Writers' software

Hippykitty · Post by **Hippykitty** » 01 Jul 2008, 20:35

Before everyone groans and calls me a pleb, I don't mean the type of software which comes up with the ideas for you, but the sort which helps with note-keeping and structure.

I've been trying some trial ware of various software and downloaded some freeware. I can't decide which I like most. As it's a gift from a friend to me, the price should be around $100 or £60, thereabouts.

Has anyone any opinion other than "just use Word". Word is fine, I have it and use the outlining and master document features; but it doesn't do quite what I'm looking for.

The ones which are sticking out from the crowd at the moment are Power Writer and Power Structure; but the former keeps crashing, and the latter has an odd 'jiggling text' problem. I've tried yWriter, but don't understand it.

What do other people think?

Wordsgood · Post by **Wordsgood** » 05 Jul 2008, 10:42

Hi. I found a couple of possibilites online for free software. One is called UWriter 4 and says it is novel writing software. Here's the link.

http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html

The other one is a writers resource link that claims to have many free resources and related software. Here's the link for that one.

http://resourcesforwriters.suite101.com ... or_writers

Hope this helps.

Hippykitty · Post by **Hippykitty** » 05 Jul 2008, 19:03

Thanks for the links, but I have tried yWriter and found it very confusing. The ones on the freeware site I've tried also. Roughdraft is basically a word processor; which isn't what I'm looking for. I'm looking for something which will organise notes concerning plot and character. Power Structure and Power Writer do this, but both have annoying technical problems. In the demo version of Power Writer I lost two chapters while writing a stupid story based on Winnie the Pooh because the program crashed but, unlike Windows Movie Maker, which also crashes lots, it didn't save the data. Power Structure has an odd flashing text problem.

I've tried most freeware, but none did what I want, they were mostly word processers or card-style organisers.

The program doesn't have to be free. Just under £60 or $100 approx, and reliable.

Have tried the demo of Dramatica, but apart from being very expensive, I don't like the system.

Sorry if I sound picky. Just wondered if anyone used something they could recommend.

Thanks.

Jt Persian · Post by **Jt Persian** » 30 Jul 2008, 01:47

Is there a specific feature that you want in a program?

Hippykitty · Post by **Hippykitty** » 30 Jul 2008, 20:17

I think I've decided upon Story Weaver from storymind and Power Structure. I wanted something both inspiration and which would help me organise my copious paper notes. I want to get away from paper altogether, if possible, because I just end up with masses of disjointed jottings and ideas for characters and plot. Then when I do the writing, I have to wade through a large loose leaf ring binder which is divided into character, plot etc, to sort out details for the scenes.

To some extent, Power Structure helps with this, though while using the demo version I've found collating notes for a scene a matter of copy and paste from parts of the program. It's better than paper and the way it's organised helps me to think "why is this character in this story?".

Story Weaver is a weirdly inspirational thinking-outside-the-box program which has been useful in getting my imagination to head in directions it may not have otherwise travelled. The demo version is very limited, as it won't save, so I've had to keep copying and pasting each step. This is also an inexpensive program, unlike Power Structure.

kotkout · Post by **kotkout** » 14 May 2009, 07:42

I use CopyWrite. I like the interface and the minimalist features. It's also been well supported and the developer listens to feedback. Good product.

VictoriaTwead · Post by **VictoriaTwead** » 04 Jul 2009, 13:15

I've just finished my first book and I can't recommend Scrivener enough. It really organised my chapters, research and stuff brilliantly. I use a Mac though.

books4smarts · Post by **books4smarts** » 13 Jul 2009, 10:57

There are many different ways to write, however using a software interface is one way to keep you on track and it helps to keep up with the story line and the characters, many of the more successful authors will tell you that keeping up with the outline of your book, characters, story line and more is something you have to do in order to be successful.

I use story mill, which is also for the MAC it is excellent.