Questions tagged [tools]
Tools include any physical devices or artifacts used in the writing process, as well as software tools (which should additionally include the Software tag). For questions regarding process, methodology, or organization, use the Technique tag.
41 questions
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Are there tools that can aid an author in writing a branching storyline?
I would like to know whether there are any tools that would help an author write a branching storyline. Usecases may for example be:
campaigns for Pen and Paper games
visual novels
Choose Your Own ...
- 5,696
13
votes
4
answers
3k
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Where can I find resources about writing "Choose your own adventure"-style books?
I have read/played a couple of "Choose your own adventure"-style book and am interested in the process of creating one.
Where can I find (preferrably free) online resources, such as How-To-Write or ...
- 5,696
24
votes
13
answers
51k
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Software for developing and organizing characters
I'm looking for a software that helps me develop and organize the characters for my novel.
What I want:
something like a filesystem, with a file for each character
it should have or allow me to ...
user5645
21
votes
6
answers
548
views
Are there any places to have community story development?
Are there any places or ways a group (general public or individually invited) of people can individually contribute to a communally developed story?
For example, a website or collaboration tool (...
- 2,279
16
votes
9
answers
4k
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Software to draw plot structure charts
When I plot my own novels or analyze other works to understand their structure, I like to visualize the dynamic of the storyline(s) in a diagram.
Usually I draw this by hand. A first version of such ...
user29032
12
votes
2
answers
42k
views
Scansion tool for checking my meter
Are there any software tools available that will help me dissect my meter? I have always been extremely poor at scansion and while my writing doesn't suffer terribly for it, it makes writing strict ...
- 4,471
6
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Creating and keeping track of characters
I admit to finding this an insurmountable task.
My novel has dozens of characters. My first problem wasn't keeping track of them, but creating them.
Modern Day:
My 20th century characters were ...
- 32.4k
41
votes
12
answers
9k
views
Is there a need for better software for writers?
Software developers don't ever work in text editors, instead they use IDEs (integrated development environments) full of code assistance tools, etc.
Why don't writers use similarly advanced writing ...
- 521
23
votes
10
answers
11k
views
Tools for science-based world building?
I tend to lean towards science-fiction and fantasy, so world building matters a lot to me. A while ago, there was a question which asked how to go about organizing your universe, which was interesting,...
- 11.7k
18
votes
7
answers
969
views
How do you track submissions to publishers/markets?
What tools (software or otherwise) or procedures do you use to track the progress of submissions to publishers or other markets? How do you reduce the chance of accidentally (and embarrassingly) ...
- 1,496
8
votes
8
answers
2k
views
Software for collaborative writing for a small team
I'm working on a writing project with a friend, and we're looking for some kind of (preferably cloud-based) project management and version control software so each of us can see how far the other has ...
- 1,188
6
votes
4
answers
545
views
How can I manage screen shots and other graphics for maintenance?
Our ~1500-page documentation set contains numerous screen shots and related graphics (schematics, flow diagrams, etc). Sometimes the user interface changes and we have to update all the affected ...
- 21.5k
5
votes
3
answers
655
views
How can we make reviewing HTML documentation easier?
Summary: I'm looking for a way for reviewers to comment collaboratively as close to "inline" as possible on a large HTML project.
The problem in detail
I work on a team that documents a ...
- 21.5k
2
votes
7
answers
2k
views
Best grammar-checking software
What is the best grammar-checking software for checking grammar errors in novels and screenplays?
- 191
0
votes
2
answers
421
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Do light conditions affect writing? [closed]
I've started to notice that I do a lot more writing at night, with my lights off. When I write with a light on, I get a slight migraine, and I'm not sure why.
So do different lighting conditions ...
- 416
23
votes
7
answers
6k
views
Keeping track of multiple plot lines
How do you track several plot lines woven together?
I usually run 2 or 3 plot-lines in parallel, so I detail those plots each in a separate document. But as the book goes on, it is sometimes ...
- 1,411
22
votes
5
answers
10k
views
What's the best version control system for a book writer?
I'm a writer—no programming, only prose in text files, mostly in Emacs org-mode, some in markdown-mode.
I want to implement a version control system for my writing projects.
I work with two types of ...
- 545
22
votes
5
answers
9k
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emacs for creative writing
Does anyone know a good emacs configuration for creative writing? I'd be looking for the ability to write, edit, and export to libre office or word (so the less technical people get edit/view). I'm ...
- 223
16
votes
7
answers
694
views
Should I start writing on paper first or start directly on the computer?
If I have an excellent idea for a story, would it be wiser to write on paper first or start directly on the computer? There are many different reasons for beginning stories on paper as well as on the ...
- 3,425
13
votes
4
answers
627
views
Are "morning pages" useful?
I've found an interesting private online journaling website: 750words.com
From "About" section of the website:
I've long been inspired by an idea I first learned about in The Artist's Way called ...
- 1,153
11
votes
3
answers
338
views
How do you track dependencies for your co-authors?
I and one or more co-authors, sometimes geographically distributed, are working on a set of related documents. Sometimes I will make a change in my part that affects someone else's part; this could ...
