OT: Can anyone hear recommend a good Creative writing software?

cincyreds · 12-13-2004, 05:30 PM

I have a book written and now would like to put it all together so I can print it and get it mailed.

Thanks a bunch.

Franklinnoble · 12-13-2004, 05:43 PM

I don't think you need to go through all that trouble for Penthouse Forum.

korme · 12-13-2004, 05:45 PM

i am not hearing anything related to good Creative wrighting software

NoMyths · 12-13-2004, 06:36 PM

Um...

Speaking as one of the forum's resident writers, I'm not entirely sure what you're asking. Are you asking for guidelines on how to format your manuscript appropriately? If so, just do an Amazon search for "format manuscript" and a load of resources should appear.

CraigSca · 12-13-2004, 06:37 PM

I've heard of software available that's supposed to aid in novel writing. It would keep track of character development, plot lines, etc. I've been wanting to get a program like this for my wife, but I've never been able to find a program like this even after repeated searches.

Celeval · 12-13-2004, 07:14 PM

http://www.writersstore.com/product....oducts_id=1803

Celeval · 12-13-2004, 07:20 PM

There's a slew of writing software there. I've got no experience with any of them.

bryce · 12-13-2004, 07:32 PM

I've written a novel as well, but I used just plain ole Word - I just made sure to format it in the generally accepted manuscript form - ie, 12 point Courier (font is flexible, though), 1 inch margins, double spacing, paragraph indention (no spaces b/w paragraphs), header w/ running page count and author/book identifier/reminder, and ragged right text margins.

(Of course, I learned about most of these AFTER I was finished, so it took several hours to go back and reformat...)

cincyreds · 12-13-2004, 07:42 PM

Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses.

Swaggs · 12-13-2004, 07:43 PM

This looks interesting, but pricey:

http://store.write-bros.com/products/mms/index.aspx

bryce · 12-13-2004, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swaggs

This looks interesting, but pricey:

http://store.write-bros.com/products/mms/index.aspx

If cincyreds was talking about screenwriting software, then disregard what I said earlier (my post was in regards to novels) - screenwriting is a different beast entirely, and I definitely purchased some software to help me with the syntax involved in movie scripts. I purchased Screenstyle - I think it was like $30 or so - it's not the best, but it's a simple Word plug-in, so you can still use a word processor that's familiar to you rather than learning a whole new program.

sterlingice · 12-13-2004, 08:34 PM

Tracy Hickman plugs Dramatica (dramatica.com) every once in a while on his newsletter. I played around with a demo a while back and that's more for keeping track of plot points, structuring your novel, developing themes and conflicts, etc. Seems like you've already done this and you just need some sort of layout/presentation software.

SI

cincyreds · 12-14-2004, 05:22 AM

thanks bryce and sterlingice.

Yeah I am just wanting to put it all together for printing now.

Bryce I followed your rules you stated earlier when using word. Thanks.

Good Luck with your novel.

revrew · 12-14-2004, 09:28 AM

If any of our resident writers are ever in need of editorial services, that's what I do for a living: editing, copyediting, proofreading, etc.

My website: http://www.storycraftcommunications.com

Hates_Cakesniffers · 12-14-2004, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cincyreds

I have a book written and now would like to put it all together so I can print it and get it mailed.

Thanks a bunch.

Do some research into publishers. Most are not accepting unsolicited manuscripts and will simply trash your work without reading it. Learn how to send a query letter first. That's a letter that asks if they have any interest in the type of book you've written. There's lots more out there you should know. Try the "Dummy" book on getting published. It covers the basics.

33sherman · 12-14-2004, 10:18 PM

Hey, what are y'all's novels about?

Antmeister · 12-14-2004, 11:40 PM

Check out these links. Although they don't relate to creative writing software, they will be helpful once the book is complete:

http://www.iuniverse.com/
http://www.writers.net/
http://www.fictionaddiction.net/
http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp

12-13-2004, 06:37 PM	#5
CraigSca Pro Starter Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Not Delaware - hurray!	I've heard of software available that's supposed to aid in novel writing. It would keep track of character development, plot lines, etc. I've been wanting to get a program like this for my wife, but I've never been able to find a program like this even after repeated searches. __________________ She loves you, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! She loves you, yeah! how do you know? how do you know?

