pro can send you notification reminders for submissions and publication deadlines.
Set a reminder to follow up on a pending submission: 1. Open the submission details 2. Tap Set Reminder 3. Choose a date and time 4. A system notification will alert you when the reminder fires
Set a reminder for publication deadlines (magazines and competitions): 1. Open the publication details 2. Tap Set Deadline Reminder 3. Choose a date and time 4. You'll receive a notification before the deadline
View your submission activity: - Total submissions - Pending vs. completed - Acceptance rate - Response times
Use this data to: - Identify responsive publications - See your progress - Plan future submissions
Writing Shed Pro offers comprehensive Markdown support, including native Markdown editing, rich text preview, and import/export capabilities.
Markdown is a lightweight markup language that uses simple symbols to indicate formatting:
- **bold** becomes bold
- *italic* becomes italic
- # Heading becomes a heading
- [link](url) becomes a hyperlink
Markdown files are plain text, readable by any text editor, yet carry formatting information that apps can interpret.
Writing Shed Pro lets you create and edit files in either Rich Text or Markdown mode. Markdown mode is ideal for writers who prefer plain text with simple formatting syntax.
Any file can be switched between Rich Text and Markdown modes using the toggle button in the toolbar:
Note: Switching modes converts the content. Going from Rich Text to Markdown converts formatting to Markdown syntax. Going from Markdown to Rich Text renders the Markdown as formatted text.
When editing in Markdown mode: - A Markdown indicator bar appears at the bottom of the editor showing "Markdown" - Type using standard Markdown syntax - Tap the toggle button to preview your content as formatted Rich Text - All standard Markdown formatting is supported
To see how your Markdown will look when rendered:
The preview uses your project's stylesheet, so headings and text styles match your document formatting.
Markdown mode is particularly useful for: - Writers comfortable with Markdown syntax - Content destined for blogs or GitHub - Quick drafting without formatting distractions - Files you plan to export as Markdown
Note: Markdown mode is not available for Poetry or Drama projects, which require specialized formatting features.
| Feature | Markdown Equivalent |
|---|---|
| Bold | **text** |
| Italic | *text* |
| Bold + Italic | ***text*** |
| Strikethrough | ~~text~~ |
| Headings (1-6) | # to ###### |
| Links | [text](url) |
| Code/monospace | `code` |
Writing Shed Pro can import .md files and convert them to rich text, applying your project's stylesheet for consistent formatting.
When importing Markdown, headings and text are mapped to your project's stylesheet:
| Markdown | Style Applied |
|---|---|
# Heading 1 |
Title 1 |
## Heading 2 |
Title 2 |
### Heading 3 |
Title 3 |
#### Heading 4 |
Title 4 |
##### Heading 5 |
Subheadline |
###### Heading 6 |
Subheadline |
| Regular text | Body |
> Blockquote |
Callout |
| Code blocks | Caption 1 |
| Markdown Feature | Result |
|---|---|
Bold (**text**) |
Bold formatting |
Italic (*text*) |
Italic formatting |
| ~~Strikethrough~~ | Strikethrough formatting |
| Links | Clickable hyperlinks |
Code |
Monospace font |
| Headings | Styled headings per stylesheet |
| Lists | Formatted lists |
| Blockquotes | Callout style |
Prepare your Markdown file:
- Use standard Markdown syntax
- Ensure headings use # notation
- Check that links are properly formatted
After importing: - Review the applied styles - Adjust any formatting as needed - The imported file becomes a new text file in the folder
You can export to Markdown, edit externally, and reimport:
Note: Some formatting may change in the round trip. Complex styling not supported by Markdown will be simplified on export and cannot be automatically restored on import.
| Aspect | Markdown | RTF |
|---|---|---|
| File size | Smaller | Larger |
| Human readable | Yes | No |
| Formatting | Basic | Rich |
| Universal | Very | Mostly |
| Editability | Any text editor | Word processors |
| Aspect | Markdown | |
|---|---|---|
| Editable | Yes | No |
| Formatting | Basic | Full |
| File size | Smaller | Larger |
| Universal | Yes | Yes |
**bold** not ** bold **)# syntax, not underlinesWriting Shed Pro provides powerful search and replace functionality. Find text in a single file, across a collection, or throughout your entire project.
Search within the currently open file.
Search all files in a specific collection.
Search all files in your project.
Toggle these options in the search bar.
Choose from: - Current File: Just this file - Collection: Select which collection - Project: Entire project
Project search shows: - Results grouped by file - Context around each match - Match count per file - Total match count
For power users, regex enables complex patterns:
| Pattern | Matches |
|---|---|
. |
Any single character |
* |
Zero or more of previous |
+ |
One or more of previous |
? |
Zero or one of previous |
^ |
Start of line |
$ |
End of line |
\d |
Any digit |
\w |
Any word character |
\s |
Any whitespace |
| Find | Purpose |
|---|---|
\bthe\b |
"the" as whole word |
\d{3}-\d{4} |
Phone number pattern |
^#.* |
Lines starting with # |
\s+ |
Multiple spaces |
Use parentheses to capture and reuse:
- Find: (\w+)@(\w+)\.com
- Replace: $1 at $2 dot com
- Result: "user@example.com" → "user at example dot com"
Begin with simple searches, then add constraints if needed.
