Petra van der Zande, often writing under the pen-name Christina Boerma, began her writing career only when she was 50, and after she finished Longridge’s “Breaking into Print” course in record time.  Originally from the Netherlands, Petra and her husband moved to Israel in 1989, where they became foster parents of four (very) special needs children. Presently, three of them still live in their Jerusalem home.

Petra combines her care for the children with writing or doing research during every spare moment she can find. In the last year she has written over 100 articles and stories, mostly non-fiction, but her favorite genre is writing Historical/Biblical fiction. Longridge’s novel course, coached by Mary Rosenblum, helped her to write (and finish) a second novel set in Biblical times. She is forever grateful for the LRWG  who played a major role in helping her writing dream come true.

 

 

 

 

Writer’s Software – Helpful or Not?

By Petra van der Zande

 

When I was twelve years old, like many of us ‘old-timers’ I wrote longhand stories in a notebook. Around the age of 25, I typed my first novel on an IBM typewriter. I had never heard about the revisions-principle. Having to re-type big chunks of text, combined with eraser-tape and Tippex struggles, would have driven me crazy. The manuscript’s (obvious) rejection caused me to bury my talents for more than 30 years.

Now, when I’m 51, it’s hard to imagine writing without the computer’s help. Cut and paste, copy, swap whole chapters around without printing a single page – it’s such a time and paper saver.

I thought ‘good-old-Word’ would be enough for me. That was, until I began to research the market.  I wondered about those Writer’s Software Programs. Did they really live up to their promises? Like one that says, “Write, organize and create your first bestseller”? Or “How to become a writer by tutored home study”?

Nothing beats a good-old-writing course (Longridge’s ‘Breaking Into Print’ for instance!), and having the most advanced writer’s software won’t help if you lack talent and/or constructive feedback.

So, the question remains: Does your novel or story really becomes better with writer’s software? 

 

The answer is simple: It all depends why and for what you want to use that software. There is specific software available for script writers, beginning writers and veterans who have developed their own style.  When I googled “writer’s software” I got 2,620,000(!) results. Rather overwhelming, especially when they all claim to be a great asset for your muse.

Prices for software packages range from roughly $270 to $50. The more extensive, the more expensive, but that doesn’t mean it has what you are looking for or need.  Some programs only deal with specific needs, e.g. analyzing dialogue, editing, or character development, while others seem to offer everything.

So, how are you able to know what might suit you?

For starters, most programs give a trial-download option, or you can view a sample tutorial on screen.

Unless you already pretty much know what you want or need, be prepared to spend quite a lot of time sampling the different programs. Some trial downloads have to be installed on your hard-drive and may be hard to get rid of if you’re done with them, so beware.

The Writer’s Digest August edition features extensive market research on Writer’s software. The condensed on-line version is at: http://www.writersdigest.com/article/the-2008-wd-guide-to-software-for-writers/

 

New Novelist 

http://www.newnovelist.com

Price: $ 54.99/£ 29.99 Electronic download and/or download with CD.

Popular in the UK, this program asks questions to help you e.g. find the novel’s name, concept, category, and even gives opening lines. The program formats the final copy of the MS, ready to send to agents and/or publishers. 

 

 

Dramatica Pro 

http://www.dramatica.com

Price: $270 (box) Several downloads available (Windows or Mac) $ 244.95
      
A very comprehensive program which asks you about 385 (!) questions to start with. You can visually choose character types and mix your own personalities. 

Note: Not recommended for novice writers.

FREE (simplified) version. Hoping you’ll buy the complete version, it lets you work only one session at the time.

http://dramatica.stores.yahoo.net/freesoftware.html#Dramatica%20Pro%204.0

Power Writer

http://www.writebrainstore.com/powerwriter.html

Price: $ 99.95 (CD in box)

Features outline view, composition frame and story tools (like character), and uses a word processor to write the story. Helps to keep notes organized and ready for use.

 

Story View

http://www.screenplay.com/p-32-storyview.aspx

Price: $ 179.95 Download windows; $ 199.95 Download + CD

Suitable for both novel- and script writers.

Support on-line available. The very complicated timeline feature isn’t user friendly.

