Tips and Common Questions

Start with something on the Overview

A blank outline gives Collaborator little to stand on. One honest sentence under Story Idea is enough to begin. More context (concept, premise, a named protagonist) usually improves later workflows.

Re-running a workflow

Second passes are normal. Expect many rows to say Has your text if you already accepted a first pass. Use Review Each when you want a deliberate replace; Accept all changes touches only the New and Refresh rows.

Long lists of updates

Some workflows propose many fields at once. Scroll the Property Updates list, or use Review Each so you do not miss rows below the fold.

Check your work as you go

Accept, then glance at StoryCAD. Two steps, and they catch surprises early. There is no Save step in between: an accepted update is written to your outline as you accept it.

Connection and access

Collaborator needs a working network connection to run workflows. It is an additional paid feature of StoryCAD with a free trial, and there is nothing separate to install. See Getting Started for how to switch it on.

Where to learn craft (not just buttons)

• This manual: Writing with StoryCAD
• StoryBuilder Resources
• Learn

Collaborator is faster when you already know what a premise or a GMC should look like.

Getting help

Use Collaborator’s Help control for a short in-app overview, and the Open the full manual link at the foot of it to come back to this section in your browser. For StoryCAD itself, see Getting Help in this manual. For product feedback during beta, use the channel your host names (email, forum, or in-app feedback).

Common questions

Will Collaborator change my outline without asking?
No. Suggestions stay pending until you accept them.

Why didn’t Accept all changes touch a field I care about?
That field likely already had your text. Use Review Each and Accept if you want the new version.

Can I use Collaborator instead of learning structure?
You can try. You will get better results, and better books, if you learn the craft the workflows point at.

Do I need every workflow?
No. Follow A Path to Try until those workflows feel solid.