Novelcrafter 101: The Best AI Writing Platform?

The Nerdy Novelist
12 Feb 202425:58

TLDRNovelcrafter 101 is an informative guide that introduces viewers to Novelcrafter, an AI writing platform. The tutorial covers the initial steps to create a novel, including naming the novel, author, and series. It emphasizes setting up AI API keys, particularly for OpenAI and Open Router, to access various AI models. The platform's interface is explored, highlighting features like the plan, write, chat, and review tabs. The chat function is demonstrated for brainstorming, and the plan tab is used to create a novel outline based on provided information. The Codex section is introduced for character and setting details, which can be utilized in AI context. Writing with AI is shown through slash commands and scene beats, with options to edit and refine the generated text. Custom prompts can be created and managed for various writing needs. Pricing options are briefly discussed, with recommendations on which plan to choose based on user requirements. The video concludes by positioning Novelcrafter as a favored tool for fiction writing, despite acknowledging the rapid evolution of AI tools.

Takeaways

  • 📚 **Start with Novelcrafter**: Log in and create your novel by selecting a series and labeling it appropriately.
  • 🔑 **Set Up API Keys**: Connect to AI vendors like OpenAI and Open Router to access various AI models.
  • 🌐 **OpenAI Integration**: Use your OpenAI API key to connect Novelcrafter with GPT models for writing assistance.
  • 🛠️ **Open Router Access**: Gain access to a broader range of AI models through Open Router, enhancing your writing options.
  • 📈 **Plan Your Novel**: Use the plan tab to outline your novel, selecting from various story structures like Derek Murphy's 24 chapters.
  • 💬 **Chat for Brainstorming**: Utilize the chat feature for brainstorming and leveraging AI for quick responses and ideas.
  • 📝 **Write with AI**: Use slash commands to generate text in scenes, selecting the desired AI model for the task.
  • 🧞 **Character Codex**: Create detailed character profiles in the Codex to provide context for AI when writing.
  • ✍️ **Edit and Refine**: Edit the AI-generated text to match your style before proceeding to the next scene beat.
  • 💡 **Prompt Customization**: Customize and create new prompts in the prompts section for specific writing needs.
  • 💰 **Pricing Options**: Choose a subscription plan that fits your needs, with options like Scribe, Tinkerer, and Artisan.
  • 🔍 **Contextual Chat**: Use the chat's context feature to discuss specific scenes or characters with the AI.

Q & A

  • What is the first step to start using Novelcrafter?

    -The first step is to log into Novelcrafter and create a new novel by providing a title, author or pen name, and selecting a series if applicable.

  • How does one set up their AI API Keys in Novelcrafter?

    -To set up AI API Keys, you go to the settings and connect with vendors like OpenAI and Open Router. You need to create an account with these services, generate an API key, and then add it to Novelcrafter by naming the connection and inputting the key.

  • What is the purpose of the 'Chat' feature in Novelcrafter?

    -The 'Chat' feature is used for brainstorming and discussing ideas. It uses AI models to interact and can be a helpful tool for generating content or getting suggestions based on the context provided.

  • How can Novelcrafter help in creating a novel outline?

    -Novelcrafter can assist in creating a novel outline by using the 'Plan' tab where you can input information and instruct the AI to construct an outline based on that information. It also offers various outline models like Derek Murphy's 24 chapters to help structure the novel.

  • What is the 'Codex' in Novelcrafter and how is it used?

    -The 'Codex' is a feature that allows users to store and organize information about their characters. It helps the AI to understand the characters better and include them in the context when generating story content.

  • How does the 'Write' tab in Novelcrafter work?

    -The 'Write' tab is where the actual writing of the novel takes place. It allows users to write manually or use AI assistance through slash commands to generate text based on prompts and context provided.

  • What are 'Slash Commands' in Novelcrafter?

    -Slash Commands are a feature that allows users to generate text through AI by typing a forward slash ('/') followed by a command such as 'scene' or 'beat', which then guides the AI on what type of content to generate.

  • How can users ensure the AI generates content in their preferred style?

    -Users can edit the AI-generated content to match their style. As they make edits, the AI learns from these changes and continues to generate text in a similar style in subsequent prompts.

