UK Amazon Kindle Forum discussion

As there are now a large number of writer's within our much loved UKAKF community, I thought it would be nice to have a place within the group for writers to discuss their craft with the other writers, and with readers of course if you want to join in. It's somewhere to talk about the process of writing from concept to publication and everything in between. It's nothing new - other forums have them and they probably all call them the Writer's cafe, too, but it makes it's purpose clear, I think. Promo is a no-no. It's all about the writer rather the product - although there are of course times when we have to talk about our work to get something across.

I don't know if it will prove to be a popular cafe or even if it's in the right place - I think it might be better as a sticky thread at the top of the 'Meet our Authors' folder (Simon/Patti?).

For an opening post, I was wondering who uses PC and who uses Macs. I've used both and switched from PC to Mac a few years ago. I'm really interested to hear from any of the group writers who use Scrivener. I'm still on the old version and need to switch to the new version if I want to carry on receiving updates, but I've held back until the start of my next project.

Has anyone else upgraded to the new version of Scrivener? Was it a straightforward transition and did you have any problems with projects created with the old version? I need to upgrade my Mac OS, too, but again, I'm waiting until I've finished my current project in case something goes wrong.

Just popping my head in... I'm an avid reader who's written some fanfic and has often wondered about being an author :) (I use PC by the way)

I'll shift and sticky it, Steve.

Great idea for a thread, I think. Thank you.

Hi Katie!
Thanks Patti. I've got to go out for some hours now. Typical isn't it. Start a thread and clear off!

Hi Steve, Scrivener was also recently been released for Linux as "free to try" during beta release. Don't know that much progress has been made since. I've never used it on any OS, but from experience with all the other software we use (for CAD, desktop publishing, image manipulation etc) it would have to be a Mac all the way for me. We have to use pcs for bloody Autocad, and Windows always makes me want to kick something!

Hello! I think it's a nice idea. I'm a writer and reader and always enjoy hearing about how others approach their writing. I use a PC to type up everything (usually Open Office), but I still write first drafts in longhand, in one of a huge collection of notebooks. I'm a notebook magpie, I can't be left alone near stationery...

These days I do everything on a PC in word. It's the easiest way for someone who finds themselves falling behind in the tech stakes. There is always at least one draft done on paper, though, as I see mistakes there I wouldn't see on the screen for some reason.

Touch typing helps and I used a nifty computer program called Mavis Beacon teaches touch typing to learn at home, through a series of games. I recommend that, if it's still around.

Oooooh a cafe! Toasted tea-cake and a cuppa please.
I only write the odd poem (very odd) but I'm a serious reader. Only time I'm serious really. Notebooks and PC.

Well any writing I actually get round to eventually doing is in Word on my laptop. And I don't touch type, but I am a very fast two-fingered typist from over 25 years as a computer programmer.

Nice thread.

PC, Windows 7, Word 2010.

I don't use any software because:

1. I'd have to spend time learning how to use it ;)
2. I have to see everything on one page/screen and software usually complicates that
3. I'm too tight-fisted to spend money on any ;)
4. It's bad enough having to convert word into the right format for paperbacks and HTML for epub/mobi without adding another process into the equation
5. I'm a man and would never read the manual/help files
6. It would probably have too many features which would either confuse me or get me doing too much preparation, thus curtailing the actual writing of the book!

I hear authors speak about typing speed. I'm not sure what use that would be to me. My thinking is slower than any typing speed I could reach. Now, if I was copying something then it might be useful! But I'm not a secretary!

EDIT: I seem to be getting GR posting a duplicate post which I have to delete afterwards...

Steve, Many thanks for starting this thread. I use a PC - microsoft word.

My advice to anyone writing a novel would be to join a writers group. The one I joined was invaluable and is the reason my 3 books are getting good reviews.

GR is a writers' (and readers') group :)

Joanna wrote: "Steve, Many thanks for starting this thread. I use a PC - microsoft word.

My advice to anyone writing a novel would be to join a writers group. The one I joined was invaluable and is the reason my..."

As Steve said in his opening post, this thread isn't meant for promos, please Joanna.

Could you edit your post please?

