Quote:
Originally Posted by gmw
This is what I don't get: How/why use a combination of tools like this?
For distraction free writing in LibreOffice I press the F11 key (full-screen mode). The background colours can all be changed, even the "white" of the paper (which I change to a pale grey as an addition to reducing screen brightness). For character profiles you have tools in Scrivener; I just use one or more documents in LibreOffice.
Of course we all work differently. I just don't get how you can use tools that are so similar to work on the same project - it seems like you'd constantly be copying stuff back and forth between them.
I can certainly understand Scapple as an addition, it's a different sort of tool to Scrivener, Focuswriter et al. And idea generators ... sure, if they work for you (my software development mind tends to get distracted by them, wondering how/why they make certain choices etc.). But how do you use multiple tools that all - to me - seem to be doing much the same job to work on the same project?
|
These tools excel in different areas of the writing process. The Novel Factory helps with plotting and structuring the entire novel, or even just part of it, making the process painless.
Scrivener is a great place for keeping all the information and chapters of the novel, and for working on character and location details. It's the central hub of the work.
FocusWriter is where I actually write. I love its customisable distraction-free space, where the background picture can be changed to suit the scene I'm writing and there are nice typewriter sounds. Yes, Scrivener has a similar full screen area, but it lacks the typewriter sounds and ability to alter the opaqueness of the text area (you can show a faded version of the outside area, but not alter the text area to allow a glimpse of the background picture). I'm refering to the Windows version of Scrivener.
Using multiple software doesn't bother me, I don't find it cumbersome in any way. I often also use Papel when first putting ideas together. This can delve deeper than Scapple and is a great way of having an overview of initial thoughts in order to tie them together into the first inklings of a plot. I've customised the icons in this software to make it more fun to work in.
Hitch: Thanks, that's a great tutorial of YWriter. I'll copy and paste it into notepad and perhaps try the software again after nano. I'm sure many others will find it helpful.
I confess to being a visual person: the looks of the software do affect me. Perhaps if YWriter were prettier I would feel more inclined to learn it properly.