Turn plot holes into Placeholders
You don’t have to solve every problem to keep writing. Leave yourself a placeholder, stay in the story, and come back when you’re ready.
Keep writing without losing your place
Placeholders let you mark anything you want to revisit later, from plot holes and missing research to character names and scene ideas.
Write now. Solve it later.
Not every question needs an answer right away.
Create custom placeholders anywhere in your manuscript to capture unfinished thoughts, missing details, or ideas you want to revisit. Your future self will know exactly where to pick up.
Never lose an unfinished idea
A forgotten note can’t help you finish your story.
Every placeholder is fully searchable, making it easy to jump back to unresolved scenes, research tasks, plot questions, and reminders whenever you’re ready.
Finish your first draft faster
The first draft isn’t about getting everything right—it’s about getting to The End.
Placeholders help you maintain your creative flow, avoid unnecessary interruptions, and make steady progress toward a finished manuscript.
Works in all your favorite writing apps
Access all ProWritingAid’s features directly in your writing app of choice.
Placeholders FAQs
What are Placeholders?
Placeholders are custom markers you can add anywhere in your manuscript when you want to come back to something later. They’re designed to help you keep writing without losing your train of thought.
How do I use Placeholders?
Add a Placeholder anywhere in your writing using square brackets. Add a note about what you want to revisit later, then keep writing without interrupting your flow.
What can I use Placeholders for?
Anything you don’t want to solve right now, including plot holes, character names, research reminders, dialogue ideas, scene revisions, descriptions, or continuity checks.
Where can I use Placeholders?
Placeholders are available in the ProWritingAid Web Editor and across all ProWritingAid integrations.
Our approach to helping writers succeed
Craft grows through practice. Habit keeps that practice going. Mindset helps it last. Together, they form the ProWritingMethod—a complete approach to helping you succeed as a writer.
Hone your Craft
Improve your writing with feedback on your real manuscript. As your craft grows, every writing session becomes more rewarding—making it easier to build lasting habits.
Build consistent Habits
Writing improves through consistency. Regular practice helps you hone your craft, while momentum keeps you moving toward your goals.
Strengthen your Mindset
Every writer faces doubt. Build the resilience to keep writing through setbacks, so your habits stay strong and your craft continues to grow.