Welcome my friend, Marley Delarose! ~DD

Whether you’re a newbie to writing or a published author I’m sure you’ve been frustrated a time or two with word processors like Word, wondering if there isn’t something out there just for writers.

There are!—Many software packages to choose from, some fairly inexpensive, some free. So many, in fact, that knowing which one is right for you can be a bit overwhelming.

Some of the issues to take into consideration include:
Your expertise with computers in general
Your operating system—Windows XP or Vista, Windows7, or Mac OS
How you work. Are you a pantser, a plotter, or a planner?
What genre do you write in; do you build an extensive fantasy world?
Would you like helpers like timelines, name generators, character creators included?
Do you want to track POV, conflict, revision status?
Want to place all your research including pictures in the program with your manuscript?
Would you like the program to offer a storyboard.
Expense.

Recently, I reviewed five software packages and a few tools on my blog—link to Marley’s reviews

Here’s a list of the packages I covered:
For writing:
PC only and entirely free of charge—Ywriter 5
MAC only—Scrivener
MAC AND PC (this means you can use the same file on your pc and your son’s MAC)—WriteItNow4, Writer’s Café

(There are more packages than these which I’ll review later. My overall recommendation for most writers would be WriteItNow4 for its ease of use and the multitude of built-in writer tools.)

For brainstorming and organizing your scenes or your life:
Freemind—Mindmapping software
Bubbl.US—online flowchart or mindmapping
Both are free to download and use.

For word production:
Write or Die from Dr. Wicked—many writers are familiar with this little online sprint helper but did you know there’s a new inexpensive desktop version? Try a word war today with a partner.

Go to my blog and click on the label ‘Software for Writers’ or on any of the links for the programs themselves at the bottom of the page. On each blog you’ll find a link to the software developer’s site where you can download a DEMO good for thirty days or click on an image to view it larger in a window of its own.

Happy Writing,
Marley

Marley Delarose is an RWA PRO, a member of DSRA, Nola Stars, and a former manager and computer teacher who is pursuing her goal of becoming a published author with her current paranormal mystery.