Novel Writing Software

There's a lot of novel writing sofware (out there|around|available), all doing different things, and all (claiming|saying|indicating) that they're the ('must have'|essential tool)for your success. But do you (need|require) novel writing sofware (at all|in the first place)? All the classics were written without it, after all. Shakespeare didn't have it. Neither did Jane Austen. Nor John Steinbeck.

However having said that, novel writing software can be a terrific. Writing a novel is challenging enough - anything that can help make it easier is worth considering. Those classic novels were also written without word processors, after all, without being able to cut and paste, or search and replace - but no writer nowadays would give up his or her computer. I certainly think it's worthwhile doing some research and seeing if any novel writing software would suit your needs.

When you do check out the various types of novel writing software, you'll see that they vary (considerably|a lot). The (most straightforward|simplest|least complex) type is just a word processor in essence. True, a word processor that's (tweaked|created just) for writers, but still. I don't think these products are worth the (effort|expense|time) frankly - your current word processor will do just as well.

Then you get software which acts like a simple virtual index card system, so you can brainstorm as much as you like, playing around with ideas and scenes until you're happy with the flow. I found that these virtual index cards were actually much easier to use than real ones it was easier to keep track of what was where. I find real index cards very frustrating as I struggle to find the ones I want, and in that struggle I lose my flow.

Moving up a notch , you can get software which guides you through the elements of a story. This software will prompt you to answer questions about your plot, your characters, your theme and so on. Some of these products are extremely structured and force you to fit into a rigid template this rigid template being, of course, of a model which has proven itself such as the hero's journey. But it's essential that you decide whether or not you're happy to be constricted in this way. Others are less structured they might just guide you to the traditional 3-act structure, without limiting you further. And others don't try to force you into any structure at all they leave that down to you as the author.

Some of these novel writing software products offer various little add-ons such as drop down menus with character traits for you to choose from (and in one case, a sliding scale so you can decide just how much of a particular trait your character possesses. Other add-ons include a visual timeline which in my opinion is very handy for keeping track of complex plots and those involving disparate strands of the story, a source for keeping pictures of your character for you to refer to, story-boarding options and so on.

You do have to remember, of course, that none of these products will write the novel for you. And that's good - where would be the fun in that! What they will do is to help you create, and/or keep track of, the various elements which have to flow together seamlessly in order to create a well-written and satisfying novel.

To get the full scoop on novel writing software, including balanced comprehensive reviews of different products (free and paid) why not check out www.fiction-writers-mentor.com/novel-writing-software.html. For general fiction-writing advice, I invite you to visit my main website www.fiction-writers-mentor.com.

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