free word count software?

[PlanetCaravan]

was wondering if there is such a thing.

When I write, I like to put each chapter into a separate file, but then I end up with 40 something chapters of varying lengths.

I have tried Any Count, and Total Assistant, and they both work, but they are both trial versions -- and I'm broke -- so they have their limitations.

thanks

[Sean D. Schaffer]

was wondering if there is such a thing.

When I write, I like to put each chapter into a separate file, but then I end up with 40 something chapters of varying lengths.

I have tried Any Count, and Total Assistant, and they both work, but they are both trial versions -- and I'm broke -- so they have their limitations.

thanks


Your word processing program should have its own word counting feature, unless it's one of the simple ones like WordPad or NotePad. If that's all you have, you can get a good word processing program for free online. All you have to do is download it, install it, and it will have a built-in word-counting feature. Decent downloads I've used include OpenOffice.org, and AbiWord.

I hope this helps, and welcome to the boards.

[KosseMix]

Copy and paste into here?
http://www.wordcounttool.com/


Here's what's on download.com for free "word count" programs:
http://www.download.com/1770-20_4-0.html?query=word+count&searchtype=downloads&filter=licenseName=Free|platform=Windows&filterName=licenseName=Free|platform=Windows&tag=ltcol

[PlanetCaravan]

thanks Sean.

yeah, I use MS Word, and that works. But then I have to do math--ug

The thing is I'm revising a novel now. And the word count came out way too short. So now as I'm cutting out things and adding in things, I keep wanting to know where I stand on word count. I'm actually getting a little obsessed with it, which isnt good. You know, taking me away from the, uh, words.

[PlanetCaravan]

thanks KosseMix

I'll take a look at some of those.

[thethinker42]

was wondering if there is such a thing.

When I write, I like to put each chapter into a separate file, but then I end up with 40 something chapters of varying lengths.

I have tried Any Count, and Total Assistant, and they both work, but they are both trial versions -- and I'm broke -- so they have their limitations.

thanks

I just make a spreadsheet on Excel and set up a formula to add up all of the individual chapters' word counts.

[nevada]

yes, god forbid you should actually, you know, use a calculator. :D your computer has one built in. the calculator is your friend. It's in your Windows Accessories file.

And welcome to AW. stick around. there's tons of info here. you'll love it.

[maestrowork]

I can't imagine managing 40 different files. What if you need to add or combine chapters? What if you need to rearrange things? Sounds nightmarish to me.

At any rate, I'd use a spreadsheet, not just to calculate word counts, but to keep track of all the chapters and files and what's in them. :)

[PlanetCaravan]

I can't imagine managing 40 different files. What if you need to add or combine chapters? What if you need to rearrange things? Sounds nightmarish to me.

actually I just added a few chapters. I named them 32a, 32b,and 32c. it works for now. When I'm happy with everything I'll just put it all into one file.

[thethinker42]

I can't imagine managing 40 different files. What if you need to add or combine chapters? What if you need to rearrange things? Sounds nightmarish to me.

I'm not the OP, but I do the same thing. Each chapter is a separate file, then when the entire thing is done, I copy and paste them into a single document. Takes maybe 10 minutes, tops. It's a little bit of extra work and headache at the end, but it actually helps me stay organized. To each their own, of course, but it's much less nightmarish than it sounds.

[thethinker42]

actually I just added a few chapters. I named them 32a, 32b,and 32c. it works for now. When I'm happy with everything I'll just put it all into one file.

I do this too. Like if I need to add a chapter between 13 and 14, it becomes 13.5. When I'm totally done, I make sure they're all numbered properly, then copy and paste into a document.

Glad I'm not the only one...

Seriously, though, Excel is the easiest way I've found to keep track of word counts. Let me know if you need a hand setting up a spreadsheet.

[nevada]

I know other people who like to have a different file for each chapter and I can't wrap my head around it. but then I cant figure out outlining either. lol maybe i'm just a hopelessly disorganized person. ( except when it comes to embroidery floss. it is properly wound on a bobbin, labelled, and filed numerically in specially designed boxes. if only i could organize the rest of my life that way)

[Linda Adams]

I can't imagine managing 40 different files. What if you need to add or combine chapters? What if you need to rearrange things? Sounds nightmarish to me.

