I seem to have this problem where every year I have these big long scenes that end and go to the next one with time errors or missing stuff that "I'll get to later" hanging in between. And, every year, I wish I had a program where I would take the chunks and move them around at my will, more like post-its moved around on a fridge than a cut/paste option. I just feel like I need to visualize it all to see where I'm going and what needs taken out.
I know PC's and Macs have "sticky notes" programs. But, I just feel like these only hold a limited amount of data. And, outside of printing it and cutting scenes physically out with scissors, I can't think of a better way to do it.
Does anyone understand what I'm saying, or do I sound a little off? Sorry, if I do. But, I would also appreciate some insight or help on this topic. I'm honestly just curious. :)
----------
0 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 01 03
I started a thread for notes/info managers — apps that store random bits of text, anything from a word to thousands of words. Something like these?
That said, I think that most people who run into this problem tend to use Scrivener or Liquid Story Binder or some other equivalent.
36,900 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 02 50
yWriter is tailor-made for this job, and it's free.
You can import your Nano into it , having inserted markers where you want scenes to be separated, then you can move things around, and edit as required. It has a story-board view, a scenes-list view which allows you to drag and drop scenes to reorganise, and it will generate various printable chapter / scene summary views. It's great for helping you see the overview of the whole thing.
Once you have the structure ok It will also help you word-edit with features like how many times you've used each word, so you can weed out 'suddenly' etc, and search-and-replace.
There's a thread here devoted to yWriter. It's well worth a look. http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3263876
0 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 06 41
Fwe,
It looks like you are describing Scrivener. If you are on a Mac, give it a try.
Paolo
35,031 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 06 57
i'm using yWriter too and it's amazing.
----------i think i would be dead by my own hands if i had to use word.
i would be swamped with documents and with no way to make sense of it all.
thank you yWriter!
47,524 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 08 06
If you are on a PC... Liquid Story Binder or Storybox
More for Mac: Storyist or StoryMill
All these software packages have threads dedicated to them here on this forum. Use the search button third from left on navigation bar above and search for each if you don't want to go through each page of the NaNo Tech forum.
Apollo16
4,477 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 12 01
I would agree with the majority that have responded to you and say that yWriter is exactly what you need. Also, unlike the other programs mentioned it is completely free, so if after using it, you don't think its what you need, you aren't out anything.
Within a Scene in yWriter, as you are entering the text for the scene and a thought crosses your mind about something that must be done before the close of the scene, select the "Scene Notes" tab and type in the 'To Do" item and then go back to entering scene dialog and information on the "Content" tab.
----------Fear No Weevil!
50,151 / 50,000
nov. 8, 2009 - 22 13
You might try a personal wiki - one that comes to mind is MoinMoin desktop edition - http://moinmo.in/DesktopEdition
I haven't actually used it, but have seen it recommended. I also have one called Zim Desktop Wiki on my machine, but I don't use it much. It's Linux/Windows.
Actually, this may help me organize my novel.
EDIT: Turns out Zim also runs on Windows.
53,097 / 50,000
nov. 9, 2009 - 23 14
I so relate to your concern. I am on Scrivener and still need guidance as to how to weave all the thousands of bits together. help..
slainte
laurel
----------http://www.symbolicbridging.com/
http://www.aislingnano.wordpress.com/