Hi I'm just starting the process of developing a bit of software for novel writers to use. One thing I'm very keen on doing is ensuring it's built from the start with features and design which will be of benefit to those using it! A lot of software I've seen is designed without much input from end users, so the software producer develops what they think the user needs - in the real world things just don't work that way. And so to my request.... Any ideas at all about general usability, features, things to include, things to omit - anything at all would be greatly appreciated. The fairly unique aspect of the software is that it will be completely online - you'll be able to use it from anywhere by logging in through a browser and away you go. I've looked at New Novelist and Dramatica and have got some good ideas where to start on features, but I really want input from anyone who'd be willing to give it. I look forward to hearing from anyone who's got a couple of minutes to jot down a few 'it'd be great if it could...' ideas. Many thanks Jim
Hello Jim, Welcome to the Writing Forums. Please be aware that you will not be able to promote the software product here. Our policies against adverting are strict, but necessary to put the brakes on spamming. Assuming you are a writer as well, posting your own work should not be among the very first things you do here. It is worth taking the time to see what other people have done to improve their writing, and see if some of it applies to your writing as well. That is part of why we require members to review other members' work before posting their own for review. On the other hand, there are no restrictions, other than content and copyright rules, on showcasing your work in your member blog. If you haven't explored the site yet, you should probably do so soon. Newcomers often gravitate to the Lounge, the Word Games, or the Review Room, but there is much more to be discovered if you poke in the corners. Remember to check out our FAQ as well, and be sure to read through the forum rules, too, to avoid any misunderstandings or hurt feelings. Respect for one another is our principal mandate. As for the Review Room, new joiners often wonder why we do things a bit differently on this site than on other writing sites. We emphasize constructive critique as a vital writing skill. Training your eye by reviewing other people's work helps you improve your own writing even before you present it for others to see. Therefore, we ask members to review other people's writing before posting work of their own. The Review Room forums on this site, therefore, are true workshops, not just a bulletin board for displaying your work (and on that note, please only post each item for review in one Review Room forum). See this post, Why Write Reviews Before Posting My Work? for more information. And while you're looking around, don't forget to check out our Weekly Short Story Contest and Weekly Poetry Contest. They actually run more than one week apiece, but any member may enter, and all members are urged to vote for their favorites. Enjoy your stay here, and have fun!
Hi Many thanks for the welcome, and for the advice. My intention is not to try to promote the software here at all, but I totally understand why the rules are there. I genuinely want to get advice / input / ideas from people who know the issues that they come up against when trying to write an outline or develop characters or work out timelines. I'm not yet a writer myself, but have always had an interest in it and given my area of expertise (IT) it was a natural progression to look at writing from that angle to see if I could produce something that may aid people in their endeavours. The other side of it is that I'd like to write that first novel myself, and am looking at this development as a way of organising myself to help do that. I'm only too happy to be an active member of this community and am really keen to get a much better understanding of the whole process, and to see what other people are writing too! Regards Jim
Hi jim and welcome to the forum sounds a gound idea I think you could have a place for notes for example tabs down the side, or something along them lines so everything is in one place, not sure how clear i have made that Also you could put in a thesaurus and dictionary so that everything is in the same place. thats all a can think of for the time being, a will post again if a think of anything else.
Hi and welcome! I don't use such software for what to me is just a large Word document, so I can't help but there are plenty of people on here who do and I hope they come up with plenty for you to think about. Good luck!
Thank you all so much for the welcomes and replies. ricardo_85 - notes (and research) are definately on the list. One thing I'm keen to implement is the abillity to link notes and research to a particular character / object / location / event to make the process easier. I like the tabs down the side idea - thank you. Thesaurus and dictionary should be going in there too. Dalouise - I understand about the word document thing, and I realise a lot of people prefer to write that way. Hey, if it works there's no reason to change it! I'm looking for this to become something that helps organise and streamline things with quick reference and development help available from it for those that need that extra help - I know I'm one of the worst for organising information! I'm extemely envious of those who can just have it all up there in their head Thanks again for the replies, this really does help. Regards Jim
