Free Writers Software ROUGH DRAFT

[jon.hayworth]

If like me you try your hand at writing plays or screen plays you will no doubt know how much the proper software to get the templates costs. At least three figures right?

Now there is a guy out there who has written a nifty program - it works just fine and all he asks is that if you like the program you send a $15 donation towards developing an improved version.

It is called ROUGH DRAFT and you can download it from.

http://www.rsalsbury.co.uk/rd.htm

Since then I splashed out on NewNovelist and think it is not worth the cost. The license allows you to only install it on one computer and some clever online gizmos ensure you do not cheat. IMHO I do not think NN has enough extras over what Rough Draft has to justify the cost. Only my opinion and others say different but ... Give ROUGH DRAFT a try! -

There is a spell check download link as well

jon

 

[Coolville]

I'll have a look. I use Final Draft for my screenplays, but I know many who look for a cheaper alternative.

Also, try page2stage - a one month free trial and then 80 dollars to buy. Cheaper than the big boys.

 

[Cuckolded_BlK_Male]

Or simply download Dramatica v4.0 for free and tell Screen Play systems to bugger off.

 

[Monazwx]

(Bump)

Are there any other writer's software packages out there that you guys can recommend?
Free or Non?

 

[MathGirl]

More, more

DurtGurl is looking for something slightly more ..... comprehensive. You know, software that would sort of .. well ... do the whole thing.
mG

 

[Monazwx]

The "whole thing" like what?

~ Plays
~ Novels
~ Spell Check
~ Etc.

?

 

[GuyJD]

Originally posted by Mona
(Bump)

Are there any other writer's software packages out there that you guys can recommend?
Free or Non?

Yeah Mona, go to either....www.download.com, www.cnet.com, or www.zdnet.com and enter writer softward in the SEARCH box.

 

[DurtGurl]

The "whole thing" like what?

Dear Mona,
You know..... Like due the writing for me.
DG

Ps, When I see your AV, it always makes me wish I had a ping pong paddle in my hand. Wonder why?

 

[KillerMuffin]

You have to pay for it, but there are only two word processors that I would recommend.

Microsoft Word (latest version) - If you turn smart quotes off and you don't use any auto-formatting stuff like style and auto-line spacing (use your enter key between paragraphs), then you should be able to copy and paste any document you create into any webform created and have it go through without a hitch. Most webforms are written based on the user owning MSWord or WordPad. These two are by far the most common processors (Wordpad is just a step above Notepad). It's also easy to use, powerful, and you can find classes in how to use it at just about any adult education classes offered in just about any community.

WordPerfect (whatever version) - If you intend to branch out into submitting to non-archival publishers, most of them that accept electronic submissions do so only with Word or WordPerfect. It's a better word processor than Word (in my opinion), but if you have it you have to have Word or Wordpad to copy and paste text into for submission purposes. Additionally, there aren't any classes in the cheap to free range in most locations on how to use it.

Everything else, well, you can't rely on it to make cross. You can save other word-processor documents in .rtf or .txt or even .doc, but when the editor opens those documents in Word or WordPerfect (Lit uses Word), they can be funky and then rejected.

If you're just diddling around for your own personal gratification, or to print a few copies for family and friends, then rough draft is okay. You can also try www.openoffice.org which tries to be like Word.

 

[pop_54]

Yep

Yep hate to blow Bill Gates trumpet, (now that's a twisted thought), but I find a reasonably modern version of MS Word fine for all things, with loads of options you can enable, or disable, including for 'Durt Gurl' the rather nifty lazy persons auto correct function which puts in the caps and corrects glaringly obvious spelling errors for you as you type.

As Muffie says though don't let the bloody thing try to do your formatting, Bill knows fuck all about layout it apears.

I use Word 2000, well I got it cheap from a computer fair, £12 for an OEM copy.

If you have them locally computer fairs are a good place to go for cheap software, either slightly illegal OEM & Bundled stuff or reclaimed and last years model big company stuff.

pops.............

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I think having a software to help out with your writing is cheating. An Author goes through all the pain of the creating process; the plotting, the making up of characters, the long hand drafting, the endless editing and cleanwriting...

Why make it easier than it has to be?

 

[MathGirl]

Good Grief, Svenska. Get youself some foolscap, goose quills, and india ink.
MG

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I've got everything but the foolscap... ran out of it a few weeks ago. *makes a note to go shopping on monday*

 

[Monazwx]

Dear Mona,
You know..... Like due the writing for me.
DG



That had me giggling for a good while DG.



