Writer's Software
Writer's Software
Well, I've finally found a bit of writer's software that works for me. There are lots of software packages out there and I've tried most of them. The problem I've always had is that, after a short time I quit using then and go back to good ole' Open Office. It's not that the package's weren't good, it was just that they didn't work for me. HA! I've found one that does. It's called Pindersoft's Writer's Project Organizer. Now for any of you that have followed my blog for awhile, you know that I'm thrifty (read as cheap). I always take the free download to try before I buy and so far haven't bought, that is until now.
As an example, I'm working on a novel that is based on Greek Myth. When I get to a point that I have to check on an aspect of that mythology, all I have to do is click on the tree list next to my notepad and it brings up, listed in tree form, all of my notes and research about the subject. How cool is that?
The key word to this package is ORGANIZER. All, and I do mean all, of my writing projects are in one place. One of the most nifty features about the software, IMHO, is its ability to let the user link to any other files on the hard drive. That means I can copy and paste into my word processor then just add a link in my organizer to that specific page. If, while working on my novel I need to check on a tidbit of information, such as how many teeth T-Rex had, all I have to do is click on the link in my Archeology research file and Voila!, it brings up the info.
That's a vast improvement over the "now where in the world did I file that?" There are many more pluses but rather than try to paraphrase them I've taken the liberty of pasting a bit of their comments below for your perusal. For more information click on this link http://www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm or the link at the bottom of the page.
All the Organizer your writing needs ...
Writers Project Organizer is manuscript orientated software for writers. The program will help you organize your writing projects to make you more efficient at what you do best -- write. What it will not do is correct your spelling, format your manuscript or write your story.
Draft your manuscripts...
Writers Project Organizer (WPO) organizes all aspects of your novel, book, short story or screenplay, from first draft to polished product.
Use the manuscript window to track word and page count, date started, date finished and date sold.
You can also link to individual chapters and scenes located on your hard drive, complete with page and word count, along with a header and notes for referencing in a list view for fast and easy referencing.
Also included in the manuscript window are references for characters, plot, outline, synopsis, theme/pitch, ToDo, notes, RTF notes and a submissions viewer.
A reference page will link you to all documents related to your manuscript so you can access them from within the program and not have to navigate to another working environment.
Track your submissions...
WPO has a submission tracker for all your manuscripts. Use it to see how many days your manuscript has been out by an agent or publisher, and how many more days until you expect an answer.
Storyboard your plot...
to outline, plot and roadmap your manuscripts. This new function, released in version 1.5, rounds out version 1.x.
Organize your stories by inserting, deleting or rearranging the order of your chapters, scenes or acts. And keep track of its progress by tagging its status with icons designed to catch your attention when the storyboard loads.
Fields you can use for organizing include characters, date, location, time and date, along with several others to help you keep tabs on your storyline in one blink of the eye.
Bring your characters to life...
Develop and breath life in all your characters in the Character window. Here you can set their names, age, date-of-birth and death, gender, personality type and view their horoscope sign. You can also link each character to a document located on your computer or network.
Other pages inside the Character window include History/Notes, physical appearance, traits, family relationships, conflict and POV.
Use these function to solve the problem of character consistency. It doesn't matter where you are working inside your manuscript, you can easily refer to a character to refresh your memory and get it right the first time around.
In summation I've been using this software now for a couple of months and am still finding new ways of using it to keep a handle on all of the factors that go into writing a novel. For any of you who have to scramble to find notes or constantly turn pages or switch from one program to another to check on story line I highly recommend this program. Like the old saying goes, "try it, you'll like it!" Their website is http://www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm.
Now to something entirely different and yes, I am a rabid fan of Monty Python. Once in a while I like to add, with permission of course, comments by other writers that I think are apropos for writers. One of those writers is Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ. Here is her latest blurb.
by Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ (mailto:shery@writesparks.com)
I don't believe in luck. I don't subscribe to the idea that successful people get to where they are because they happened to be "at the right place at the right time." They're successful because they stick their necks out and give more than what others wanting the same thing they do are willing to give. They find ways to achieve what they want, accomplish what they want to accomplish. When there aren't opportunities, they create the opportunities. When they fail for the thousandth time, they can't wait to try again.
Now apply all the above to writers. Talent is nothing if you don't have the guts to do what you need to do to accomplish your goals. If your goal is to be published, then you have to do what it takes to get published, and that involves a lot of hard work -- from honing your craft, reading, studying the markets, submitting your work, accepting the rejections and submitting again.
In my view, a persistent writer is better than a talented writer who does nothing. The persistent writer is the one who gets published. She's the one who eventually becomes "big" or well known in her chosen writing genre.
