What program do you use for writing, and why do you like it?

[LizHaze]

I'm really curious what software people use to write their stories. I'm not trying to start a "my program is better than your program" flame war or anything, but I really do want to know.

What are some features that make the writing process easier for you? Or do you use a completely featureless text editor so that you don't have any distractions?

I use emacs, which I started using for a class I took in school years ago. It kind of grew on me. Nowadays it's nice because I can keep my files on my home computer and edit them remotely from my crummy laptop really easily. I also like having multiple buffers open, like having my story on the left and my notes on the right. There's also a nice file difference viewer (ediff-buffers) built in, so if I send things to other people for them to edit, I can view them side-by-side and either approve or reject each change one at a time. I just added a dictionary extension so I can look up words on the fly if I'm unsure of spelling or their meaning, which is nice. Never have to leave the program!

So what do you use, Literotica?

 

[Darkniciad]

WordPerfect, for the convenience of my editor.

I'd always written in Word, and that caused cross-platform issues sometimes since he works in WP. He sent me a copy, I gave it a shot, and it worked out just as well as Word for me, so I stuck with it.

I still do my spell check and a quick grammar check in Word, though. Not real fond of WPs grammar checker, and the spell checker seems to default to UK English preferences on a few words.

 

[Saxon_Hart]

I started on Office and still use it today, well Word to be exact.

 

[sr71plt]

My primary writing software is my brain. The computer program I use is Word--it's the almost universal use of U.S. publishers.

 

[SamScribble]

I can't remember the first package I used. But I know that 'save' was Ctrl-K-D.

At some stage early in the piece I switched to WordPerfect, and then to Word for Windows. For the last umpteen years I have been using Word. I've looked at a couple of packages specifically for fiction writing, but Word works just fine for me. I'm currently on Word 2010.

 

[Handley_Page]

I'm really curious what software people use to write their stories.
What are some features that make the writing process easier for you? Or do you use a completely featureless text editor so that you don't have any distractions?

I use emacs, which I started using for a class I took in school years ago. It kind of grew on me. Nowadays it's nice because I can keep my files on my home computer and edit them remotely from my crummy laptop really easily.

So what do you use, Literotica?

I must look that one up.
Is there a version for Windows ?

WordPerfect, for the convenience of my editor.

I'd always written in Word, and that caused cross-platform issues sometimes since he works in WP. He sent me a copy, I gave it a shot, and it worked out just as well as Word for me, so I stuck with it.

I still do my spell check and a quick grammar check in Word, though. Not real fond of WPs grammar checker, and the spell checker seems to default to UK English preferences on a few words.

After years of really loathing WP (right back to the days of DOS), I actualy found a version that would do what I wanted. v5.
And a default to English is no real problem [ ! ].

I can't remember the first package I used. But I know that 'save' was Ctrl-K-D.

At some stage early in the piece I switched to WordPerfect, and then to Word for Windows. For the last umpteen years I have been using Word. I've looked at a couple of packages specifically for fiction writing, but Word works just fine for me. I'm currently on Word 2010.

Would that have been WordStar ?
A product I reckon to be pure magic, where one can type n almost as fast as one can think, even if you have to go back and check it in a separate process.
Borland Sprint was another good one.

I use Word 2003, although to be honest, I prefer Word 97 (it has a better "style" option that I cannot find in v2003).
But they can stuff the cloud version right up their collective meteorological fundament. I want all my stuff on my computer, thanks, not floating in the aether !

 

[oggbashan]

I originally used WordStar 1512 on an IBM XT. I gradually upgraded WordStar and hardware to WordStar 2000 Plus. I loved that menu-driven programme, particularly the ability to create my own dictionary.

But WordStar 2000 Plus didn't work well with Windows after 3.1.

I had to switch to MS Office and Word which I needed anyway for my community activities because so much local government information came as Word documents. (or .pdf)

I'm still on Word 2007 but I wouldn't have updated that far for my writing alone. I was happier with earlier versions of Word which did everything I needed for my stories.

I think Word has added too many unnecessary features and become overcomplicated. After all, I copy and paste my text into Literotica. Any programme that produces basic .txt would suit me - if writing stories was all I did.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

I use Wordperfect 10.0. For years WP was the industry standard in my profession, and I got comfortable using it for everything. It is easier to use and more intuitive in my day job. Over the last 10 years my profession has migrated to Word, however, even though most users preferred WP. I'll probably be making the switch the next time I have to upgrade my hardware so that I can be compatible with my colleagues.

 

[LizHaze]

I must look that one up.
Is there a version for Windows ?

Yes, technically, though to be honest I'd have a hard time recommending emacs to other people for creative writing. It doesn't really have things that most of y'all might use, things like bold or italic text. It's really just a text editor, usually for nerdy programmers types. I don't even really program in it anymore, I just like it.

 

[DG Hear]

I use micosoft word processor. It's what came with the computer. I like using it a lot but most editors say they can't open it so I convert the stories to doc. for them. It's extremely easy to use, just wish others could open the files.

My other computer came with Coral word and it was pretty good also. A few of my editors at the time got the program so they could edit my stories. Don't know anone who usese it now. Still have it in my computer also.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I'm really curious what software people use to write their stories. I'm not trying to start a "my program is better than your program" flame war or anything, but I really do want to know.

Back in the day *waves stick at kids on lawn* I wrote a lot of stories in vi. I wouldn't recommend it.

