Novel Writing Software – Which Programs Are the Best?

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The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing

The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing

Some authors scoff at the idea of using software to help write a novel.  As a technology geek, I take a contrary view.  If software can make the writing process easier, why not use it?

I’ve been experimenting with novel writing software, and have found some success.  What I’m wondering, though, is which programs are the best?

For my latest project I’ve been using three writing programs consistently.  Here’s a rundown of what they do.

Dramatica Pro

Dramatica helps you to develop a fully formed story, and is great for producing a story synopsis.  It’s based on an original theory of story composition, and is influenced by Joseph Campbell‘s writings on archetypes and the structure of myths.  I was hesitant to try it until I read an interview with fantasy writing legend Tracey Hickman, in which he describes how he uses Dramatica to flesh out his characters and their motivations.

I used Dramatica to generate my novel’s synopsis.  I took the ideas that I had already developed, and plugged them into the software.  What the program did, then, was present me with questions that helped to refine the core elements of the story.  It challenged me to reconsider my characters and their motivations in new ways.  This process gave me fresh insights into the central conflicts of the story, as well as the relationships of the characters.

A common criticism of Dramatica is that it takes a “cookie-cutter” approach to storytelling, as it reshapes your story to fit the theory.  There is some truth to this.  In a few cases the software pushed me to re-imagine characters in ways that I found displeasing.  When this occurred, I treated the software’s recommendations as suggestions, and proceeded as I wished.  In spite of this, Dramatica has been a worthwhile investment for me.  Because of this software my story synopsis now contains unique twists that I had not previously considered.

The Marshall Plan Novel Writing Software

This software is based on The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall.  Marshall is a successful mystery author and literary agent, and has a keen understanding of the mechanics of storytelling.

After developing my synopsis with Dramatica Pro, I used the Marshall Plan to outline my novel scene by scene.  This software divides a story into three acts, each of which is comprised of numerous sections.  For each section you develop the viewpoint character, her motivation, as well as the conflict and obstacles that she faces.  The software also guides you towards developing fast-moving acts with twists, as well as a satisfying climax.

The final result is a well-paced road-map of your novel, which I printed out and keep near my writing desk.  Like Dramatica, the Marshall Plan does try to reshape your novel to fit a predefined template.  What this software does excel at, though, is helping you to shape the structure of your novel.

My Writing Spot

My Writing Spot is a free online word processor for writers.  It provides a straightforward writing environment with minimal distractions.  As you type the program displays a running word count, while keeping most other features out of view.  For me, this makes it easier to stay focused on my writing.  A number of important features are present, though, including auto-save, a dictionary and a thesaurus.  Your manuscript is stored online in Google’s cloud, where only you have access to it.  It’s very easy to export the document to any word processor, or to email it to yourself.

Perhaps the best aspect of My Writing Spot, however, is that apps are available for the iPad, Android and iPhone operating systems.  This means that you can easily write on the go, as your work is always accessible from Google’s cloud.  It’s also useful if you use multiple computers for your writing.

I’ve been using My Writing Spot since last year, and find it to be one of my favorite writing tools.  It makes it easy for me to work on my novel while sitting in waiting rooms, riding on a train, or lounging on the couch.  It doesn’t get more convenient than that.

What Are You Using?

For me, these three programs have been invaluable.  Yet there are other examples of novel writing software.  Some popular options include:

  • NewNovelist
  • yWriter
  • Scrivener
  • StoryWeaver
  • Liquid Story Binder

Do you have any experience with these or similar programs?  In your opinion, which writing programs are the best?

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Antonio del Drago

Antonio del Drago is a writer, philosopher and college professor. When he isn't indulging his passion for writing, Antonio enjoys playing with swords. Google+

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  • Anonymous

    Sorry, but I use me.  I’ve spent a lifetime (thus far) learning to do all of that but spell checks for my own little lonesome self.  Plus, I’m weird.  I like it that way.

  • Chilari

    Pangurpad is a fairly new online writing website which I find useful. You can eliminate all distractions, or with the stuff turned on, add notes on characters or places, work out a timetable, quickly create chapter headings. The problem is that it’s not free (if you want more than one writing slot), and at the moment not complete, but it looks to be expanding within the next few months, offering new features including publishing options. I bought a founding membership and so far I like what I see, though the forums are rather quiet at the moment.