Successful writers like Stephen King, JK Rowling and Erich Segal didn't get to where they are through luck. I'm willing to bet they spent thousands of hours honing their craft. They aren't untouchables; they didn't breeze through the top with nary a rejection hiding somewhere in their drawers. They did the things aspiring and beginning writers should do if they want to realize their goals -- the successful writers picked up their pens, wrote, submitted their works, treated rejections as a part of the writing life, wrote again, submitted again, got rejections again, wrote some more, submitted some more, and so on.
Instead of idolizing successful writers, an aspiring or beginning writer is better off emulating them. I think it's dangerous for an aspiring writer to idolize a successful writer. Why? She's putting the successful writer on a god-like status, unconsciously lowering herself in the process. Emulation, on the other hand, is different; it's positive, constructive. By emulating the successful writer, the aspiring writer sets a goal for herself -- that is, to be the successful writer's equal, or to attain the level of the success the successful writer has achieved. In this regard, the aspiring writer gives herself a goal -- a purpose -- to want to become the best she can be as a writer.
Commitment, too, is a big part of the writing life, and writers become successful when they are committed to their craft. Commitment is regularly showing up to write; it's never missing a date with your notebook, typewriter or computer; it's sifting through feedback (or critiques) and making intelligent decisions regarding your work; it's developing the thick skin for rejections; it's keeping an open mind and reading not only what you like; and above all, it's keeping the passion for writing burning, and feeding it...even if it's only for as short as five minutes a day.
So...are you ready to become a successful writer?
Copyright (c) 2004 Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ
Shery created WriteSparks! - a software that generates over 10 *million* Story Sparkers for Writers. Download WriteSparks! Lite for fr*e - http://writesparks.com
Do I need an editor? Really?
When I started writing I thought that short stories would be the best approach. Why? You ask. Well the primary reason was that it didn't take a commitment of a year or two of my life in order to find out whether or not I had it in me. I can, and do, write a short story each month, usually around 2000 words. With each story I improve and have had several works published. I recently decided, thanks mostly to feedback from readers, that I'm not just traveling on an ego trip. I do have the imagination and stamina to be a writer.
With that in mind and after writing shorts for the last four years, I've started my first novel. Along the way I decided to hire an editor. Was that a leap of faith or a foolish waste of money? If one is serious about writing and about being published, it behooves the writer to make sure the work he or she sends out into the world is the best it can possibly be. That means having someone (not family or friends) read it, suggest corrections in grammar and spelling, look for inconsistencies in plot, theme and logic and return a final marked up copy for a last edit.
My editor, Linda Barnett-Johnson,( http://lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/, ) went over the first story I sent her with a fine toothed comb. After a final edit on my part, based on her suggestions, I sent it on its way to the world of publishers. A month later it was picked up and I made my first bit of real money. So, is an editor worth it. You betcha. There is also a link to my editors site in the list of sites to see etc, below.
Charles Dickens
A number of pets graced the Dickens household over the years, including all manner of dogs, cats and ponies. But Charles' favorite pets were his two ravens, both known as Grip.
Dickens was particularly devoted to Grip I, going so far as to write the bird into his 1841 mystery novel, Barnaby Rudge. This same talkative bird reportedly was the inspiration for Edgar Allan Poe's famous poem, "The Raven," published four years later.
Upon Grip I's demise, Dickens had his beloved bird stuffed. These days, Grip can be seen at the Free Library of Philadelphia's Rare Books Department, where he stands guard over the Poe and Dickens collections. (Thanks to cnn.com/living)
Well, that's it for this time, see ya later gater…..Aelf
Long Story Short:http://www.alongstoryshort.net/
Fantasy Gazetteer: http://www.fantasygazetteer.com/
My Writing Friend: writingfriend@yahoo
Linda Barnett-Johnson: http://lindabarnettjohnson.homestead.com/
Pindersoft's Writers Project Organizer: http://www.pindersoft.com/wpo.htm
Nick Daws Writers Circle: Nick Daw's Writer's Circle.
Wridea: http://www.wridea.com/
J.D.Vine Publishing: http://www.jdvine/com/index.html
Tennessee Writers Alliance: http://www.tn-writers.org/
USA Patriotism, Poetry: http://www.usa-patriotism.com/
Poynter 30 Writer's Tips: http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=78&aid=103943
Idea Cruncher: http://www.ideacruncher.com/
Freemind: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Auto Crit: Automatic manuscript checker: http://www.autocrit.com/
Word Web download: http://www.wordweb.info/
Copyright © 08/30/08
posted by Aelf at 4:04 AM 
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