Video: Book Writer

[Dario D.]

Hello, all.

For as long as I've known about Absolute Write, I've been bugged by this unsettling fact that soooooo many writers out there use Wordpad/Word for their writing, without much knowledge of alternatives that were designed specifically *for* creative writing.

Even though there's nothing wrong with using regular word processors (I wrote my first novel in Wordpad) I put it to myself to chip away at a video in my daily free time (which is *incredibly* limited nowadays, because of what I've got going on at the moment [partial list] (http://www.deefrag.com/projects.htm)) explaining my absolute all-time favorite writing program, Book Writer, so that you can better understand some of your available alternatives. (...and yes, there are some other good programs too, that I recommend even more than the awesome new Word 2007). I mean, let's face it: a writer's writing program is like a golfer's golf club... it ain't going anywhere, so if you're going to spend your entire career using just one program, you've got to make sure you've weighed your options!

And in light of that:

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/7093/forumbanner1ue1.jpg


Download Book Writer Video (http://www.deefrag.com/files/Movies/Book%20Writer%20Video.mp4)
(90mb)



Notice: The video is targeted at people who can at least somewhat find their way around a computer (you've found your way to a forum, so hopefully you'll feel right at home), and focuses on a program that you have to buy. (I know the majority of writers use whatever came pre-installed on their computers)

Bear in mind also that I mention a coupon-code in the video, that will give you 65% off Book Writer, which I was able to talk Yadu Digital into doing only for people watching this video! Please don't go post on your blogs that there's this coupon-code floating around that can be handed out like candy... but if you post the video itself along with it, that's fine.

And also, this is going to come up, so, before you ask, no, I have absolutely nothing to do with the makers of Book Writer, and don't make a dime off of this... I made the video for 2 reasons: 1) to relieve my own personal distress in seeing people write their entire novels in Wordpad/Word (where I wrote my first novel) and, 2) as practice for a video series I'm going to work on later this year, or early next. I've been hammering out all kinds of videos in my spare time, in order to make all my mistakes now, and occupy myself when I'm between things... and this video so far is one of three I've done, as I work on isolating my mistakes.
-

I enjoy making these, and started a Part 2 covering other technological aspects of the writing process, but unfortunately had to scrap it before it evolved into an all-encompassing technology University bent on world-domination. (Oh, and my video project file got corrupted, and turned both this and the Part 2 projects into mashed-potatoes... probably for a divine purpose. Fortunately, this one was already finished, and I was able to render it out in segments, and piece it together without too much trouble... but I can barely edit it anymore, which is why I didn't post it for critique first, because I probably can't even make any further changes.)

With each video (such as this one (http://www.gunreal.com/download.htm), for my video game's testing phase), I feel like I'm learning all kinds of things that I need to know (or work on) before I start my more serious video series later on. This video was actually the first one I recorded, quite a while back, consisting almost entirely of screen-recorded footage... (though the intro was added very recently, after all my other videos). I'm gradually moving more into live-action cam stuff, but I'm still trying hard to improve my speech. I'm not yet happy with it, but it's wayyyy better now than when I first took my voice to the mic... and I'm almost completely devoid of recording-butterflies now. :)

Anyway, enjoy, all!

[Mumut]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this, Dario.

[Use Her Name]

It says I cant download your thing. Ironic, eh?

[dpaterso]

Just to save members from having to look up Book Writer:

http://www.yadudigital.com/writing-tools/book-writer.php

Usual price $89.95 — sale price $67.00 — free to try. OK, I'll download and try just for kicks. Gotta assume the 65% special offer code applies to the full price? Which comes to what, just under $60?

Hmm, 190Mb .avi file... can't help but wonder if that would produce a smaller .mpg -- depends how efficient the .avi is, I guess.

-Derek

[Shweta]

This sounds pretty awesome, Dario, and definitely of interest for novelists. But after dithering a bit I'm gonna move it over to Announcements and leave a link here for the novelists -- because it's not a discussion of novel writing per se.

Please don't take that as any kind of judgment :) Thanks for posting it!

[MacAllister]

Moved back, and bumping. :)

Dario, do you mind if I give this a plug in the Newsletter, too?

[Dario D.]

Dario, do you mind if I give this a plug in the Newsletter, too?
Nope, sure don't. :)

Gotta assume the 65% special offer code applies to the full price? Which comes to what, just under $60?
$33... (the whole thing is explained in detail in the video).

[Willowmound]

Wow. What a successful advertising-thread! Even the mods are behind it.

[IceCreamEmpress]

Well, I find that a combination of MSWord and Mori work just fine for me, and after having played with the test version, I don't think BookWriter would add anything useful to my experience.

