"Writers'" Software???
Ann S. Waterman
I see ads everywhere for "writers'" software. What exactly
does it do? (And does anyone really use it?)
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Ann S. Waterman ASWaterman Publications Consultants
A stitch in time saves nine; a proofread in time saves millions.
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Kye Valongo
Ann S. Waterman <a...@aswaterman.com> writes
>I see ads everywhere for "writers'" software. What exactly
>does it do? (And does anyone really use it?)
There are a few packages around doing different tasks. I've seen
plotting software, card-index based software, etc.
I am a writer and programmer and have just finished a writers' marketing
program if you are interested. [shameless ad <g>]
I started to get fed up with looking through the Writers' and Artists'
Yearbook trying to find publications to suit my ideas. I realised that a
computer could make most of it automatic and therefore much quicker.
'Paper Chase' started out just as a tool for myself. I now use it to
track the progres of all of my ideas from initial brainstorming to
payment of the invoice.
If you're interested email me.
Regards,
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Kye Valongo | Author: 'Paper Chase' software
Freelance Photojournalist |(Marketing for Writers & Artists)
Computer Programmer | (Shareware)
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Cary Nichols
Ann S. Waterman (a...@aswaterman.com) wrote:
: I see ads everywhere for "writers'" software. What exactly
: does it do? (And does anyone really use it?)
set that lets you organize your workspace by providing dozens of screens
for you to work in (including Character Generator, Story Generator,
Writer's Journal, Writer's Calendar, AddressBook, CharCards, PlotCards,
SubmissionCards, ResourceCards, Writer's WorkSpace, TimeCharter, etc. etc.).
If interested, e-mail me.
--Cary
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The Writer's Notebook software for writers: contact-> cnic...@dfw.net
1)The Writer's Notebook--best of Story Developer and The Writer's Toolkit
2)Writer's WorkSpace--unlimited records, up to 2,700,000 characters each
3)TimeCharter--StoryCharter(w/StoryFramer),DayCharter,WeeklyCharter,more!
4)BackUp/Compact Databases Utility--backup/compact databases of all above
An excellent thesaurus/dictionary is fully-integrated into all programs.
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Leon Schwarzbaum
On Jun 12, 1996 10:28:19 in article <"Writers'" Software???>,
'a...@aswaterman.com (Ann S. Waterman)' wrote:
>I see ads everywhere for "writers'" software. What exactly
>does it do? (And does anyone really use it?)
one.
But seriously, folks, most of them provide outlines for stock fiction
situations or provide a template for the physical design of a book.
Leon
wor...@nyc.pipeline.com
please use wor...@juno.com for email replies.
Roy Blumenthal
Ann S. Waterman wrote:
>
> I see ads everywhere for "writers'" software. What exactly
> does it do? (And does anyone really use it?)
Sorry this post is so late. My modem took a direct lightning hit from a freak
semi-winter storm.
Yes -- I use quite a bunch of writers software. At the moment, two products
stand out as being excessively useful to me.
Dramatica Pro is a package that helps me create my story in a consistent,
no-holes kinda way, with extensive aid in developing characters and
understanding their relationships. I've used it to help me take a short story
into a fullblown novel. And I'm using it to structure my film script.
ScriptWright is a package I have just licensed. It is available as a shareware
demo version, with most of its features fully useable. It is a Word 6 or 7
add-on that turns Word into a full-blown script writer. Brilliant package.
I've found that it takes the hack work out of formatting the script, leaving
me free to really create.
Some other stuff I use regularly...
IdeaFisher. Excellent stuff for generating ideas. I use this mainly in my
guise as an advertising copywriter -- it's good for structured thinking, and
to shake the cobwebs. I would recommend it for any writer.
MindMapper. From the Buzan foundation. A shareware/freeware package that
allows me to make proper diagramatical mindmaps on my computer. They are fully
arrangeable, rearrangeable, tweakable, etcetera. This is an utterly
spectacular piece of software. I wouldn't be able to do without it.
After making my mindmaps, I then export them as rtf files, which I then import
into Word 6.0, and manipulate using Word's powerful outlining tool.
I'm also seriously thinking about buying Inspiration, a much more
sophisticated kind of mindmapping program. I have the demo, and it is quite a
mindblow for me.
So yes, some writers use this kinda stuff. It's interesting to note that a
heck of a lot of movies are being created using Dramatica nowadays. I find
this stuff a real enhancement to my own creativity. I do find gadgets give me
a sense of excitement which aids my thinking.
Oh yeah, a bit of hardware I use regularly... Roger von Oech's Creative Whack
Pack. Superb stuff. A deck of cards that you shuffle and pick from. Each card
deals with liberating a certain aspect of a creative problem you may be
working on. Highly highly recommended.
There ya go.
Blue skies,
Roy
--
.oooO
( ) barefoo...@pixie.co.za | PO Box 1914
\ ( http://www.pix.za/barefoot.press/ | Midrand 1685
\_) Roy Blumenthal, Editor | South Africa
Sandy Fleming
<roy.blu...@pixie.co.za> writes
>So yes, some writers use this kinda stuff. It's interesting to note that a
>heck of a lot of movies are being created using Dramatica nowadays.
Does this explain why we seem to get so many crap movies from Hollywood
these days?
It's worth remembering that the chap who *finally* solved Fermat's last
theorem refuses to use a computer in his work. And that's considered to
be the most complex calculation ever done.
His reason? Computers do some of your thinking for you and so distance
you from the problem.
--
Sandy Fleming