Software . . . Helpful or Harmful?

         The past month we have been talking about things that help writers do what they do best. Write. Today that discussion wanders to software programs. Over the years, I’ve used a lot of different types of software. My hubby is a software developer, after all. We had computers long before they became common. In fact, my husband wrote a program, EZ PC, which was a menu-based interface to make using the computer easier for a novice. That was in 1985, before Microsoft and Windows. So I have been using computers for over 20 years. I write better and faster into a keyboard and so, have experimented with a lot of writing programs.

         While I love to try out new software, in the end I usually only use a few programs on a regular basis. A word processing program is a must. I’ve used some great ones in the past that are no longer available or supported for the private user, so, for now, am stuck with Word. I’m investigating Open Office and will probably download it soon.

         I’m always trying new programs to help organize my stories. The most recent is yWriter. I even wrote a blog on how I use it. (I see that Hal has a new version available. I’ll have to go get the upgrade.)

         The first organizational tool I used on my stories was Writer’s Blocks, what I call index cards on steroids. I love it and use it often to organize my scenes to get a high level idea of the story.

         I have a journaling program, LifeJournal2, which I use periodically for my journaling. I like this program because I can track various things, such as words written, mood for the day or I can label entries to make sorting and searching at a later date easier. There is a life history feature that allows you to create a timeline of your life, complete with journal entries at various points. In the writer version, which I bought of course, there are prompts to get you started. I only use this periodically and am still not certain it is worth the price I paid. Although, I suppose the fact that I keep going back to it (I’ve had it for at least 3 years) is a vote in its favor.

          Another program I have that I use periodically is a mind-mapping program. FreeMind is great for helping this right-brained creator to get a handle on her ideas. I’ve used it often for brainstorming new ideas or organizing writing projects or stories.

         One thing I’ve learned from all this software is that no matter what software you use, if you want to write, you must write. A simple word processing program is all you really need. I’ve used a program that allowed me to create the faces of my characters and another that helped me develop an intricate story, but the only real way that story gets written is by typing word after word into the keyboard. You do that with a simple computer and a word processor (or pen and paper, if the computer fails).

         Like books, classes, conferences and writing retreats, software should help and support your writing effort. If you find playing with the software keeps you from writing that is bad software. Get rid of it! If a program helps you write more or to arrange it better so you create a better story, it is a good program.

         Go forth and use the good programs! (And tell us about them.)