Is there a "best writing program"?

Discussion in 'Writing Software and Hardware' started by littlebluelie, Dec 30, 2008.

  1. Komposten

    Komposten Insanitary pile of rotten fruit Contributor

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  2. BayView

    BayView Huh. Interesting. Contributor

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    I use Word.

    I haven't used Google Docs for a while, but the last time I used it there was a problem with it seeming to get a bit bogged down once the file got too large (like, approaching novel length). Lots of lag, etc. But it's been a few years, so maybe that's been resolved.
     
  3. Remainder

    Remainder New Member

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    Thank you! I tried to search for a thread about it, but couldn't find anything. I am still getting used to everything here. :)
     
  4. Michael Pless

    Michael Pless Senior Member

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    Try these:

    https://www.writingforums.org/threads/best-writing-program.17547/
    https://www.writingforums.org/threads/best-software-for-writing-organising-novel.136888/

    Personally, I wouldn't consider going back to just using a wordprocessor - there's too many things for me to create, try, keep track of, etc - but some still get by with Word/LO, and good luck to them.

    To me, the most impressive for writing a novel are yWriter (free and very good), WriteItNow (expensive, but it's the one I use), WriteWayPro (inexpensive and good), and perhaps Liquid Story Binder (complex, and no longer under development). I gave up on Scrivener because I find its (Windows) UI is intractable, although it has a fair degree of power, and is not exclusively for novels. An interesting one is oStorybook - an open-source version of Storybook - that is currently being developed by a small group.

    EDIT: I forgot to mention that oStorybook will allow creation and editing of scenes/chapters in LibreOffice. Once fully implemented this may well be a standout feature.

    None of these will make you a better writer or your work more successful, but it will allow you to be better organized.
     
    Last edited: May 18, 2015
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  5. UpstateWriter

    UpstateWriter Member

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    I learned to hate google docs when I lost internet for a week and could not access my work. I use Word, and back up my work on google drive.
     
  6. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    It's just down to personal preference. Anything from a basic text editor, to MSWord, to a program specifically designed for fiction writing will do the trick.
     
  7. UpstateWriter

    UpstateWriter Member

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    I also use Pnotes for jotting down notes and thoughts. it's a great and free alternative to pen and paper.
     
  8. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    You can use Google Docs offline now.
     
  9. UpstateWriter

    UpstateWriter Member

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    Yup. But at the time that option wasn't available. And i'm comfortable with word.
     
  10. Todd Carnes

    Todd Carnes New Member

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    I know this is an old thread, but I like yWriter. :)
     
  11. Diatribe

    Diatribe Member

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    Am a HUGE supporter of OpenOffice here. It does pretty much everything I could ever really want it to do.
     
  12. Rhys

    Rhys Member

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    I've used OpenOffice for a few years and am fairly happy with it. It has a spell checker and a decent interface so there's not really much more I look for in a writing program.
     
  13. Todd Carnes

    Todd Carnes New Member

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    I have LibreOffice, but sometimes Open/LibreOffice can be a bit too much. In other words, they're overkill.

    Plus they're a bit too general purpose. I like yWriter cause it's specifically written by an author for authors. :)
     
  14. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    I use MS Word 2003. It's kind of old, but it does the job and I got it on eBay for $35.

    I tried Scrivener (PC) for a while, but I ended up confusing the crap out of myself. I start off all organized but sooner or later, I'm confused because I'm terrible at setting up a system of organization. Not Scrivener's fault, it's mine, but I went back to Word. I am considering using Scrivener again for the final stages of editing, however, so I can break it down into scenes and sequels a la Swain.

    I have LibreOffice as well and I agree it's overkill, but then, for writing novels, pretty much any word processor is. I've even considered putting my coding hat back on (after years of having it sit in the closet) so I can write my own that covers just the basics and has only one font: Time New Roman 12 pt. But then I realize it'll take far more time than I want to commit. Maybe after computers go full voice-command-centric I'll give it a try. :)
     
  15. Vandor76

    Vandor76 Senior Member

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    @Sack-a-Doo! : there are several text editor code samples available online for many programming languages so it doesn't take that much work, however just by browsing this thread or the other one ( https://www.writingforums.org/threads/what-program-do-you-use-for-writing-a-book.62724/ ) you get some good recommendations.

    If you have problems with focusing : http://lifehacker.com/5689579/five-best-distraction-free-writing-tools

    I like yWriter.
     
  16. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    I guess I wasn't very clear when I posted on this thread earlier, but what the heck. Thanks for the links. :)
     
  17. Patrick Burrows

    Patrick Burrows New Member

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    I haven't seen many online writing tools mentioned in this thread. There are several free ones like LitLift out there, as well as my own, Wordslingr. Being online (ala Google Docs) you are able to get some unique collaboration and review features that desktop applications can't provide. Plus, being online, these tools work pretty much across all devices.

    This thread was originally started way back in 2008 (that's some legs!) so I know the answers here have probably changed over the intervening 7 years. MS Word and other desktop word processors are still the king. They are easy and accessible and everyone has them. After that, desktop writing environments that are designed for authors like Scrivener and yWriter are popular. Especially when combined with dropbox (or one of its competitors) to allow synchronization of your work across multiple devices. And then, the newest entrant into the category are the online dedicated writing environments for authors like Wordslingr and LitLift and some others. These SaaS (Software as a Service) tools are getting more mature all the time and are able to see some very unique features that the desktop offerings can't match (specifically in the area of multiple-author collaboration and beta-reader reviews).
     
  18. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    All good points, Patrick, but I've always steered clear of them. I don't want to be stopped in my tracks because my Internet connection goes down.
     
  19. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    Google Docs will work offline as well. Not sure about the others.
     
  20. Sack-a-Doo!

    Sack-a-Doo! Contributor Contributor

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    I didn't know that. Of course, I have no reason to switch from MS Word, but it's good to know, just in case. :) Thanks.
     
  21. fivetoesten

    fivetoesten Member

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    A lighter-weight and seldom-mentioned option is Abiword.
     
  22. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    I like Abiword OK, but I find it doesn't convert so well when opening Word documents. Been a couple years since I used it, and it was the Linux version.
     
  23. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

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    I'm a traditionalist. I eat hot dogs at baseball games, sometimes I tear up to the National Anthem, and I use Microsoft Office Word.
     
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  24. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

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    Traditionalist? If you were a traditionalist you'd still be using WordStar, or at least WordPerfect :)
     
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  25. Lewdog

    Lewdog Come ova here and give me kisses! Supporter Contributor

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    I'm not that much of a traditionalist like George R. R. Martin who uses a DOS based writing program still.
     
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