  • What are the different subscription tiers offered by Novelcrafter?

    -Novelcrafter offers different tiers including Scribe, Tinkerer, and Artisan. Tinkerer allows for AI integration with personal API keys, while Artisan provides access to workshop features including chat tools.

  • Why might a user choose the Artisan tier over the Tinkerer?

    -A user might choose the Artisan tier for access to additional features like the chat tool that can utilize context from the novel, character information from the Codex, and other advanced functionalities.

  • What is the advantage of using Novelcrafter over other writing tools?

    -Novelcrafter provides a comprehensive suite of tools specifically designed for fiction writing, including character management, outline generation, and AI-assisted writing. It offers more control over the AI output and is considered by the speaker to be the current favorite tool for writing fiction.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Getting Started with Novel Crafter

The first paragraph introduces the audience to Novel Crafter, a tool designed for creating novels. It guides users through the initial login process, creating a new novel, and selecting a series for the novel. The focus is on setting up the novel, including naming it, choosing the series, and marking its position in the series. It also emphasizes the importance of setting up AI API keys, specifically for Open AI and Open Router, to access various AI models within the Novel Crafter platform.

05:01

🔗 Connecting to AI Services

This section delves into the process of connecting Novel Crafter to external AI services. It explains how to set up API keys for Open AI and Open Router, which are crucial for utilizing the full range of AI models available. The paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on creating an account with Open AI, generating an API key, and adding it to Novel Crafter. It also covers the process for Open Router, including managing credits and connecting the user's account to Novel Crafter for expanded model access.

10:01

📝 Navigating the Interface and Creating an Outline

The third paragraph focuses on navigating the Novel Crafter interface and creating an outline for a novel. It discusses the different tabs available, such as Plan, Write, and Review, and their functionalities. The chat feature is introduced as a tool for brainstorming, with the ability to select different AI models for interaction. The paragraph also demonstrates how to construct a novel outline using provided information and the AI's assistance, highlighting the integration of the chat feature with the planning tab for seamless workflow.

15:03

🏛️ Building Characters with the Codex

This part of the script discusses the Codex feature in Novel Crafter, which is used for character development. It explains how to add character information to the Codex, including aliases, tags, descriptions, and notes. The paragraph also covers how to include character images and set preferences for AI context inclusion. The Codex is presented as a valuable tool for organizing character details and ensuring that the AI has the necessary context when generating story content.

20:04

✍️ Writing with Novel Crafter's AI

The fifth paragraph is about the writing process within Novel Crafter, utilizing AI to assist in generating text. It covers the use of slash commands to initiate AI writing, setting the point of view (POV) for scenes, and selecting characters from the Codex to provide context to the AI. The paragraph also explains how to generate text for a scene beat and choose different AI models for writing. Additionally, it touches on the possibility of fine-tuning the AI to an author's personal style and the benefits of editing AI-generated content for consistency.

25:05

📈 Customizing and Managing Prompts

This section introduces the prompts feature in Novel Crafter, which allows for the customization and management of writing instructions for the AI. It explains how to use, clone, and create new prompts to expand, rephrase, shorten, or replace text as needed. The paragraph also discusses the importance of understanding system tags for pulling in key information from the Codex and the ability to categorize prompts for different writing contexts. The flexibility of the prompts system is emphasized, along with the option to archive or delete prompts as required.

💰 Pricing and Choosing the Right Plan

The final paragraph discusses the pricing plans available for Novel Crafter and provides guidance on selecting the most suitable plan for different user needs. It outlines the differences between the Scribe, Tinkerer, Artisan, and Specialist plans, highlighting the features included in each. The paragraph advises on the benefits of the Tinkerer and Artisan plans, especially for users who may already have access to other AI writing tools. It also mentions that some features, like collaborative writing, are not yet available and suggests that potential users consider their specific requirements when choosing a plan.

