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Writing Modes

Writing Modes

By the end of this guide, you'll know which mode to use at each stage of your writing and what each one does differently.

The short version

Draftingboard has three modes. Use them in order as your work progresses:

  1. Ideation → capture raw ideas, one sentence at a time, no editing
  2. First Draft → write a full draft forward, text fades behind you
  3. Freeform → edit freely with full control

You switch modes from the selector in the top bar. Your content is always preserved when you switch.

IdeationStage 1

Use this when: you have an idea and want to get it out without second-guessing yourself

Ideation mode enforces a simple rule: you write one sentence, and when you finish it (with a period, question mark, or exclamation mark), it locks into the story area below. You can't go back and edit it.

This isn't a limitation — it's the point. Editing while you ideate is what kills ideas before they have a chance to develop.

What you'll see

  • A writing area at the top where you type your current sentence
  • A story area below where completed sentences appear, fading as they accumulate
  • Your running word count

Tips

  • Don't try to write perfect sentences. Write true ones.
  • If you hate a sentence the moment it locks, that's fine. Keep going.
  • Use Ideation to capture a scene, a character sketch, or a burst of plot ideas — anything where the goal is volume, not quality.
First DraftStage 2

Use this when: you have enough of an idea to write a sustained draft and need to push through without stopping

First Draft mode gives you the full page, but with a catch: as you write, older text fades out. You can't scroll back up and edit what you've written. The only direction is forward.

What you'll see

  • The full editor, with text gradually fading as it ages
  • A subtle ghost prompt showing the last few characters you wrote, to help you find your rhythm after a pause
  • Your running word count

Tips

  • This mode is for momentum. Give yourself permission to write badly.
  • If you realize you need to change something earlier, make a note in brackets — [fix this] — and keep going. Fix it in Freeform.
  • Works especially well for scenes where you know what needs to happen but haven't written it yet.
FreeformStage 3

Use this when: you have a draft and are ready to actually edit it

Freeform mode is a standard rich-text editor with no restrictions. You can select, cut, paste, rewrite, and rearrange freely. This is where you turn a rough draft into something you'd share.

Tips

  • Switch to Freeform only after you have a complete-enough draft. Polishing the beginning while the ending doesn't exist yet is a trap.
  • Read through the whole piece before editing. Get the shape of it before fixing the sentences.
  • Version history is your safety net — every save is a snapshot you can restore. Edit boldly.

Switching modes

Click the mode name in the top bar and select a different one. You can switch at any time.

Does switching modes delete anything?

No. Your content is always preserved. Switching from First Draft to Freeform shows you your full draft. Switching back returns to the same rules.

Does the mode save with the document?

Yes. Each document remembers which mode it was last in. Opening a different document shows it in whatever mode it was left in.

Do I have to use them in order?

No. The Ideation → Draft → Freeform progression is a suggestion, not a requirement. Use whatever combination works for how you write.

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