Ps, When I see your AV, it always makes me wish I had a ping pong paddle in my hand. Wonder why?

I have no idea *innocent look*

 

[Monazwx]

You have to pay for it, but there are only two word processors that I would recommend.

Microsoft Word (latest version) - If you turn smart quotes off and you don't use any auto-formatting stuff like style and auto-line spacing (use your enter key between paragraphs), then you should be able to copy and paste any document you create into any webform created and have it go through without a hitch. Most webforms are written based on the user owning MSWord or WordPad. These two are by far the most common processors (Wordpad is just a step above Notepad). It's also easy to use, powerful, and you can find classes in how to use it at just about any adult education classes offered in just about any community.

WordPerfect (whatever version) - If you intend to branch out into submitting to non-archival publishers, most of them that accept electronic submissions do so only with Word or WordPerfect. It's a better word processor than Word (in my opinion), but if you have it you have to have Word or Wordpad to copy and paste text into for submission purposes. Additionally, there aren't any classes in the cheap to free range in most locations on how to use it.

Everything else, well, you can't rely on it to make cross. You can save other word-processor documents in .rtf or .txt or even .doc, but when the editor opens those documents in Word or WordPerfect (Lit uses Word), they can be funky and then rejected.

If you're just diddling around for your own personal gratification, or to print a few copies for family and friends, then rough draft is okay. You can also try www.openoffice.org which tries to be like Word.

Thanks KM!
Very cool info.

 

[Monazwx]

I think having a software to help out with your writing is cheating. An Author goes through all the pain of the creating process; the plotting, the making up of characters, the long hand drafting, the endless editing and cleanwriting...

Why make it easier than it has to be?

You're a glutton for punishment Sven.

The reason I need the software is because after the process and everything else, I'm all tired out. I'm trying to jot down a few notes for a play that I want to write and I want to know how to format it. Rough Draft looks pretty cool. I'm downloading it tomorrow after I look at some books I checked out of the Liab. yesterday. I want it to be perfect (format-wise anyway). It's the main reason, I haven't written anything erotic in a while.
But that will change soon enough.

P.S. The computer was screwing around yesterday, even when I was at the GB, and today, which is why I didn't respond sooner to everybody. Thanks a mil. everyone!

 

[Monazwx]

Pops_54, "slighty illegal", you slay me!!!

Guy JD, I'm checking my e-mail right now.
Will reply in a few (edit - minutes).

 

[Svenskaflicka]

You're a glutton for punishment Sven.

Don't call me "Sven"...

 

[pop_54]

Oh dear!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't call me "Sven"...

Oops, dive for cover folks, things are about to fly!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gauchecritic]

Formatting screen-plays:

Two columns, half the page each.

Left column = Direction, camera, lighting, fx almost anything not dialogue.

Right column = dialogue + some character direction eg He grins, She blinks.

That's how I do it.

Gauche

 

[Svenskaflicka]

"The plates and silver ware
go flying through the air..."

From Haunted House, by Elvira, Mistress of the Dark

 

[Guest]

for the really femme-y Scandi-gurl

Flicka, darlink: ignore the Scandilliterate. They probably leave the ska off on purpose because you're hot when you're angry. Still, it's a bit trite.

Get that fool's cap but don't write on it, put it on your head and take a picture for us.

your pal, Perdita

My new motto: What would Alan do.

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Re: for the really femme-y Scandi-gurl

Flicka, darlink: ignore the Scandilliterate. They probably leave the ska off on purpose because you're hot when you're angry. Still, it's a bit trite.

Get that fool's cap but don't write on it, put it on your head and take a picture for us.

your pal, Perdita

My new motto: What would Alan do.

Thank you.

MY new motto will be: WHO would Alan do?

 

[Guest]

for Flicka

I've been reading your stories and thought I'd give you public praise. Your writing is delightful and has a clever ingenuousness written into the characters which gives this reader a genuinely warm response; haven't seen such a style anywhere else yet on Lit.

Brava, bella.

Perdita

 

[Svenskaflicka]

Re: for Flicka

I've been reading your stories and thought I'd give you public praise. Your writing is delightful and has a clever ingenuousness written into the characters which gives this reader a genuinely warm response; haven't seen such a style anywhere else yet on Lit.

Brava, bella.

Perdita

Thank you!