Questions on Writers Software.

[Lord DragonsWing]

I just read the article in Writers Digest about the various software available for writers. From the reviews, MS Word seems to the basically the same thing as those that are expensive.

Does anyone have any suggestions on software for writers?

 

[boxofrocks]

MS Word?
Is that like 'my word...' ?

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

I just read the article in Writers Digest about the various software available for writers. From the reviews, MS Word seems to the basically the same thing as those that are expensive.

Does anyone have any suggestions on software for writers?

My favorite combination: pencil, twelve foot high stack of paper for my so-called "real" writings. Laptop w/ whatever word processor comes with it (right now it's my trusty Apple and Word) for my Literotica stuff, because I use this community to practice writing well at a quick pace.

To tell the truth, friggin notepad would be just as great as Word if I wasn't lazy as sin and prone to typos when I move to an electronic medium (I hate that).

So in conclusion, stick to the Word (or otherwise default word processor), anything else is a scam trying to rob amateur writers who think that a fancy program will make them better writers (instead of imagination, wordsmithing talents, etc...)

 

[Alex De Kok]

Try 'Rough Draft' - even has a setting for screenplays! I use it for all of my fiction writing. It saves in RTF and plain text only, has a 'Pad' facility which gives you a jotter pad alongside your main screen. It has a few bugs but most of the time just works, and works well.

You'll find details here.

A lot of last year's NaNoWriMo writers were using it.

Alex

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Re: Questions on Writers Software.

To tell the truth, friggin notepad would be just as great as Word if I wasn't lazy as sin and prone to typos when I move to an electronic medium (I hate that).

So in conclusion, stick to the Word (or otherwise default word processor), anything else is a scam trying to rob amateur writers who think that a fancy program will make them better writers (instead of imagination, wordsmithing talents, etc...)

I agree, mostly.

Any "full feature" word processing program is all anyone should need as a "writer's program." -- i.e. a word processing program that has spellcheck and some editing/reviewing functionality. MS Word or Corel's WordPerfect are the "top of the line" programs for word processing.

Both come with defaults set for business oriented writing, but can be configured to tailor your text for just about any purpose.

 

[BlackSnake]

WH, I agree.

Since MS Word has the ability to save your word in multiple formats, as do some other, look at what formats are accepted by publishers.

Like it or not, just about all publishers who accept manuscripts electronically accept MS Word documents.

 

[Liar]

RoughDraft is my weapon of choice. Merely because it's damn fast and easy to use.

The more fancy tools like spelling and grammar check leaves a lot for improvement, but ther are a few things in there that I cant quite write without. Especially the easy text size scaling is something that I have become addicted of.

For spell check and edititng, I churn it through MS Word.

Other than that, I have no idea. What is a "writer's program", if it's something more than just a word processor? Some kind of organiser? Timelines? Flowcharts? Little embedded pep talk haikus for writer's block? What?

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I prefer pads that i can carry around; the sillier looking the better - it's hard to have a writer's block when you have a pad showing a frog sticking its tongue out at you.

 

[cantdog]

Some of the discussion in the old days, when no one knew what a full featured program would in the end consist of, had to do with multiple dictionaries.

Do your word processor's spell check, and it will tell you a lot of your names and place names, just to start with, are not words. Words like 'fuck' and so forth are non-words, too, which the program wants you to replace.

If you tell it to {"Add"} the spell checker adds the word to the dictionary.

Multiple dictionaries are good for authors. Because you can have one for each major work, so that you don't spell Erika's name Erica by mistake. You add Erika to THAT dictionary, but not to the other one with the othewr characters in it. You can see the advantage, particularly if you novel is set in Japan and you need to spell 'ohayo gozaimas' correctly and a bunch of foreign names, but it doesn't do to cover your real, everyday spell checking dictionary with a lot of words you will never need.

Hidden text was invented for author programs, too, so you could annotate without the notes printing.

Layout tools, turning text 90 degrees, making text boxes and curved headlines, used to be only found in specialized "publishing" programs, but they are mostly found now in the better word processors, largely because we don't have to fit the whole program on a floppy disk any more.

cantdog

 

[Monazwx]

This isn't necessarily a software question, but has anyone heard of something called a DANA? It's supposed to be a mini-word processor that writers swear by. And, besides a notepad, how do you guys jot down ideas. Do you carry around tape recorders when it is not possible to write it all down?

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

This isn't necessarily a software question, but has anyone heard of something called a DANA? It's supposed to be a mini-word processor that writers swear by. And, besides a notepad, how do you guys jot down ideas. Do you carry around tape recorders when it is not possible to write it all down?

It's never impossible for me. I literally carry two pencils wherever I go and nice turns of phrases or story ideas often start on the first bit of quasi paper I get my hands on. I've written the beginning, ends, or plotlines of stories on everything from bank notices to volunteer badges. It's nice when you write as small as I do.

 

[Monazwx]

I wish I could do the same. Whenever I finally get a pencil and paper, usually, the thought is gone.

