Generating Templates
A template is a blank fill-in-the-blank file shaped like your book. It has the same sections your character, location, and item pages have (including any custom fields you've added), but with the values left empty for you to fill in. Use one to draft new entries in a text editor, hand to a writing partner who doesn't have Penpoint, or feed to an AI tool. Whatever you fill in can be imported straight back into your book.
Note: Generating templates only creates new blank files on your computer. It never changes, moves, or removes anything in your book, and the whole feature is optional; you never have to use it.
These files are different from Note Templates, which are notes you save inside Penpoint and reuse in any book.
How to Generate Templates
Go to Settings, select "Import/Export", and click "Generate Templates" in the Templates section. The wizard will guide you through:
- Select Template Types - Choose which types of templates to generate (characters, locations, items, notes, chapters), then click "Choose Folder" to pick where the templates will be saved
- Templates Generated - Templates are created in a folder called "templates" inside the folder you picked
What's in a Template?
Each template is laid out with clear labels, matching your book's setup:
- The standard sections for each type (for a character, that's Name, Importance, Tags, and so on)
- Any custom fields you've added: your own character traits, location types, and item categories
- Placeholder text and short instructions explaining what each part is for
Ways to Use Templates
Collaborating with Writing Partners
Share templates with co-authors, editors, or beta readers who don't have Penpoint. They can fill out character profiles, location details, or chapter outlines in any text editor, then send the completed files back to you for import. This lets your collaborators contribute content without needing to learn or purchase Penpoint.
Creating Content in External Tools
Use templates with your preferred writing software, note-taking apps, or plain text editors. Fill them out at your own pace, experimenting with different tools and workflows. Since the format matches your book's structure, everything imports seamlessly when you're ready.
Generating Content with AI
New to AI tools? You can skip this section entirely. Templates work just as well on their own. If you do use one, templates pair nicely with tools like ChatGPT or Claude. Here's the typical workflow:
- Generate a template for the type you want to create
- Open the template file so you can see its layout
- Paste the template into your AI tool as an example to follow
- Ask the AI to write new entries in that same layout
- Paste the AI's writing into a text editor (Notepad on Windows, or TextEdit on a Mac), and save the file with a name ending in .md (for example,
tavern-patrons.md). Then import it into Penpoint
Example prompt: "Here's a character template from my book. Please create 5 unique tavern patrons following this exact format, each with different personalities and backgrounds."
Tip: Whether you're working with collaborators, using external tools, or leveraging AI, templates ensure everyone creates content in the exact format your book needs. No manual data entry required.
Once your templates are filled out, see Importing Data to bring them into your book.
Tips for Better Results
- Start small - Test with 2-3 entries first to verify the format works correctly
- Keep the labels - Fill in the values however you like, but keeping the labels (like Importance: or Tags:) helps everything land in the right place. If a label doesn't match, Penpoint still imports it, just as an extra field on that entry that you can sort out later
- Review before importing - Check that completed templates follow the structure exactly as generated
- Share clear instructions - When working with collaborators or AI, explain what information each field expects
Note: Templates are snapshots of your current book structure. If you add new traits or custom fields later, regenerate templates to include those changes.