What is your writing platform

Keiko Ri — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:33:33 +0100

Hi Guys!! I want to know what you guys use to write your novels. I know most of you guys are going to use Microsoft Word or Notepad, but I know some of us are a bit techie. I will use Scrivener this year. This program is amazing! It helps keep my notes, character sheets, scenes, drabbles etc in one program. http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivenerforwindows/ to motivate me I use Write or Die. ^__^ I also drabble in notebooks and word but yeah this is what I use!

Re: What is your writing platform

Jaeh — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 05:57:15 +0100

I use Ywriter5, but I sooo wanna use Scrivener. I want to try it. I use Write or Die too at times. :) I also use Microsoft OneNote for notes, and I have a sketchpad for hand written notes. I'm looking for something where i could write my outline too. Is Scrivener *really* that good? I keep hearing good reviews for it.

Re: What is your writing platform

creamcheese — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:51:02 +0100

This is my first time to attempt writing a novel so I'm content with MS Word at the moment, though I checked the link you put up for Scrivener and I think it's quite nice too. Is the download link provided for trial version only?

Re: What is your writing platform

Preziös Fränze — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:11:27 +0100

yWriter for organizing and actual writing, Writemonkey for those power-writing moments of desperation, might re-arrange/recheck stuff using Storybox or Storybook (the free versions). Instead of Word, I use OpenOffice. :D I tried writing with LSB (Liquid Story Binder), but the features overwhelm me. I'm trying Scrivener as well (using the demo) but I'm still stuck in the tutorial phase (that, and I'm a little worried about getting attached to the program; still can't afford the whole package) :))

Re: What is your writing platform

halfwitwonder — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:19:26 +0100

I've only used MS Word for my last 2 attempts. I once tried writing using my cellphone but that proved to be really difficult since it wasn't the fancy kind of phone- didn't have a qwerty keypad nor a writing program to support it so one wrong click would delete everything ahah- I gauge that I would be having (more) trouble with NaNo this year because I just lost my laptop a few months ago. While I can borrow my mom's laptop, I won't be able to use it as liberally as I want lol I would probably have to whip out the good ol' fashioned pen and paper, if all else fails. Scrivener looks really rad though! I once encountered a similar program though Scrivener looks sleeker (which is a definite plus, lol)

Re: What is your writing platform

Metaclipse — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:27:39 +0100

I'm gonna mix MS Word with old school pen and paper and copy-paste on Google Docs.

Re: What is your writing platform

kuyerjudd — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:53:35 +0100

@Metaclipse: I'm doing the same. :D I downloaded yWriter and Focus Writer a week ago. I tried them out, but, I don't know... I just didn't feel like writing with them. The former made me feel like a computer programmer, not a writer, although, I do appreciate the features that help in organization. Focus Writer is just Notepad with a background image. I have yet to try Scrivener; I hear it's nice. So, yeah: pen, paper, laptop, and a clipboard with index cards and Post-its.

Re: What is your writing platform

chibikaoru — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:34:32 +0100

For outlines and notes, I use Microsoft One Note. For the actual writing, yWriter, since I have used this last year and I feel comfortable with it. For forcing myself to write, Write or Die.

Re: What is your writing platform

Keiko Ri — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:56:49 +0100

Scrivener is amazing! <3 check it out! <3I really really love it. It helps me get organized so my notes are not all over the place

Re: What is your writing platform

Keiko Ri — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:57:15 +0100

yes yes yes.... its only in beta but its amazing its got full features anyway

Re: What is your writing platform

Keiko Ri — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:57:45 +0100

traditional way is great!

Re: What is your writing platform

Keiko Ri — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 09:58:00 +0100

Write or die is always fun!!

Re: What is your writing platform

Jaeh — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:20:36 +0100

Well I just got the windows beta :) But according to the program it's only up til november 7. Um... anyone know how that works?

