I invited author Robin Gianna to come and talk to us about writing software. Please welcome Robin...
Do you embrace new technology, or do you prefer to do things the old-fashioned way?
I’m talking about writing a novel! Right now, I fall into the old-fashioned
camp, but am seriously considering updating to something else. Though I guess I’m not totally old-fashioned
- that would be pen and paper, and I know some authors actually still write
that way. I can’t imagine it, but know those who do believe the process of hand
writing then retyping their work into a computer helps them see the story
better.
I have a Mac laptop, and use its Pages program. But because
Microsoft Word is the industry standard, I do have to save it as a Word program
before I send it off. However, it’s an
easy click to do that.
I’m sure there are lots of features within both of those programs
that I haven’t explored, and keep track of my story very simply. I keep my
work-in-progress all in one document.
Then I keep a second document with names, physical descriptions, and
other details about each character. On that same document, I also note how each
chapter begins and ends and a brief note about each scene and its purpose in
the story. A friend of mine uses an Excel spreadsheet to do this, which sounds
like a good idea I still haven’t gotten around to! This simple approach has worked adequately
for me so far.
But all the rest of it? I
keep research in a cumbersome notebook, and there’s usually a lot of it. Things
I’ve printed from the internet, notes I’ve written to myself about the story,
all the pre-writing stuff I do for character study and turning points and more
scribbled notes as ideas come to me. Frankly, it’s a bit of a mess and takes
time to sort through it all when I’m looking for something specific.
Recently, though, a friend showed me her Scrivener program that
she had taken the time to learn, and now adores. Another friend (much more
savvy about trying new products than I am) has used it for a long time and says
she couldn’t write without it.
And it does look awesome!
You can break your work into chapters, scenes, and even paragraphs
easily. All the research? Stored in one place and easily accessed. Organizing and reorganizing your plot? All there.
I could go on and on, but it sounds absolutely great. I know there would
be a lot to learn to actually be able to use it, but the technophobe inside of
me just might be shoved aside to make it happen sometime this year.
How about you? Do you still do some things the old-fashioned
way? What writing program do you use,
and are you happy with it? Thinking of trying something new, and if so, what?
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Didn't know that about Macs. I'd love to upgrade to one, but wow who has the time to learn a whole new system?? Still, I"m sure it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteI don't use a writing program other than Word. But I do all my outlines and character sketches in spiral notebooks. I love the freedom it gives me.:)
I use the spiral notebooks, too! One for each book. It's worked so far, but as I said above, it ends up pretty messy by the time I'm deep into the book! Crammed with notes and extra sheets of printed character study stuff and research...*sigh* Maybe you and I need to design a spiral notebook with thick pockets made especially for writers!
DeleteAll my notes are on paper. Call me crazy, but there's something about the organic process of transcribing by hand that cements things in the brain. I've actually trained my brain to retain most of these details, like mental shelves where story 1 and story 2 get placed to be resurrected by the right music or keywords/images at a later date. I'm trying to transition over to an electronic process, but so far it's a big fat FAIL. =)
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting to me Crystal, that this works for you, too! But 'mental shelves'? I hadn't really thought of it like that, but I believe you're right! I'm convinced that writing things down helps the info 'stay' in the brain - I nag my kids to always takes notes in class because it definitely helps make whatever you're trying to remember stick. You and I are together in trying this 'electronic transition' thing, and maybe someday getting it to work :-)
DeleteOr maybe after the electronic apocalypse we'll be the only two writers left. ;)
DeleteHa! Possibly, Crystal! But as a Star Trek fan, I believe the future will still have the Jean Luc Picards who read paper books (which means a few of us die-
Deletehards will still be around, too :-)
One of these days (if I ever get a decent block of uninterrupted time) I'd like to try scrivener. But for now I still type, print out, correct with pen, then re-type. Time consuming, bit I catch more errors that way. And it gives me a hard copy to tote around in case I want someone's critique.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't you find that a hard copy helps you see things you somehow miss just looking at the computer? I sure do! And you're right, it takes sooo much time. But worth it in the end, I think.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and giving us your thoughts!
I think the stories I write on paper are my best but there's not time to do all that transposing. Have a friend who swears by Scrivener but even though I bought it I haven't been willing to spend the time to make it useful.
