Tools for Creative Writing
I am always looking for useful tooks to do various stuff on the computer, and one area for which I've been seeking tools is writing. Good tools can make a project a lot easier, and this is true for writing. I found a few really good tools for writing, tools that are highly useful and will not break the bank.
Writer's Cafe
Writer's Cafe is an especially interesting writing tool, primarily for it's StoryLines component. StoryLines is set up much like a virtual cork board, where you create index cards and arrange them on the board by story thread. It is easy to work with, intuitive, and actually fun. The idea is to plot out a story visually before writing out the final version so that everything is organized and clear, without sacrificing actual index cards. The paradigm works well.
Writer's Cafe itself includes a rudimentary journal and notebook as well as a timer, "cookie" prompt, a card game and a few other goodies. Good stuff!
As of this writing, Writer's Cafe goes for $45 US for the download version. All updates are free.
The Journal
I needed to find a system by which I could store bread recipes and pictures, and I also wanted something that would serve as a catch-all for basic personal writing. Translation - I wanted an electronic scrapbook with a little more versatility that Writer's Cafe offers for that purpose. I decided to look for a journaling program, and The Journal was the best of the best. It is small, fast, very powerful, and easy to use. I have set up a series of volumes within, one of which has roughly 30 bread recipes I make on a regular basis.
The Journal also has some good security features, that make it attractive for people who need privacy. I elected to go with the Enhanced Security version even though I really do not need it, and so far it has served me well. No one gets in without my being there to tap in the password, and no one knows the password but me.
As of this writing, The Journal goes for $39.95 US for the base download version. Updates are free within major version, after which there is upgrade pricing.
Liquid Story Binder
I found Liquid Story Binder when I was trying to find a tool to help me organize a large body of work I have done already. StoryLines in Writer's Cafe is a great tool for NEW projects, but to backfit an old project that is over 2,400 pages is extremely tough. LSB is a much better fit - it divides everything up by volume and chapter, and each chapter can have notes associated with it, outlines, pictures and more. It has an awesome storyboard editor, and it saves most of it's stuff in RTF format so you can get to it with other writing tools. Finally, I can get my stuff organized.
On average it seems the author updates this package about every two weeks. What is interesting is that it seems most updates contain a major new feature of some kind.
As of this writing, Liquid Story Binder goes for $45.95 US. All updates are free.
Writer's Cafe
Writer's Cafe is an especially interesting writing tool, primarily for it's StoryLines component. StoryLines is set up much like a virtual cork board, where you create index cards and arrange them on the board by story thread. It is easy to work with, intuitive, and actually fun. The idea is to plot out a story visually before writing out the final version so that everything is organized and clear, without sacrificing actual index cards. The paradigm works well.
Writer's Cafe itself includes a rudimentary journal and notebook as well as a timer, "cookie" prompt, a card game and a few other goodies. Good stuff!
As of this writing, Writer's Cafe goes for $45 US for the download version. All updates are free.
The Journal
I needed to find a system by which I could store bread recipes and pictures, and I also wanted something that would serve as a catch-all for basic personal writing. Translation - I wanted an electronic scrapbook with a little more versatility that Writer's Cafe offers for that purpose. I decided to look for a journaling program, and The Journal was the best of the best. It is small, fast, very powerful, and easy to use. I have set up a series of volumes within, one of which has roughly 30 bread recipes I make on a regular basis.
The Journal also has some good security features, that make it attractive for people who need privacy. I elected to go with the Enhanced Security version even though I really do not need it, and so far it has served me well. No one gets in without my being there to tap in the password, and no one knows the password but me.
As of this writing, The Journal goes for $39.95 US for the base download version. Updates are free within major version, after which there is upgrade pricing.
Liquid Story Binder
I found Liquid Story Binder when I was trying to find a tool to help me organize a large body of work I have done already. StoryLines in Writer's Cafe is a great tool for NEW projects, but to backfit an old project that is over 2,400 pages is extremely tough. LSB is a much better fit - it divides everything up by volume and chapter, and each chapter can have notes associated with it, outlines, pictures and more. It has an awesome storyboard editor, and it saves most of it's stuff in RTF format so you can get to it with other writing tools. Finally, I can get my stuff organized.
On average it seems the author updates this package about every two weeks. What is interesting is that it seems most updates contain a major new feature of some kind.
As of this writing, Liquid Story Binder goes for $45.95 US. All updates are free.
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