AUTHOR SOFTWARE
Author software, or book-writing software, comes in two forms, and is widely used in the trade.
Author software falls into two broad but somewhat overlapping categories. In the first are electronic equivalent to books or courses on writing. You are taken through the stages of devising characters, their motivations, the conflicts that generate plot, and the basic techniques of suspense and scene construction — in the novel, short-story, poem, play or film script. In the second are story development programs, electronic card indexes where you keep notes on the characters, track them from scene to scene, and decide how the issues can be resolved. Taking them in turn:
Electronic Instruction
Advantages:
compact, and can reside in your computer for immediate reference.
commonly includes exercises to consolidate what's been taught.
Disadvantages:
more expensive than conventional books.
exercises are not 'marked' by outside parties.
doesn't make you the friends and contacts of live courses.
Examples
New Novelist: based on University of East Anglia course.
Writer's Software Companion: old program, but content is detailed and thorough: $49. -
Fiction Master: Covers most aspects of craft. $179.
Story Development Programs
Advantages
convenient: everything has its pre-designed place.
you're continually reminded of what needs to be covered.
plotting is easier with a plan constantly in view.
reduces unnecessary writing and later reshaping.
consistency: helps you remember your heroine's eyes are green, etc.
commonly include timelines controlling character appearances.
practically essential for meetings if you're writing a radio or TV series.
when done, you simply have to 'join up the dots' to complete the work.
Disadvantages
tend to generate an enormous quantity of notes.
final draft often needs to be recast in the crucible of imagination.
Examples
You'll find good listings on Writers Store and Writers Publish.
Plot Monkey: basic plot generator: $10.
Storycraft Pro: Popular, fully-featured program: $69-79.
Chrysanth NETime Author: For popular fiction, television serials, etc. free trial: $70.
Power Structure: Stimulates your creativity: $135.
StoryBase. Develops plots from 5,600 story-moves: $89.
Books
A short selection of the many practical books on writing
Stein on Writing by Sol Stein: character conflict creates plot.
The Art of Fiction by John Gardner: general considerations for beginners.
Plot (Elements of Fiction Writing) by Ansen Dibell: nuts and bolts of plot.
The Art of Fiction: Illustrated from Classic and Modern Texts by David Lodge: brief introductions.
The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier: featured on Writer's Digest.
Language in Popular Fiction by Walter Nash: academic but useful study.
Writing Courses
You'll find information on your community notice board, but also consult the listings on our help self-publishing page.