Wrong case sensitivity or whole-word setting can cause missed matches.
For replace, always review what will change before confirming.
If a replace goes wrong, Undo immediately.
For complex changes, consider replacing in steps rather than one massive operation.
Every project in Writing Shed Pro has a stylesheet that defines how text looks. The Stylesheet Editor lets you customize fonts, sizes, colors, and more.
A stylesheet contains: - Paragraph styles: How each type of paragraph looks (Body, Headings, etc.) - Character styles: Formatting like bold and italic - Image styles: How images are sized and positioned
Instead of formatting each paragraph manually, you apply a style. Change the style definition, and all text using that style updates.
The editor shows all available styles:
Each style shows: - Name - Preview of appearance - Font and size summary
Tap any style to edit it.
Tap a style to modify it:
1.a, 1.1.1)See Headings and Styles for details on heading numbering and lists.
Tap Save or Done to apply changes.
Your new style appears in the style picker when editing.
Note: You cannot delete built-in styles. If text uses a deleted style, it reverts to Body.
Styles can be based on other styles:
For standard manuscript submission: - Body: 12pt Courier or Times, double-spaced - Heading 1: Bold, slightly larger, no indent
Specific margin and formatting requirements—see DML documentation.
To return a style to defaults: 1. Open the style 2. Tap Reset to Default (if available) 3. Confirm
This removes all customizations.
Your stylesheet travels with your project: - Exports include style definitions - Other devices see the same formatting - Share projects with formatting intact
Apply styles through the style picker, not manual formatting. This ensures consistency.
A few well-defined styles work better than many similar ones.
Preview styled text before finalizing style changes.
If you create complex custom styles, note why for future reference.
For submissions, check guidelines and configure styles to match.
Page Setup controls how your documents appear when exported or printed. Configure paper size, margins, headers, footers, and more.
Page setup applies to the entire project.
Choose from standard paper sizes:
| Size | Dimensions | Common Use |
|---|---|---|
| Letter | 8.5 × 11 inches | US standard |
| A4 | 210 × 297 mm | International standard |
| Legal | 8.5 × 14 inches | US legal documents |
| A5 | 148 × 210 mm | Half of A4 |
| Custom | Your dimensions | Special needs |
Most writing uses portrait. Landscape might suit wide tables or special layouts.
Set the space between page edge and content:
| Use Case | Margins |
|---|---|
| Standard manuscript | 1 inch all sides |
| Printing with binding | 1.25" left, 1" others |
| More content per page | 0.75" all sides |
Add information at the top or bottom of every page:
For many documents: - First page has no header/footer (or different one) - Title page stands alone - Numbering starts on page 2
Toggle First Page Different to enable this.
Preview your page setup:
Control where pages break:
Pages break naturally when content fills a page.
Insert page breaks to force new pages: - Before chapters - After title pages - Where you need control
Avoid: - Single lines at page bottom (orphan) - Single lines at page top (widow) Pagination engine handles this automatically.
Poetry Collections let you group related poems together as first-class entities in your Poetry project. Each collection has its own name, synopsis, and list of linked poems, and can be included in your manuscript's body matter for export.
A Poetry Collection is a dedicated grouping of poems for a specific purpose: - Poems for a chapbook - A submission package - A themed reading set - Any curated grouping you need
| Folders | Poetry Collections |
|---|---|
| Poems live in one folder | Poems can belong to multiple collections |
| Moving poems changes location | Adding to a collection doesn't move the poem |
| Physical organization | Virtual grouping with metadata |
| Hierarchical | Flat (each collection is independent) |
Collections are available only in Poetry projects. Access them through the dedicated Collections folder in the project sidebar.
Note: Fiction and Drama projects use chapters, books, or acts to organize their content. The Collections folder is not available in those project types.
The poem isn't deleted—it just leaves this collection.
Note: Deleting a collection doesn't delete the poems. They remain in the Poems folder.
Poetry Collections can be included in your manuscript's body matter for export and assembly:
Collections integrate with the submission system:
Use clear, descriptive names: - "Spring 2026 Contest Entry" - "Nature Poems Chapbook" - "Anthology Submission"
Instead of copying poems: - Add the same poem to multiple collections - Each collection references the poem - Edits to the poem appear everywhere
Collect poems for a chapbook, add the collection to body matter, arrange in reading order, and export as a complete manuscript.
Group poems meeting contest criteria. Submit the collection and track the submission status.
Assemble poems for a live reading. Order them for performance flow.
Collect all poems about nature, all sonnets, all work from a particular period, etc.
If you're upgrading from version 1.0, your existing collections are automatically migrated to the new Poetry Collection model. The migration: - Converts old submission-based collections to dedicated PoetryCollection entities - Preserves all poem links - Removes the Collections folder from non-Poetry projects (Fiction, Short Fiction)
Writing Shed Pro supports keyboard shortcuts for faster navigation and editing. These work on Mac and iPad with an external keyboard.
On iPad with keyboard: - Press and hold ⌘ (Command) to see available shortcuts for the current screen
On Mac: - Shortcuts appear in menus next to commands - Hold ⌘ for context-specific shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘N | New file |
| ⌘S | Save (auto-saves, but forces sync) |
| ⌘W | Close file |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘Z | Undo |
| ⌘⇧Z | Redo |
| ⌘X | Cut |
| ⌘C | Copy |
| ⌘V | Paste |
| ⌘A | Select all |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘B | Bold |
| ⌘I | Italic |
| ⌘U | Underline |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘F | Find |
| ⌘G | Find next |
| ⌘⇧G | Find previous |
| ⌘⌥F | Find and replace |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘↑ | Go to document start |
| ⌘↓ | Go to document end |
| ⌘← | Go to line start |
| ⌘→ | Go to line end |
| ⌥← | Move word left |
| ⌥→ | Move word right |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⇧ + arrow | Extend selection |
| ⌘⇧← | Select to line start |
| ⌘⇧→ | Select to line end |
| ⌘⇧↑ | Select to document start |
| ⌘⇧↓ | Select to document end |
| ⌥⇧← | Select word left |
| ⌥⇧→ | Select word right |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘+ | Zoom in |
| ⌘- | Zoom out |
| ⌘0 | Reset zoom |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘⇧C | Insert comment (if available) |
| Return | New paragraph |
| ⇧Return | Line break (within paragraph) |
May be available for custom actions.
No hardware keyboard typically, but Bluetooth keyboards work similarly to iPad.
Currently, shortcuts are not customizable. The defaults follow Apple's standard patterns.
Learn these first: 1. ⌘B/I/U (formatting) 2. ⌘Z (undo) 3. ⌘F (find) 4. ⌘C/V (copy/paste)
Add shortcuts as you need them. Muscle memory develops over time.
See Keyboard Shortcut List for a printable list.
Power tips to get the most out of Writing Shed Pro.
Don't get distracted by fonts and styles while drafting. Get your ideas down first, then polish.
Choose Poetry, Fiction, or Drama when appropriate. The specialized tools are worth it.
Stop hitting Cmd+S. Your work saves constantly. Trust the system.
Even with syllable counting and stress analysis, nothing replaces reading your work aloud.
Instead of duplicating files for different purposes, add them to multiple collections. One source of truth.
Changing a file's status to Ready isn't just organization—it's a psychological commitment that the piece is finished.
Old deleted files take up space and clutter your backups. Clean up monthly.
Always preview before Replace All. It's faster to check twice than to undo a mess.
Double-tap for word, triple-tap for paragraph. The selection menu offers powerful options.
You don't need to learn them all. Start with: ⌘Z, ⌘B, ⌘I, ⌘F, and ⌘C/V. Add more as needed.
Leave comments on tricky passages: "Check this date" or "Consider cutting this scene."
The syllable counter and stress analyzer are guides, not gods. If your ear says it works, it works.
Even if you write free verse, try a sonnet or villanelle sometime. Constraints spark creativity.
It's tempting to put all your haiku in one file, but individual files are easier to organize and submit.
A scene should be one continuous action. If in doubt, make it smaller.
Connecting scenes to plot elements helps you see your story's structure. Do it even if you're a "pantser."
You'll forget details six months into a novel. Record them now.
The tools for chapters and plot elements are there if you want them. You don't have to use everything.
Just the essentials: # for headings, > for action, character names in caps. That's 80% of what you need.
Toggle between Film and Stage output to see how your script adapts. It might reveal opportunities.
Study professional scripts in your target format. Internalize the conventions.
Always check pagination before export. Catch issues early.
Unless specifically asked for something else, PDF is the safest choice.
Read submission guidelines carefully. Format exactly as requested.
Files sync automatically. No need to force anything.
If you've just made changes, wait a few seconds for sync before opening on another device.
Export important finished work as PDFs. It's a good safety net.
Jump directly to the project root from any nested view.
In the editor, pinch to zoom for comfortable reading or precise editing.
On iPhone, shake the device to trigger undo.
Left for undo, right for redo. Works in most text areas.
Most questions are answered here. Use search (⌘F) to find specific topics.
If something seems broken, try force-quitting and reopening the app.
Found a real bug? Report it through the app or support channels.
The Contributors section is a back matter feature designed for magazine editors, anthology publishers, and anyone who needs to list the contributors to a publication with their biographical notes.
Contributors is a user-created list (unlike auto-generated back matter like Endnotes or Glossary). Each entry contains:
The list is automatically sorted alphabetically by surname, then by first name.
The new contributor appears in the list, automatically sorted by surname.
You can delete contributors in two ways:
Swipe to Delete: 1. Swipe left on the contributor entry 2. Tap the Delete button
Context Menu: 1. Long-press on the contributor entry 2. Select Delete from the context menu 3. Confirm the deletion
When you export your manuscript to PDF or print, the Contributors section appears in the back matter with this format:
CONTRIBUTORS
Jones, Sarah
Sarah Jones is a poet whose work has appeared in numerous
literary magazines. She lives in Portland, Oregon.
Smith, John
John Smith is the author of three novels and has won
the National Book Award for Fiction.
Contributors are sorted alphabetically by surname in the exported document.
For anthologies with many contributors: - Add contributors as you accept submissions - Use consistent formatting for all biographies - Review the full list before export to ensure alphabetical ordering looks correct
The Index feature in Writing Shed Pro allows you to create professional book indexes that automatically calculate page numbers based on your manuscript pagination.
