Using MSWord

I've got "proper" writing software but find that I much prefer writing in Word. I use one big document with formatted headers and the document map to easily move between sections, and back up frequently to multiple places.

One thing that I've been told to watch out for is the word count - apparently it is not accurate in long documents, so you will need to check your word count in the Novel Info section here to make sure you are reaching the word count you need every day.

What is considered 'proper' writing software? These threads have so many options.

Document map? What's that?

I appreciate you replying to this post. Could you give me a little more information? This is my first novel, but plan to write many more. It seems there's so many different ways to write and put together a novel. I confused about what I should do.

Cher Green
http://chergreen.blogspot.com/

I found an interesting plug-in for Word 2007 that mimics the DarkRoom/Q10 effect creating a fullscreen minimalist word processing interface to eliminate distractions.

WriteSpace:
http://www.codeplex.com/writespace

Fear No Weevil!

*raises hand*

Actually, I'm using MS Word 2000. Ancient but still effective.

Nano Winner, 2007 - Sisterhood Collective
Nano Winner, 2008 - Song Of Jael
Nano, Book One, 2009 - Blood Felidae (completed)
Nano, Book Two, 2009 - The Triptych Stone (in progress)

I've never had a problem writing with MS word. I tend to keep all of my story in one file and just add on to that as the story progresses. I think you shouldn't worry so much about where you are writing the story. It's the content, not the software, that's important here. Hope this helps

Life is made up of choices...i choose to abandon reality for the month of november and totally get on my mom's nerves in order to actually get around to writing my novel

I used to use OpenOffice(for all intents and purposes the exact same thing as Word) and kept my scenes in separate files organized in folders by chapter, and then the chapters in folders organized by parts, and so on and so forth, usually because I had no idea where they went in the grand scheme of things, and it was easier to rearrange that way.
At the moment, however, I'm using a free word processor called Jarte, which has a very small, very pretty interface, and a button you can hover over to see word count, in combination with another free program called StorYBook which keeps all the parts organized, and easily re-arrangeable. With this combo, I'm writing whole chapters, and copying the scenes to StorYBook so I can rearrange them, if I wish.

Click!

*Waves hand* "Ooh ooh, pick me, Mr. Kotter!" I lovelovelove Word and have been using it for yonks (currently using 2002). I have never had any problems with it. My word counts have never been off by more than like five (5) words and I don't mind one big document because I write from beginning to end. This is also how I work with it in the real world of legal pleadings and documents. When I move to the editing phase, I use yWriter, which allows me to move scenes around much more easily and helps me manage the big picture. Document Map is a useful feature and I've used it in the past, but I use it so infrequently, I forget how to format it. Something to do with say Chapter headings.

Oh, and I have something called Home Typist that I downloaded a few years ago to give me sounds like a typewriter. It was amusing for awhile, but that, in conjunction with the normal click and clack of the keyboard, were a bit much.

Jo_Narlene

Eschew Obfuscation.

Winner - 2007 - "House of Canvas"
Winner - 2008 - "As the Crow Flies"

I don't use Word, but I can say that I don't write my story in one document. You *never* know you lose it and I think I'd have a heart attack. Basically, I have all my chapters in different documents and then one document where everything that is chronological is put together.

I use a different .doc file everyday. For word count totalling, I created an Excel spreadsheet which keeps track of the daily pace/overall total. All these files then get mailed to two separate webmail accounts and backed up to a pen drive.

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For fun and fiction visit: http://ilovemattfishwick.com/

I'm using Word 2007. One document for the entire novel. Sometimes I write in other programmes (Write or Die, Rough Draft) but always transfer what I've written into the main one.

Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality