What Software should I use

I use a software product called WriteItNow 4.0. I liked it so much that I wrote a review about it. The pros and cons of the software as a novel writing tool:  WriteItNow 4.0 Review

My personal preference is Power Writer, but you should use whatever software and/or medium (such as writing drafts in longhand, for example) works best for you.

Rick

I'm currently using WriteItNow 4.0.6.   One of the things I like about it is that is has export capability to the following formats:  RTF (create a manuscript) / PDF (create an ebook) / HTML (create web page and for Kindle ebook) / TEXT (for .txt file).

It has an automatic spell checker, thesaurus, word count, and readability level as well as a name creator and character generator.  It's storyboard section can be altered by draging and droping.

Not bad for a $59 program.  Is it the best out there?  I don't know, but it does help me get my outlines, locations and characters organized.

 Rick M.

I've recently started using Scrivener. It was designed by a writer and I find the ability to split the screen and have notes one side and the piece I'm working on on the other to be most useful. I also like the cork board feature and several other aspects. Once learned I find it better than any standard word processor, but it is a definitive writer's programme designed by a writer for a writer.

I just started giving Scrivener a try and it looks very promising.  It was originally only avialable for the Mac but I'm using the beta Windows version which should be finished sometime in 2011.  The beta is free to try if anyone is interested:

http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivenerforwindows/

I've tried Scrivener, but honestly didn't like it much.  It does nothing I can't do with Word, and considerably less than I can do with the combination of Word and One Note, but if it works for any given writer, it works.

I write most of my first drafts in longhand, but when I do have to write one on the computer, I just use Q10.  No muss, no fuss, no bells or whistles, and no distractions.  It's just a plain screen meant for writing.  For me, this is what writing is all about.  Just a place to get the words down. 

As a recent convert to Scrivener, I agree with Wrdwizard on this one. I spent about 3 hours working through the interactive tutorial, but I'm already using it for everything I write. A couple of specific benefits are worth mentioning.

I'm mainly a non-fiction (magazine article) writer and the way it's set up so that you can work on one document per concept helps me make smoother transitions. In the past, I'd bounce from one idea to the next without any connective tissue. Now, a blank document reminds me that I need to connect this piece to the whole.

The second thing is the ability to set up templates. I'm just in from the opening night of a play, which I need to churn out a 220-word review before bed. While this would never normally take very long, because I can set up templates, complete with word counts for each part of the review – introduction, overview, evaluation, recommendation – means that I can concentrate on the writing rather than the structure.

It has a number of templates available for most kinds of writing (I did think the absence of one ready-made for writing was odd) or you can create easily create your own.

Sincerely,

Daniel G Taylor

As a new member of this site, I found it interesting to notice that this thread on software has more messages than any other that I've seen so far. Somehow, I think that might say something fundamental. I'm still thinking about what that might be.

I have published one book so far. The publisher required Word (.doc) and made extensive use of the review and comment features. I use Word 2010 by choice except when I need ASCII (plain text), then I use NoteTab.

A novelist trapped in a technical writer's body.

I use MS Word for all final drafts, but for first drafts of very quick articles, and for very short short stories, Q10 is my favorite.  You just open it and write.  No distractions at all, but there is a live word count feature, and even a timer, if you want one.  http://www.baara.com/q10/

I think there's  a reason it's most often new writers who drift to fancier software.  They read so much poor advice about teh need for outlines, for character bios, for note files, for this, that, and the other, that just using a plain word processor seems impossible.

Those who have actually written a novel or three then realize none of this is necessary, and can hinder more than it helps.

The list of professional writers who still use WordStar, or an older version of WordPerfect, or even Word 97, would be a very long list indeed. 

Sometimes I think a writer just has to do whatever helps them get through the first novel.

Though I also think it's an excellent idea to look closely at your favorite writer or three.  Find out what software do they use, and what method of writing do they employ.

Process affects product, and if you love the may given writers write, it's generally a good idea to do as they do.

Hi, everyone again,

I have been using plain word processor and ywriter5.

I have to recognize that Ywriter helps me to keep more aware of details. It is useful to avoid me having every detail in my head. For creative process, it does not help.

I want to comment that, aparently, focuswriter (http://gottcode.org/focuswriter/) could be interesting and simple.

I would like to finish my current wiritng projects and share with you my experiences with the tools used.

Keep going.

Rafael