An index is an alphabetical list of terms with page numbers showing where each term appears in your document. Writing Shed Pro's index system supports:
When Index is enabled in your Back Matter settings, an index button () appears in the formatting toolbar.
An invisible marker is inserted at the cursor position. The marker won't affect your document's appearance.
Navigate to your project's Back Matter folder and tap the Index file. This displays a live preview of your index with:
Page numbers are calculated using the same pagination engine as your manuscript export:
From the Index back matter view, tap the ⋯ button on any entry to access:
Modify the entry's keyword, parent assignment, or cross-references. Changes apply to all references throughout your document.
Search your entire manuscript for additional mentions of the keyword:
This is particularly useful for names, places, or technical terms that appear multiple times—you can review each occurrence in context and decide which are significant enough to index.
Note: Already-marked occurrences appear in orange and cannot be selected again.
Remove the entry and all its markers from your document. A confirmation dialog shows how many references will be removed.
Create up to 3 levels of nested entries:
Animals
Dogs
Puppies
Cats
The parent picker only shows entries that can accept children (levels 1 and 2).
Redirect readers from one term to another:
Dogs. See Animals
When an entry has a "see" reference, no page numbers are shown—the reader is directed to look up the other term instead.
To add a "See" reference: 1. Edit the entry 2. In the See Reference field, select the target entry
Point readers to related terms while still showing page numbers:
Dogs, 12, 45. See also Cats, Puppies
To add "See Also" references: 1. Edit the entry 2. In the See Also section, select one or more related entries
Cross-references appear in purple in the index preview.
Mark important page references as "primary" to indicate the main discussion of a topic. In traditional print indexes, primary references appear in bold:
Dogs, 12, 45–47, 89
To mark a primary reference: 1. When adding a new reference, toggle Primary Reference on 2. That marker's page number will be emphasised in the generated index
The index is automatically included in your manuscript exports when enabled in Back Matter settings.
The Back Matter Index file shows a live preview with calculated page numbers, letting you verify your index is complete and correctly structured before exporting.
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Add Index Entry | ⇧⌘X |
Use the same keyword format throughout. "United Kingdom" and "UK" create separate entries—pick one and stick with it, or use cross-references.
Group related terms under parent entries. Instead of separate entries for "border collie", "labrador", and "poodle", create them as sub-entries under "Dogs".
When a topic has multiple page references, mark the main discussion as primary so readers can quickly find substantive content.
After creating an entry, use Find Occurrences to locate other mentions. Not every mention needs indexing—a passing reference may not warrant inclusion—but this ensures you don't miss significant discussions.
Review the Index back matter view before exporting. Look for: - Entries with zero references (may need markers added) - Inconsistent capitalisation or spelling - Missing cross-references for related terms
The List of Figures feature in Writing Shed Pro creates an automatic catalog of all images in your manuscript, with captions and page numbers.
A List of Figures (also called Table of Figures) is a reference list showing every image in your document along with its caption and the page where it appears. This is common in academic papers, technical manuals, and illustrated books. Writing Shed Pro's system supports:
Open the Table of Figures file in your Back Matter folder to see a live preview showing:
Page numbers are calculated using the same pagination engine as your manuscript export:
Tap Settings (⚙️) in the navigation bar to open the settings sheet.
Choose which text style from your stylesheet to use for the figure entries.
When enabled, entries appear as:
Figure 1: Sunrise over the mountains ............. 12
When disabled, entries show only:
Sunrise over the mountains ............. 12
Control how images without captions are handled:
Show uncaptioned images (ON): Displays "Missing caption" as a placeholder
Figure 3: Missing caption ............. 45
Show uncaptioned images (OFF): Skips uncaptioned images and shows a summary at the bottom
3 images without captions on pages: 45, 67, 89
For images to appear meaningfully in the List of Figures, they need captions:
Choose a prefix that matches your document type: - Academic: "Figure 1:", "Figure 2:" - Technical: "Fig. 1:", "Fig. 2:" - Art books: Disable prefix, use captions only
Use the Show uncaptioned images toggle strategically: 1. During editing, turn it ON to see which images need captions 2. Before publishing, turn it OFF if you want to exclude decorative images 3. Review the summary message to ensure no important images are missing captions
The List of Figures is included in your manuscript exports (PDF, EPUB, etc.) when:
The page numbers in the exported document will match your actual pagination.
Writing Shed Pro can automatically generate a Table of Contents (TOC) based on your manuscript structure, showing chapters, sections, and their page numbers.
A Table of Contents provides readers with a navigational overview of your manuscript. Writing Shed Pro generates the TOC from your document hierarchy:
The Table of Contents is generated based on your project structure:
PART ONE: THE BEGINNING
Chapter 1: Discovery .............. 3
The Letter .................... 3
First Steps .................. 12
Chapter 2: The Journey ........... 23
PART TWO: THE MIDDLE
Chapter 3: Complications ......... 45
Access TOC settings through the settings gear in the Table of Contents view or through export options.
Control which items appear in the TOC:
Different styles can be applied to different hierarchical levels:
Writing Shed Pro supports two approaches:
If you need complete control:
Note: Manual TOC entries won't have automatic page numbers.