Re: What is your writing platform

Stardale — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:00:01 +0100

I write using MSWord, Google Docs or the traditional pen and paper. :D Since PinoyWriMo is becoming environmental friendly, I might primarily use the first two methods. If the two are unavailable, scratch papers might do the trick. :D

Re: What is your writing platform

Keiko Ri — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:59:49 +0100

G-Docs work for me until I get home. though, I have installed scrivener in all my PCs and my laptop. ^__^

Re: What is your writing platform

qpidity — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:07:21 +0100

yWriter5 and Q10. No one else is using Q10? I'm old school too so I'm using the traditional pen and paper style coupled with MS Word. Write or Die helps a lot. xD

Re: What is your writing platform

stellameimei96 — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:16:10 +0100

I got converted to yWriter5 earlier this year, when I needed to do rewrites for last year's NaNo. It's good, it's NaNo-friendly, and it works for me, but that's because 1) I write out of order and 2) I am very serious about getting all of my novels published (or at least publishable) within this lifetime. Even then, in the case of my July Camp NaNoWriMo, I still had to write chunks out of order on WordPad, because I was very, very particular about my outline. I hope it never happens again this coming November.

Re: What is your writing platform

ardrsil — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:22:45 +0100

I'll probably be giving yWriter another shot this year, at least for the bulk of my writing. Notes and other aids will be scattered in MS Word, Notepad and pen n' paper, though. I've tried Q10 before, iirc, but didn't find it to my liking.

Re: What is your writing platform

argent_snow — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:48:42 +0100

I used MS Word for the first two years, then I switched to Liquid Story Binder. At first I was overwhelmed with its features, and it took me some time to adjust. But overall, it's pretty awesome; keeps everything in one place for me [i.e. outlines, character profiles, sticky notes, etc.] =D But when I'm not in front of my computer, I go for the traditional pen and notebooks. [But it can't just be any pen, and it can't just be any notebook either.] Last year, I have found my love for pencils, only because I can erase whatever I write by mistake XD Maybe I'll use it again when I do my outlines one of these days...

Re: What is your writing platform

chibikaoru — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:45:20 +0100

Yes. It actually achieves what it has always been meant to do - for the writer to stop procrastinating and type fast, or else the words kept being erased. =D

Re: What is your writing platform

Jaeh — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:34:29 +0100

nevermind, figured it out - there is a special Windows beta for Wrimos! http://www.literatureandlatte.com/nanowrimo.php and.. and.. *tear* SCRIVENER IS AWESOME. I mean, there's even a template for writing a research proposal!!!!!! I am SO using it for my thesis naw. T.T :)

Re: What is your writing platform

Fishwall — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:16:01 +0100

I've been using Q10 for years! I absolutely love it, mainly because of the typewriter sounds that helps me geek out, and it's simple and blocks out any distractions with its full-screen feature. I'm so using it again this year. :D

Re: What is your writing platform

mairi_tee — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:24:35 +0100

Using MS Word for writing the manuscript then two different iPad apps for outlining and background research. :) Also have an audio recorder app just in case something occurs to me but I cant write / type it for some reason.

Re: What is your writing platform

Azrad — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:07:34 +0100

Notepad. Hardcore is the closest word to describe me. So far, no word has been invented yet that would accurately define my magnificence. (actually, it's just plain old Word, and a bunch of notes)

Re: What is your writing platform

qpidity — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 08:53:51 +0100

Haha! I couldn't agree more! Nice to find a typewriter geek here, just like me! High five! xD I'm using it this year too! You should be an endorser for Q10. :D

Re: What is your writing platform

misstofu — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 08:18:53 +0000

Very old school for me. Pencil, pen, and random pieces of paper and notebooks stored in a folder/envelop. :D

Re: What is your writing platform

DeSanggria — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:39:11 +0000

Has anyone tried Pangurpad? I have Storyist, but I'm not feeling the software features, and probably the only section I'd be using there is when I actually type the manuscript. I wanted to install ywriter, but I'm using an old Mac OSX & installation is being a b*tch.

Re: What is your writing platform

EK — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:40:05 +0000

celtx, because it's free, and I don't have 40 dollars to pay for scrivener even if I totally want to. It gets the job done, but scrivener is better. Celtx is better for making scripts.

Re: What is your writing platform

misstofu — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:54:08 +0000

celtx looks good to me. Maybe I'll try it. :D Thanks EK.

Re: What is your writing platform

DeSanggria — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:57:33 +0000

Does anyone also know any free full screen writing apps? I'm recommending OmmWriter for those with updated OS. I'm looking for one that would go well with my ancient Mac...I really need a clutter-free, no distractions app once I start writing.

Re: What is your writing platform

DeSanggria — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:21:25 +0000

Finally found one! Recommending JDarkRoom as well. :D

Re: What is your writing platform

EK — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:35:59 +0000

Writing platform depends on what you want from a writing platform. This is why some people do well with scrivener, others with yWriter, others with Q10. Much of it depends on what you want when you're typing and/or organizing your thoughts. For instance, I found Q10 pretty but since I'm used to multitasking/multi-tab-ing, Q10 makes me go insane. Others like Tina like it that Q10 makes them focus on the writing. So, you see, such decisions depends on you. Don't feel bad if you like a platform that others don't favor, or others like a platform that you don't find useful to yourself.

