Hi Y'all,
I've tried out a few writers software programs and studied reviews of others.
yWriter is a no frills program that was lacked luster and was confusing to use but free.
New Novelist is $55.00. I've heard many opinions that it's not worth the money. However, their site has listed published authors who got there by using this software.
PowerWriter is $75.00. They don't have a troubleshooting process at all. Unable to save work as a Word document, as PW doesn't recognize Windows applications. Could be a problem. You must save your work on the hard drive, close down PW, find your saved file, and d/l it to a CD or external drive.
Writers Dreamkit - from the mfg. "The Writer's DreamKit is a proven software program designed by writers for writers--a complete step-by-step fiction writing system designed for the aspiring writer. The Writer's DreamKit StoryGuide handholds you from initial idea all the way through to completed narrative treatment, inspiring you and supporting you along the way." From people who've used it: "If you can write novel-length fiction on pure inspiration, you will probably hate this. If you have good ideas, but find yourself lost in the woods and hoping for a rescue party after about fifty pages, this can be a lifesaver. You get out of it as much as you put into it. " $34.99
Microsoft Creative Writer - $50.00 - "Amazing!"
Dramatica Pro - "Aspiring and seasoned writers take note: gone are the days of handwritten note cards, extensive plot revisions, and hand cramps. Dramatica Pro promises to be your writing coach, your secretary, your guide, and even your therapist as you develop sharp, focused storylines together." And..."Dramatica Pro is basically an expensive pile of 3X5 cards with a little tutoring thrown in to explain who is the antagonist, the coantagonist, the impact character, the theme, the goal the throughline, etc. Its like baking a cake while someone explains the chemical components of the butter, the sugar, the milk, etc. Nice to know, but it doesn't make the cake any better." $179.00
I guess there is no alternative to sitting at your word processor, thinking, trying, thinking, trying....
Smiles,
Jillanne - Moderator