Projects & Organization: Keep Your Writing Structured

Writing a novel or screenplay means juggling dozens of files. Stay organized with projects, folders, and lightning-fast navigation.

Why Organization Matters

Disorganized writing projects slow you down. Time spent searching for files is time not spent writing. A clear structure lets you find what you need instantly and focus on creating.

Good organization also reduces mental clutter. When everything has its place, your mind can focus on the creative work rather than remembering where you saved that character profile.

Projects: One for Each Work

Create a separate project for each major writing endeavor:

• Your novel-in-progress
• Your screenplay
• Your poetry collection
• Your daily journal
• Research notes for a non-fiction book

Each project is a self-contained workspace with its own folders and documents. Switch between projects with one click.

Folders: Structure Within Projects

Within each project, use folders to create structure:

• Chapters: One folder per act or section
• Characters: Profiles, backstories, arcs
• World-building: Lore, locations, history
• Research: Notes, references, inspiration
• Drafts: Different versions or approaches

Nested Folders for Complex Projects

Large projects need deeper structure. Nest folders within folders to create hierarchies:

Quick Navigation

Organization only helps if you can navigate it quickly. Hearth makes it easy to jump between documents:

• Browse your project tree visually
• Recently opened documents appear first
• Quick keyboard shortcuts for common documents
• Search to find any document instantly

Real-World Organization Patterns

Here's how different writers organize their projects:

Novelists: One folder per part or act, with chapters as individual documents. Separate folders for character notes, plot outlines, and research.

Screenwriters: Folders for different drafts, scene breakdowns, character profiles, and location notes. Keep the actual screenplay as a single document or split by act.

Academic writers: Folders for different chapters or sections, with separate folders for literature review, methodology, and references.

Flexible Organization

Your organizational needs will evolve as your project grows. Hearth makes it easy to:

• Rename folders and documents anytime
• Move files between folders with drag-and-drop
• Reorganize your structure without losing content
• Create new folders as needed

Export Entire Projects

When your project is complete, export the entire thing—all documents and folders—in multiple formats. Perfect for submitting to publishers, sharing with editors, or backing up your work.

Related Features

• Autosave & Version Control →
• For Novelists →
• For Screenwriters →