At any rate, I'd use a spreadsheet, not just to calculate word counts, but to keep track of all the chapters and files and what's in them. :)

I've kept separate files myself, especially in the early part of the novel. That keeps me from fiddling with an early chapter if I get stuck, which is easy to do if they're all accessible in one file. The separate files are not as bad as it sounds. Once I'm done, I put it in a second folder so it's not in the way.

In addition to Excel, Word does have a spreadsheet function. Not quite as easy to use as Excel, but you can create a table and have one of the columns total. The difference is that it needs to be manually refreshed to reflect the total. Google also has some form of spreadsheet, though I'm not sure what the capabilities of it are.

[cbenoi1]

> yeah, I use MS Word

Just create a master document that assembles all your chapters into one doc. The master is relatively small and only references the chapters. You can continue editing chapters individually or through the master document. But the master document's File->Properties tab will automatically calculate the entire works' word count.

Pop up the help and ask for "master documents" and follow instructions from there.

-cb

[jvc]

I have to admit that I'm one of those who has a different file for each chapter. I find it easier this way (for me) and it isn't that much of a problem combining them at the end of the novel.

[IdiotsRUs]

You could try ywriter (http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html)? All chapters are kept separate, with separate word counts, but it keeps a running tally. Easy to swap chapters around etc too.

Best of all - it's free. :D

[Charlie Horse]

I can't imagine why you would want each chapter in its own file. I'm constantly referring back to stuff in other chapter as I write just to remind myself of where I've been. However, what works for one person doesn't necessarily work for another, so if you like to keep all your chapters separate like some people do with their food then who am I to say it's wrong. Like others have said, keep a spreadsheet, or you could also keep one master file as you go. When you finish up a chapter go to your master file and merge it into the last.

[nevada]

yWriter is pretty cool. I have it. Never used it but I've played around with it and it is cool. especially for people who like to keep chapters separate

[Clair Dickson]

For those of you who use Excel, you can actually hyperlink your chapters in Excel. If you want fast links to them. (Go to Insert--> Hyperlink then select the file you want.)

Also, another tip for those of you "pasting" your separate chapters into your final doc. You can save yourself a little work if you go to Insert--> Object --> From File then select the file. So long as you have your cursor where you want the file to go, the text will be inserted into the document. (Oh, make sure you don't click "display as icon.) AND, the advantage to this? If you click "Link to file" then if you make changes in the separate file, the master doc will update automatically next time you open it. =) Neat.

[RJK]

Does anyone besides me use the Document View feature? I keep the entire WIP in one file and give each scene a header. The document view reflects the headers and chapters. If I need to refer back to something, I click on the scene header in the document view pane, and the document jumps to that header. I find it's a great way to stay organized.

[NeuroFizz]

I worry whenever I hear something like this: I keep checking the word count and it's too short, so I'm adding this or that.

The only good reason to add to a story is if the new writing enhances the story. Word count should NEVER be elevated above enhancing the story in terms of adding new material. It just opens up the possibility that what is being added is just word-fluff. This is why I really hate to see writers so hung up on word counts. Tell the story in the best way possible, then check the word count. At that time, either aim the submission according to its length, or do the following, which may be best in this case:

Stop obsessing about the word count--put that baby to bed. You know your story is shorter than you think it should be (presumably from a marketing standpoint). Go back through your story and find ways you can add material that ENHANCES THE STORY without taking a single look at word counts. If the new material doesn't ehance the story, don't add it. After you've gone through the whole thing (without checking word counts), then do the word count and see where you are. If is still shorter than you'd like, think about adding more substance but from a different direction, like subplots or even misdirects. But do that again without constantly checking words counts. A good story is a good story. Don't risk messing it up by adding superfluous prose. It will stick out like a yellow-headed zit on your forehead, and possibly send it (the story) to the slushpile.

NOTE: again, this is aimed at the general y'all, not specifically at the OP, who may be adding only material that is enhancing his/her story.

[Greenify13]

I have three deadlines a week. I have one file for the whole story as it is, and a seperate one for deadline. On 2, I write check word count and submit. After submission I transfer all words to 1. Then erase the words of 2, and continue for the next deadline.
I can keep track of how many words are total on 1, how far I have reached on 2. And Calculator, if for some stupid reason I need the accumalation of both.

[James81]

Sweet Jesus, man, save yourself a LOT of headache and just write your entire book in one file. Damn.