Since then I've mostly worked in Word, OpenOffice, NeoOffice, and (currently) Pages. If somebody else was paying I'd probably go for Word, but all of them are more than adequate for short stories, which is what I usually do. For that I just need basic functionality and occasional support for odd characters. If I do end up buying Office it'll be mostly for Excel, since I could do with a better spreadsheet program.

My latest story (the only one that's up here) was a lot longer than anything I've completed previously, written over a longer period of time, and towards the end I did start feeling the need for a more systematic approach to planning. I hear Scrivener is very good for that, and if I start another long project I might look into it.

One thing I like in editing tools for programming - and wish I had as part of my word-processor - is the ability to compare versions of the same document and highlight where they differ. Looks like this would do it, but I don't want it quite enough to shell out as yet.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Started long ago with WP running on DOS 3.2, but later switched to Word95.

Currently, using word for short stories and yWrite5 for long works.

Word is quick and easy to use for just about anything, but for a short story, that doesn't need much laying out, it works fine.

yWrite, allows me to plan those longer works, develop character traits and split the story up into chapters comprised of scenes. Plus it allows you to just type without some of those annoying correction marks that word put out there.

Once your ready, you export it to an RTF file and import it into your favorite word processor for spell check and sending off to your editor.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

My primary writing software is my brain. The computer program I use is Word--it's the almost universal use of U.S. publishers.

Actually that would be hardware, but to be more accurate it's wetware.

 

[PennLady]

I use Word - it's what most others use and it's what I have access to and it's what came with my computer. I've experimented with some other things including programs like yWriter, but haven't used them quite long enough to get used to them, I guess. I always go back to word.

 

[SusanJillParker]

I just upgraded to Word 2013 and there's a vast difference from Word 2007. I recommend anyone who is now using Word to upgrade to 2013.

The best thing that I like about it is the auto correct. It corrects errors before I can. Wow!

And it replaces the old and useless synonyms look up with a much better one.

 

[TxRad]

I started with Works for windows, which was a cut down version of office. It worked very well and was simple.

Now i use an old copy of Word from Office 2000. It doesn't have all the new bells and whistles but it is easily controlled so it does what i want it to do. I can set my own styles and my own dictionaries. It auto-corrects but marks it so i can check it.

The only problem I have is that it is set for business letters like all versions of Word. But I'm used to it by now.

 

[glynndah]

I use openoffice.

 

[sethp]

I just use word, but it sucks.

 

[LizHaze]

I use openoffice.

glynndah, you should probably check out LibreOffice. It's the newest version of OpenOffice since they had to change the name.

 

[sr71plt]

The best thing that I like about it is the auto correct. It corrects errors before I can. Wow!

You need to closely watch what it auto "corrects" too, though. I've watched it change a word I intended to use to one I didn't before my very eyes. People need to keep in mind that the Word spelling and grammar functions are designed for office use, not fiction.

When I first started in the book editing business sixteen years ago, publishing house systems were split between Word and WordPerfect (WordPerfect is much more editor friendly than Word is) and Mac and PC--although the manuscript editing business was still basically being done in hard copy. So I set up my business covering all four of those bases. I subsequently never received work in either WordPerfect or Mac (although I worked in-house with a publisher who nonsensically took Word/PC from authors, converted it to WordPerfect/Mac for editing, and then converted it Word/Mac for production--for a couple of years until they woke up). Both my Mac and my WordPerfect systems were just shelved more than a decade ago and I've never been asked to use them.

Incidentally, most publishing houses don't try to keep up with Word upgrades. To be sure that all of my work passes to whoever I send it to in publishing, I save and send it in 97-2300.

 

[MSTarot]

Started with a Selectric typewriter, circa 1977s (the typewriter not me I started writing I about 88) it was a 'Hunt and Peck' operating system.

Was using Word97 on a borrowed E-Machine till I got my computer back from having it's memory erased. Now I'm using OpenOffice. Still giving me fits at time. I've had no training in it so I'm figuring things out as I go along

Which is funny since my writing is done the same way.

 

[glynndah]

glynndah, you should probably check out LibreOffice. It's the newest version of OpenOffice since they had to change the name.

Hm. That could be what I have since I updated it fairly recently. I'm just used to calling it OpenOffice.

 

[oggbashan]

Why is it that 'new improved' WP systems cost more and need a hardware upgrade while providing nothing 'new' nor 'improved' that you actually want?

It's a plot, I tell you! A plot!

Puts tinfoil lining in his Cake on Head.

 

[TE999]

My first 'puter was loaded with Word 95 and I've used Word ever since. My current rig runs Win7 and MSWord 2012. It has it's quirks like any other WP prog, but I'm used to them and I like it. The alternate text conversion tool is easy and quite useful when sending docs to other 'puter systems.

 

[Handley_Page]

I use micosoft word processor. It's what came with the computer. I like using it a lot but most editors say they can't open it so I convert the stories to doc. for them. It's extremely easy to use, just wish others could open the files.

My other computer came with Coral word and it was pretty good also. A few of my editors at the time got the program so they could edit my stories. Don't know anyone who usese it now. Still have it in my computer also.

Word Perfect Corp bought out Coral ( or was it the other way up?).
Anyway it was nigh on WP !

I just upgraded to Word 2013 and there's a vast difference from Word 2007. I recommend anyone who is now using Word to upgrade to 2013.

The best thing that I like about it is the auto correct. It corrects errors before I can. Wow!

And it replaces the old and useless synonyms look up with a much better one.

Fine if all you do is stuff for business, I guess.
You an all the other users are being led up the Redmond path to greatness, and be damned to the way a particular author writes.
Auto correct is a tool on all versions of Word, I think.