Re: What is your writing platform

foobarph — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:34:01 +0000

yung personal wordpress go siguro... may auto word count na yun eh. ahihi

Re: What is your writing platform

stellameimei96 — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:42:35 +0000

I use Celtx for my screenplays! Love it.

Re: What is your writing platform

Ruria — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:06:35 +0000

Notepad, because my particular quirk is doing and while I write so I can paste it onto my blogs for easy access. Simple HTML tags, I've got you covered.

Re: What is your writing platform

Ruria — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:06:53 +0000

and by that I mean < / b > and such

Re: What is your writing platform

qpidity — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 05:42:54 +0000

celtx saved my butt last April. It's a really cool software, especially since it has a Novel feature.

Re: What is your writing platform

firelight_cinderbrick — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:06:45 +0000

I use OpenOffice Writer. It's a free program. I'm also using regular pen and paper for notes.

Re: What is your writing platform

VannVicente — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:42:01 +0000

For the actual writing, I use Q10. For the arrangement, I use an RTF in Wordpad. For the word-counts, I use NaNoWriTool. But yeah, Q10 is perfect. I love the sound effects and the way my music goes with them. I tried OmniWriter. It was great, but the sound effects wouldn't work and the interface didn't really motivate me.

Re: What is your writing platform

ThatLazyCrazyLady — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 08:49:18 +0000

I use Google Docs. That way, I enjoy the benefits of a MS Word-like interface and the ability to access my file from just about anywhere without the fuss of up-and-downloading. 'Tis free too.

Re: What is your writing platform

tinamats — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 09:50:25 +0000

I just realized I haven't used Q10 in a while. :P I'm using Scrivener for Mac/Windows, since I switch from my office computer to personal laptop. :) Love Scrivener so much. <3

Re: What is your writing platform

Jet Black So Cool — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:16:01 +0000

For rough drafts, character sketches and other whatsoever's, I use my trusty Adam Lambert notebook and Scrivener for Windows. Sometimes I use WriteOrDie, Notepad, MS Word (Yeah, i suck XD) or whatever I could get my hands into.

Re: What is your writing platform

K. Hikari — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:42:55 +0000

I use Microsoft's One Note. Microsoft Office OneNote is an electronic notebook, is bundled with some versions of Office 2007. The Home and Student, Ultimate and Enterprise versions of Office 2007 include OneNote. The Basic, Standard, Small Business, Professional, and Professional Plus editions do not. OneNote can be purchased as a standalone product. If you have 2010 - it comes bundled there automatically. http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/microsoft-office-onenote-2010-whats-new/ I'm not sure how different they are from Scrivener. I was comparing screenshots of the 2 and they appear to be the same. Both give me the advantage of having notebooks and tabs in the notebooks and lets me tack my notes etc on it. Because it integrates with other MS Office tools - its easy to port over the stuff I got.

Re: What is your writing platform

gillanfrances — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:40:21 +0000

I use Scrivener. It makes me feel that everything's organized. There's a cool name generator and their first name meanings. You can also view your research inside the very program.

Re: What is your writing platform

AgentLost — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 11:20:40 +0000

As of now...Writemonkey and Q10, because I love me some typewriting sounds 8D

Re: What is your writing platform

Preziös Fränze — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:04:12 +0000

Yeah, Writemonkey is awesome. :3 It sometimes gets wonky on me though, especially when I get to switch windows with alt-tab(bing)

Re: What is your writing platform

marooned_chic — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:49:34 +0000

Downloaded the free Nano version of Scrivener but I find it complicated. >_> And listening to the tutorial is BORING. If anyone can teach me how to do it the easy way, I'll prolly use it in the remaining nano days. But right now, I'm quite satisfied with MS Word.

Re: What is your writing platform

henshinger — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 14:35:49 +0000

I go with Simplenote(to make sure I don't have any excuses) and Ommwriter (for distraction free writing). For some reason, I want to recommend notepad++ with any decent programming language as the default like Ruby. Strings get syntax coloring, so you could easily filter out the dialogue. I also recommend EditMinion once you guys want to start editing. It's from the creator of Write or Die.