Oh, Joanna! What did you do? We'll let you off this once. I've never been one for joining writer's groups personally. Too shy, I guess. Bit of a lone writer - not to be confused with the lone ranger.

Andrew, I read your post above and thought, Noooo! Long Hand! All credit to you and I know what yo mean about stationary, but I think I've fogotten how to write long hand now. Anything legible that is. :o)

Maybe we could run out own writer's workshop group in here. Say over a coffee on a Wednesday. The Wednesday Workshop! The ideas are flowing tonight, eh?

Back on the Scrivener thing, I've really got to say that it's the best thing I ever did. It takes a little adjustment time, but once you have... The only pain I had now is having to go back to MS Word for final drafts. If you can get hold of Scrivener for whatever machine/os your running, it's well worth the initial effort I think. It organises you, so you don't have to.

I heard it was on PC now, but I'd not heard about linux, Rosemary. You'll probably have the version I need to upgrade to.

The Writers' Wednesday Workshop!

The Writers' Wednesday Workshop!

What about the Wednesday Writers' Workshop? Yes, I'm thinking about Monty Python's Life of Brian. :o))

Although in the Eats, Shoots and Leaves stylie that would mean it's only for writers who write on Wednesdays.

I make it a point to always try to write on Fridays, too...

I'm a note book user too!!!

Nice to see I'm in good company :-)

I copy it all on to Microsoft Word and I find it's a brill opportunity to squeeze another edit in!!!

I'm such a technophobe that I'm not sure what the rest of you were talking about when you mentioned software....are we talking about the jogging bottoms we slouch about writing in???

Ignite wrote: "Oooooh a cafe! Toasted tea-cake and a cuppa please.
I only write the odd poem (very odd) but I'm a serious reader. Only time I'm serious really. Notebooks and PC."
I started off with poetry. I used to try to write in the style of other poets such as Emily Dickinson, Christina Rosetti, and many more.
I loved doing that - lots of fun.

Cassidy: I use a PC but always have my notebook handy as sometimes a piece of dialogue or an idea may pop into my head unrelated to the chapter I am working on. That way I can pause, jot the idea down and then continue to type. I also make loads of backups! I had a very bad experience a couple of years ago where I lost my whole book when my laptop got a virus. I didn't have a USB backup and I cried for hours!
I also keep a notepad and pen by my bed - I find I get my best idea's as I am trying to get to sleep. Sometimes I even plan whole scenes in my head just before I drift off.

I do use 'paperware' for notes. I thought dictaphone App would be good because a notepad and pen isn't always convenient and we all carry our phones around. Sometimes I scrawl on my phone's screen - it's a smartphone, though not so smart these days. I bet I phones are good for that sort of thing. Might have to get one for notes on the go.

I need to get a dictaphone! That would be perfect. I don't like the idea of a smartphone though :S My husband has one and looking it gives me a headache; they look so complicated and fiddly.

I back up every day, Amos. I'm paranoid about it. I carry a micro SD card around in my wallet with all my work on it. Good thing about Macs is that they're more resilient to virus attacks. My next add-on will be a wireless drive that backs up automatically while you're working. They've been around for a while, but I've not bought one yet.

Anyone making use of an external device (USB stick for example) for a backup should also use something like Google docs.

Remember that a power surge, virus or even a house fire could take everything out at once.

I am writing a very short and wildly exaggerated autobiography for the next group book. I am using word 2007 but I keep printing it out so I can check it. I'm sure that is against paperless office rules.

I use Word, and have had to be upgrades to Windows 7 so I'm very disorientated just now.

I write onto thwe PC and print out a later draft for corrections, and the final draft, and if I'm struggling wioth a passage. Other than that, it's all on the PC

I tend to write more in the winter as I have the garden to do in the summer.

That's kind of my pattern at the moment, Linda. Winter's a great time to get stuck into the writing though - fewer distractions. My garden keeps me busy too.

Simon, instead of printing, you could put it in your Kindle to check it. Very environmentally friendly and no cost to you. I wish I could get MobiPocket for Mac. I have to keep swapping files from my Mac to my old PC to convert to Kindle. I might have to look for another tool that I can get ont eh Mac, but MobiPocket is good.