TOC page numbers are calculated using the same pagination engine as your manuscript:
Page numbers in the TOC preview might differ from your expectations if:
Structure your manuscript so the TOC makes sense:
For manuscripts with many chapters:
Before final export:
A complete reference of keyboard shortcuts available in Writing Shed Pro. Works on Mac and iPad with external keyboard.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘N | New file |
| ⌘S | Force save/sync |
| ⌘W | Close file |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘Z | Undo |
| ⌘⇧Z | Redo |
| ⌘X | Cut |
| ⌘C | Copy |
| ⌘V | Paste |
| ⌘A | Select all |
| ⌫ (Delete) | Delete selection or character left |
| ⌦ (Forward Delete) | Delete character right |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘B | Bold |
| ⌘I | Italic |
| ⌘U | Underline |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘⌥0 | Apply Body style |
| ⌘⌥1 | Apply Heading 1 |
| ⌘⌥2 | Apply Heading 2 |
| ⌘⌥3 | Apply Heading 3 |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘F | Open Find |
| ⌘G | Find next |
| ⌘⇧G | Find previous |
| ⌘⌥F | Open Find and Replace |
| Esc | Close Find/Replace |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘↑ | Go to document start |
| ⌘↓ | Go to document end |
| ⌘← | Go to line start |
| ⌘→ | Go to line end |
| ⌥← | Move word left |
| ⌥→ | Move word right |
| ⌥↑ | Move paragraph up |
| ⌥↓ | Move paragraph down |
| ⇞ (Page Up) | Scroll up one screen |
| ⇟ (Page Down) | Scroll down one screen |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⇧ + any arrow | Extend selection in that direction |
| ⌘⇧← | Select to line start |
| ⌘⇧→ | Select to line end |
| ⌘⇧↑ | Select to document start |
| ⌘⇧↓ | Select to document end |
| ⌥⇧← | Select word left |
| ⌥⇧→ | Select word right |
| ⌥⇧↑ | Select paragraph up |
| ⌥⇧↓ | Select paragraph down |
| ⌘A | Select all |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| ⌘+ or ⌘= | Zoom in |
| ⌘- | Zoom out |
| ⌘0 | Reset zoom to 100% |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Return | New paragraph |
| ⇧Return | Line break (soft return) |
| Tab | Insert tab (in code/tables) |
| ⌘⇧C | Insert comment |
| ⌘⇧X | Add index entry |
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Tab | Increase list indent (create sub-list) |
| ⇧Tab | Decrease list indent (promote item) |
Notes:
- Tab/Shift+Tab work when cursor is in a list item
- Sub-lists use different numbering: 1→a→i for numbers, •→◦→▪ for bullets
- Sub-list numbering restarts when you return to a higher level
- Shift+Tab at Level 1 exits the list (applies Body style)
| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Shake | Undo |
| Three-finger swipe left | Undo |
| Three-finger swipe right | Redo |
| Double-tap word | Select word |
| Triple-tap | Select paragraph |
| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Three-finger swipe left | Undo |
| Three-finger swipe right | Redo |
| Double-tap word | Select word |
| Triple-tap | Select paragraph |
| Pinch | Zoom in/out |
| Two-finger tap | Secondary click (context menu) |
| Gesture | Action |
|---|---|
| Two-finger tap | Secondary click |
| Pinch | Zoom in/out |
| Force click | Look up definition |
Cut this out and keep it handy:
ESSENTIALS
⌘Z Undo ⌘⇧Z Redo ⌘F Find
⌘B Bold ⌘I Italic ⌘U Underline
⌘C Copy ⌘V Paste ⌘X Cut
NAVIGATION
⌘↑ Top ⌘↓ Bottom
⌥← Word left ⌥→ Word right
ZOOM
⌘+ In ⌘- Out ⌘0 Reset
| Symbol | Key Name |
|---|---|
| ⌘ | Command |
| ⌥ | Option (Alt) |
| ⇧ | Shift |
| ⌃ | Control |
| ⌫ | Delete (Backspace) |
| ⌦ | Forward Delete |
| ↩ | Return |
| ⎋ | Escape |
| ⇞ | Page Up |
| ⇟ | Page Down |
| ↑↓←→ | Arrow keys |
Quick reference for Drama Markup Language (DML) used in Drama projects.
# ACT ONE
## Scene 1
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
> The shop is busy. EMMA, 30s, sits at a corner table.
EMMA
(nervously)
Is this seat taken?
DAVID
No, please. Sit.
> He gestures to the empty chair.
| Prefix | Element | Example |
|---|---|---|
# |
Act heading | # ACT ONE |
## |
Scene heading | ## Scene 1 |
| (none) | Scene heading (Film) | INT. OFFICE - DAY |
| (none) | Character name | DAVID |
> |
Action/Stage direction | > She exits. |
() |
Parenthetical | (softly) |
| (none) | Dialogue | Plain text after character name |
INT. LOCATION - TIME
EXT. LOCATION - TIME
INT./EXT. LOCATION - TIME
Examples:
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
EXT. BEACH - SUNSET
INT./EXT. CAR - DAY
## Scene 1
## Scene 2: The Reveal
Write in ALL CAPS on their own line:
EMMA
DAVID
DOCTOR MILLER
VOICE (O.S.)
