Candle
Story architecture
Premise, fabula, setting, themes and notes, each with a guiding prompt.
A writing app for novelists
Plan and write your novel.
Candle helps you build your story's architecture, get to know your characters, keep track of places, objects and plot lines, and write chapter by chapter in a calm, distraction-free editor.
Free and open source for Windows, Mac and Linux. No account needed.
From first idea to finished book
- 1
Plan
Sum up your premise, lay out the fabula in chronological order, and describe the setting and themes — with a prompt for each, so the blank page never is.
- 2
Build your world
Interview your main characters with 44 questions in nine sections, from their past to how they change. Keep locations, objects and plot strands in one place.
- 3
Write
Write scene by scene, with each scene's point of view, place, time and links at hand. Switch to focus mode and only your words remain.
- 4
Revise and publish
See your story on a timeline, check chapter lengths and who appears where, then export to EPUB, Word, PDF and more — or a print-ready paperback for Amazon KDP.
Everything a novel needs, free
Candle on your computer is free and open source, works offline, and keeps every project in a single file you own.
Character interviews
44 questions for main characters: personality, past, conflict and arc. A description for secondary ones.
Locations, objects, strands
Places with nation, region and city; the objects that matter; every plot line and subplot.
Chapters and scenes
A rich-text editor with each scene's status, point of view, location, time, linked characters and notes.
Focus mode
Full screen, only your text. Press F11 to start writing, Esc to come back.
Revisions
Save a copy of a scene before rewriting it, and go back to any version.
Timeline
Your scenes in story time or reading order, with who and where.
Analysis and goals
Words written today and in total, chapter lengths, and which characters, places and strands appear in each chapter.
Export anywhere
Markdown, HTML, plain text, OpenDocument, PDF, Word and EPUB e-books.
Your novel stays yours
Without an account, Candle never connects to the internet. Each novel is one .candle file
you save wherever you like, with automatic local backups.
If you choose Premium, your backups are kept in a private folder only your account can open, and deleting your account deletes them all. Read the privacy policy.
Free and open source
Candle is free software under the GPL. Read the code, report an issue or follow its development on GitHub.
Premium pays for the servers and keeps Candle growing.
Get Candle
Windows
The installer, or a portable version that runs from a folder.
Download for WindowsIf Windows says it “protected your PC”, click More info → Run anyway: Candle isn't signed with a paid certificate.
macOS
Apple Silicon. Version 0.1.1, without Premium for now — or write on the web on any Mac.
Download for MacThe first time, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and click Open Anyway.
Questions
Is Candle really free?
Yes. Candle on your computer, with every planning and writing feature and all export formats, is free and open source. Candle Premium is optional.
What does Premium add?
Cloud backup of every project, Candle on the web, print-ready Amazon KDP paperback files, reviews with notes from readers you invite, and your account online with every version of your projects.
Do I need an account?
No. Candle works fully offline without one. You only sign in to use Candle Premium.
Where are my novels stored?
On your computer, in the .candle files you save. With Premium, copies are also backed up to a private folder only your account can open.
Can I cancel Premium?
Anytime, from your account. Premium lasts until the end of the period you paid for, and your backups stay downloadable afterwards.
Does Candle work on a Mac?
Version 0.1.1 runs on Apple Silicon Macs, without Premium for now. On any Mac you can use Candle on the web in your browser.