**Pages of ink discussion

Writing Tools

1) For me, my favorite tool is pen and paper. I’m able to think more freely when I write straight onto paper. So I certainly recommend using this method and then typing your work onto the computer, which can also be the first editing session. If you like typing directly, go for it. Use whatever method that works best for you.

2) Here is a free tool that I discovered for book writing. It is called yWriter. It is free story writing software and it is offered via free download (this link just brings you to the download page only).
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html
to download: http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter_Down...
I have this tool and I like it very much.


Some of the Features of yWriter:

Organise your novel using a ‘project’.
Add files to the project, each containing a chapter.
Add a summary to each file, showing the scenes in each chapter.
Print out summary cards, showing the structure of your novel.
Display the word count for every file in the project, along with a total.
Saves a log file every day, showing words per file and the total. (Tracks your progress)
Saves automatic backups at user-specified intervals.
Allows multiple scenes within chapters
Viewpoint character, goal, conflict and outcome fields for each scene.
Storyboard view, a visual layout of your work.
Re-order scenes within chapters.
Move scenes from one chapter to another.
Automatic chapter renumbering.
FREE

nice! i like the sound of that! and i love writing usin pen and paper, i think more better when i do that, haha, so its google docs hmmm....

I also prefer pen and paper. I hate yWriter though, it confuses me. I use Microsoft Word to keep it all in one place and a different tool that I paid for in order to break it down.

I use both: Microsoft Word to write and use nice fonts... and yWriter to keep track of the characters, places, objects I use...

I use... ringbinders! I type in Word (usually in Arial), have a special folder for saving it all in, print it off and keep it together in a ringbinder. I find this makes it easier for me to notice typos, too.

Before I even start work on a project I set the boundaries of my world. This will often result in about 10 pages of A4 where cans / cannots are listed, the history of the world, the events that led up to the story, what powers can do what, etc. This is especially important if I'm writing fantasy.

I will then write character profiles so I know who my character really is before I start writing. I will usually write 4 or 5 of these before I start then add more as I go along and realise more characters need more depth to them. They list physical attributes, sexual preferences, religious beliefs, personal history, political allegiances, etc. Not all of this will make its way into the story, but it's still important to have it.

All of this is done by hand.

I can't do that, I have mine in project books. My spelling is pretty good so I don't need any help there. I only use Word because it's easy for me to use. (My word font's Calibri. I think it's easy to read. I still have to take it up to 14 though.)

You're so organised Rea. I want to be as organised as you.

I love your thing about the world's can and cannots!! LIKE!!! I am going to do that! And in Word my word font is Georgia but the size is only 11. And I prefer typing on A5 papers not A4!!

I do have project books too, but I prefer to write on loose paper, so if I'm in the train and something hits me I can jot it down then when I get home I get my hole puncher and file it all away.

My typos are usually words that Word autocorrects for me. Sometimes into another language. -_- And I don't notice until the paper is in front of me.

It's good to have the world's boundaries on paper, then you're not likely to accidentally break one of your own laws.

I feel so boring with my size 12 Arial, lol. But it's the font I've been using for 8 years so I guess I'm pretty attached.

Fair enough, I have a mini notebook and a pen in my handbag. So I can always jot down my ideas and then re add it somewhere to make sure I don't lose it.

Lol, my typos tend to be my name... and address, Word doesn't get Welsh lol.

That's a good point. Do you do it just for fantasy worlds or for every story you write?

Haha, don't. Calibri is the default on Word 2007, I have to turn it up otherwise I strain my eyes. I only do it because I have to.

I usually have a few sheets of printer paper folded up small tucked in the back pocket! And a biro. The biros sometimes stop working though... damn things.

Mine tend to be things like my fingers getting ahead of themselves so I get 'got' instead of 'go'. Names and locations are bad, though.

Fantasy worlds are more important because you need set boundaries. For ones set in this world I tend to stick to the world that the characters live in. So if I'm writing about the elite I'll do a world map of elite society, what is and is not accepted there, etc. I wrote one about celebs in modern times and invented all my own film festivals and award ceremonies so I had to write down which one was for what!

Arial was the default on whatever came before 2007 (2003?). Old habits die hard, I guess!

haha!!! I guess they do! Thanks for the tip Char & Rea!!

I find a notebook tidier. If I use printer paper I'll lose it. I hate it when my pens stop working. That makes me sad but my pen in my bag only gets used when I'm out and if it dies pens are cheap to buy in The Works.

I get that sometimes but I always double back over my paragraphs. I hate it when I see something I've missed.

Yeah, I get you. So even if it's for a world like ours, write rules about what is and isn't acceptable? Wow, that sounds like it could have been fun. Hard work but fun, I love inventing thingss.

I guess they do. I like my Calibri though.

Not a problem Chris. =)