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nv_templates

User guide

This page refers to the latest nv_templates release. You can open it with Help > Templates plugin Online help.

With novelibre, you can define a narrative structure with stages. See Plotting with novelibre. nv_templates faciliates the reuse of narrative structures.

The plugin adds a Story Templates entry to the novelibre Tools menu, a Create from Template… entry to the File > New submenu, and a Template plugin Online Help entry to the Help menu.

Installing the plugin

  • Either launch the downloaded nv_templates_vx.x.x.pyzw file by double-clicking (Windows/Linux desktop),

  • or execute `python nv_templates_vx.x.x.pyzw` (Windows), resp. `python3 nv_templates_vx.x.x.pyzw` (Linux) on the command line.

“x.x.x” means the version number.

Important

Many web browsers recognize the download as an executable file and offer to open it immedately. This starts the installation.

However, depending on your security settings, your browser may initially refuse to download the executable file. In this case, your confirmation or an additional action is required. If this is not possible, you have the option of downloading the zip file.

Command reference

File > New

Create from template…

This creates a new project with the narrative structure from a Markdown template file.

  • First, a file select dialog asks for the new project’s file name (novelibre v1.4+). If you cancel the dialog, you can select the file name later when saving the project.

  • Then a second file select dialog asks for the template file to apply.

Tools > Story Templates

Load

This loads the narrative structure from a Markdown template file.

  • A file select dialog asks for the template file to apply.

Save

This saves the narrative structure to a Markdown template file.

  • A file select dialog asks for the new template’s file name.

Open folder

This opens the templates folder with the OS file manager, so you can manage and edit the templates.

Conventions

Markdown file structure

The Story Template Markdown file defines a narrative structure with the help of headings and ordinary text.

First level heading for top level stages, e.g. acts

The first level heading begins with #, followed by a space and a stage title.

Second level heading for minor stages or turning points

The second level heading begins with ##, followed by a space and a stage title.

Ordinary text

Any text under a heading is used as notes for the element generated from the heading.

Example

# ACT 1

Setup

## Inciting Incident

Also called "catalyst" or "call to adventure".
This sets the protagonist in motion.

## Plot Point 1

"Point of no return": The protagonist engages with the action
the inciting incident has created.

# ACT 2

Confrontation

## Midpoint

The main turning point. A significant event, changing the
development of things from good to bad, or vice versa.

## Plot Point 2

The aftermath of the Midpoint crisis.
What changes the protagonist from "passenger" to "driver".

# ACT 3

Resolution

## Climax

The final moment of the story's conflict.

This file generates the following structure in an empty project:

Screenshot