Morgan Bellmillions of ideas, no structure, will software help?
May 11th 2008 17:46
question for all the fiction writers out there . . . what do you think of writing software?
is it the lazy girls cop-out?
is it a scam?
i am having major difficulties structuring my story, i know the characters, i know the scenes, i have millions of ideas . . . but i dont know the sequence of events, i have no order, no start, and no plot direction . . . its kind of like real life!
some software packages look really dodgy but i found a couple i thought could assist . . . i dont want it to write it for me, i just lack organisational skills at the moment and thought this might be a helping hand?
my brain is mush, i honestly cant tell if this is a good idea or not . . . is it like buying steak knives and gym equipment off late night informercials?
does anyone have any experience with these kind of programs? any advice?
here are the two least dodgy ones i have found so far:
Power Structure ($149.95) Really Long Link
New Novelist (US $ 54.99) Really Long Link
is it the lazy girls cop-out?
is it a scam?
i am having major difficulties structuring my story, i know the characters, i know the scenes, i have millions of ideas . . . but i dont know the sequence of events, i have no order, no start, and no plot direction . . . its kind of like real life!
some software packages look really dodgy but i found a couple i thought could assist . . . i dont want it to write it for me, i just lack organisational skills at the moment and thought this might be a helping hand?
my brain is mush, i honestly cant tell if this is a good idea or not . . . is it like buying steak knives and gym equipment off late night informercials?
does anyone have any experience with these kind of programs? any advice?
here are the two least dodgy ones i have found so far:
Power Structure ($149.95) Really Long Link
Power Structure™ is the first story development environment designed for writers who aren't in search of an electronic muse, but who have a story that they want to tell, and who simply want a better "place" to do it.
With Power Structure™ there are no complicated forms to fill out, no new theories of story or arcane terminology to learn. Instead, it conforms to you, its nine unique story views giving you a Playground of the Mind™ where you can explore, develop and yes, even structure, the best writing of your career.
Instantly jump from looking at the smallest detail of your story to the big picture with the click of a mouse. Graphically track conflicts, subplots, characters and themes so you never lose track of what you set out to do and what you've accomplished.
Perfect for writers of Novels, Plays, Screenplays, Television scripts, Short Stories or any Creative Writing
With Power Structure™ there are no complicated forms to fill out, no new theories of story or arcane terminology to learn. Instead, it conforms to you, its nine unique story views giving you a Playground of the Mind™ where you can explore, develop and yes, even structure, the best writing of your career.
Instantly jump from looking at the smallest detail of your story to the big picture with the click of a mouse. Graphically track conflicts, subplots, characters and themes so you never lose track of what you set out to do and what you've accomplished.
Perfect for writers of Novels, Plays, Screenplays, Television scripts, Short Stories or any Creative Writing
New Novelist (US $ 54.99) Really Long Link
You’ve got great ideas. Your characters are in your head. You know how you want the ending to be. You’re a GREAT writer…
…. so why are you still staring at a blank computer screen or sheet of paper?
If you’ve ever tried to write a novel (or even just thought about it), you know the routine. You just can’t put everything together. You’ve got to work step by step to write a great book, right?
Take a look at what you can do with NewNovelist:
Start with character development, or work on a plot turn
Describe an event first
Work backward by writing the ending FIRST!
Write Your Novel YOUR WAY!
WHY NEWNOVELIST SOFTWARE?
It’s simply the fastest, most painless way to write a novel. No other method or software even comes close:
Save Time - The software collects all your work into one single file!
Organize Better – No more rifling through notes!
Intuitive – Write the way you think!
Simple to Install – and Fun To Use!
YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A WRITER TO USE NEWNOVELIST
• No Previous Writing Experience Needed
• Simply write down your thoughts
• No worrying about thought construction
You spend more time on writing - and less time working out what to do next!
…. so why are you still staring at a blank computer screen or sheet of paper?
If you’ve ever tried to write a novel (or even just thought about it), you know the routine. You just can’t put everything together. You’ve got to work step by step to write a great book, right?
Take a look at what you can do with NewNovelist:
Start with character development, or work on a plot turn
Describe an event first
Work backward by writing the ending FIRST!
Write Your Novel YOUR WAY!
WHY NEWNOVELIST SOFTWARE?
It’s simply the fastest, most painless way to write a novel. No other method or software even comes close:
Save Time - The software collects all your work into one single file!
Organize Better – No more rifling through notes!
Intuitive – Write the way you think!
Simple to Install – and Fun To Use!
YOU DON'T NEED TO BE A WRITER TO USE NEWNOVELIST
• No Previous Writing Experience Needed
• Simply write down your thoughts
• No worrying about thought construction
You spend more time on writing - and less time working out what to do next!
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
I can't help I'm afraid, but I'd love to know more...I'm sure someone in Orble world will know.
Tracy
Comment by Louie
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Climate Red
randomthoughts
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Comment by Pat
Books Are For Losers
If you insist on using one, why don't you choose to illegally download a pirated version of that particular piece of software and use it illegally for a very low (nil) price. Just an illegal suggestion from your friendly orble pal: Pat.
Comment by RubySoho
Thought Zone
But you do need to be a writer to a write a novel.
Maybe not such a good idea then.
Comment by postmoderncritic
Postmodern Critic
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I say try it - it can't possibly hurt. Heck, if I had the money I would probably buy one myself... I'm writing a book which is advancing very, very slowly at the moment and I could use all the help I get. Hey, maybe we can encourage and motivate each other?
I don't think it's a cop-out, because it's not like you're going to do exactly what it suggests... you're just looking for any ideas which might possibly help you.
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
It sounds like artists painting with colour by numbers.
Michaelie
Comment by Morgan Bell
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im hearing a yes and a few nos . . . i appreciate the input!
hi Tracy,
i only just found out about it myself, it will be interesting to hear what everybody has to say . . .
hi Louie,
thanks so much for the suggestion, i will have to check that one out!
hi Pat,
now thats the kind of sneaky thinking i like, i actually spoke to one of my computer nerd friends on the phone thismorning and they suggested much the same thing . . . excellent thinking outside the square, the cost was the major factor deterring me!
hi Ruby,
haha yes the copywriter was going a bit insane werent they! thats what was making it look dodgy . . . you dont need to be a writer, you dont need talent or a brain . . . geez what kind of people is this product appealing to?
hi Epiphanie,
thanks for the encouraging words!
i was thinking of it more as a prompt to get a first draft and knowing me i would edit the finished product about 3000 times . . . thats my main obstacle switching from being the critic to the creator!
hi Michaelie,
oh no thats a BIG no! haha
painting by numbers, great analogy!
so far ive been all imagination and no format . . . can i use it as a prompt for a first draft? no? you are so strict! haha
maybe i will try the illegal download as suggested by my little orble friend, i hate forking out money for things over the net when you cant see how user-friendly they are
thanks for all the input everyone!