A useful tip as alternative to writing software

[Wurzzlegummidge]

For those who do not want to spend a fortune on writing software, you will be surprised what XP can provide for you. For example in powerpoint, you can create electronic indiex cards/a slide show with bulleted points for your planning then use the frames in Word or Document Map for a more detailed workout. The sky is your limit. Just a thought  Regards Wurzzlegummidge

[PhilosophiX]

There is also a guy called Simon Haynes who writes the Hal Spacejock series of books and offers for free the software he created to help himself write. It's certainly worth a look and is called yWriter.

http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html

[Jackster]

Good tips guys - I have tried some software for writing and the problem is that with software, it has its limitations in creativity.  I myself have put together Excel spreadsheets with sheets on character profile, storyboards, issues, tasks, timelines, etc . . . and have used Power Point to list my chapters in visual form.  The problem with writing software is that it is written by people who have a certain approach to writing, which as we all know, by definition, is unlike anyone else's.

By the way, I have to put a plug here for Nick Daws course - 28 days to write a book - it helped me get going and made me realize that I didn't have to spend 15 months on design before I start writing - on my 4th novel he put me 7-8 months ahead of where I would have been!  Thanks Nick!

Jack.

[Troo]

Having said that, of course, Microsoft Office is not free and does not come as standard with Windows XP. So it's not exactly a cheap alternative to anything, with Office Standard coming in at around £300 and Office Pro hitting upwards of £370.

Final Draft is excellent for screenplays and index cards, but then physical index cards with pen and ink work far better than any electronic version. Again, not a cheap piece of software.

Install Linux. Use StarOffice. Completely free, and with all the functionality of MS Office. Now there's a cheap alternative

[Billingsgate]

The completely free alternative to Microsoft Office, which will run on Windows or Macintosh, is Open Office: http://www.openoffice.org. It is an advanced suite of applications just like MS Office and is can open and save files in both its own and Microsoft formats, including a PowerPoint-like program. Not specifically a program for writers. But if you're looking for an excellent word processor that is completely free, check it out.

["lorraineofkeli"]

That's the first I've heard of such writing software! I didn't know anything existed to help with writing.  I am very disorganised though. I wish I was more organised and planned a lot more - maybe I will in future; it can only help