And to be quite honest, I find the evangelizing and condescending tone of your post off-putting. Please understand that many of us here are multi-published writers who know what we're doing vis-a-vis our computer software choices and our writing methods. It's one thing to say "This program works wonderfully for me, and I'm excited to share that" and another thing to characterize people who use other software as benighted toilers who have yet to See the Light.

On the other hand, some other folks seem to feel that your post provided them with useful information, so I applaud you for helping them out.

[tehuti88]

It *does* look interesting...though I'm on dialup and downloading just the video alone would either take a week or kill my modem... :D

I'm a Wordpad user myself. (Wow, other people actually use that for writing??--I figured everyone used real word processors...I just use Wordpad because I can format it into HTML myself.) Every so often I go out and try to find free writing program downloads because they all look so interesting and fun, but I always give up, because 1. good luck finding a good free one! and 2. none of them will teach me to write better. That's something I have to do on my own, through experience. Writing processors and tutorials are just gravy; they can be fun, and informative, but if you don't already have a modicum of skill, they aren't going to help you much. Everything important I learned from writing was from actually writing, not using a program. That's just me, though. Based on the popularity of such programs, they must be doing something right, just not for everyone.

That having been said, it STILL looks interesting...

[Dario D.]

tehuti88, I completely understand what you're saying - indeed, a program won't affect your actual writing skills - but what I love about word processors that have these features (Page Four is another pretty good one) is that they help you "get back to writing" much faster, when you have to stop and self-reference... *especially* if you're writing more detailed, complex novels, in which you have to stop and search for things a lot. I know my first draft was simple, and pretty linear (I just wrote, wrote, wrote, without much prior planning) so I didn't have all that much use for a good word processor... but the final draft (rewriting the entire book from scratch) was so much more detailed, that I simply didn't understand what I would do if I didn't have some of these tools.

The entire purpose of choosing a good word processor is simply to reduce the "not writing time", thus it's a far greater help to someone working on a more complex novel, or just self-referencing / note-collecting a lot. My writing has changed a great deal over time - it's much more careful (and tedious) than when I started, because so much is going on my head now - so, if I'm just using a simple word processor, I can lose hours, or just frequently lose my "groove" whenever I have to stop and look up something I wrote earlier, or do some other sort of referencing task.

But yeah, I get where you're coming from. :) I'd sum it up by saying that not everybody here will have much use for a good word processor, particularly if they're lucky enough to be writing something that doesn't demand a great deal of self-referencing.

It's one thing to say "This program works wonderfully for me, and I'm excited to share that" and another thing to characterize people who use other software as benighted toilers who have yet to See the Light.You know (and I say this light as a feather), I honestly had sneaking suspicions that I was completely overdoing it with the friendly, inviting tone, and 10 or so mentions in the video that my stance was entirely passive, and that the viewer could make his own choice about whether or not he saw the program as useful.

Saying, "This program works wonderfully for me, and I'm excited to share that," is what this is all about. ;)

[Dario D.]

Update: The video has an obvious issue with the text becoming garbled (which was the only way I could keep file-size low enough for low-bandwidth people), so I decided to also post a higher quality version that is much, much easier to look at as far as on-screen text.

Link: [high-quality version - requires Divx or Xvid codec] (http://www.deefrag.com/files/Movies/Book%20Writer%20Video%20-%20Xvid.avi) - 250mb
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Oh, and this also qualifies as a *bump*... Wow, this forum moves far too quickly. ;)

[superman skivvies]

I usually chisel my novels into stone, but I might give this a try.

[roseangel]

I prefer open office, as it is free and easy to use.
All I really need to write is a spellcheck, a save feature and a place to put all the words, every thing else is just padding. Most of the features on book writer I would never use, so I think I'll stick to open office.

[Gillhoughly]

I made the video for 2 reasons: 1) to relieve my own personal distress in seeing people write their entire novels in Wordpad/Word

You want distress? Try writing novels on a K-Mart portable with ribbons, carbons, and White Out.

I typed at least five, since I rewrote one all the way through twice, plus reams and reams of short stories and business letters.

I counted myself lucky to get a dedicated Brother WP with a print wheel, and then Word looked pretty good to me when I got a proper computer & printer. http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

[Clair Dickson]

Since I do so much more than just write stories, MSWord (2003) is the tool for me. Especially since I know every nook and cranny in the software.

I can put in endnotes, comments, bookmarks, and other such things for self-reference. Plus use Styles (and Document Map) for moving around, versions and Track Changes for revisions. And everywhere I take my stories (teaching, school, office, etc) has MSWord, anyway.

