software for writing books

slainte · 07-06-2010, 06:41 PM

Hi
Just wondering if anyone has used the various software which help with writing books such as story weaver and if so how did they got on? Also where to get the software for free.
Thanks

Dr. Drib · 07-06-2010, 09:18 PM

MobileRead does not condone the use of pirated software.

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Thank you for your understanding, and please read our Posting Guidelines.

Don
(Moderator)

Lemurion · 07-06-2010, 09:49 PM

I've used yWriter extensively, the creator's even a member here. It's free, legal, and an excellent piece of software.

Joebill · 07-11-2010, 08:10 PM

For my poems, I use EditPadLite, which is free.

http://www.editpadlite.com/

If I start writing stories, likley I will use the Atlantis word processor. Link in these forums from the folks who wrote it.

Vintage Season · 07-12-2010, 03:33 AM

If you are looking for a good, free app to help you manage novels with lots of scenes and characters, yWriter 5 (written by science fiction author Simon Haynes) does the job admirably.

If you keep it all in your head, OpenOffice.org is an exceptional office suite.

If you type like a fiend and have a gaggle of trained monkeys to clean up your output, Notepad works in a pinch.

Note: Being a writer, I tend to go for cheap or free. The commercial solutions may be better... or they may not. The most important thing is for you to be comfortable enough with whatever software you use that you don't waste your productivity thinking about the software. Save your energy, so that you can focus on your writing.

- M.

BookCat · 07-18-2010, 05:52 PM

I find all the boxes in yWriter a bit confusing. Maybe it suits sci-fi and fantasy writers. I prefer a combination of Word's Outline function and Write or Die. For brainstorming ideas, Papel is quite useful.
I've tried StoryWeaver (you can get a free demo with limited function) and found it a bit silly. Once you've created characters you have to swap their genders and ages etc. Some of the results are interesting, others ridiculous. I've never worked through the entire program because there comes a point when you just don't need it anymore.
There are masses of legal freebies to try, also lots of demos. It really depends what function you want the software to perform.

Forgot to mention my favourite idea generator: mikkomatrix. I've customised mine, adding lots of new situations and objects. This is a small, free program.

MeiLin · 07-21-2010, 05:05 AM

If you're a Mac user, I cannot recommend Scrivener enough. There is a trial version, but the software itself isn't too expensive. It's the best money I ever spent, myself. http://www.literatureandlatte.com/

jaxx6166 · 07-23-2010, 12:55 AM

<3 Scrivener.

Steven Lake · 07-23-2010, 01:29 AM

I use OpenOffice Writer for all my writing. I don't need fancy software to keep track of stuff. I simply keep a well detailed notes file and a well ordered manuscript and I'm fine.

MeiLin · 07-23-2010, 03:01 AM

I used OpenOffice for a long, long time. The main reason I moved to Scrivener is project management. I run one webserial ("Scryer's Gulch") and one novel series ("An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom"). The first is open-ended, and the second is a series of at least four novels and possibly more. Without Scrivener, I just couldn't keep track of everything.

Redfox · 07-23-2010, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxx6166

<3 Scrivener.

ditto

Worldwalker · 07-23-2010, 09:31 AM

Am I weird because I write in EditPlus?

Steven Lake · 07-23-2010, 01:36 PM

Not at all, World Walker.

meromana · 07-23-2010, 07:11 PM

I've been very happy with WriteWay Pro (www.writewaypro.com), which I think is pretty similar to yWriter, but is not free. It's fifty or sixty bucks for the Pro version, I think. One feature it does not have, though, that I would like, is "smart quotes". WriteWay only has the neutral quotes, and I'd really like to have the lefties and righties at my fingertips while I'm composing, so I don't have to worry about them later. Does anybody know if yWriter offers that feature?

Thanks,
Maria

TLHaddix · 07-23-2010, 09:45 PM

I downloaded all the different writer apps over the past few weeks and I ended up going with something I already have - OneNote. I liked some of the features of all the writer apps, but not enough of any one that I thought I'd spend upwards of $40 on it. I basically just needed a place to organize my notes. One note seems to be working well for that purpose so far. Keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to.

07-06-2010, 06:41 PM	#1
slainte Zealot Posts: 102 Karma: 1009872 Join Date: Apr 2008 Device: none	software for writing books Hi Just wondering if anyone has used the various software which help with writing books such as story weaver and if so how did they got on? Also where to get the software for free. Thanks

07-12-2010, 03:33 AM	#5
Vintage Season Pulps and dime novels... Posts: 343 Karma: 1952003 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Kobo Aura/Kobo Aura One LE/iPad Air	If you are looking for a good, free app to help you manage novels with lots of scenes and characters, yWriter 5 (written by science fiction author Simon Haynes) does the job admirably. If you keep it all in your head, OpenOffice.org is an exceptional office suite. If you type like a fiend and have a gaggle of trained monkeys to clean up your output, Notepad works in a pinch. Note: Being a writer, I tend to go for cheap or free. The commercial solutions may be better... or they may not. The most important thing is for you to be comfortable enough with whatever software you use that you don't waste your productivity thinking about the software. Save your energy, so that you can focus on your writing. - M. Last edited by Vintage Season; 07-23-2010 at 01:55 PM.

