Best Timeline Tools for Writers
Tracking the order of events in a novel universe is one of the most practical ways to prevent contradictions, especially when writing a series. There is no single right tool for a timeline; the method depends on how many events you track and whether your calendar is real or invented. This list compares three common approaches.
How we evaluated these
We looked at three things: (1) can you comfortably write an invented calendar (fictional month and year names), (2) can you link an event to the related character and location records, (3) how much effort setup and upkeep take. Prices change over time, so we don't quote numbers.
1. Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)
They're quick to set up with date, event, and character columns, and sorting and filtering are easy. Because they expect dates in a real calendar format, sorting can break with an invented calendar (for example 'Third Moon, year 412'). Linking events to character and location pages is done by hand.
2. Database-based note tools (like Notion)
Tools like Notion let you keep events in a database, show them in a timeline view, and relate them to character pages. They're flexible, but you build the structure and relations yourself; since they work with real date fields, you may still need an extra text field for fictional calendars.
3. yazar.io Calendar; free-text date notes plus optional calendar dates
yazar.io's Event Flow keeps events one under another as short notes in time order. The date note is free text (for example 'three years after the Dragon War'), so it works smoothly with invented calendars; you set the order by dragging or with the arrow keys. If you like, you can also give an event a date on the standard calendar (BC/AD; a year, a year and month, or a full day). On Yazar Pro, the Calendar and Timeline sort dated events on their own and show characters' lifelines and their ages at each event; they don't know invented month names, though. You can also publish the Event Flow on your Shareable Wiki; the calendar views stay off the wiki.
Which method suits an invented calendar best?
Methods that can keep the date as free text: the date note in the yazar.io Event Flow, or a separate text column in a spreadsheet. Tools that require a real date field can break sorting with fictional months and years; yazar.io's calendar views also work only with the standard calendar.
Does the Event Flow calculate dates?
The Event Flow itself doesn't; the date note is free text and events stay in the order you set. When you give an event a calendar date, the Calendar and Timeline on Yazar Pro sort events by date, show events with a start and an end as spans, and work out characters' ages at each event from their birth dates.
Is the Event Flow available on the free plan?
Yes, Event Flow records are included permanently on both plans and are not subject to the 15-record-per-type limit. Adding calendar dates to events is free too; the visual Calendar and Timeline are part of Yazar Pro.
Related Content
Start building your world on yazar.io
Bring your characters, locations, and every thread of your world together in one place; no credit card required.