This sounds like a good tool. But, I've got mine. And the Microsoft Expert Certification to go with it. ;-)

[Dario D.]

Just wanna bump this, so it can be seen this year too. :) Also, website/blog-owners, feel free to link to this thread, etc...

Update: LOL, I didn't realize, but I started this thread a year ago, today. Happy Birthday, Thread! http://www.franksicons.com/images/blankicons/0318.gif

[Dario D.]

Another bump, for more watchers.

[motormind]

That tool looks very chapter-based. I don't decide on chapters until way later in the process though.

[Matera the Mad]

Thanks, but no thanks. I use my own favorite -- simple, free -- tools. I also find it hard to imagine people who can barely use 1/100 of Word's capabilities using that thing. Unfortunately I can imagine quite a few grabbing at one wonderful piece of software after another in a vain quest to solve all their problems. :(

[Dario D.]

That tool looks very chapter-based. I don't decide on chapters until way later in the process though.
Having chapters is just a feature. You don't have to use it. There's still all the other stuff that speeds things up vs. Word/Wordpad.

I also find it hard to imagine people who can barely use 1/100 of Word's capabilities using that thing.
Me neither. That's why I made the video, showing how. (rather than just talking about the program, like in a review)

Think of Book Writer as a great gift with too much wrapping paper (for some people). Once it's off, it's off, then you only ever see the gift from there.

I'm actually really excited to see what it becomes in the future. I'd like to see it make use of some kind of modern interface (like Word 2007, or some of the Adobe CS4 programs, which even have a brightness slider that changes the entire interface (http://www.toolfarm.com/images/premiere_051608.jpg)), and some kind of Dark Room (http://they.misled.us/dark-room) (screenshot (http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9318/darkroom.png)) feature, that shuts out everything but what you're writing, and barely shows your wallpaper behind it. (note: don't actually use Dark Room, unless your book uses no formatting of any kind... It doesn't support bold, italics, etc)

[IdiotsRUs]

Hm

Well I've tried a couple of 'free trials' of other writer's software, and found that, actually, they came with all the bells and whistles that I don't actually use.

Which kinda seems to negate the point.

What has yours got that I'd find useful?

ETA: and isn't this a self promo thread?

[Dario D.]

ETA: and isn't this a self promo thread?
Promoting what? Did you read the first post? (explaining that I didn't make this program)

Regarding the rest, you haven't watched the video, have you?

[IdiotsRUs]

Ok not self promo then, fair enough. But you're promoting something that will require money changing hands

I don't have time to watch random videos for something that a) I have to buy when I've already got something that does what I want for free and b) probably hasn't got any features that I'll use. and c) that I know nothing about apart from 'it is for writers'. SO are silly hats, and I don't wear those either.

Now if you said 'OMG it has this!!11!!! IT R AWESOME AND YOU CAN DO THIS TOO!' I might make the time. But you haven't said anywhere what I might like about it. ( unless I'm blind, which is not beyond the realms of possibility :D) Except it distresses you that people use something else. So I haven't got the urge.

Like I said - I've tried a couple of free trials for things for 'creative writers'. They looked shiny and had lots of things to play with ( so I could procrastinate to my heart's content lol) but nothing that actually helped the writing process.

Tell me why this is different. If you're promoting, then promote.

Because, when you come down to it, all you need is something that records the words you write. Everything else is just gravy.

[Dario D.]

Tell me why this is different.
Watch the video.

I specifically didn't make a list off all the features covered, because then most people would be thinking they understand what it's all about, just by reading the list (which, on paper, looks identical to every other creative writing program), and shrug the whole thing off, and leave.

See, a list would say:
-Lets you divide your book into chapters (which even sounds BAD on paper. Nobody, myself included, wants their beautiful book-document split into 20 different files, unless there's a darn good reason... and there is, but it has to be shown)
-Has better word-search and word-replace than Word
-Supports notes

After reading that, the magic/wondering is gone, and most people will just hit the browser "Back" button, and completely miss out on the goodness, thinking they quite simply understand.

But you're promoting something that will require money changing hands
No, my intent is to show writers a great app, not "promote" something in a commercial context.

[IdiotsRUs]

Disclaimer: I'm in a really cynical mood today


So you can't tell me anything that makes it different to all the other writing software out there, free or otherwise?

So why should I click?

Because the stuff that's ended up on my PC after random clicking of stuff...*note - I'm not saying that this link has anything. Just that I don't click without a good reason

[Dario D.]

