Software to help you write your novel!

I use dramatic pro, full and free And Write Your Own Novel and the Writer's Cafe demo thing. Some are better than others but all have their own uses. I love WYON and Dramatic is excellent for fuelling questions and ideas. Never got on with yWriter, but may give it another chance

 

I used Liquid Story Binder on my PC. I've just found Scrivener for my Mac. I really loved LSB, but Scrivener is significantly better, cleaner, smoother... better.

Unfortunately, neither is free.

 

This thread sounds like an infomercial...I keep expecting a guy with a high-pitched, annoying voice to come through my speaker at any second. LOL

 

Ron Popeil or Finch?

 

"Tired of pesky comah splices and poor dialogue? Get Kaplowee Writer!."

 

Billy Mays Must DIE!!!

Preferably by being locked in an echo chamber with his commercials piped in until his brain explodes.

 

Haha in the style of "Crudely-painted-not-so-funny-plywood-painted-folk-art!"

 

That would be far too quick. He should have to suffer longer.

 

Haha I thought that when I was typing it I was like "Oh my goodness, I should stop writing a novel and start writing infomercial scripts!" Arghhh!!!

 

Seriously? August Wilson wrote on napkins.

I don't think any software will help your writing, nor help organise your ideas any better than some paper and a good filing system.

 

Very true, david.r

Unfortunately, my 2 year old likes to scribble on anything that resembles paper at the moment and without a lock on my bedroom door, it's a bit hard to keep him out since he's also able to reach door handles now lol....

And also because I tend to lose bits of important paper, it's easier for me to file things on a computer. Then they can't run away or be scribbled on!

Each to their own, I guess =D

 

I think if it makes you feel comfortable and helps you write then do it! no matter if it's in a program, on napkins or on your brothers head!

 

Hahahaha on your brothers head?

I wouldn't be able to reach my brother's head *pouts*

 

And lock that shamwow guy in there with him.

 

Well I was interested in it but the link has been removed and now I can't see it.

 

Yep, there is a solid rule about posting links here. But you can just Google yWriter. Not as easy as clicking a link, I know, but I think you can handle it.

 

That why you should set google as your default search by your URL...thingy. lol then you can be all like "oh whats that." and type it in your google quick search. its AMAZING.

 

Nice post i am checking it out right now.

 

Writing software

For those who don't write their manuscripts by hand, I was wondering what programs does everyone use to write their story/poem/novel...?

I'm using OpenOffice for the moment but I'm looking for something that really aids writers in whatever form and perhaps has a nice template inspiring you to write, such as a parchment template and such.

Thoughts?

 

I use MS Word. Although it lacks some of the cool features of some other novel writing software, it's the one I'm most familiar with.

 

Word 2007.

Once you've figured out the unnecessary changes from 2003, it's perfectly functionable.

 

I personally used OpenOffice because my computer didn't have the microsoft office pack. It's actually good it just doesn't have as advanced tools as word.

So i'd go with word.

 

ditto that, including the quote from cog...

you don't need templates for anything, especially poetry, which must follow its own path, unless you're writing in some standardized form, such as a sonnet... in which case, you can find the 'rules' at [ http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/197 ]

otherwise, just stick to standard ms format... if you're not up on that, follow this: http://www.shunn.net/format/story.html

love and hugs, maia

 

I just use MS Word 2007. Took a bit of getting used to from MS 2003, but it's pretty much all I need.

 

I've got NewNovelist and the lack of a word count and grammar checker is really annoying. I mean, I love how it seperates each chapter and catorgorizes characters and such, but....come on. No word count? Many writers go by word count. Oh, and their dictionary/thesaurus is pure crap. I just pop open Word's dictionary.