12-13-2004, 07:32 PM	#8
bryce High School Varsity Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Dallas, TX	I've written a novel as well, but I used just plain ole Word - I just made sure to format it in the generally accepted manuscript form - ie, 12 point Courier (font is flexible, though), 1 inch margins, double spacing, paragraph indention (no spaces b/w paragraphs), header w/ running page count and author/book identifier/reminder, and ragged right text margins. (Of course, I learned about most of these AFTER I was finished, so it took several hours to go back and reformat...) Last edited by bryce : 12-13-2004 at 07:32 PM.

12-13-2004, 07:42 PM	#9
cincyreds High School Varsity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Mississippi	Thanks guys. I appreciate the responses. __________________ The Dallas Cowboys!! America's Team will rise again.

12-13-2004, 07:43 PM	#10
Swaggs Coordinator Join Date: Oct 2000	This looks interesting, but pricey: http://store.write-bros.com/products/mms/index.aspx __________________ DOWN WITH HATTRICK!!! The RWBL Are you reading In The Bleachers?

12-13-2004, 08:34 PM	#12
sterlingice Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Back in Houston!	Tracy Hickman plugs Dramatica (dramatica.com) every once in a while on his newsletter. I played around with a demo a while back and that's more for keeping track of plot points, structuring your novel, developing themes and conflicts, etc. Seems like you've already done this and you just need some sort of layout/presentation software. SI __________________ Houston Hippopotami, III.3: 20th Anniversary Thread - All former HT players are encouraged to check it out! Janos: "Only America could produce an imbecile of your caliber!" Freakazoid: "That's because we make lots of things better than other people!"

12-13-2004, 05:43 PM	#2
Franklinnoble Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Placerville, CA	I don't think you need to go through all that trouble for Penthouse Forum.

12-13-2004, 05:45 PM	#3
korme Go Reds Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bloodbuzz Ohio	i am not hearing anything related to good Creative wrighting software

12-13-2004, 06:36 PM	#4
NoMyths Poet in Residence Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Charleston, SC	Um... Speaking as one of the forum's resident writers, I'm not entirely sure what you're asking. Are you asking for guidelines on how to format your manuscript appropriately? If so, just do an Amazon search for "format manuscript" and a load of resources should appear.

12-13-2004, 07:14 PM	#6
Celeval Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Cary, NC, USA	http://www.writersstore.com/product....oducts_id=1803

12-13-2004, 07:20 PM	#7
Celeval Pro Starter Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Cary, NC, USA	There's a slew of writing software there. I've got no experience with any of them.

12-14-2004, 05:22 AM	#13
cincyreds High School Varsity Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Mississippi	thanks bryce and sterlingice. Yeah I am just wanting to put it all together for printing now. Bryce I followed your rules you stated earlier when using word. Thanks. Good Luck with your novel. __________________ The Dallas Cowboys!! America's Team will rise again.

12-14-2004, 09:28 AM	#14
revrew Team Chaplain Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Just outside Des Moines, IA	If any of our resident writers are ever in need of editorial services, that's what I do for a living: editing, copyediting, proofreading, etc. My website: http://www.storycraftcommunications.com __________________ Winner of 6 FOFC Scribe Awards, including 3 Gold Scribes Founder of the ZFL, 2004 Golden Scribe Dynasty of the Year Now bringing The Des Moines Dragons back to life, and the joke's on YOU, NFL! I came to the Crossroad. I took it. And that has made all the difference.

12-14-2004, 10:18 PM	#16
33sherman Mascot Join Date: Nov 2002	Hey, what are y'all's novels about?

12-14-2004, 11:40 PM	#17
Antmeister Pro Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: At the corner of Beat Street and Electric Avenue	Check out these links. Although they don't relate to creative writing software, they will be helpful once the book is complete: http://www.iuniverse.com/ http://www.writers.net/ http://www.fictionaddiction.net/ http://www.writersmarket.com/index_ns.asp

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)