📈 Learning Curve and Tool Comparison

The last paragraph addresses the learning curve associated with using Novel Crafter and compares it with other tools like Pseudo Right. It suggests that while Novel Crafter may have a steeper learning curve initially, it becomes more intuitive with use. The speaker recommends Novel Crafter as the preferred tool for most authors at the moment, despite acknowledging that the AI landscape is rapidly changing. The paragraph also mentions a video comparing Novel Crafter with Pseudo Right for those interested in a side-by-side evaluation of the two programs.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Novelcrafter

Novelcrafter is an AI writing platform designed to assist authors in creating novels. It provides tools for outlining, drafting, and editing, and integrates with AI models to assist in the writing process. In the video, the host demonstrates how to create a novel, set up AI API keys, and use the platform's features to generate and refine text.

💡AI API Keys

AI API Keys are unique codes that allow software applications to access and use AI models from services like OpenAI. In the context of the video, setting up AI API Keys is crucial for connecting Novelcrafter to external AI services, enabling features such as automated text generation and character interaction.

💡OpenAI

OpenAI is a company that creates and provides AI models for various applications, including language models like GPT-3.5 and GPT-4. In the video, the host explains how to connect Novelcrafter to OpenAI's API to utilize these models for novel writing.

💡Open Router

Open Router is a platform that provides access to a variety of AI models, allowing users to choose from different options for their projects. In the video, it is mentioned as a catchall for connecting to various AI models that are not directly available through OpenAI.

💡Character Codex

The Character Codex within Novelcrafter is a feature that allows authors to store and organize detailed information about their characters. This includes physical descriptions, personality traits, and other relevant details that can be used to inform the AI when generating text.

💡Scene Beat

A Scene Beat refers to a unit of action or event within a scene of a story. Novelcrafter uses this concept to help authors outline and write their scenes. The host uses the term to describe how to input prompts for AI to generate text for specific parts of a story.

💡Fine-Tune Model

A Fine-Tune Model is an AI model that has been trained on a specific dataset to perform better on certain tasks. In the video, the host mentions using a fine-tune model to rewrite text in a personal writing style, showcasing how AI can be customized to an author's voice.

💡Slash Commands

Slash Commands are user interface features that allow users to input a forward slash followed by a command to trigger specific actions within a program. In Novelcrafter, they are used to initiate AI writing functions, such as generating a scene beat.

💡Prompts

Prompts are instructions or cues given to an AI to guide its text generation. In the context of Novelcrafter, prompts are customizable and can be created by the user to control how the AI generates text, allowing for a high degree of control over the writing process.

💡Pricing Tiers

Novelcrafter offers different pricing tiers that provide various levels of access to its features. The video discusses the different tiers, such as Scribe, Tinkerer, and Artisan, and what functionalities each tier offers to potential users.

💡Collaborative Writing

Collaborative writing refers to the process where multiple authors work together on a writing project. Although not fully featured in the video, it is mentioned as a potential future benefit of the Specialist tier in Novelcrafter, allowing authors to work on the same project simultaneously.

Highlights

Novelcrafter is a comprehensive writing platform designed to assist users in creating novels.

Upon logging in, users can create a novel by entering a title, author name, and selecting a series.

AI API Keys, particularly for OpenAI and Open Router, are crucial for accessing various AI models within Novelcrafter.

OpenAI provides access to models like GPT 3.5 and GPT 4, enhancing the writing capabilities of the platform.

Open Router serves as a gateway to a broader range of AI models, offering diverse options for writers.

The Plan, Write, and Review tabs are the main features of Novelcrafter, each serving a distinct purpose in the writing process.

The Chat feature is useful for brainstorming and can utilize different AI models to assist in creative discussions.

Novelcrafter allows users to construct outlines for their novels using AI, based on provided information.

The Codex feature stores and manages character information, aiding in maintaining consistency throughout the novel.

The Write tab is where most of the writing occurs, with AI assistance available through slash commands.

Scene beats can be generated using AI, providing a structured approach to writing scenes.

Users can fine-tune the AI's output to match their writing style using a 'make it Jason' feature.

Prompts can be customized and categorized for different writing needs within the platform.

Pricing for Novelcrafter starts as low as $4 a month, with different tiers offering various features.

The platform is suitable for authors who prefer a more hands-on approach with AI, allowing for fine-tuned control over the writing output.

Novelcrafter is currently the presenter's favorite tool for writing fiction, offering a good balance between ease of use and functionality.

The platform is continually being updated, with new features and improvements being added regularly.