EMMA (V.O.) Voice over
EMMA (O.S.) Off screen
EMMA (CONT'D) Continuing
EMMA (O.C.) Off camera
Plain text following a character name:
EMMA
I never thought I'd see you again.
Multi-line:
DAVID
You know, I've been thinking about that day.
The way the light came through the window.
It changed everything for me.
In parentheses, on their own line:
EMMA
(hesitant)
Are you sure about this?
DAVID
(laughing, then serious)
No. But when has that ever stopped us?
Prefix with >:
> She sets down her coffee cup.
> DAVID enters through the front door. He's soaking wet.
> Beat.
> They stare at each other.
Film transitions:
CUT TO:
DISSOLVE TO:
FADE OUT.
FADE IN:
SMASH CUT TO:
MONTAGE:
> EMMA jogs through the park.
> DAVID works late at the office.
> EMMA stares at her phone.
END MONTAGE.
FLASHBACK:
INT. CHILDHOOD HOME - DAY (1995)
> Young EMMA opens a gift.
END FLASHBACK.
INTERCUT - PHONE CONVERSATION
INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
EMMA
Where are you?
INT. AIRPORT - CONTINUOUS
DAVID
About to board. I'll be home soon.
EMMA
(singing)
♪ When the morning comes around
♪ And the sky is turning gold
♪ I'll remember what we found
♪ And the stories left untold ♪
Detailed directions for stage:
> SL: Sofa and coffee table. SR: Kitchen counter with stools.
> UC: Large window showing city skyline (projected).
Abbreviations: - SL: Stage Left - SR: Stage Right - UC: Upstage Center - DC: Downstage Center
> EMMA (30s, nervous energy, vintage dress) enters with a stack of files.
EMMA
Did you take it?
DAVID
Take what?
EMMA
You know what.
DAVID
I think we should—
> Long pause.
DAVID (CONT'D)
—never mind.
Same DML produces different formatting:
| Wrong | Right |
|---|---|
Emma (lowercase) |
EMMA |
She exits (no prefix) |
> She exits. |
[softly] |
(softly) |
ACT 1 |
# ACT ONE |
>Solutions to common issues in Writing Shed Pro.
Writing Shed Pro keeps your projects in sync across all your devices using iCloud. Sync happens automatically in the background — you don't need to do anything to keep devices up to date. Most sync delays resolve on their own within a few minutes.
When you create or edit a project on one device, the changes are uploaded to iCloud. Your other devices download those changes when they are online and the app is running (or shortly after you open it). There is no manual sync button you need to press in normal use.
Because iCloud is a cloud service, sync speed depends on your internet connection, Apple's servers, and how much has changed. After a long period offline, a device may take several minutes to catch up.
Before troubleshooting: Wait at least 5–10 minutes with the app open and a good Wi-Fi connection. Most delays resolve on their own.
If changes still don't appear:
If normal steps haven't helped, Writing Shed Pro has a built-in recovery tool. Go to Settings → Sync Troubleshooting.
The screen shows you:
Guided Recovery is the recommended first step for any stubborn sync issue. Tap Run Guided Recovery and the app will:
This process takes 1–2 minutes. A status message tells you what happened. If projects are now fully synced, the status will show a green "Converged" result. If a problem was found, the status message describes it.
After Guided Recovery completes, you can tap Copy Guided Recovery Report to copy a detailed report to your clipboard. This report is useful if you need to contact support.
If you want to manually trigger an iCloud check without running the full Guided Recovery, tap Force Sync Now. This tells iCloud to deliver pending changes immediately. It is safe to use at any time.
If the app has encountered repeated network errors, it temporarily slows down sync attempts to avoid overloading iCloud. Reset Sync Backoff State clears this delay so normal sync speed resumes. This button only appears when a backoff is active.
Warning: this deletes all local data on this device. Only use this as a last resort.
Reset Sync Database removes the local copy of your data and re-downloads everything fresh from iCloud. Your iCloud data is not affected — nothing is deleted from iCloud. After resetting, the app will re-import all your projects from iCloud when it next launches.
Use this only when: - Guided Recovery has not fixed the problem. - You are confident that iCloud holds a complete, up-to-date copy of your data. - Support has advised this step.
After tapping Reset Sync Database, quit and relaunch the app. Re-import begins automatically. Depending on how much data you have, it may take a few minutes.
If a project that existed on one device doesn't appear on another:
If the project is still missing after Guided Recovery, tap Copy Guided Recovery Report and contact support with the report attached.
Occasionally iCloud can deliver the same project twice during a sync catch-up. Writing Shed Pro detects and removes true duplicates automatically. If you see duplicates:
iCloud limits how often apps can send updates when a large volume of changes is being processed. The app shows this message and slows down sync automatically. No action is needed — rate limiting clears by itself, usually within a few minutes to an hour. Avoid force-quitting and relaunching repeatedly, as this can reset the clock.
After reinstalling Writing Shed Pro, your projects re-import from iCloud automatically when you open the app. This can take several minutes depending on how much data you have. Keep the app in the foreground with a good Wi-Fi connection while the import completes.
If projects are missing after 10–15 minutes:
Symptoms: Duplicate files appear, or you see a message about conflicting versions.