Well, one of the "good reasons" mentioned in the original post is that I've tried quite a few word-processors, and this one is my all-time favorite. (the fact that I've tried lots of other apps isn't in lights, but certainly implied) That should put a carrot in front of the nose.

Come on, you don't have to do this... :tongue ...even on a mood day.

[IdiotsRUs]

Fine, fine, I clicked

It takes how long to download?!?

This had better be good.


Because:

-Lets you divide your book into chapters (which even sounds BAD on paper. Nobody, myself included, wants their beautiful book-document split into 20 different files, unless there's a darn good reason... and there is, but it has to be shown) I can name at least two free apps that do that
-Has better word-search and word-replace than Word I've never failed to find anything in Word. How can you improve on that?
-Supports notes ? So does any app. You just type them in? If you want to get fancy, there are shedloads of ways to do it on every free app I've tried

But I'll look.

If it ever finishes d/loading.

[IdiotsRUs]

/cynic

Yup, that's what I thought

It's ywriter with a slightly improved search, only you pay for it. Or that's what I got from your vid. There's nothing special about it.

Or ( as I see it) a load of pratting about to distract me from actually writing with little or no appreciable benefit


IMO of course. Ywriter works for plenty of people, and I'm sure Book Writer does too. I prefer to just write.

/endcynic

[Dario D.]

It's most certainly not yWriter. Try them both side (http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5_Download.html) by side (http://yadudigital.com/pub/bookwriter_install.exe); they aren't even remotely similar, as you can also see in this person's video (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/,%20as%20you%20can%20see%20in%20%5BURL=%22http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA161Dyxgn0%22%5Dthis%20person%27s%20simil ar%20video%5B/URL%5D). yWriter is about breaking the story down into chapters AND scenes (in other words, chapters within chapters - completely its own thing), and is very database-oriented, for people who like having their stories and notes neatly compartmentalized (rather than laid out linearly in front of them).

There's nothing special about it.
+1. That's why I thought so highly of it, I decided to make an entire video... I should rename it to: "How to Scoff at Book Writer", and include a promo code that makes it more expensive, so that you hate it better.

Or ( as I see it) a load of pratting about to distract me from actually writing with little or no appreciable benefit
You obviously still haven't watched the video. It's theme, from beginning to end, is pointing out all the ways it lets you spend LESS time messing around than most other writing apps (especially Word/Wordpad), and more time "actually writing".

But you haven't made sense about anything here since dropping into this thread. Obviously, you're approaching this situation from the "Well, I've gotta be right about SOMETHING" perspective, and are now just leap-frogging from one negative view-point to another, while I stomp on the lily-pads.

First, you were about saying creative writing apps didn't impress you, and saying I should have posted a feature-list (then calling me a self-promoter, for some reason), then you carried on with an aimless pile of skeptical observations... it wasn't until your 5th post that you said you had actually seen the video, and then your evaluation - to be VERY well expected at this point - was nothing but critical and negative... except that it made absolutely no sense.

Your self-preserving motives here are as transparent as glass. I'm convinced that anything more that you say in your defense will only make you look more desperate and biased... unless it's about how mood swings made you do this, or you're 40-hours behind on sleep.

Thus far, I've respected the opinions of everyone else who chimed in to say that Book Writer didn't sound like their thing... but you've made it very, very clear that you don't HAVE anything to say; you're just on negativity-auto-cycle. And you don't like Book Writer... (but you knew that before you even saw the video)

Now please don't pollute this thread with a 10-mile long rebuttal to this post, because a response to that is guaranteed, and it will just waste your time.

[Leigh.Lyons]

Dario, I'm going to guess that you're in your very early 20's if not late late teens. My reasons for this assumption are 1-you insist you are absolutely right and 2-you don't appear to come with a "diplomacy" button (I read your "fat" thread before this.)

All a writer needs in a program for writing is something to save the lovely words that person has written down. If they want to get fancy (And I love to) the writer may need a spell checker and/or grammar checker.

I don't see why someone would put a new chapter into a different document. from what I've read on agent's blogs/sites is that they want simple. To me, "simple" is one word porc. document with page brakes between they chapters.

I like yWriter for the random name generator when it comes to making characters. For everything else, I use OpenOffice.

[IdiotsRUs]

Not a ten minute rebuttal

You obviously still haven't watched the video.

Yes, I did. And I didn't like it for the reason I stated. It invalidates KISS, which is a principal I try to keep in mind because it works so well

It's theme, from beginning to end, is pointing out all the ways it lets you spend LESS time messing around than most other writing apps (especially Word/Wordpad), and more time "actually writing". All I do in word is open up and type. How is pratting around saving me time? The 'handy' features the book writer gives me are ones I personally wouldn't use. I repeat it's not for me

I do apologise if you don't like that. But not for not liking it.

