Writing Software… What Is It, What Does It Do and Do I Need It?
I am not the most up to date of people when it comes to technology and advancements in products. Even if it is a product I already own, updates and improvements are not often installed or read about because… well, I'm not really sure why. I just never seem to do it. I don't need to have the latest version of something. If the one I have does the job then I'm happy with it.
Until now…..
I was just going through my emails the other day, reading the ROW80 blog updates that came by, and I stumbled upon a simple comment in the terrifically talented Kait Nolan's post that just seemed to spark my curiosity.
What is a Write Way Pro file?
At first me and my quasi Luddite mind thought it was just a trendy name that writers give their files, but a quick Google search proved me wrong.
Write Way Pro appears to be a software that basically helps a writer write novels. At this point I would like to refer you back to the link as I am not going to go through and review everything about this product as I don't own it and haven't every actually seen it beyond above link.
Looks good doesn't it… I thought so too.
Sometimes I have been known to be curious by nature, and today was no exception. A quick Google on a wider search topic revealed that there is an entire array of novel writing software out there. This got me thinking. What is it. Why do writers need software to help them write novels.
Surely making notes on pieces of paper and plotting things out in one pad of paper and then writing on another (or on the PC) is enough right? OK, I realize that there is more to writing than just plotting on one piece of paper and writing on the other, but you get my drift.
Apparently not, and even I have been convinced that maybe I am missing out on something by not using a program to help keep me organized.
Until now I have done the majority of my planning in my head, and used notebooks and pieces of paper to jot down plans and primitive story arcs, but the more I learn about the craft, the more complex it becomes. That's a good thing. I like this fact. However, it is reaching the point where my innate ability to be untidy and disorganized in spite of my (very) good intentions in the opposite are going to hinder both my progress in terms of my work in progress and also with regards my own personal development and growth as a writer.
In effect, in the space of less than 24 hours I have gone from knowing nothing about writing software to knowing that it exists. It's true purpose and the extent of its usefulness remains a mystery, but the potential is clear.
One other thing that has come apparent is that (editing packages aside) there are two main types of software.
Information Management software :
Who are my characters
How are they linked
What traits and individual character has
What is their individual story arc and development
and the list goes on.
In this category I have narrowed it down to three pieces of software that all get good reviews (from what I have read) and appear easy enough for me to use. Write Way Pro ($49), yWriter5 (FREE) and WriteitNow4 ($59.95)
The second
Story Development Software:
Plotting the story
Splitting the story into the relevant events / chapters / acts
Plots
Subplots
Weaving all of the above together
and the list goes on.
From what I have seen the best software for this (and within my price range) is StoryWeaver ($29.95)
Great, so now I need two pieces of software to help me write. Right?
I guess I don't need them, and if I did, I certainly don't NEED both of them, but damn it if they don't look appealing.
Do you use any software packages to help you with your novel writing / plotting and planning? If so I would love to hear your recommendations.