 

Power Structure

http://www.powerstructure.com

Price: $ 129 Download; $ 129 + $ 20 for download, box and bonus; $ 129 + $ 20 for CD, manual and bonus.

 

A helpful program for those who already have a set style and methodology. It takes time to learn how to use the program. Most help resources only available on-line.

Overview:  http://www.powerstructure.com/overview1.html

Demo:  http://www.powerstructure.com/demo.html

 

Writer's Blocks

http://www.writersblocks.com/wb3quicklook.htm

Price: $ 149 Download version; $ 159 CD and download.

 

A suitable program for writers who plan, plot and outline their novel, who are visual thinkers, use index cards, and need to organize existing notes. In short: to “block” their information.

 

For an on-line video tutorial and trial download:

 

Master Storyteller

http://dramatica.stores.yahoo.net/masstor.html

Price: $ 29.95 (full version)

 

Basic program for beginning writers. Over 100 story cards with tips, tricks and techniques, Story development templates and more. They promise that you improve your writing skills as you work.

 

Download free demo: http://dramatica.stores.yahoo.net/masstorbrdow.html

 

WriteItNow (Wanda Landis’ review was published in the LR Newsletter.)  http://www.ravensheadservices.com/

Price: $ 49.95 Download; $ 59.95 CD, + shipping and handling.

 

My Personal Choice!

The features of the free download told me enough – this was what I "needed". I paid by visa and the next morning their

e-mail provided me with the activation code.

For $ 50 you have a user friendly program – no need to spend a lot of valuable time plowing through comprehensive manuals. The left-side ‘Tree View’ allows you to jump from chapter to character to notes. The main screen has nine tabs, ranging from characters, chapters, notes, etc. Everything at your fingertips.

Click on the ‘notes-tab’ and you instantly see your character’s descriptions. There's also a very helpful timeline and each chapter gives you a chart. You can get the word-count per chapter and the total of the book, while extras consist not only of add-on names, but also of background, ranging from 19th, 20^th and 21^st century America to Tudor/Victorian Britain. The personality add-ons from e.g. Myers-Briggs can be helpful to create a well-rounded character.

Already after using it for one day, I wholeheartedly agreed with other, enthusiastic writers who bought the program. WriteItNow doesn’t force you to focus on the technical implications, and neither does it interfere with, or takes over the creative process of writing the novel. For me, it will be a time-saving, helpful tool to write my next novel. Also included is a submission tracker. WriteItNow has the same intent and price as New Novelist but doesn’t ask all those questions to get going.

 

Make the “quick tour” to get an idea of the features: http://www.ravensheadservices.com/tour.php

 

Click this for a free download: http://www.ravensheadservices.com/download.php

 

FANURIO

http://www.fanuriotimetracking.com

Price: $ 39

Fanurio is a time and billing application with the ability to produce detailed invoices. A helpful tool for freelancers with hourly contracts

 

 

 

FREE Writing Software:

http://www.fictionfactor.com/softwarefreebies.html

 

Free Submission trackers:

http://www.sandbaggers.8m.com/winsamm.htm#free

http://www.spacejock.com/Sonar.html

 

YWriter 4

http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter4.html

 

Storyline Interactive

http://www.writers-software.com/writers-software-free.htm

This free program has a few features of the complete ‘The Writer’s Software Companion’. (In other words: to wet your appetite.) See the website to download either the free Storyline interactive, or the Demo program.

When you buy the registered version (see website) the CD can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.

 

Plotcraft

http://www.farook.org/PlotCraft.htm

Free program that contains a simple database to track your ideas. You can save ideas for each novel or type of idea in separate databases. It includes advanced filtering options to find specific ideas by type, categorization or keyword.

 

Rather overwhelming, isn’t it?

There are probably many more suitable programs out there, but the ones mentioned in this article are to give you an idea. In the end, it all boils down to personal preference.  Some people love electronic gadgets - the more the better - while others suffer from an anxiety attack only thinking about having to learn another program.  And of course, there’s also the matter of finances. Fortunately, most professional programs offer a trial option. Take the tour. See if it suits your needs, if this is what you want. In the meantime, keep your brain active by thinking up new stories and plots.

And remember, even the most advanced and expensive writer’s software will never be able to replace that unique gift of yours: to write the book or story that’s cooking within you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Petra van der Zande