Solutions:
To avoid conflicts in future, wait for the sync indicator to clear before switching devices after making large edits.
Solutions: 1. Close other apps 2. Restart the app 3. Restart your device 4. Check available storage space 5. Large projects may need more time
Solutions: 1. Update to latest app version 2. Update iOS/macOS 3. Restart device 4. If persists, contact support with steps to reproduce
Solutions: 1. Force quit and try again 2. Restart device 3. Check for app updates 4. Reinstall the app (your data is in iCloud)
Solutions: 1. Check zoom level (⌘0 to reset) 2. Check text color vs background color 3. Scroll to cursor position 4. Force quit and reopen
Solutions: 1. Undo (⌘Z) immediately 2. Check file version history 3. Formatting might be in style, not inline
Solutions: 1. Undo has limits—can't undo everything 2. After save/close, undo resets 3. Check file versions for recovery
Solutions: 1. May be auto-scroll behavior 2. Check for accidental touches 3. Disable autocorrect if it's interfering
Solutions: 1. Check Page Setup settings 2. Preview in Pagination View before export 3. Check font availability 4. Try different export options
Solutions: 1. Check printer is connected 2. Check paper size matches Page Setup 3. Check printer margins 4. Try Print to PDF first to verify
Solutions: 1. Check available storage 2. Try exporting to a different location 3. Check permissions on destination folder 4. Try smaller file/fewer pages
Solutions: 1. Sign into iCloud in device Settings 2. Ensure iCloud Drive is enabled 3. Ensure app is allowed to use iCloud 4. Check iCloud storage isn't full
Solutions: 1. Check Trash within app 2. Check Recently Deleted in Files app 3. Check iCloud Drive in Files app 4. Files may still be downloading
Solutions: 1. Tap to force download 2. Check internet connection 3. Check iCloud storage 4. Wait—large files take time
Solutions: 1. Check word pronunciation 2. Custom words may need dictionary additions 3. Some words have multiple valid counts 4. Trust your ear for edge cases
Solutions: 1. Check spelling of both words 2. Some rhymes are imperfect/slant 3. Proper nouns may not be in dictionary 4. Regional pronunciation differences
Solutions: 1. Check both scene and plot element exist 2. Link from scene settings 3. Save after making links
Solutions: 1. Count may exclude certain text 2. Check settings for what's counted 3. Footnotes/comments may be separate
Solutions:
1. Check prefix syntax (> for action, etc.)
2. Character names must be ALL CAPS
3. Check for extra spaces
4. View in Preview to debug
Solutions: 1. Check Film vs Stage setting 2. Settings are per-project 3. Toggle and toggle back if stuck
Solutions: 1. Check undo history 2. Check file versions (if available) 3. Check other devices for synced versions 4. Check Time Machine backup (Mac) 5. iCloud keeps some file versions
Collect this information: - Device model and OS version - App version - Steps to reproduce issue - Screenshots or screen recordings - Error messages (exact text)
Check the app's website for known issues and workarounds.
Common questions about Writing Shed Pro.
Writing Shed Pro is a professional writing app for creative writers. It supports prose, poetry, fiction, and drama with specialized tools for each.
Yes. With iCloud enabled, your projects sync automatically across all your Apple devices.
iCloud provides automatic backup. For extra safety, you can export important work as PDF or RTF.
Yes. You can write offline. Changes sync when you reconnect.
No. Project type is set at creation. You can copy content to a new project of a different type.
Export your project or individual files as PDF or RTF, then share using the standard share sheet.
Yes. The system spell checker is active while you write.
Word count is displayed but there's no built-in goal tracking.
In the editor, use Insert → Image. You can add from Photos, Files, or Camera.
Yes. Insert footnotes through the Format menu or toolbar. They appear at page bottom.
Very accurate for standard English. Some proper nouns and unusual words may need manual counting.
The Carnegie Mellon Pronouncing Dictionary provides pronunciation data for syllable counting and rhyme detection.
You can select from built-in forms. Custom form creation may be added in future updates.
Scenes are individual files. Chapters are folders that contain scenes. You control the structure.
Plot elements (Setups, Conflicts, Resolutions) help you track story structure. Scenes can link to plot elements.
Basic character notes are supported. Full character management may be added in future updates.
Drama Markup Language—a simple way to write scripts using plain text that formats automatically.
Currently, exports are PDF and RTF. Industry-specific formats may be added later.
Choose based on your target production. You can preview both formats from the same DML source.
RTF exports can be opened in Word. Direct .docx export may be added later.
Use the standard Print option. Works on Mac and iPad with compatible printers.
Depends on your usage. Text uses minimal storage. Images use more. Most users need less than 1GB.
Yes, but sync between devices won't work. Your data stays on the device.
Sign into iCloud with the same Apple ID. Install Writing Shed Pro. Your projects will appear.
First sync may take time. Large projects take longer. Poor internet slows sync. Wait and check again.
Writing Shed Pro uses its own storage. Export files if you need them in Files.
Yes. Full keyboard shortcut support on iPad and Mac.
No. Writing Shed Pro is a native Apple app only.
No. It's exclusive to Apple platforms.
Check the App Store for current trial offerings.