- 21.5k
10
votes
3
answers
2k
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Good tools for writing (game) manuals and sourcebooks
As I had asked in another part of Stackexchange (didn't know about this part until some comments there) I'm writing manuals (mostly for computer games, but in addition to this also for tabletop games, ...
- 223
10
votes
14
answers
2k
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Is the iPad a convenient medium for writing work?
Does anyone here write on an iPad at all? The iPad 2G is due this summer and I have waited since March 2010 already, so I am planning to purchase one. However, I don't really need an iPad at all; ...
- 3,425
9
votes
3
answers
555
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I'm an editor who generally uses Word to communicate changes with my authors. Is Adobe's InCopy better for this task?
For all of my editing work I'm currently using Microsoft Word. But I've heard a bit about Adobe's InCopy being good for editing and publishing. Is it really better? What makes it better than Word?
- 8,726
8
votes
6
answers
3k
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What is a good tool for organizing story notes?
I'm working on a fantasy series and have been keeping a Word document full of backstory, character/location information, and other world-building elements. At 160+ pages, it's reached the point where ...
- 255
7
votes
4
answers
908
views
Searching for character relation map software
I've started working on a project and wanted to keep all my characters and their relationships well organised.
I'm already using TiddlyWiki to archive all the ideas about the world and its ...
- 109
7
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How to work with in-text markup for figures and captions in Scrivener?
I like the writing tool Scrivener because of the organisation tools like the corkboard and the no-frills full screen mode. I'm starting out my thesis using the Windows trial and intending to buy if I ...
- 171
7
votes
1
answer
173
views
What tool will help me track sentences and paragraphs in resumes and cover letters so I can use this database to tailor new ones?
I'm tailoring my resume over and over to highlight my experiences that best fit the needs of employers as described in their job listings. Not to overstate the obvious, but I do this by choosing ...
- 71
6
votes
2
answers
129
views
Suggestions on fine-nibbed fountain pens that retain moisture well, or trouble-shooting of mine, which don't
I grew up in Germany, where we were required to write in fountain pen from second grade on (fourth grade for math). I do dip-pen calligraphy and various kinds of ink-based artwork, as well as writing. ...
- 91
6
votes
1
answer
2k
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Word Clouds and Phrase Clouds
I'm familiar with word clouds (or tag clouds) as used on blogs or on sites like Delicious. It seems to me that a tool similar to that could be of use to writers like me, who don't have an editor, when ...
- 1,679
6
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Which edition of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style?
I'm interesting in picking up a copy of Strunk & White's The Elements of Style. Unfortunately I'm a little overwhelmed by the minor variations. Amazon lists 12 different paperback formats, plus a ...
- 161
5
votes
1
answer
2k
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Can Articy Draft be used to write a book?
I recently bought Articy Draft to catalog my writing endeavours. It seems good for writing scripts, but what about writing a book?
Reference: http://www.nevigo.com/en/articydraft/overview/
I'm ...
- 51
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What paper stock should I use for the soft cover of my book?
I do soft cover books and laminate the top side, and therein lies the problem. The cover keeps curling up too much. I have tried Ningbo 350gsm which works perfect except that now it's too stiff and ...
user26918
4
votes
6
answers
821
views
Are there any free programs for screen writers
Screenwriting has a very strict format that Microsoft Word cannot fully match. Are there any good screenwriting word processors out there that are free?
- 171
4
votes
3
answers
566
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How to identify paper which will blot fountain pen ink?
These days, with fewer people using a fountain pen to write, many notebooks/paper you find blotting the ink.
If I am at a store and contemplating to buy a notebook or writing/printing paper, how can ...
- 195
4
votes
1
answer
111
views
How can we make images with (necessary) text more translatable mechanically?
Our documentation set includes some diagrams, such as entity relationship diagrams and flowcharts, where text is integral and cannot reasonably be handled in callouts. Our documentation is translated ...
- 21.5k
3
votes
5
answers
4k
views
What are the tool choices for producing technical documentation in PDF and web site ready HTML?
My company currently maintains our technical documentation (User's Guide) in Google Docs. With each release I produce a PDF that we host on our website.
Here are the features of Google Docs that work ...
- 185
3
votes
1
answer
313
views
Search and replace words across whole project?
I'm still new to articy:draft and I want to know if it's possible to search and replace words across the whole project. I know searching is possible, but I can't find the replace function, if it's ...
user23083
3
votes
3
answers
445
views
What's a good program for tracking submissions?
What's a good program or technique for tracking submissions? I need something that'll keep track of who I've submitted to, when, if they've replied, and preferably tell me how long it's been out. Any ...
- 8,726
2
votes
4
answers
308
views
How can a writer efficiently manage many text snippets?
I have a large amount (a couple thousand) of rather small text files with short notes or stories. I use them to generate ideas on topics I'm writing about. My problem is that these are just text files ...
- 121
1
vote
2
answers
465
views
How to prevent fountain pen ink from evaporating during winter months?
While using a fountain pen, I noticed that the ink dries up much faster during the winter. I read that it is because of home heaters, which dry up moisture in air and hence causes the ink to evaporate....
- 195