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Denise
That's my exact fear, Denise. When my friend was showing me all Scrivener's features I thought "Wow! This would be great!" Then I thought about how behind I am in my entire life and had to ask myself if I really would take the time to sit down and learn it. I'm still considering it, though...in all that free time I'm sure is going to happen someday...:-)
DeleteInteresting to me that you feel the stories you write by hand are the best. The transposing would have to take an incredible amount of time, but I read that one author felt that when she 'recorded' her handwritten words into the computer, it helped her see the story and edits required very clearly. But again, it all comes down to time, doesn't it?
I love Scrivener! I know a lot of people says it's got a steep learning curve, but for the basics, it really doesn't. I do recommend the tutorial though - an hour well spent! And there's a free 30 day trial - and the 30 days are only the days you actually use it. Well worth a look!
ReplyDeleteJemi, I almost wish you hadn't posted this! :-) All the steep-learning curve comments are what's kept me from taking the plunge. Now I just might have to....thanks so much for letting me know you didn't think it was torturous!
DeleteI love modernized and new software in most things, like on my tablet or when I'm photoshopping stuff. But I'm weird when it comes to writing. I use MS Office 2003. I hate anything else; I just like the tried and true. Great post, Robin! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it! :-) Thanks for your comment, Lexa!
DeleteIt's great that technology has evolved to accommodate a writer's needs. Even so, I think individual comfort level is still the most important consideration.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! Just like there's no one way to write, there's no one way to get it written! :-) By the way, I love your moniker!
DeleteI haven't even graduated to a laptop. I still type on my desktop PC. Sometimes, I write things in spiral notebooks. Talk about old fashioned. But it works.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the book: sounds like a sexy romance, with a cute little one on the side. I like the formula.
xoRobyn
Thanks for your nice thoughts on my book - I appreciate it!
DeleteYou know, while it's great to be able to take a laptop anywhere and write, I think there's something to be said for working on a desktop. Suzanne Brockman was keynote speaker at a conference I attended, and she talked about the importance of 'grounding' where your subconscious knows it's time to get to work. If you write in one place, and especially if you're able to only write there and not pay bills, etc. she believes it's easier to get straight back into the story. I think that just might be true!
I'm a Word girl through and through. I know where everything is, I know the little tips and tricks that get me through. Even though I've heard many people rave about Scrivener, I'd rather not take the time to learn something new. Call me a dinosaur! (yes, I do still use paper and pen too).
ReplyDeleteThat's where you've got me beat, Lynda. I don't know Word or Pages through and through - maybe if I did, I wouldn't be as tempted to try Scrivener. How nice to know that all you have to do is concentrate on the story and not have to worry about how to best utilize your software - I'm jealous! :-)
DeleteI do use Scrivener to help my planning process, but I've never written the actual novel in Scrivener. I just don't love it the way some others do, but to each his own, right? :)
ReplyDeleteI know so little about it at this point, Kelly - how do you use it in the planning process, and what isn't appealing about it to you when actually writing?
DeleteAll of that is so personal, almost as personal as voice. It's fascinating to read about how other writers keep track of the intangibles--notebooks, varying technologies, etc.
ReplyDeleteIt is, isn't it Suze? I know I'm not alone, though, in wondering if I can be more efficient if I do things differently. I do feel like I waste a lot of time digging through my notebook for things - definitely not as organized as I'd like to be. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteI have never tried Scrivener, but I have heard about it on other blogs. I guess it is something I should check out when I have time. I am a mix of technology and old school too. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was great to hear from Robin. Wishing her the best of luck!
~Jess
Thanks so much, Jess!
DeleteI am one of those old fashioned writers! I like the process of using a pencil and paper. I can see it much better, and I can analyze it again as I type it into the computer. Plus I can do it anywhere - even if there's no Wi-Fy connection.
ReplyDeleteThat just amazes and impresses me, Sherry! How great that you know exactly what process works for you.
DeleteI've really consider getting Scrivener, but I do like keeping notes in either Word docs or in notebooks. I have tried Office's OneNote, and it's nice to separate out notes all in one place.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that, no matter what, I'll still end up hand-writing notes sometimes. I suspect it's a habit neither of us could break, don't you think, Cherie? But this conversation has, I believe, convinced me I need to give Scrivener a try after I get this book turned in. If I can get the hang of it, anyone can! Will see...:-) Thanks for stopping by!
Delete