Novel writing software

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

I just wanted to know, how many of you guys use this software?

http://www.newnovelist.com/

If you have used it, please tell me if it's worth to buy.

It looks interesting though.

jerrymouse · Jun 17, 2007

if you want to know how to write novels, buy novels (and read them).
if you want to know how to write novel writing software, buy novel writing software.

underthecity · Jun 17, 2007

I don't know . . . I use Word. Call me old fashioned, but the only things you need to write a book is a word processor, your imagination, and your fingers. Software that costs $60 cannot guarantee that you'll write a compelling book that will get sold to a big publisher.

If you want to write a book, just sit at your keyboard and write it. Spend the $60 on groceries, bills, or gas.

allen

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

I see. I have used MS Word too.

I just wonder if the sofware helps me to write better...

Michael Dracon · Jun 17, 2007

I use Word, Wordpad and docs.google.com

The last two of those are for free.

I wonder what that program can add to that what smart use of above mentioned programs doesn't already cover.

Ziljon · Jun 17, 2007

I work on a mac, but use MS Word. I have apple's pages, but I choose to use MS word because I think it's the most standard of all word processor softwares.

I think it's safe to safe that all agents will have MS Word, whereas, they may not have newnovelist. In the end, I don't want to have to "save as" another type of document in order to send it, unless I'm sending a .pdf, which is just like printing.

I hope that was of some help.

Linda Adams · Jun 17, 2007

There's an article in the new issue of Writer's Digest on writing software.

Me, I just use Word. When I've looked at trials of writing software, they make me write the way the software wants things to be written, which isn't necessarily the way that works for me.

gem1122 · Jun 17, 2007

Looking at the website, it seems this software might be helpful for a beginner, one who has never put pen to paper, so to speak. If you've never tried your hand at writing a novel at all, and don't know what works for you yet, then the software probably couldn't hurt as long as you're aware of its limitations.

It reminds me of those writing workbooks, like The Novelist' Notebook. You can see one way to build and organize a story's groundwork. Taken along with many other perspectives (of course, reading other novels being the most important), it may be helpful. Obviously, the software isn't meant to be a magical tool that will write for you, but if you have the money, there are worse things to throw $60 at, I suppose.

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

I see. Thanks for your thoughts. I have wrote a stories by hand too. I will consider to buy.

E.G. Gammon · Jun 17, 2007

Sadron, all these writing programs do the same thing: help you manage and organize your ideas. Unfortunately, the only way they make you write better is structurally. $55 is A LOT for a fancy word processor and honestly I've seen much better for a lot less.

If you're looking for something to help you write better, read the "Learning Writing with Uncle Jim" thread in Writing Novels. It's 250 pages and counting and will teach you more than you'll learn from every bit of writing software available combined (and I'm not just saying that because I'm a mod here).

And as far as writing software goes, if MS Word just isn't enough for you, there is a program I heard was really good called Scrivener ( http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html ). Along with its kick-*ss design (there are screenshots on the website), it has more features than "NewNovelist" has and is only $34.99. The only drawback is you have to have a MAC computer (I don't, which is why I don't use it).

But, I say write as much as you can, READ as much as you can and look around at AW. That's all you really need.

JamieFord · Jun 17, 2007

I use Word. My agent is able to add her comments in the Track Changes mode––it works great.

Gillhoughly · Jun 17, 2007

This has been covered before on AW and most agreed that the best writing software is between one's ears.

As Joe Bob Briggs has said:

"If you can explain how to write a book, then you don’t know how to write one. If you can write a book, then you won’t be able to explain how you did it. It’s stupid, but it’s true."

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

Oh I see. *nods* Thanks for help, the mod and others. I do what you advise me to do, write and read.

Gillhoughly, that was true, the quote I mean. It's so true.

DamaNegra · Jun 17, 2007

Once, I somehow managed to download Newnovelist and tried it. I wouldn't recommend it, it's too restrictive. Don't. If you really want writing software, I'd recomment Writeway, which is what I use (because of the word count and word target functions).

Otherwise, here is a review of some writing software that we've done. Hope it helps!

Jamesaritchie · Jun 17, 2007

sadron said:
I see. I have used MS Word too. I just wonder if the sofware helps me to write better...

How can software help you write better? Good writing is done with wetware, not software.

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

DamaNegra, should it be paid first? Oh well. There is new version of it.

What is wetware? A glass of water beside you when writing?

Writer2011 · Jun 17, 2007

I used MS Works---I got a new computer with MS Word but it's a sixty day trial and i'm not going to spend $150.00 for just a word processor--I don't have any use for Excel or powerpoint...that's on MS Works office and it's free...

DamaNegra · Jun 17, 2007

sadron said:
DamaNegra, should it be paid first? Oh well. There is new version of it.

What is wetware? A glass of water beside you when writing?

Writeway?? You get a free trial version before you decide to buy it. The thing I like most about it is the word count features. It tracks how many words you have written every day and lets you set a goal of X words by X date, and tells you an average of how many words you have to write each day to reach the goal in time. The average varies depending on wether you write more or less words than expected each day. It's a handy feature.

Also, it allows you to have a diversity of notes right there in the document that can be either chapter, scene or novel notes and are divided into several areas that you can customize. It sounds complicated, but it's really very simple to use and it's a lot of help during revisions and doesn't get in the way of the main text.

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

DamaNegra said:
Writeway?? You get a free trial version before you decide to buy it. The thing I like most about it is the word count features. It tracks how many words you have written every day and lets you set a goal of X words by X date, and tells you an average of how many words you have to write each day to reach the goal in time. The average varies depending on wether you write more or less words than expected each day. It's a handy feature.

Also, it allows you to have a diversity of notes right there in the document that can be either chapter, scene or novel notes and are divided into several areas that you can customize. It sounds complicated, but it's really very simple to use and it's a lot of help during revisions and doesn't get in the way of the main text.

Oh ok. I meant newnovelist software... I wish I had money for programs, but I must save money to apartment.

DamaNegra · Jun 17, 2007

sadron said:
Oh ok. I meant newnovelist software... I wish I had money for programs, but I must save money to apartment.

Nope, no trials. I don't know how I managed to download it, I somehow tricked the system into letting me download the full version. Still no idea how I did it, I must have been possessed by a dead hacker at the time or something.

But anyway, as I said, that program is too restrictive. I downloaded it over a year ago and haven't been able to trick the system again, so some things may have changed. First, you are required to choose what type of novel you want to write (character driven, plot driven, whatever). Then you are given more options and you narrow down what kind of novel you want to write (always using the options given to you), and then select a protag, antag and secondary characters. Once all of that is done, a kind of a word processor is generated, but divided into sections: "action begins, first story arch, protag suffers" to guide you into what part of the story should go where.

I can see where this can help a newbie who has no idea how to outline a story or someone who has problems outlinging, but I find the whole interface really restrictive. Personally, I wouldn't recommend it.

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

Alright. Thanks for tips.

Jamesaritchie · Jun 17, 2007

Wetware

sadron said:
DamaNegra, should it be paid first? Oh well. There is new version of it.

What is wetware? A glass of water beside you when writing?

"Wetware" is your brain.

benbradley · Jun 17, 2007

sadron said:
DamaNegra, should it be paid first? Oh well. There is new version of it.

What is wetware? A glass of water beside you when writing?

Wetware is (among other things) a science fiction novel by Rudy Rucker.

sadron · Jun 17, 2007

I see. New term to me.

Is the novel good, Wetware I mean?

Zoombie · Jun 17, 2007

You people are all luddites. Who uses Word when you can have Open Office?

Heh...but seriously, the only thing you need is a brain.

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