Writer's Software

[LAHomedog]

I use Word for these stories and post the Word file with the formatting intact.

I use Final Draft for scripts.

I have two books going both detective fiction currently in Word. I had never heard of Scrivener before. Gonna have to check that out.

 

[PriestOfIshtar]

At times I have used pretty much all of them; I tend to orbit back to Word.

I actually love scrivener... but the different interfaces on my mac vs. my ipad makes it an almost constant chore of remembering how this "should be simple" thing works here instead of there. Also the dropbox syncing across devices is not foolproof, which means I have regular problems with that as well.

So, it turns out I only love scrivener in theory. In practice I use google docs, word, and some plain text editors most of all.

I have been meaning to look into libre because I really do NOT like Word's subscription model, and this thread has given me the kick to do so.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

IMHO, word processing software is like a diet plan: the best one is the one you are actually going to use. If you use it, and you're comfortable with it, and you can get results, then there's no need to change.

I'm well into geezer-stage when it comes to using MS Word. We're talking 30 years of use and familiarity. There's no way I'm going to change. I don't write on my phone and I don't create documents in the cloud. I write at a desktop computer and it's all saved to a hard drive until I'm ready to upload it. I'll never stop doing it this way. Doesn't make it the right way, though.

This ^^^^

Although I have tried others mentioned here just to see if there was something better out there other than my brain and Word. I will stick with Word 2007 which is the latest I have. Although, MS keeps trying to get me to upgrade to 2010 for a hefty price, and why would I want to rent what I already have? Oh, I got my version from work for $20 US, it was a deal with my last employer and Microsoft.

I also use yWriter to organize some of my longer works and all the things you all call artifacts. Characters, etc. It is free and if I want it will work across all my devices as there is an Android version. There might even be an iOS version.

 

[LAHomedog]

This ^^^^

Although I have tried others mentioned here just to see if there was something better out there other than my brain and Word. I will stick with Word 2007 which is the latest I have. Although, MS keeps trying to get me to upgrade to 2010 for a hefty price, and why would I want to rent what I already have? Oh, I got my version from work for $20 US, it was a deal with my last employer and Microsoft.

I also use yWriter to organize some of my longer works and all the things you all call artifacts. Characters, etc. It is free and if I want it will work across all my devices as there is an Android version. There might even be an iOS version.

Me too! After 30+ years my brain is wired to Word. I am still using Word 2008, and yes I own it outright and fuck you Microsoft, I am not going to rent a new version.

(Even though my wife, who is a lawyer must do that every year for her office.)

I also only use either my MacBook or my desktop, but I transfer back and forth with via email attachments or a flashdrive. I prefer the flashdrive because it forces me to automatically backup the files when I do ti.

 

[Jay142]

I write on Google Docs, even though that makes me reliant on needing an internet connection. I think it looks the best and I like the full size of the screen compared to how small Word is.

I also like that you can share, as I often collaborate.

After I finish editing, I run the story through Grammarly.com for a free grammar check. They're not perfect, but they do catch a lot of small errors that slip through.

I also use Google Docs and Grammarly but always proofread it twice anyway because I still catch some errors the other programs don't pick up for some reason.

 

[Trionyx]

Word, my brain, computer search, and a couple of shelves of writing guides.

Amen. The brain is the best software of all. I go for an hourlong walk daily and it is during that time that I do my “writing.”