Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Y is for yWriter

When I first started writing I sat with a notebook and paper.  Then after having to transcribe my scribbles and try and fit things into the already full note page I began writing directly in Word.

I had 30,000 words of my novel in there and it was working great.  I used heading, titles and subtitles for chapters and scenes and named them with descriptions of the action taking place so I could find what I was looking for.  It was working out quite well.  I had a separate document for my locations and one for my characters and one for my timeline.  I would have to open all these documents every time I was working and toggle between them as necessary.

I was talking with another writer about my timeline issues and then mentioned I wish I could remember what scenes I felt were complete and which were still in an early draft or second draft or final edit status. That is when she explained to me that there is software for writing and I could purchase Scrivner, which was not that great in her opinion and as the only writer I knew I was taking her opinion as gold, or yWriter, which was her preference.

yWriter is free to download and it was written by an actual published author Simon Haynes, Hal Spacejock series.  Here is his website: http://www.spacejock.com.au/  Simon is an author who happens to be a programmer so both sides of his mind work equally well. (I am a not so lucky or well balanced, I am very right brained.)

I downloaded the program and voila I now had a place to keep all my work for my novel(s).  I could easily click on the character tab and review their bios, click on the location tab and look at the descriptions and scenes in which that location is used.  But for me at the time the piece de resistance was that I could label the scene status as outline, draft, 1st and 2nd edit and done!  I could also put in the scenes point of view, upload photos, drag and drop scenes where I wanted them, insert scenes, and so much more I haven't even figured out yet.

I thought I was doing fine with Word until I realized how much better I could be with yWriter.  I went back and paid for the software- he does allow you to make a donation and I thought it was definitely worth what I would have paid for another software.

I go to cnet for any advice about computers or phones so here is their review for yWriter.

http://download.cnet.com/yWriter-5/3000-2079_4-77524.html

 I am very happy with the organization I have with the program.  I have six projects in it and can flip between them and no glitches so far.   I make sure that I download my entire project, very easy to do each night to the cloud or a thumb drive just to be safe.

If you are in need of a great way to keep your writing organized and to help you spend less time trying to keep together all the bits and pieces of your novel (character bios, inspirational photos, location details, notes for scenes, etc.) so you can spend more time actually writing then this software is your answer.  I hope you find it as helpful as I have.

Thank you Simon Haynes.

Happy writing!



14 comments:

  1. Nice. I toyed with scrivener, and it was too rigid for me. I'm a little more organic in my process. In fact, I've discovered I pretty much have to write chronologically--because otherwise I don't know which details I'm leaving out. I have a hard time using rigid outlines (they kill my mojo), so I've mostly stuck with a Word/search engine/handwritten notes conglomerate. Maybe I'll have to try yWriter out. =)

    True Heroes from A to Z

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    1. I have to write chronologically as well. I will confess that I downloaded Scivner last night and am going to give that a try as well.

      What I appreciate most about ywriter is that it is all in one document. But you have to stick with what works best for you and your creative process. Don't mess with the mojo. :)

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  2. i will have to check this out - i think word is fine (and i dont like trying new things) but you make it sound worth the try!
    thanks! happy y day!

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    1. I was so willing to try it because it was free so if it didn't work then there was nothing lost. I hope that you have a positive experience with it.

      Thanks for visiting. Congratulations on making it to the end!

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  3. I never heard of this program before, but it sounds very efficient. I might give it a try. Thanks for visiting my blog earlier today. I am now your newest A-Z follower.
    Deb@ http://debioneille.blogspot.com

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    1. Debi, Thanks for returning the favor and for following. I hope you like the program. I have added your blog to my favorites list. After A to Z is over I start following people who still keep up their blog. There were so many people last year who fell off the face of the earth in May never to be heard from again.

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  4. This sounds like a good program for me, as I'm writing more now, and would like to finish a book I'm working on. Could be the thing I needed to see me complete it quickly. Thanks for this. http://www.writer-way.blogspot.com

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    1. Michelle, I truly believe that things present themselves exactly when you need them. Wonderful that you are able to spend more time writing. Good for you.

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  5. Hmmm, I am going to check this out. I currently write in Word but am thinking about updating my Mac which may kill my Word in the process. So, if they are Mac compatible, this may be a good option for me. Thanks so much!! And, thanks for stopping by my blog today.

    Elsie
    AJ's wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge

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    1. Elsie, I am not sure if it is mac compatible. Scrivner is a writing program that many writers use and I know it is Mac compatible. It was recently on sale at Appsumo for only $20.

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  6. Interesting. If I get into fiction writing, I will try it.

    Maui Jungalow

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  7. Having already enjoyed some of your stories, can't believe I've only just discovered your AtoZ challenge posts! Anyhow, a very informative post you've written here; as I'm still getting to grips with longer writing projects, posts like this are an immense help. Thanks for posting!

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    1. Thank you for visiting. Sorry for the delayed response I took a bit of a holiday from this to get back to my real life, the one where the husband and the kids need stuff from me, like birthday parties and cheesecakes and drop offs and pick ups. Finally back to my writing space to catch up. Your blog is so amazingly professional looking. I need to spruce mine up a bit. I am still quite the novice with it.

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  8. Glad I found this. I'm very tech-shy and have put off paying for any software in case I tried it and didn't like it. Will have to try yWriter - and if I use, will follow your lead and donate. It's only fair. :-)
    Came here via A to Z BTW - I'll be trying to go thru the list during the summer and visit everyone eventually!
    Also, I've joined a "My Writing Process" blog tour. You answer 4 questions about your writing, then post the bio/pic/blog link/book purchase link of 3-4 other writers. then the following Monday each person does the same. I'd love to include you if you'd like - contact form on my blog.
    Congrats on finishing the A to Z! :-)

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