The process of bringing an idea from lightbulb inspiration to publication, via the application, may be divided into three phases:
Pre-Production Phase
1. you add a single Note to the Category heading under a provisional title.
For example, the Note
after her parents die, a child is sent to live with an uncle she has never met in another country
may be stored under the Category title Orphan Story.
2. After adding more Notes to a particular Category, you decide that the idea has the potential to be a Project. That is: a work of fiction/poetry/essay/blog/comedy routine/et cetera.
For example, you convert the Category Orphan Story into a Project at the click of a button, and give it the title The Secret Garden.
Production Phase
3. In the Project heading, Notes may be sub-divided into areas of interest relevant to that type of Project for efficient retrieval/sorting/reporting.
For example, Notes for the work of fiction called The Secret Garden may be divided into the sub-headings Beats, Chapters and Characters.
Beats may be plot highlights/turning-points/essay arguments/et cetera. A short story may be made up of Beats only. A novel may consist of Beats and Chapters. Beats may be fleshed out with additional Notes. The order of Beats and the Notes under them may be revised as required.
A Chapter is a main division in a longer work. It may be given a title or number. The order of Chapters and the Notes under them may be revised as required.
Character profiles may be compiled by adding Notes detailing gender/age/nationality/et cetera. Vital statistics may be supplemented with Notes outlining psychological traits/role type/function/et cetera.
4. Satisfied that you have amassed a sufficient number of Project Notes, and sorted them into the correct order, you may progress to the output phase of the process.
Here, you either:
a) print a schema for the Project; listing Project Notes (in order), Beats (in order) and Notes under same (in order); Chapters (in order) and Notes under same (in order); Character profiles and Notes under same (in order).
or
b) copy the schema to your preferred desktop publishing package to be fleshed-out into a fuller draft.
Post-Production Phase
5. Once you have completed a draft that is ready for dispatch, you may progress to the Campaign phase of the process.
First off, you will create a name for your Campaign.
For example, a Campaign for the work of fiction called The Secret Garden may be called Garden Campaign.
6. You may begin by sending your Project out for review.
You compile a list of reviewers (by copying/importing names from another programme into the application); then, forwarding the completed Project to them.
You may copy reviewers’ comments to the application, and document your actions to address issues raised.
7. Publishing:
Your preferred method of publication will determine your next course of action.
Traditional Publishing Route
If you are following the traditional publishing route, you may compile a list of agents/publishers by copying/importing names from another programme, and forwarding your Project to them.
Then, you may log their responses, and your actions to address issues raised.
Independent Publishing Route
If you are following the independent publishing route, you may commission an editor/jacket designer/ad agent/et cetera, create an awareness campaign/et cetera.
Logging details of these activities in the application enables you to monitor their progress.
8. You may close out the Project by logging your conclusions on it in the application for future reference.
9. Deciding that the Project may spawn a sequel, you may create a new Project (for example, The Secret Garden 2) by copying elements from the original one (character profiles/contacts/et cetera) at the click of a button.
10. By developing a Project using the application you will incidentally draft:
i) a reference bible for an ongoing series.
ii) a list of unrealised Projects that may be developed at a later date.