Check the App Store for current pricing model.
Manuscript Analyst is an optional AI-powered editorial review add-on. It analyzes a single file or a full manuscript and returns structured feedback categories, severity, and actionable suggestions.
No. The core app purchase and the Manuscript Analyst add-on are separate. Analyst access requires an active Manuscript Analyst subscription.
It supports Poetry, Prose, Fiction, Drama, and Verse Novel projects. Feedback is profile-aware, so each project type is reviewed using criteria appropriate to that writing form.
No. It provides critique and direction only. You stay in control of all edits.
Open the file you want to review, then use the Analyze button.
After you tap it, analysis starts immediately. You do not need to submit a second confirmation.
Contact Apple for App Store refunds.
Contact support with detailed steps to reproduce the issue.
Submit feature requests through the support channel.
Check the app's website for community resources.
Popular feature requests are considered for future updates. Submit yours through support.
Regular updates address bugs and add features. Update notifications come through the App Store.
Beta testing opportunities may be announced through the app's website or newsletter.
Need help with Writing Shed Pro? Here's how to reach us.
Many questions are answered in this guide: - FAQ - Common questions - Troubleshooting - Solutions to known issues
Having this information ready helps us help you faster:
This method automatically includes your device and app information.
Writing Shed Pro can display Operator Messages in-app (Settings → Support Messages). This is a strictly one-way channel from the Writing Shed Pro team to the app.
Important: the app does not know who you are when showing Operator Messages. Messages are general broadcasts and are not personalized to specific users.
You can control this in Settings: - Receive operator messages (all messages) - Allow critical messages when opted out (receive only critical notices)
Send an email to: support@writingshedpro.com
Include: - Subject: Brief description of issue - Body: Details, steps to reproduce - Attachments: Screenshots if helpful
Visit our support page: www.writingshedpro.com/support
You'll find: - FAQ and documentation - Known issues - Contact form - Status updates
We aim to respond within 24-48 hours on business days.
Some issues require additional investigation. We'll keep you updated on progress.
Have an idea to improve Writing Shed Pro?
Use the same contact methods above with "Feature Request" in the subject.
Tell us: - What feature you'd like - How you'd use it - Why it would help your writing
Found something broken?
Subject: Footnote numbering wrong after delete
What happened: After deleting the second footnote, the third footnote is still labeled "3" instead of "2".
Steps: 1. Create a document with 3 footnotes 2. Delete the second footnote 3. Observe remaining footnotes
Expected: Remaining footnotes should be numbered 1 and 2.
Device: iPad Pro 11", iPadOS 17.4 App version: 1.2.3
When you contact support: - We use your information only to help you - We may ask for additional details - We don't share your information with third parties - Diagnostic logs never contain your document content
If you have a deadline: - Mark your email "URGENT" in the subject - Explain the time constraint - We'll prioritize accordingly
Your feedback makes Writing Shed Pro better. Whether it's a bug report, feature request, or question, we appreciate you taking the time to reach out.
Manuscript Analyst is an optional AI-powered editorial feedback feature in Writing Shed Pro.
Manuscript Analyst is a separate add-on from the core app purchase and requires an active Manuscript Analyst subscription.
If you need help while reading the guide, tap Ask a question in the guide toolbar to open the support question panel directly.
Each suggestion includes a category, severity, location (when available), observation, suggested direction, and rationale.
A record of Writing Shed Pro releases and their major changes.
Release Date: 2025
The initial public release of Writing Shed Pro.
Features: - Four project types: Prose, Poetry, Fiction, Drama - iCloud sync across devices - iOS/iPadOS 17+ and macOS 14+ support - Full-featured text editor - Stylesheet customization - PDF and RTF export - Poetry tools: syllable counting, rhyme detection, verse highlighting - Fiction tools: chapters, scenes, plot tracking - Drama tools: DML script formatting - Collections for organizing work - Submission tracking for publications - Comments and footnotes - Word count and statistics - Keyboard shortcuts for Mac and iPad
Updates will be documented here as they're released.
Writing Shed Pro uses semantic versioning:
Major.Minor.Patch
Example: Version 1.2.3 - Major version: 1 - Minor version: 2 - Patch version: 3
Enable automatic updates in App Store settings to always have the latest version.
Writing Shed Pro was created with care for writers everywhere.
Writing Shed Pro is developed and maintained by its creator with a commitment to providing the best possible tools for creative writers.
The Carnegie Mellon University Pronouncing Dictionary powers our syllable counting and rhyme detection features.
Writing Shed Pro may incorporate open source software. Specific attributions and licenses are included in the app under Settings → Licenses.
Writing Shed Pro was built on these principles:
Every feature is designed with working writers in mind. Tools should support creativity, not interrupt it.
Whether you're on iPhone, iPad, or Mac, Writing Shed Pro feels familiar and works the same way.
From prose to poetry to drama, the app adapts to your writing style and project needs.
Your writing is yours. We don't read it, analyze it, or share it.
Gratitude to: - Beta testers who provided invaluable feedback - Writers who shared their workflow needs - The Swift and SwiftUI developer community - Everyone who reported bugs and suggested features
The best features often come from user suggestions. If you have ideas for improving Writing Shed Pro, please share them through our support channels.
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