WriteO Learning Guide: Chapters, Sub-chapters and Volumes (Part 3 of 4)

A novel is easier to write when you can see its shape. In this guide you’ll add chapters, nest sub-chapters inside them, group them into volumes, and mark how far along each one is, so you always know what to write next.

Step 1: Get to know the Chapters page

Open a novel from the Novels page and you land on its Chapters page. Every chapter gets a card with its number, title and status.

Steps

1. Check Total Chapters and Total Words at the top. They update as you write.

2. Use the three view buttons at the top right to switch between Board, Kanban and Cards.

3. Click a chapter to open it in the editor.

Tip: Cards is the easiest view for rearranging chapters. Board and Kanban come into their own once you split chapters into scenes.

Step 2: Add a chapter

Steps

1. Click +.

2. Keep Regular Chapter selected and type a title.

3. Add a one-line description of what happens, if you like.

4. Click Create Chapter.

Titles can be up to 10 words, and descriptions up to 150 characters. A new chapter goes into your latest volume unless you pick another.

Tip: Outlining? Add every chapter now with a one-line description. Your Chapters page becomes your outline, and you can fill each chapter in later.

Step 3: Add a sub-chapter

Steps

1. Click +, then choose Sub-chapter.

2. Pick its Parent Chapter.

3. Type a title and click Create Chapter.

The sub-chapter sits under its parent and is numbered after it, like 2.1.

Tip: Sub-chapters suit interludes, POV switches, letters, or a long chapter you want to split up.

Step 4: Group chapters into volumes

Steps

1. In Add New Chapter or Edit Chapter, open Volume and pick + New Volume.

2. Name the volume and save the chapter.

3. To rename a volume later, click Manage Volumes.

On the Chapters page, use the volume filter to see one volume at a time.

Tip: Writing a series or a book in parts? Make one volume per book or part, like “Book One” and “Book Two”.

Step 5: Track each chapter’s status

Steps

1. In Cards view, click the status badge on a chapter’s card and pick a new status.

2. Click the filter button next to Volume to show only chapters at one stage.

Tip: Sending chapters to beta readers? Mark them Under Review, then filter to see what’s still out.

Step 6: Reorder and find chapters

Steps

1. Drag a chapter card to a new place. This works in Board, Kanban and Cards.

2. Search by chapter name, character or scene to find a chapter fast.

Chapter numbers update on their own. Clear any search or filter before you drag.

Tip: A sub-chapter moves only within its parent. To move it somewhere else, change its parent in Edit Chapter.

Step 7: Change a chapter’s details

Steps

1. Click the pencil on a chapter’s card to open Edit Chapter.

2. Change its title, type, parent, volume, status or description.

3. Click Save Changes.

Tip: To move a chapter to another volume, change its Volume here. Dragging won’t move it between volumes.

Step 8: Delete a chapter or volume

Steps

1. Click the bin on a chapter’s card, then confirm.

2. To delete several at once, click Select Chapters at the top right, tick them, and click Delete.

3. To delete a volume, open Manage Volumes and click its delete icon.

Deleting a chapter can’t be undone. When you delete a volume, its chapters stay in your novel unless you tick “Also permanently delete”.

Tip: Export a .writeo backup before a big clean-up, so you can bring anything back.

Quick Checklist

☐ Add your chapters, with a one-line description each

☐ Nest a sub-chapter under a chapter

☐ Put your chapters into a volume

☐ Set a status on every chapter

☐ Reorder a chapter by dragging