Hi guys,
I thought I'd make this thread to put all the useful software that can help during the month of November.
Report Card Spreadsheets :
Open Office - http://www.polishcat.com/NaNoReportCardv1.3.ods
Excel Format - http://www.truckpoetry.net/search/label/NaNoWriMo%20author%20resources
Q10
Q10 is a simple piece of writing software that is just a single .exe file and as such can be carried from computer to computer on a memory stick.
Momentum Writer
This software doesn't let you backspace or scroll through what you have written you can only carry on writing, great for NaNoWriMo. :)
http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/momentumwriter/index.html
yWriter
yWriter is a popular piece of software that lets you write your novel as individual chapters rather than one long slab of text. I think you can then swap the scenes/chapters round easily if needed.
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html
SuperNoteCard
Similar to yWriter and available for both Windows and OSX
Scrivener
Scrivener appears to be Mac only but is very popular, it reminds me of a sort of FinalDraft or Celtx but for novels, there is however a very similar program for Windows called Storybox (next).
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html
StoryBox
This is similar to the Scrivener app and can be tried for free with just some nag screens, you can buy the software and it will remove those screens too.
http://www.storyboxsoftware.com/
WriteMonkey
Fullscreen writing, no bells or whistles.
WritersCafe
Looks interesting but it costs, not tried it.
WritersTools (Open Office Add-ons)
Useful things if you are using Open Office.
http://extensions.services.openoffice.org/project/writertools
Mind mapping software
http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Temptation Blocker
This allows you to block certain applications from running for a period of time (internet explorer etc), to access the applications before the time runs out you have to type in a long code.
Should make it a bit easier to resist the temptation to surf.
http://sourceforge.net/projects/temptblocker/
There are loads more things out there, anyone has any to share please do so.
Cheers,
Chris
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Christopher Barker
Derby, United Kingdom
http://www.fictionchris.com
13,866 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 10 10
I found an app for the iPhone/iPod touch called Write Chain. Basically you input your word count each day and it keeps track of your total and shows you how much you've written on previous days... So it's helpful if you're going to be using different computers to write your novel and it's also helpful if you're not going to have the internet for a few days but want to keep track of your daily totals. It's a free app and you can find it in the iTunes store.
Also, if you seach the iTunes store for NaNoWriMo, it comes up with a couple of simialr programs... but as these cost money, I didn't bother to try them.
----------I thought I'd begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine.
~Spike Milligan
2,324 / 50,000
Oct 24, 2009 - 13 29
Sounds good, I will search for it later on my touch.
I have some baby name generators for my touch too that are handy for coming up with character names.:)
----------Christopher Barker
Derby, United Kingdom
http://www.fictionchris.com
13,866 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 04 32
Ah, so you’ll probably suffer the same problem that I’ve got... My iPod is my favourite gadget and ultimate distraction!! Whatever you do do not get the free version of Topple 2 that’s out at the moment, you will not want to put your iPod down.
Oh I also forgot to mention Write Chain also has a daily goal thing that you can input the number of words you want to write each day in and I think it tells you if you’re on target. I think you need to write 1667 words a day to stay on track, right?
----------I thought I'd begin by reading a poem by Shakespeare, but then I thought, why should I? He never reads any of mine.
~Spike Milligan
2,324 / 50,000
Oct 25, 2009 - 10 46
*sigh* I accidentally downloaded the 'topple 2 plus' application you mentioned... God damn it!
----------Between that, Flick Fishing, Bejewelled and Rolando November is going to be difficult. :)
Christopher Barker
Derby, United Kingdom
http://www.fictionchris.com
51,101 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2009 - 05 17
Temptation Blocker is brilliant... it's keeping me from diving off and doing others things. Cheers for that one!
----------"Mad, bad and silly to know..."
http://madhatch.deviantart.com/