Creative Writing Software

OpheliaRevived · Dec 30, 2008

How do you guys feel about creative writing software?

ejket · Dec 30, 2008

I usually find that it's just a form of procrastination.

dancingandflying · Dec 30, 2008

The only writing software I use is DarkRoom. Full screen. Old computer-style green Courier text against a black background. Just me and my writing.

I find most writing software simply provide a distraction for actually writing; you waste more time organizing your story in the program than you do writing. Which isn't very helpful.

d&f.

scarletpeaches · Dec 30, 2008

Pointless, unless it writes the book for you?

dpaterso · Dec 30, 2008

Depending on what specific software you mean (example would be appreciated), and on what's being "created" -- I'd venture to suggest that sometimes software prompts can tickle random thoughts and start you thinking about something you might not have thought of yourself, and which might have the potential to be interesting or at least useful.

-Derek

kuwisdelu · Dec 30, 2008

For some people it helps. For some people it doesn't.

I'm fine with a regular word processor.

Other people swear it's made their writing lives so much easier.

Try some free ones or trials out and see if it helps.

Aschenbach · Dec 30, 2008

I would be scared to use one. What do they do? What do they claim to do? I find spell and grammar check on Word annoying enough as it is.

Exir · Dec 30, 2008

Creative Writing Software = Tools for writers who like to fantasize about auto-generating stories without having to do work.

Sorry if I offended anyone

Zombiestare · Dec 31, 2008

Personally, I love writing software. It helps my writing quite a bit. I was using notepad, but then I upgraded to Word and found out that its actually spelled hippie, not hippy.

Who knew?

Pragmatic_Dreamer · Dec 31, 2008

Creative writing software doesn't work for me. All I need to write is a spell checker, the ability to indent, bold, italicize and underline.

para · Dec 31, 2008

I don't like Creative Writing Software, I find it distracting. I have to learn how to use new software and they don't suit my writing style. I prefer word.

A list of some free ones that I've come across
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html
http://www.salsbury.f2s.com/
http://www.baara.com/q10/
http://www.celtx.com/ (this one is script writing software but the
character & scene planning are great for novelists as well)

scarletpeaches · Dec 31, 2008

Zombiestare said:
Personally, I love writing software. It helps my writing quite a bit. I was using notepad, but then I upgraded to Word and found out that its actually spelled hippie, not hippy.

Who knew?

Well if MS Word 2007 counts as writing software, then I use it too, but I tend to discount it as it's pretty, but doesn't have all the bells and whistles I think the OP was referring to, such as different folders, notepad functions and so on. It's just a blank page and you have to fill it with book, rather than notes about your book.

tehuti88 · Dec 31, 2008

I've never used any. It all looks really interesting, but I have to weigh "interesting" against "useful" and I fail to see how useful much of it could be. "Interesting" might boil down to "distracting and useless." I already know how to write and imagine things and create characters and such so...why get the software? Honestly, what good could it do me that I can't do myself?

It's like the lava lamp. For years I was fascinated by them, and rather wanted one, but I had no justification for getting one because aside from looking at it now and then, what would I do with it? And sure enough, once I got one as a gift, I lost interest. I don't want to waste my time sitting there staring at it when I could be doing other things. :/

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 31, 2008

I use a word processor. In my case, Word 97.

Spending your money on anything else is a waste and you'd be better served just putting that money in my PayPal account.

awhyley · Dec 31, 2008

para said:
http://www.celtx.com/ (this one is script writing software but the character & scene planning are great for novelists as well)

I discovered this last month and am IN LOVE with it. I'm not too big on the audo-generator type of software, because if the story is there, it will come out of you; but in terms of arranging scenes and chapters, I'm hooked.

Dale Emery · Dec 31, 2008

OpheliaRevived said:
How do you guys feel about creative writing software?

I love Scrivener. It helps me to split my story into small bits that I can keep in my head, to see the big picture when I want that, to keep my notes for a scene readily available when I'm writing the scene, and to organize my character and location notes so that I can easily find them when I need them.

I've tried software that tries to be more helpful, such as Power Structure, Power Writer, Storyist, and the like. I never stick with them, because though I find their story guidance helpful, I ultimately find it more constraining. Scrivener organizes bits at just the right scale for me. It helps me to stay organized, but doesn't try to "help" in ways that end up constraining me to a particular way of organizing.

Dale

Pragmatic_Dreamer · Dec 31, 2008

para said:
I don't like Creative Writing Software, I find it distracting. I have to learn how to use new software and they don't suit my writing style. I prefer word.

A list of some free ones that I've come across
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html
http://www.salsbury.f2s.com/
http://www.baara.com/q10/
http://www.celtx.com/ (this one is script writing software but the
character & scene planning are great for novelists as well)

I gave yWriter a shot, yesterday and today. I will admit that it is rather useful. I will continue to use Lotus Symphony as my manuscript software, but I think I will eventually load my completed manuscript onto yWriter if only to check for continuity and time line issues. I am also going to use it to organize my characters, locations and items involved, but I find the interface itself too distracting to be able to compose on it effectively.

cbenoi1 · Dec 31, 2008

I use a mix of yWriter and MS Word. I find yWriter useful for structuring the plot & characters up to where there is enough skeleton text that I can continue with Word. I would consider giving NewNovelist a try only if there was a free trial; I don't like their pay-now-and-maybe-get-reimbursed-if-I-don't-like-it policy. Always had problem getting reimbursed with products purchased across the pond.

-cb

Linda Adams · May 4, 2011

I use Scrivener for revision, because the format allows me to hop around to different scenes with great ease. I'm a holistic writer, so I don't necessarily write in order, and Word was driving me crazy because it's a linear program. Though, I suspect Scivener will be more helpful in this regard for revision, and I may use Word for for the first draft, where going straight through will be better.

Other types of programs like Dramatica? I've looked at the trial versions -- more for curiousity -- not worth my time. They wouldn't help me at all, and worse, would try to make my writing processes fit into a mold they can't fit in. I think a lot of people hope this will give them shortcuts to writing a book, and there aren't any shortcuts.

dpaterso · May 4, 2011

daceymathers, there are loads of threads on this same topic, here and in Tech Help / Tech Talk forums. No need to revive one from 2008.

-Derek

Creative Writing Software

OpheliaRevived

Real Men Have Gills

ejket

Noobus Perpetuus

dancingandflying

Is it tea time yet?

scarletpeaches

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

Aschenbach

Moral Marjorie

Exir

Out of the cradle endlessly rocking

Zombiestare

obsessive compulsive procrastinator

Pragmatic_Dreamer

Talks fast when excited

para

scarletpeaches

tehuti88

Mackinac Island Fanatic

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

awhyley

Dale Emery

is way off topic

Pragmatic_Dreamer

Talks fast when excited

cbenoi1

Linda Adams

Soldier, Storyteller

dpaterso

Also in our Discord and IRC chat channels