Your Creative Command Center #
The Dashboard is where everything begins. From here you can start writing, organize your stories, track your progress, and access all of ILYS.
Two Paths, One Flow #
Your Dashboard offers two ways to begin—and you can move between them freely.
Write Now #
The blue button. Jump straight into a flow session: choose a story, set a goal, and let the words pour out. Structure can emerge as you write, or you can add it later.
This is ILYS’s signature experience—get out of your head and onto the page.
Outline #
The purple button. Start with structure. Create or select a story, then use Speed Sections to build your outline—chapters, scenes, key points. You can edit section content directly by expanding any section, or click the pen icon to start a full writing session.
Best for longer works, non-fiction, or when you want to see the big picture first.
The Secret: They Work Together #
Most writers aren’t purely “plotters” or “pantsers”—they’re both, iteratively. ILYS lets you:
- Outline a few sections, write one, restructure, write more
- Write freely first, then organize what emerged
- Jump between approaches anytime as your project evolves
Both paths keep you in flow. The tools change; the creative momentum doesn’t. See Outlining Your Work for more on the iterative workflow.
Your Stories #
Below the Write Now button, you’ll see your stories organized in a list. Each story shows:
- Title — Click to open in the Editor
- Cover image — A visual to help you recognize it
- Word count — How much you’ve written
- Last updated — When you last worked on it
Quick Actions #
Hover over a story to see action icons:
- Pencil — Start a new writing session for this story
- Speed Sections — Jump into Outline mode for rapid structure creation
- Three dots (…) — Open the menu for more options:
- Rename
- Change cover image
- Copy
- Archive
- Delete
- Export
- View statistics
Free Floating Sessions #
Not every writing session needs to belong to a story. “Free Floating Sessions” are standalone sessions that haven’t been assigned to a story yet.
You can move them into a story later, or leave them floating—it’s up to you.
Resume a Session #
If you leave a writing session without going to the Editor, a Resume button appears on your Dashboard. Click it to pick up where you left off.
The Header Menu #
At the top of your Dashboard, you’ll find quick links to:
| Icon | Feature | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| 📊 | Performance | View your writing stats for the past month |
| 📦 | Archives | Access stories you’ve archived |
| 💾 | Autosaves | Recover old versions of your work |
| 🔔 | Notifications | See updates and alerts |
| 🎁 | Share | Get your referral link |
| 👤 | Profile | Update your settings and preferences |
| 💳 | Billing | Manage your subscription |
Tips #
- Keep your Dashboard tidy — Archive stories you’re not actively working on
- Use cover images — They help you recognize stories at a glance
- Check Performance regularly — It’s motivating to see your writing streaks
- Resume sessions promptly — Or they’ll stay in limbo until you decide
Your Dashboard is the springboard to your next creative adventure.