What tools will you be using for NaNo?

Not too long ago my response would have simply been MS Word. However, the squiggly lines might tempt me to edit, edit, and edit some more. And then there are the other shiny bells and whistles that will try to divert my attention.

So, I might just go for a simpler text editor, perhaps Notepad++ (http://notepad-plus.sourceforge.net). It's free, and it's already installed on my laptop. [grin] It can still count words and do spell check. But both of those features are squiggle-free and manually invoked, so they will be less of a temptation.

I am also considering using Storybook (http://storybook.intertec.ch) to help organize my chapters, scenes, characters, and locations. One cool feature, is that after you've arranged your bits and pieces, you can export everything in book order to a format any word processor should be able to read. (Being the geek-boy that I am, I am attempting to build a rough clone of Storybook. Perfect kind of project to help hone a few professional skills while I consider what to write about until NaNo hits.)

Oh, and I plan to get a pocket notepad and a pen, for when inspiration strikes and my trusty laptop isn't handy. This needs to get done today, as I've already watched a few good ideas disappear without a trace this week.

I love yWriter5 - I find the system easy to use and decently organized. I'm still playing with it, but I can see myself using that instead of MS Word during November. Also I do most of my planning on scraps or a notebook (if I'm lucky to find one on time).

I use MS Word, in combination with MS OneNote. I use OneNote for my notes and outline, and Word for the actual manuscript. Some of my notes for this year's project happen to be in paper notebooks, but that only happens when I'm not near my laptop. I've also been known to use 3x5 notecards, but with OneNote I don't use those as often.

I always use Microsoft Word and then track my progress using an Excel spreadsheet.

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Last year I used MS-Word on my mac, but this year I am taking advantage of the Scrivener Nanowrimo deal and giving it a whirl. Having an actual writing tool, rather than a word processor should help my productivity (i hope! i hope! i hope!). Nick, my son, will also be using it this year. If all else fails, we can bail back into Word or Emacs or something.

Not normally considered part of tools for NaNo, I will be leaning heavily on Omnifocus to carefully maintain my life's tasks so that they don't get in the way of writing, through good GTD karma.

This year, I'm going to be using OpenOffice, which is really similar to Word. I'm also considering using Write or Die sometimes, but just not kamikaze style because that scares me. lol XD

2007 - lost
2008 - WON!
2009 - pending excitement <3

I'll be using a good old notebook and pen for outlining purposes and Open Office for writing and tracking.

Of course if anyone knows of a decent writing program that works on Ubuntu Linux I would love ot hear one.

Mahalo

Michael J Rener

http://www.renspubhouse.netii.net
http://mjrener.blackapplehost.com (GMSFJ New Home)

skype: gudbudie
twitter: renspubhouse

Do or Do Not, There Is No Try.

StorYBook (http://storybook.intertec.ch/) is another that might also work, though the site only mentions compatibility with SuSE and RedHat. If I had to guess, it might be because those distributions include a new enough version of Mono.

If you give either a try, I'd be curious to see them in action, as I am trying my hand at a cross-platform writing application to eventually include features of both of the above. What can I say, something for a geek to do while he waits for November 1. If I really get a wild hair, I may even try for mobile versions. After that, total world domination. Or not. Plans are always up in the air...

Liquid Story Binder is great. I can't recommend it highly enough. You have all the editing, outlining, and writing tools you could want at your disposal, and you even get a 30 day free trial to use. That's perfect for NaNo this year, then if you like it you can purchase the product for next year.

http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/

Thanks I'll look them up and let you know, maybe tuesday at the library...

Michael J Rener

http://www.renspubhouse.netii.net
http://mjrener.blackapplehost.com (GMSFJ New Home)

skype: gudbudie
twitter: renspubhouse

Do or Do Not, There Is No Try.

The windows software that the mac-only Scrivener people (http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html) recommend is PageFour (http://www.softwareforwriting.com/pagefour.html). Looking at the screenshots, damn am I happy to be a mac person.

Oh the joys of a palm pilet with WordSmith. So light and portable you can take it anywhere, with keys that only require your thumbs, leaving the rest of your hands trying to hold onto all your books as you type while rushing to your next class.