 

[Lucifer_Carroll]

I wish I could do the same. Whenever I finally get a pencil and paper, usually, the thought is gone.

It's got it's minuses. Like when I'm trying to write down the idea while I'm driving and the passengers are screaming to watch the road and "oh my God, we're all going to die." It's okay though, I just tell them "Dudes, chill, we're already in the cornfield. It's not like I could more off the road." Sheesh, mortals.

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

This isn't necessarily a software question, but has anyone heard of something called a DANA? It's supposed to be a mini-word processor that writers swear by....

DANA "The Palm™ Powered laptop alternative that's truly affordable—and now available in a Wireless model! "

I don't recommend it, but info can be found HERE

 

[Monazwx]

It's got it's minuses. Like when I'm trying to write down the idea while I'm driving and the passengers are screaming to watch the road and "oh my God, we're all going to die." It's okay though, I just tell them "Dudes, chill, we're already in the cornfield. It's not like I could more off the road." Sheesh, mortals.

 

[Monazwx]

DANA "The Palm™ Powered laptop alternative that's truly affordable—and now available in a Wireless model! "

I don't recommend it, but info can be found HERE

Thanks. It looks interesting.

 

[Clare Quilty]

I have installed on my notebook computer,

• Dramatica Pro
• Final Draft 6
• NewNovelist
• Hollywood Screenplay

However, when I write, I am usually using either M$ Word or Open Office. I don't have the discipline required to make serious use of the various literary software that I own.

These software packages are moderately expensive. However, if one is not adverse to a little P2P pilferage, they can all be had for free.

 

[Liar]

I have installed on my notebook computer,

• Dramatica Pro
• Final Draft 6
• NewNovelist
• Hollywood Screenplay

I repeat my question: What do those do? I tried to understand by checking out their websites, but it only got me confused. Seemed to vary from assorted auto formatting stylesheets to writer workshop excersise toys. Since there is nothing in writing a novel sized story that I can't keep track of in my head anyway, would there be a point to use 'em?

#L

 

[Clare Quilty]

I repeat my question: What do those do? I tried to understand by checking out their websites, but it only got me confused. Seemed to vary from assorted auto formatting stylesheets to writer workshop excersise toys. Since there is nothing in writing a novel sized story that I can't keep track of in my head anyway, would there be a point to use 'em?

#L

I am, perhaps, the wrong person to ask. As I said before, I lack the discipline and/or inclination to follow through with these programs. When I am moved to write, I simply write. Most of these programs force you to write considerable back stories for even the most insignificant characters prior to actually writing anything that will appear in the end product. They impose a certain formulaic structure on ones writing. This may well be of use to many writers. I, being more chaotic in my approach, find them repressive. On the other hand, I wonder if there isn't a certain learning curve that goes with tools of this kind, which requires more patience that I have been willing to invest.

In any event, I'd certainly try them for free before I shelled out a few hundred dollars for the licensed versions. I wouldn't bother with their cripple-wear demo versions either.

 

[Clare Quilty]

...You can see the advantage, particularly if you novel is set in Japan and you need to spell 'ohayo gozaimas' ...

cantdog

or ohayo gozaimasu even

 

[Teenage Venus]

Try 'Rough Draft' - even has a setting for screenplays!

I think any wordpro with a good spell/grammar checker is fine. Rough D is a good freebie.

If anyone is into screen writing for radio/TV/Film, then the British Broadcasting Corporation supply great free templates and stuff. (These can be incorporated into WPs like 'Word'.) BBC Writing Aids

 

[Lisa Denton]

I think any wordpro with a good spell/grammar checker is fine. Rough D is a good freebie.

If anyone is into screen writing for radio/TV/Film, then the British Broadcasting Corporation supply great free templates and stuff. (These can be incorporated into WPs like 'Word'.) BBC Writing Aids

I've tried some of the expensive ones and always go back to Word, well the 2003 Pro Office Word at this point. Its just so easy and simple.

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

This isn't necessarily a software question, but has anyone heard of something called a DANA? It's supposed to be a mini-word processor that writers swear by. And, besides a notepad, how do you guys jot down ideas. Do you carry around tape recorders when it is not possible to write it all down?

I carry around a small tablet and pen in my pocket. Not the nerd look but every day I see things that give me ideas and jot them down on a page. No software of puter needed.

 

[velvetpie]

THE ANSWER - DOWNLOAD

Download MSWord and don't waste your money on anything that says it's an 'author tool'. Most of them are just modified text tools. Besides, you should learn how to use the standard (which is MS Word, although I also use WordPerfect) and if you need any help, I am a MS trainer (all Office programs) and I can give you a hand if you need it.

Again, don't waste your time with so-called 'author tools'. Stick with MS Word, WordPerfect or another well-known bit of word processing software and learn to use it. MS Word is the standard in the wp field.

VelvetPie

 

[cantdog]

or ohayo gozaimasu even

Thanks. Never liked Japanese history and I have no patience with the language, either. Chinese is interesting, for some reason, though.