Writer Software?

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Branwyn

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Does anyone have a recommendation for a software program for writers. Microsoft word isn't cutting it. I can't afford an editor so perhaps a software program that will at least help a little more than word.

I saw one called Writers Software, it looked pretty good, anyone have any experience?
I'm noticing my MSW doesn't always catch spelling errors and the grammar...well,it leaves alot to be desired.

Thanks.:Hammer:
 

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You might want to configure the grammar checker in MSWord to suit your personal writing. Speaking as someone who has worked on grammar checkers and other kinds of text analysis, there's not a lot to be said for any of the products.

If I had to pick one, I'd go with Grammatica, and I don't think you can use it with XP.

Configuring Word does make a huge difference.

There are a number of dedicated spell checking programs and that might be of use to you--but again, I suspect it may be an issue of needing to configure MS Word.
 
Branwyn

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Rats I have XP...



Writers software claims to be as if you had an editor standing over your shoulder.:Shrug:

How does one go about reconfiguring word?
 
MadScientistMatt

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I am not sure I would trust any automated program to catch all the gramatical errors in my work. Even if it's better than the grammar checker in Word, computers are nowhere near as good as real humans for checking grammar and may add more errors than they remove.

You may want to get a few books, instead. I have read and will recommend The Elements of Style, and I've heard others recommend Self-Editing for Fiction Writers.
 

Cyclotron2k

I've tried a whole mess of writing software myself and haven't liked any of it... but there's some writing-related software I do love. Namely, these 3 programs: EverNote, MindManager, TexNotes.

EverNote is a god-send and I use it for capturing all manner of notes. I'm still organizing it to my tastes where writing in particular is concerned. I plan to share that section of my "categories" list on these forums once I'm happy with it.

I use MindManager for brainstorming and preliminary outlining.

Once a project begins to take shape, I move my related notes and whatnot over to TexNotes, which is another note-taking application, but one that also acts as an outliner and offers superior annotation functions.
 

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Baywitch said:
Rats I have XP...



Writers software claims to be as if you had an editor standing over your shoulder.:Shrug:

How does one go about reconfiguring word?
Click to expand...

Keeping in mind that aside from spelling errors and possibly things like it's versus its, I think grammar checkers for fluent speakers are, well, daft --

In MSWord, File-->Options or Preferences (depending on the version you're using)-->Spelling and Grammar.

You can do quite a lot of adjusting.
 

Jamesaritchie

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Baywitch said:
?
I'm noticing my MSW doesn't always catch spelling errors and the grammar...well,it leaves alot to be desired.

Thanks.:Hammer:
Click to expand...

Software probably won't fix these problems. Neither will hiring an editor. These problkems are best fixed by using a dictionary and a book on grammar.

But I will say this. The grammar program in WordPerfect is infinitely superior to that in Word.
 
smelling_salts

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Any software out there for Mac people?

Personally, free works for me.
I got that pie and eat it too thing going on :D

J
 

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Jamesaritchie said:
But I will say this. The grammar program in WordPerfect is infinitely superior to that in Word.
Click to expand...

I worked on that! It convinced me that aside from very special cases, there's not a lot to be said for "grammar" checkers.
 
smelling_salts

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Hey DamaNegra,
Writer's Cafe has a version for Mac, :hooray: Sweet!
It looks like it's free, because it's a beta version. I'll try it out tonight when I get home.

J
 
Branwyn

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Does it matter if it's the new one? WordPerfect Office? I may have to purchase it. I don't think I have the disk.:Hammer:
 

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Baywitch said:
Does it matter if it's the new one? WordPerfect Office? I may have to purchase it. I don't think I have the disk.:Hammer:
Click to expand...

It's just gotten better than in the dark ages when I worked on it -- but really, grammar checkers are not your friend. They're rule-based, and work by matching lists of words and phrases, and knowing something about suffixes; it's possibly useful if you reaLearn Writing With Uncle Jim d the explanation for every response, but I'm doubtful.

Honestly, go spend some time working through Uncle Jim's Learn Writing with Uncle Jim

It's free, and it really will be a lot more useful than any piece of software.
 
Branwyn

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I have started reading that thread. I just wanted a software program that's better than MSW. I am brushing up on my Grammar and I'm reading Strunk & Whites, Elements. I asked my niece(English major) to recommend some books as well.
Recently I've noticed my MSW isn't picking up typos, so that's part of the reason I'm searching for something better. I don't have a problem organizing my thoughts or with notes, I need to brush up on the basics.
 

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Baywitch said:
I have started reading that thread. I just wanted a software program that's better than MSW. I am brushing up on my Grammar and I'm reading Strunk & Whites, Elements. I asked my niece(English major) to recommend some books as well.
Recently I've noticed my MSW isn't picking up typos, so that's part of the reason I'm searching for something better. I don't have a problem organizing my thoughts or with notes, I need to brush up on the basics.
Click to expand...


WordPerfect is better in several respects than MSW. The reason MSWord isn't picking up typos is probably a setting, a User dictionary that needs to be culled, or a bad preference file.

I'd skip the Chicago Manual until you get a publisher who asks you to follow it. It's a style guide, and usage manual, and pretty useless outside of those functions, especially for a fiction writer.
 
Grey Malkin

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Hey DamaNegra,
Writer's Cafe has a version for Mac, Sweet!
Click to expand...

I use this, but it isn't really a Virtual Editor, more a sort of scrap book for collecting bits and pieces for planning your novel. It has a wonderful sub-program (which is all I use - the rest of Writer's Cafe is crap) called Storylines, which is truly fab. It looks like a corkboard, on which you place little cards or post-it notes. Above this is a large window with all the details that each card holds. It's very useful for planning complex storylines and giving you something to play with when you want to avoid any real writing.

A nice toy. Recommended.

Grey
 
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