[HeronW]

Hilight each Ch, in MS Word; Tools--get word count

[maestrowork]

That's what I do, Fizzy. I just write and not worry about chaptering or word-counting. I mean, I do track my progress by the total word count since I have an idea how long this WIP should be, but I'm not going to worry about it until I'm well into second or third draft.

Since I don't outline, chaptering at this point doesn't quite make sense to me, because things are fluid and I tend to move things around anyway. Instead, I focus on the individual scenes. I suppose chaptering may make more sense to those who outline or know exactly what goes into each chapter...

[PlanetCaravan]

wow, quite a response. Thanks guys.

yeah, when I write I don't worry about word count; I just focus on getting the story across.

Actually this story has been sitting on my computer for about six months. I opened it on a whim, started reading, and started liking what I was reading.

Here's the thing though: I calculated the word count, and it came to around 50,000... and this isn't YA. So I'm in kind of in a tough spot.

What I think I'll do is TRY not to obsess on the word count, get the revisions done, get in the extra chapters where it needs them, and go from there.

[AnonymousWriter]

I am also one of the people who keep each chapter in a seperate file then lump them all together at the end. It helps me to stay organised.

And yWriter is also pretty cool. I'm thinking about using it from now on.

[Linda Adams]

> yeah, I use MS Word

Just create a master document that assembles all your chapters into one doc. The master is relatively small and only references the chapters. You can continue editing chapters individually or through the master document. But the master document's File->Properties tab will automatically calculate the entire works' word count.

Pop up the help and ask for "master documents" and follow instructions from there.

-cb

Master documents are a particularly problematic feature of Microsoft Word--they tend to corrupt (http://word.mvps.org/fAQs/General/WhyMasterDocsCorrupt.htm). Make lots of backups regularly!

[PlanetCaravan]

Master documents are a particularly problematic feature of Microsoft Word--they tend to corrupt (http://word.mvps.org/fAQs/General/WhyMasterDocsCorrupt.htm).

this is what I've heard. It sounds like such a useful feature, but for me, it just doesn't seem worth the risk.

[Mel]

CopyWriter (http://www.laurenzvangaalen.nl/software/) is free and has a live word count at the bottom.

[FOTSGreg]

Um, just in case no one's mentioned it yet (haven't read page 2 yet), Word has an "append" capability that will allow you to rapidly compile a series of related files into one single file then save that file independently.

It is easier to simply write the story as one large file and then cut and paste individual chapters into separate secondary files, and Word knows how to do this as well though I've never tried it.

Word count - use the tool bar tool and don't worry about the friggin' word count except as an estimate - if you get an editor or publisher it's going to change anyway and they have their own methods of calculating word count (it involves a ritual under a full moon, probably bloodletting, and a few other things that don't bear mentioning here).

[thethinker42]

That's what I do, Fizzy. I just write and not worry about chaptering or word-counting. I mean, I do track my progress by the total word count since I have an idea how long this WIP should be, but I'm not going to worry about it until I'm well into second or third draft.

I keep track of my word count just because I'm a bit OCD about it...the story is the most important part, I just like to know where I am with it.

I suppose chaptering may make more sense to those who outline or know exactly what goes into each chapter...

Exactly. I'm not a rigid outliner; I often add/subtract from the outline as I write the story, insert scenes/chapters between others, etc. The numbered chapters are just a loose guideline for me so that I can keep track of where each scene/chapter belongs in the narrative...not so much because I know exactly what goes into each chapter (I don't), but because I write out of sequence.

[Birol]

Guys, what works for one person doesn't work for another. There is no right way to write, except for writing well.

I also think that sometimes it's important to shake ourselves up and try something different from how we usually work. You never know what new thing you'll come up with that will help jumpstart your writing or help you see the words from a new perspective.

[James81]

Guys, what works for one person doesn't work for another. There is no right way to write, except for writing well.

I also think that sometimes it's important to shake ourselves up and try something different from how we usually work. You never know what new thing you'll come up with that will help jumpstart your writing or help you see the words from a new perspective.

Understandable.

But still, the simple answer to his question (if he truly wants to go through the headache of having separate files for chapters), is to at LEAST copy/paste each chapter into one master file and save it(even if he doesn't use that file) to get a word count.

[Birol]

Thinker's Excel spreadsheet response -- a response from a chapter-by-chapter writer -- is equally simple.