  • http://www.jennasthilaire.com/ Jenna St. Hilaire

    I’ve been using Scrivener (Windows beta version) and have loved it. While I’m interested in Dramatica’s use of the Campbell story arc and am intrigued by the idea of having an Android app that would allow me to work everywhere if/when I get a Smartphone, Scrivener provides a good solid structuring capability based on chapters and scenes. It also offers lots of room for scratching notes, which is good, because I do a lot of that and dislike dealing with a long list at the end or separate files.

    I could see myself using My Writing Spot for dry typing, but it’s really just nice to have various parts of my story and related notes easily accessible, all gathered into one place. It would be hard to go back to just Word now. I’m too spoiled. :)

    • Antonio del Drago

      @e008e1175786cd69e131bc0f9ce433b1:disqus 

      I’ve heard great things about Scrivener for years, but I wasn’t aware that a Windows version is in the works.  Do you know when the release version will be available?

      • http://www.jennasthilaire.com/ Jenna St. Hilaire

        The date just got pushed back a couple of weeks ago, so that’s uncertain, actually. They’re promising “before November” for all the nervous NaNoWriMo people. :) But anyone wishing to try it out can download the beta. That’s what I’ve done, and I expect to purchase a license when it’s released.

      • http://www.jennasthilaire.com/ Jenna St. Hilaire

        Oh, and I guess I could have included a link.

        Scrivener for Windows (beta)

  • http://twitter.com/majkia majkia

    I’m a devoted user of Liquid Story Binder.  Very powerful, very adaptable and helpful.

  • Rev LD

    I like to use the yWriter to get my thoughts in order.

  • Antonio del Drago

    @Chilari,

    Thanks for sharing about Pangurpad.  It sounds promising.

  • Magnus Norling

    I’ve used Scrivener (both Mac and Windows), yWwriter and Liquid Story Binder XE. While they’re all excellent and help a writer get writing, ideas, notes and all the stuff you might use in order, there’s obviously differences and you should really try them out and see which one suits you.. 
    Now I’ve found a new favourite: StoryBox  http://storyboxsoftware.com/#StoryBox This program has features  that you might recognise from the other three programs and in my opinion it’s a perfect mix.
    Try it out. It’s helped me get my writing organised.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DQYEGNGBRQPVNW3SHKVYKCG3A4 Kevin

    Jers Novel Writer is very good for Macs.

  • Shannon Kernahan

    I was using Storymill, and had been saving my manuscript to my server and the software but when it provided an update I could not retrieve four chapters written after updating the software. It became incompatible when I tried to Import it back to the software and wasn’t compatible with any other program, even Word. Hours lost, and I was furious! Starting back at the beginning, hoping an agent would have wanted a rewrite anyway. Bollocks to the Storymill!

  • Candace McCann

    I love the features of Liquid Story Binder, particularly the character generator and the dossiers, but find the software unwieldy and hard to get the knack of.  I looked at NewNovelist but was so turned off by all the grammar mistakes that I didn’t think the software itself could be good.  I downloaded the demo of MyNovel but found the demo too limited to show me what it could really do.  So I’ve downloaded the free trial of Scrivener and hope to be able to report back favorably in a month or so.

  • Blondwolfforu

    are any of them good to use for language and grammer. english is not my first language so it dificult for me. tanks

  • Todd Lucas

    Writemonkey.  Go get the latest “preview” version off their discussion forum.  Gives you full control over everything, including appearance of your work environment.  Allows you to do or at least approximate most of the “tricks” from Scrivener, yWriter, et. al.  Works exclusively with .TXT files for the ultimate in portability.  More importantly, can do anything its capable of without lifting your hands from the keyboard, so its a speed and ergonomic dream.  Topped off with an enthusiastic and approachable author.  Its the only game in town if you want a completely “full screen” or “distraction free” interface that actually has some power other than those two words (and yes, you can work in it just like Scrivener or yWriter with one scene/chapter per file, reorder them and merge them later; that’s why you need to go get the “preview” version off the forum because that’s where all this functionality has been getting added lately).