07-18-2010, 05:52 PM	#6
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,911 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	I find all the boxes in yWriter a bit confusing. Maybe it suits sci-fi and fantasy writers. I prefer a combination of Word's Outline function and Write or Die. For brainstorming ideas, Papel is quite useful. I've tried StoryWeaver (you can get a free demo with limited function) and found it a bit silly. Once you've created characters you have to swap their genders and ages etc. Some of the results are interesting, others ridiculous. I've never worked through the entire program because there comes a point when you just don't need it anymore. There are masses of legal freebies to try, also lots of demos. It really depends what function you want the software to perform. Forgot to mention my favourite idea generator: mikkomatrix. I've customised mine, adding lots of new situations and objects. This is a small, free program. Last edited by BookCat; 07-18-2010 at 05:56 PM.

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07-06-2010, 09:18 PM	#2
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,613 Karma: 60184181 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	MobileRead does not condone the use of pirated software. Any links will be immediately deleted. Thank you for your understanding, and please read our Posting Guidelines. Don (Moderator)

07-06-2010, 09:49 PM	#3
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	I've used yWriter extensively, the creator's even a member here. It's free, legal, and an excellent piece of software.

07-11-2010, 08:10 PM	#4
Joebill Fanatic Posts: 517 Karma: 459442 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Alpha Centauri's Library of Alexandria Device: Pandigital Novel	For my poems, I use EditPadLite, which is free. http://www.editpadlite.com/ If I start writing stories, likley I will use the Atlantis word processor. Link in these forums from the folks who wrote it.

07-21-2010, 05:05 AM	#7
MeiLin professional daydreamer Posts: 71 Karma: 537292 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Portland, OR Device: Kindle	If you're a Mac user, I cannot recommend Scrivener enough. There is a trial version, but the software itself isn't too expensive. It's the best money I ever spent, myself. http://www.literatureandlatte.com/

07-23-2010, 12:55 AM	#8
jaxx6166 Wizard Posts: 1,222 Karma: 769316 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Eternal summer Device: 350, iPad, PW	<3 Scrivener.

07-23-2010, 01:29 AM	#9
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	I use OpenOffice Writer for all my writing. I don't need fancy software to keep track of stuff. I simply keep a well detailed notes file and a well ordered manuscript and I'm fine.

07-23-2010, 03:01 AM	#10
MeiLin professional daydreamer Posts: 71 Karma: 537292 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Portland, OR Device: Kindle	I used OpenOffice for a long, long time. The main reason I moved to Scrivener is project management. I run one webserial ("Scryer's Gulch") and one novel series ("An Intimate History of the Greater Kingdom"). The first is open-ended, and the second is a series of at least four novels and possibly more. Without Scrivener, I just couldn't keep track of everything.

07-23-2010, 09:31 AM	#12
Worldwalker Curmudgeon Posts: 3,085 Karma: 722357 Join Date: Feb 2010 Device: PRS-505	Am I weird because I write in EditPlus?

07-23-2010, 01:36 PM	#13
Steven Lake Sci-Fi Author Posts: 1,158 Karma: 14743509 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Michigan Device: PC (Calibre)	Not at all, World Walker.

07-23-2010, 07:11 PM	#14
meromana Zealot Posts: 129 Karma: 11430 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: NC, USA Device: my laptop	I've been very happy with WriteWay Pro (www.writewaypro.com), which I think is pretty similar to yWriter, but is not free. It's fifty or sixty bucks for the Pro version, I think. One feature it does not have, though, that I would like, is "smart quotes". WriteWay only has the neutral quotes, and I'd really like to have the lefties and righties at my fingertips while I'm composing, so I don't have to worry about them later. Does anybody know if yWriter offers that feature? Thanks, Maria

07-23-2010, 09:45 PM	#15
TLHaddix Author, wife, reader. Posts: 21 Karma: 515232 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Near Akron, Ohio Device: Kindle	I downloaded all the different writer apps over the past few weeks and I ended up going with something I already have - OneNote. I liked some of the features of all the writer apps, but not enough of any one that I thought I'd spend upwards of $40 on it. I basically just needed a place to organize my notes. One note seems to be working well for that purpose so far. Keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to.