[Dario D.]

2-you don't appear to come with a "diplomacy" button (I read your "fat" thread before this.)
Ah yes, my 100% absolutely and completely innocently-intentioned research inquiry, asking whether or not obese people are more expensive than thin/normal people... which I am still PMing random thread-participants about, so that I might finally understand how exactly my words in that thread (all 1 paragraph worth of them) were perceived by some to be negative. (a flatly wrong perception of what I intended, and the innocent emotion I was conveying when typing the words. Any contrary POV is simply beside and against what I'm all about, once you know where I'm coming from)

you insist you are absolutely rightUmm, okay. That's weird. Aside from IdiotsRUs, I haven't told ANYBODY here that they've been wrong for not liking this program (I even openly agreed with some of the thoughts people have voiced for thinking it might not suit them).

Actually, I did clarify to Motormind that dividing into chapters was an option, not a requirement, but that's pointing out a simple misconception, not "insisting that I'm absolutely right".

In the video, I say or imply multiple times that liking Book Writer is going to be up to one's own taste, and that it's a matter of IF you like it. It's just not FOR some people. There are certain types of novels (namely, more linear, streamlined ones) that I, personally, would specifically use Word 2007 or even Dark Room for (if needing no formatting, for Dark Room).

[IdiotsRUs]

In the video, I say or imply multiple times that liking Book Writer is going to be up to one's own taste, and that it's a matter of IF you like it. It's just not FOR some people. There are certain types of novels (namely, more linear, streamlined ones) that I, personally, would specifically use Word 2007 or even Dark Room for (if needing no formatting, for Dark Room).

Which is why I was quite confused when you didn't like me saying exactly that. Check the post. And then having a minor turn about it.

I must have missed the memo stating that I couldn't state my reasons for not liking it. Anyone want to send me a copy?

[The Lonely One]

I think writers are curmudgeons (I am, anyways), and they wear their writing programs like old socks. If I were you I wouldn't bother to take any of our, er, curmudgeon...ing personally. I've been using Word Perfect since I was a kid. I don't really know what the alternatives are short of this thread, only that I hate Word because it's so big-brotherish and simple-stupid (like Windows has become). Would I try that program you posted? I probably would try it, then go back to Word Perfect. It doesn't make any sense, but I'd do it nonetheless. I don't know why. Maybe we should start a focus group about it.

On a seperate note:

Dario, I'm going to guess that you're in your very early 20's if not late late teens. My reasons for this assumption are 1-you insist you are absolutely right and 2-you don't appear to come with a "diplomacy" button (I read your "fat" thread before this.)

It's almost mid-20's for me. I know a lot of older folks who are always right and have only "agree" and "piss off" buttons. :)

Amendment: I have no judgments regarding Dario's age nor do I particularly care what age he might be. I don't think age has to do with it, really. So, hopefully I didn't come off as insulting because that wasn't my intention. I myself am 24, soon to be 25, and don't find myself to be particularly undiplomatic. I don't think Dario is being that way, either. He's just responding to comments, trying to share what he likes about what he thinks is a great program.

[Samantha's_Song]

I'll admit I didn't watch the video.

:D Some of us like using what we're used to, my works just happen to be fine on MS Word 2003, but I might upgrade to 2007 when I get back from my holiday in September.
I don't like the free word processors, I can't be bothered to waste my time to get to know them like I do Word.

Chapters - Easy, I begin writing a new novel, once it gets so far I divide it into different chapters, chapter numbered, on separate Word docs. Then I make a folder named the same as the novel and keep them all in there. Once I know the last edit has been done, I copy and paste it all into one document.

I've never had any difficulties finding what I need in the search on MS Word; maybe my novels aren't complex enough?

For notes I use Wordpad or MS Works processor. :)

Watch the video.

See, a list would say:
-Lets you divide your book into chapters (which even sounds BAD on paper. Nobody, myself included, wants their beautiful book-document split into 20 different files, unless there's a darn good reason... and there is, but it has to be shown)
-Has better word-search and word-replace than Word
-Supports notes

[Samantha's_Song]

I do. It's easier to edit and find everything that way, I write each separate chapter as if it's another story. It works for me anyway. :D

I don't see why someone would put a new chapter into a different document. from what I've read on agent's blogs/sites is that they want simple. To me, "simple" is one word porc. document with page brakes between they chapters.

[lucidzfl]

http://www.roflcat.com/images/cats/270913946_efa38ec3d8.jpg