List of writing software: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 03:20, 31 December 2011

There are many ways to write your novel. If you're looking for a new program to write in, you might find yourself overwhelmed by all the choices.

Wrimos discuss their writing programs of choice in the NaNo Technology forum.

Liquid Story Binder XE (Windows, $45, generally goes on 50% sale around Nanowrimo time): Liquid Story Binder XE is a full planning, research and writing environment that is meant to be set up to the way you write. Includes all kinds of planning tools: sequences, storyboards, outlines, mindmaps, dossiers, and many more.
Scrivener
yWriter

Dark Room (Windows, free): Dark Room is a full-screen writing environment for Windows. It's a clone of WriteRoom for Mac.
FocusWriter (Windows/Mac/Linux, free): FocusWriter is a full-screen eidtor designed to immerse you in your writing. It automatically reopens the last file you had open to reinforce this notion. Other features include live statistics, daily goals, and customizable themes.
MomentumWriter (Windows, free): MomentumWriter is a full-screen typewriter style by the makers of Liquid Story Binder XE.
OmmWriter (Windows/Mac, free, $4.11 for full version): OmmWriter is a full-screen editor with keyboard sounds and background music.
Q10 (Windows, Free): A full-screen editor that makes typewriter noises. Features customizable look and page count formula, a timer for Word wars, and a target count. Q10 is portable.
WriteMonkey (Windows, free): A full-screen editor described as zenware. Includes advanced statistics and customizing features, typing sounds and a timer. WriteMonkey is portable.
WriteRoom (Mac, free, $24.99 for full version): WriteRoom is a full-screen editor for Mac that specializes in getting the words down. It features full syncing between computers and has spawned several clones.

Notepad (Windows, free): Some wrimos prefer to use the default text editor that comes with Windows for its lack of frills and universal compatibility.
Notepad++ (Windows but will run via wine, free): More designed for coding, Notepad++ can also be used for writing, and includes tabs, word count, spellcheck, and other extra functions.
Gedit (Cross-platform, free): Originally a text editor for Gnome, but works elsewhere. Supports word count (though seems to arrive at a different count than OpenOffice/the NaNo counter), spell check, and other plugins.
Kate (Cross platform, free): A text editor for KDE, but also works elsewhere.
Vim (cross-platform, free): A modded version of the *nix editor vi.

Openoffice.org (Windows/Mac/Linux, free): Open Office is an open-source office suite similar to Microsoft Office available as a free download. It is preferred by some for its equivalent or superior performance to Microsoft Office, but does have a known function with smart (curly) quotes being counted as words, resulting in inflated wordcounts.
Microsoft Office

Write or Die (free, downloadable version available for $10): Write or Die, a program developed by Nano enthusiast Dr Wicked, "is a web application that encourages writing by punishing the tendency to avoid writing." Once the timer is started, the web application will inflict various 'punishments' (popup window, annoying noises, or erasing words) if typing is not detected for a customizable grace period. The downloadable version includes extra features, such as a full-screen mode and the ability to word war online with a friend.
Written? Kitten (free): A more...friendly motivator than Write Or Die, Written? Kitten lets you set a word count goal, and every time it's met shows you a new picture of a kitten.
EditMinion (free): EditMinion can help you search for overused words, passive voice, and other editing annoyances. Best saved for December, of course!
Google Docs (free): Google Docs is often used by wrimos who access their novels from multiple locations or want to have a secure backup. It has most of the functions of a word processor and can also be set to be private or public.

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 * [http://writeordie.com/ Write or Die] (free, downloadable version available for $10): Write or Die, a program developed by Nano enthusiast Dr Wicked, "is a web application that encourages writing by punishing the tendency to avoid writing."  Once the timer is started, the web application will inflict various 'punishments' (popup window, annoying noises, or erasing words) if typing is not detected for a customizable grace period.  The downloadable version includes extra features, such as a full-screen mode and the ability to word war online with a friend.
+* [http://writtenkitten.net/ Written? Kitten] (free): A more...friendly motivator than Write Or Die, Written? Kitten lets you set a word count goal, and every time it's met shows you a new picture of a kitten.
+* [http://editminion.com/ EditMinion] (free): EditMinion can help you search for overused words, passive voice, and other editing annoyances.  Best saved for December, of course!
 * [http://docs.google.com Google Docs] (free): Google Docs is often used by wrimos who access their novels from multiple locations or want to have a secure backup.  It has most of the functions of a word processor and can also be set to be private or public.