| If you're the kind of writer who has ever sat | | | | On the other hand, if you're looking for some help |
| staring blankly at the computer terminal and | | | | organizing your thoughts into a novel, a novel |
| wishing for a little divine intervention, then you | | | | writing software package could be just what |
| may have already considered purchasing novel | | | | you're looking for. |
| writing software. Compared to the days of old, | | | | If you are just using Microsoft Word to complete |
| where writers had to sharpen feathers dipped in | | | | your daily page count, you might have difficulty |
| ink; or even crank a blank sheet through the old | | | | getting an overview of your project. Some |
| Underwood, this generation of writers has it | | | | writers like this blank slate, but, if you're like me, |
| pretty good. But sometimes, even all the benefits | | | | you appreciate the ability to jump around when |
| of our Word program aren't quite enough, and we | | | | you write. With a dedicated novel writing |
| need a little more along the way of organization. | | | | software package, you have the ability to write |
| That's where novel writing software comes in. | | | | the end first, if you like, and then go back to |
| There are definitely some pros to having a | | | | pound out the beginning. With novel writing |
| dedicated software package designed to help us | | | | software, the writer has the ability to work in the |
| struggling writers get to "THE END" without too | | | | way that is best suited to how the writer's brain |
| much in the way of blood, sweat and tears. You | | | | is working. For some, that's linear, for others it's |
| should go into any potential software purchase | | | | more all-over-the-place. |
| with eyes open, however. No software is going to | | | | A novel writing software package can also spit |
| write your bestseller for you. | | | | out an agent-ready manuscript when the time |
| There are many novel writing software packages | | | | comes. This is great for beginning writers who |
| available that are designed just for fiction writers. | | | | might not be sure about the best manuscript |
| One such package is 'NewNovelist', and is the | | | | format to win over an agent or publisher's heart. |
| software I will be discussing here. In future | | | | Whether you decide to go it alone, with your |
| articles, I will look at some of the other packages | | | | computer's pre-installed word processor, or you |
| available. | | | | opt to try out a novel writing software package |
| One concern I had with the software is that | | | | (or even hammer it out on your Underwood), one |
| there is no free trial period. I always like to have | | | | thing bears repeating: no software package it |
| a chance to use a software package first, to see | | | | going to do it for you. It will always be up to the |
| if it will suit my needs. Fortunately, at just under | | | | writer in put in the hard yards. |
| $55, your initial outlay shouldn't bankrupt you. | | | | 'NewNovelist', as the name implies, is designed for |
| Another drawback to this software package is | | | | those writers who are getting their feet wet in |
| that is doesn't work on Macs. Again, this is not a | | | | the fiction writing market. While the software is |
| big deal if you run Windows on your computer, | | | | the perfect solution for many beginning writers, it |
| but is definitely a deal-breaker for a lot of diehard | | | | does have its drawbacks. |
| Apple fans. | | | | |