Layde Rae

Hi everyone.... asking a question... I bought a couple of novel writing programs to help me organize my thinking. I was wondering if anyone else uses them are are they a complete waste of time.

I find myself answering their questions about my idea... but Im not doing much storytelling or writing so to speak... it seems like I am flushing out a whole identity for each of my characters rather than putting them together.

I can see where this can take me, and I do find the reasoning behind it.. it has led me into other ideas... which creates a new problem for me... the more ideas I have the less focused I become on my original ideas... I find that the one book I intended to write.. can quite turn into a 7 book series.. to explain everything.... all I want is one good story...lol... I am a beginner after all.

I find that my ideas are all over the place.. which I why I bought the programs to begin with.. but Im finding.. that its not really narrowing my ideas... its broadening them even further... is that a good thing or a bad thing?

just wanted an idea of how to organize stuff better so I can just write... like I said... Im new to this... I have mountains of ideas and folders and notebooks of my ideas written down... just nothing into a story... sometimes I feel like an idea person.... instead of a writer...

any suggestions?

enron1982

Writing is a creative thing, and anybody who invents how to software on how to write a novel, is just trying to make their own money. there can be rules that you follow of the craft of writing, but when it comes down to it, it's either you can write or you can. it's a waste of time if you ask me. just start writing...that's all you need to do.

meldy

I didnt even know they made software!

How would that work?

Balrog

I used a program that I downloaded called YWriter. It helped me see the novel as a whole, and helped me to keep it organized. For instance, it quickly showed which chapters characters were in and a general description of what each chapter was about so at a glance I could almost see an overview of the novel.

It also did word searches where it would tell me how many times I used words like 'was' and such to see if they were over used.

Like the software that you talked about it would let me build a pretty detailed character image.

I look at the software as a useful tool. It won't write the novel for you, but it can be helpful in giving a broader view of the story.

By the way, here is the link to the software.

yWriter - Word Processor for Authors

It's free so try it and if it helps that is great if it doesn't...well then just quit using it.

There is also a submission tracker there that people have raved about, but I have never used it.

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Website
Plague Serial Novel

lin

You type in a title, state word count, pick from a menu of options, push a button and it produces a novel for you.

Haven't you noticed these cropping up in the stores lately?

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ClancyBoy

Is that anything like Mad Libs? I LOVE Mad LIbs.

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"Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons wait for you down there. Little pets they are, little little little pets. Cute little things, they say. Don't you believe it. No man ever saw them and walked away alive. You won't either. That's the final dash, flash. That's the utter clobber, cobber." --Cordwainer Smith, Norstrillia.

ClancyBoy

Ahahahahahahahahahahaha

Wait wait, this can be improved:

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"Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons wait for you down there. Little pets they are, little little little pets. Cute little things, they say. Don't you believe it. No man ever saw them and walked away alive. You won't either. That's the final dash, flash. That's the utter clobber, cobber." --Cordwainer Smith, Norstrillia.

lost cowboy

There seem to be 2 kinds of writers, those who work from an outline and lay out the flow and organization of the story and take it from there,making adjustments as needed.

The other school of thought sits down in front of the monitor (legal pad, napkin, wall, whatever...) and just start banging it out as it comes to their head. I think it just depends on how your mind works best. I've learned to thrive on chaos and disorganization because I'm incapable of establishng order and organization. Some software tool (or toy) would just give me one more reason to put off actually writing the story.

I think Enron1982 gave you the best advice. Just write it.

LC

meldy

This is also how I like to write.
And sadly I havent found it to be an accepted method anywhere but this board (granted I really havent looked that hard)

I thought I was a failure and doing it wrong because I am apparently incapable of writing from an outline.

The How-To books I was reading made me think I couldnt write. Even though that was and is my passion.
I didnt like the required exercises and cant write subjects on demand.

I wonder if software is similar?

CaptainFreedom

Hey ClancyBoy, that's pretty freakin' funny!

What does that say rainbow button say Acid Fishback?

CF

ClancyBoy

Acid Flashback

I should have had a Bosses: counter.

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"Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons wait for you down there. Little pets they are, little little little pets. Cute little things, they say. Don't you believe it. No man ever saw them and walked away alive. You won't either. That's the final dash, flash. That's the utter clobber, cobber." --Cordwainer Smith, Norstrillia.

CaptainFreedom

duh - I don't know why I didn't get that.

How about a magical ring or dragon counter?

CF

Layde Rae

No doesn't help me write the story.. just its says.. hopes to help you organize your outlines... which I have never done either. Software is Storymind the one I am using now... I guess it helps you think outside of the box.... but I already do that on my own.. guess it was a waste of time and money. I basically wrote alot today, mostly about the background of my story... its not even the story I was writing.. seems.. everything become neverending when you write..lol

I dont expect the software to write the story, I just needed some organization.. but it seems Im not the only one who writes in chaos..lol

Its a good thing I guess...

Thanks bunches guys for your input.

ClancyBoy

Magical rings come under "quest coupons."

You're right about the dragon counter. Though I guess it could be a robotic wizard dragon.

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"Mother Hitton's Littul Kittons wait for you down there. Little pets they are, little little little pets. Cute little things, they say. Don't you believe it. No man ever saw them and walked away alive. You won't either. That's the final dash, flash. That's the utter clobber, cobber." --Cordwainer Smith, Norstrillia.

CaptainFreedom

You forgot oracle - so, where are we? cyborg dragon snake-king oracle?

I think I forgot some of tese doodads '-'.

CF