Is anyone else writing on a Mac? What do you use?

Michael wrote: "Anyone making use of an external device (USB stick for example) for a backup should also use something like Google docs.

Remember that a power surge, virus or even a house fire could take everythi..."

Argh! Why did you have to point that out Michael? Now I have another thing to worry about! :(
Okay this may be a stupid question, but what is Google docs - I'm really clueless when it comes to all this stuff.
And Steve, is a Mac really better than a PC because I am due an upgrade later this year and may switch to one.

Google docs is a cloud storage and share device, Cass.

Here's the wiki.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Docs

I believe a few other companies offer the same service.

Thanks Patti I will certainly look into it :D

Pleasure. :)

I've looked into it a bit and it seems rather straightforward to use, even for a non-geek like me.

I'm sure you'd get plenty of help from groupites if required, though.

I just signed up. They give you 5GB free so that's pretty great. I am going to have a fiddle with it later :)

Wish I could remember the other ones...

If you used a couple, I think you'd get enough free storage that you'd not have to pay at all.

dropbox is good - very useful for collaborations, too!

This has been said hundreds of times and is as true now as the day the first person saved something on a computer....
Assume that one day you will switch on your computer / mobile / iPad and it will be empty. Always keep at least one back up of important stuff.....

Steve wrote: "Is anyone else writing on a Mac? What do you use? ..."

Ulysses looks interesting...

http://www.the-soulmen.com/ulysses/sc...

It does, but I like Scrivener. I really meant what were other Mac users using for file conversion from MS Word to PRC Kindle file format other that having to use MobiPocket on PC.

Steve wrote: "That's kind of my pattern at the moment, Linda. Winter's a great time to get stuck into the writing though - fewer distractions. My garden keeps me busy too.

Simon, instead of printing, you coul..."

It's true that using the kindle would save paper, but I always one draft on paper as the format shows up stuff that I otherwise miss. Don't ask me why because I haven't a clue, but it is true.

Absolutely, Darren. Always print it out or you WILL miss errors.

I find reading the manuscript aloud is the most helpful of things - not only can you discern whether lines flow etc but spelling mistakes and bad punctuation really stands out.

Stuart wrote: "I find reading the manuscript aloud is the most helpful of things - not only can you discern whether lines flow etc but spelling mistakes and bad punctuation really stands out."

One of my favorite tricks, which I'm fairly sure I got from
Cory Doctorow's blog, is to allow the computer to read it to me. It lets you hear what is really written.

To answer the initial questions: I switched to Mac a number of years ago and can't imagine going back. I was recently given Scrivner as a gift, but haven't really learned to use it yet.

That's a fine idea! How do you do that?

Yes, a paper draft is a must. I do several on screen and then a paper draft and then an audio draft - and now a Kindle draft. Should have it pretty well covered. Natural Reader software is excellent for having your work read to you and you really do pick up things that your eyes miss. I use the voice called British Peter. I tried several but found him to be the best overall. I was toying with the idea of putting a voice sample on my website so you can hear a bit of the book. I'm just worried that it's not all that professional - not like it would be if a voice actor recorded it. Might be quite good though. You can make MP3 files of the text to speech conversion.

Stuart wrote: "That's a fine idea! How do you do that?"

I work on a Mac so it might not be the same for a PC user, but I open it as a PDF (file, print, open PDF). It will open in Preview. Then (in the Preview window) Edit, begin speech.

Thank you! I will investigate!

Mac's built in voice is pretty good I think, but the Acapela voices from Naturalsoft are really good. Here's a link so you can hear some samples and compare:

http://www.naturalreaders.com/sample.htm

Try Acapela's British Peter. What I find good, too is that different voices seem to suit different genres so you can pick one that best suits your writing.

I often I advise authors to read their work aloud to themselves. You can tell those who don't. Their dialogue can be ridiculously clunky. It also helps sometimes with word order. The sentence can mean the same thing but it slips off the tongue more melifluously if you change the order of words. You only find out be reading aloud and realising that the current order of words trips you up.

Yes, I know I have a cheek telling authors what to do. I can't write a book but I think I can discern a successful attempt from an unsuccessful one.