Best way to start? - Writers Forum

Jayb · 01-27-2004, 10:02 AM

Hi all

I am a total newbie wanting to turn an idea I've had for a good few years into a noval. I am thinking of getting a software package to help me do this, a couple I have come across are Write Ambition Literature & StoryCraft. Has anybody got any veiws on these two or maybe can suggest something else, all comments most welcome

Cheers

Jay

aduess · 01-27-2004, 11:31 AM

Hi Jay

Personally I like New Novelist for the PC or Ulysses for the Mac.

New Novelist can be found at http://www.newnovelist.com

I hope your novel works out.

gabriella · 01-31-2004, 10:44 PM

The best way to start, Jayb, is from the beginning.

Derek11 · 06-08-2006, 12:34 PM

I just bought StoryCraft Pro. I got it from the company's website. The basic version was $79 for a CD, or $69 for instant download over the internet. I chose the $69 download option. They give you an id and password and 48 hours to complete your download. The install went fine. I rebooted the computer and went into it.

The introductory screens explain that StoryCraft Pro is based on an amalgam of Joseph Campbell's mythological ideas about story, coupled with other work on the structure of plots.

To begin a new story, it asks you to start with a story concept. This is, if you like, the moral or theme of your story.

Next, you choose one of the twenty or so fundamental structures for stories. These are grouped into three categories -- plot-driven, character-driven, or epic. Since I like a good yarn, I chose plot-driven. I then chose one of the ten or so structures in the plot-driven category. It showed me an outline of how this type of story typically goes.

In the next step it presented me with screens to describe the mythological components of my story. Describe the ordinary world, describe the extraordinary world, the protagonist, the antagonist, the mentor, the guardian, and so on. There were half a dozen suggestive questions in each section to get me thinking.

And that's as far as I've got so far.

aliceedelweiss · 06-08-2006, 12:41 PM

I've never used programs to write, I outline, but never programs.

And for story beginnings? I tend to use dialog because it'll push you right into the plot and its easier to write than a beginning scene.

Alice

mammamaia · 06-08-2006, 09:00 PM

i'm sorry to be an old curmudgeon, but i can't see using any 'program' to help you write a novel... other than ms word, of course...

imo, if you can't write well enough to do it on your own, no software is going to help you write anything that's marketable... why do you even think you might want to do that, instead of just sitting down and writing?... do you not read enough to know what a good novel consists of?...

i suggest you start out writing short stories, if you don't write well enough to scale the heights of novelhood, yet... then, when you've honed your skills, the next step should be doable without artificial assistance...

that's my 20 cents, anyway...

love and hugs, maia

Mike C · 06-09-2006, 07:01 AM

The only software you'll ever need (and it's always the latest version, no downloads needed) is between your ears. If that doesn't do the trick it doesn't matter if you spend $69 or $69,000 - you won't write any better.

Anne Lacey · 06-09-2006, 01:17 PM

I agree with mamma and Mike. If you can't write, you can't write. Personally, i think a program like that would confuse little ole me. Just write if you're gonna write!

Non Serviam · 06-09-2006, 01:53 PM

I've not tried a specific software package for writing. (I'm a Luddite like these others). But presumably there's some value in them; a quick google brought up pages and pages of them, many of which were free.

Mr. Blix · 06-09-2006, 02:20 PM

I wouldn't think that these sorts of programs are bad. I think perhaps the value in them might be if you're stuck and can't think of a way to structure an idea. I'm just guessing, there's times where I have characters and a sort of a main theme and can't think of how to structure it. Other times, there's no problem in that area.

Rob · 06-09-2006, 04:42 PM

I don't know anything about such programmes so I can't comment directly, maybe they'd be useful, but I'd point out that writers have managed without them for many centuries.

Cheers,
Omni

mammamaia · 06-09-2006, 07:17 PM

true... and we can even write without a typewriter or computer, hard as that is to imagine... that's been done for millennia!... the very first authors of our species even did it without language... their stories were painted on the walls of their caves as series of images that told vivid tales of everything from exciting hunts and battles, to visits from ETs...

Rob · 06-10-2006, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammamaia

true... and we can even write without a typewriter or computer, hard as that is to imagine... that's been done for millennia!... the very first authors of our species even did it without language... their stories were painted on the walls of their caves as series of images that told vivid tales of everything from exciting hunts and battles, to visits from ETs...

What makes you think they didn't have language?

Anne Lacey · 06-10-2006, 11:56 AM

I believe she means written language. That's why the y were done in pictures.

mammamaia · 06-10-2006, 08:29 PM

thanks, ann!... yes, i did... i thought that would be understood, since i was referring to what was painted on cave walls and not what was spoken...