Difference between revisions of "Software for writers"
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| − | ''A lot of this information came from [http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/1009851 Kathy B's helpful post]''. Add your favorites here or comments to them. Other software reviews: | + | ''A lot of this information came from [http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/1009851 Kathy B's helpful post]''. Add your favorites here or comments to them. Other software reviews: |
| − | * [http://fencer.wordpress.com/2006/07/07/the-search-for-the-perfect-writing-tool/| the search for the perfect writing tool] (Quirk) | + | |
| + | *[http://fencer.wordpress.com/2006/07/07/the-search-for-the-perfect-writing-tool/| the search for the perfect writing tool] (Quirk) | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Dark Room == | ||
| − | |||
Dark Room ('''free''') is a full screen, distraction free, writing environment. Unlike standard word processors that focus on features, Dark Room is just about you and your text. Basically, Dark Room is a clone of the original [http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/product/writeroom WriteRoom] that is an OS X (tiger) exclusive application. | Dark Room ('''free''') is a full screen, distraction free, writing environment. Unlike standard word processors that focus on features, Dark Room is just about you and your text. Basically, Dark Room is a clone of the original [http://www.hogbaysoftware.com/product/writeroom WriteRoom] that is an OS X (tiger) exclusive application. | ||
| − | == Freemind (mindmapping) == | + | == Freemind (mindmapping) == |
| − | |||
| − | + | [http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page Freemind] is a very nifty open source software that does mind-mapping. Written in Java, it runs on multiple platforms and is extremely useful for brainstorming and organizing information. | |
| − | + | Earlier this fall, I used Freemind to create a handy [http://naperwrimo.org/2007/09/27/using-emotional-response-for-plot-points/ chart mapping the emotional response in readers to plot points]. I am also using it to organize all of the background information for my novel. [[User:NewMexicoKid|Tim]] 18:51, 15 October 2007 (PDT) | |
| − | |||
| − | == | + | == gvim/vim == |
| − | |||
| − | == Papel == | + | This is the '''free''' multiplatform text editor that uses vi keybindings but adds syntax highlighting, multiple windows, infinite undo/redo and block cut/paste. This is one of the most powerful text editors ever. Supports multiple platforms. See http://www.vim.org |
| − | Papel is a '''free''' (abandonware) package for Windows (also works under Wine on Linux). It uses ASCII text files as its underlying data storage so you can use your favorite text editor on them (though sadly this is not automatically linked through Papel). Its strength is in how you can drag and drop "papels" (scenes, chapters, etc) anywhere on a desktop window and link them together to form your story. The resulting novel can then be exported to RTF or text. You can find it at [http://papel.teiru.net/papel]. | + | |
| + | == the Inspirator == | ||
| + | |||
| + | This is a neat '''free''' package that does idea generation by genre. See [http://www.kolumbus.fi/juha.k.salo/TheInspirator.html The Inspirator]. Available for Linux and Windows (appears to be written in Python, so maybe also would work on OSX?). | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Papel == | ||
| + | |||
| + | Papel is a '''free''' (abandonware) package for Windows (also works under Wine on Linux). It uses ASCII text files as its underlying data storage so you can use your favorite text editor on them (though sadly this is not automatically linked through Papel). Its strength is in how you can drag and drop "papels" (scenes, chapters, etc) anywhere on a desktop window and link them together to form your story. The resulting novel can then be exported to RTF or text. You can find it at [http://papel.teiru.net/papel]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == yWriter == | ||
| − | |||
It's '''free''', portable, makes backups, has a storyboard/index card feature and stores characters separately from the novel. It also does word counts because it was developed with NaNo writers in mind. [http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html yWriter can be found here.] | It's '''free''', portable, makes backups, has a storyboard/index card feature and stores characters separately from the novel. It also does word counts because it was developed with NaNo writers in mind. [http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html yWriter can be found here.] | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Other references == | ||
| + | |||
| + | See [http://code.google.com/p/textroom/wiki/Alternatives this great list of alternatives] from the [http://code.google.com/p/textroom/wiki/TextRoom TextRoom] google code page. | ||
Revision as of 18:49, 29 September 2008
A lot of this information came from Kathy B's helpful post. Add your favorites here or comments to them. Other software reviews:
Contents
Dark Room
Dark Room (free) is a full screen, distraction free, writing environment. Unlike standard word processors that focus on features, Dark Room is just about you and your text. Basically, Dark Room is a clone of the original WriteRoom that is an OS X (tiger) exclusive application.
Freemind (mindmapping)
Freemind is a very nifty open source software that does mind-mapping. Written in Java, it runs on multiple platforms and is extremely useful for brainstorming and organizing information.
Earlier this fall, I used Freemind to create a handy chart mapping the emotional response in readers to plot points. I am also using it to organize all of the background information for my novel. Tim 18:51, 15 October 2007 (PDT)
gvim/vim
This is the free multiplatform text editor that uses vi keybindings but adds syntax highlighting, multiple windows, infinite undo/redo and block cut/paste. This is one of the most powerful text editors ever. Supports multiple platforms. See http://www.vim.org
the Inspirator
This is a neat free package that does idea generation by genre. See The Inspirator. Available for Linux and Windows (appears to be written in Python, so maybe also would work on OSX?).
Papel
Papel is a free (abandonware) package for Windows (also works under Wine on Linux). It uses ASCII text files as its underlying data storage so you can use your favorite text editor on them (though sadly this is not automatically linked through Papel). Its strength is in how you can drag and drop "papels" (scenes, chapters, etc) anywhere on a desktop window and link them together to form your story. The resulting novel can then be exported to RTF or text. You can find it at [1].
yWriter
It's free, portable, makes backups, has a storyboard/index card feature and stores characters separately from the novel. It also does word counts because it was developed with NaNo writers in mind. yWriter can be found here.
Other references
See this great list of alternatives from the TextRoom google code page.
