Computer programs intended for writers. Questions involving the use of particular programs, or requesting recommendation for software that will help in a particular task.
2
votes
2answers
72 views
Composing a single narrative by writing small chunks
Qualifier/Disclaimer
This may be a very atypical question for this site (of all those I've seen, this question on superuser seems most closely related to mine, but the question was closed as ...
0
votes
4answers
161 views
How to convert handwriting into text
Recently, I found a short story that I had written many years ago when computers were not that common. It is 25 pages of handwriting. Obviously, I don't want to spend hours typing it. My typing speed ...
1
vote
3answers
168 views
Best Grammar checking software
What is best the grammar checking software to check the grammar errors in novels and screenplays?
1
vote
0answers
65 views
Steven Johnson's DevonThink writing workflow: is creating & accumulating 50-500 word snippets worth the effort?
Steven Berlin Johnson talks in this much cited article about his research workflow using DevonThink. In short, he advocates for creating 50-500 word focused text snippets from your research readings ...
3
votes
4answers
117 views
Which e-book formats to use to get a larger readership?
I am self-publishing a free e-book which I make available in several formats: EPUB, online HTML, PDF.
I create (using my own programming scripts) EPUB and online HTML from XHTML sources which I write ...
1
vote
1answer
43 views
Is there a way to import a script from Celtx into Final Draft?
Is there a way to import a script from Celtx into Final Draft? Going to switch and it seems as though my script is "locked" into Celtx's format. I'm hoping this is possible and that there isn't a huge ...
6
votes
1answer
190 views
how should a writer use version control to track drafts, rewrites, and revisions?
I'm a writer, not a programmer. I'm just now for the first time learning about version control and how it works, and I am wondering how version control could streamline my workflow.
In a previous ...
-1
votes
2answers
116 views
What makes good writing software? [closed]
I'm developing a writing app and I'm interested to know what features would be most appreciated for such a thing.
I am most interested in writing versus editing, tooling versus immersion, organizing, ...
3
votes
4answers
292 views
What software do you use for writing and then structuring a book?
I'm looking for good software for overseeing and rearranging the structure of a book. I have used Scrivener before, but found its exporting functionality frustrating and the software itself somewhat ...
4
votes
6answers
234 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 ...
0
votes
5answers
228 views
Suggest any good text editor for Mac for writing in multiple languages
I have been using iBook author, for a time and the simple Mac TextEdit along with openOffice TextDocument. And I recently downloaded Evernote in expectation of more (but that's something else and not ...
-1
votes
1answer
67 views
Which sort of features are required for a text editor in order to improve efficiency and comfort during writing?
I hesitate between classical editors (like MS Office, Open Office) and online editors which provide more accessibility.
I would say that I'm looking a polyvalent text editor to write my thesis. I'm ...
4
votes
1answer
137 views
Scrivener project statistics is showing an incorrect word count
I just purchased Scrivener yesterday and am trying to get it figured out. After importing my manuscript, I cut and pasted it, separating it into the 23 chapters that are linked under "Manuscript" in ...
-1
votes
1answer
537 views
Question about Microsoft OneNote: ability to do timelines the way Facebook does it? [closed]
It seems that this isn't quite possible with OneNote (yet?). I'm using OneNote to write my whole life story. As I have been doing this, I have found that one of the limitations here is the lack of a ...
3
votes
3answers
139 views
What's the correct vocabulary for a web application tutorial?
I am writing a tutorial on how to use a specific web application and I don't know which verbs to use. Shall I use "click" for buttons? But what if the user doesn't use a mouse? Contrary to "normal" ...
-1
votes
1answer
462 views
Software that converts handwriting to computer text [closed]
Wondering if anyone had recommendations for software that converts handwriting (fairly legible penmanship) to computerized text? Any hiccups or bottlenecks in the process/workflow? Sensitivity to ink ...
5
votes
0answers
498 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 ...
0
votes
0answers
144 views
Help my wife find a career in writing :( [closed]
I'm asking this question for my wife who hates programming job(Anything which is technical). She has been in the software industry since 2.6 years, but now she is going through a very tough time. She ...
0
votes
1answer
142 views
Incorporating diagrams and equations into text when writing
I am looking to write a book on Physics/Mathematics.
Of course this book will need to include mathematical equations and diagrams.
Are there any writing softwares that have devices such as TeX and ...
3
votes
2answers
322 views
How can I search for words by meaning/definition?
Where can I search for words using descriptive sentences? For example, now I'm looking for a word meaning "to purify (by hand) a quantity of grain and take away anything that isn't good grain."
How ...
1
vote
2answers
209 views
Self-contained software environment for authoring research papers
Does a self-contained environment for authoring research papers exist? Clearly, the concept might be a little unclear, so here's an attempt to better define what I mean:
All sources used would be ...
2
votes
1answer
549 views
Are there any syllable-counting applications for poety writing?
What software tools, if any, which can count the number of syllables on each line, to aid in the writing of English-language poetry? What features and pros and cons exist for each?
11
votes
2answers
474 views
Is Scrivener involved in the editorial process, or is it strictly a writer's development tool?
Is there any reason that an editor should know how to use Scrivener?
I generally see manuscripts after they're out of draft but before proofreading. (I'm an editor.) However, I see a lot of talk ...
4
votes
5answers
321 views
What software can handle both revision control and layout?
I'm desperately looking for a book publishing solution that can handle revision control and layouts. My issues/requirements are as follows:
Typists are extremely non-technical and I would like to ...
2
votes
3answers
297 views
Any good side-by-side editor for script translation?
I am in the process of translating a script and am constantly struggling with the side-by-side
vertical scrolling of the document.
Does anyone know of an editor which is capable of "locking" two ...
1
vote
2answers
285 views
Best dictaphone/transcription workflow?
I've decided that the best way for me to get my ideas on paper is to dictate them, because I find that typing/writing 'gets in the way' and prevents me from properly expressing my ideas as they arise.
...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
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 ...
1
vote
4answers
220 views
Format + Editor for book writing
A friend of mine is going to write a book. Therefore he is looking for an easy WYSIWYG solution. FIrst I recommended latex, but this would be a bit to hard to learn. A big part of the book is finished ...
17
votes
8answers
3k views
Best tool to create ebooks?
What is a recommended tool for turning a completed manuscript (a Word document) into an ebook (specifically, an EPUB file or Kindle-compatible Mobipocket file)?
I would prefer something that:
...
2
votes
1answer
162 views
Organizing text snippets for creating different variants of a document (customized for the reader)
I'm searching for a tool/strategy to do the following:
I have a lot of text snippets (informations) which are available for creating a document in different variants.
The document has a standard ...
10
votes
5answers
922 views
Is there a good project management software for writers?
I would like something in which I can set targets - like write/edit 10,000 words a week, set a final end date for the project, set mini targets, track any lag etc.
The only PM software I've used in ...
4
votes
3answers
511 views
Any experience with Serenity Editor software?
Has anyone had any experience with Serenity Editor editing software? What's the difference between the Standard version or the Word add-in? What kind of results can it get?
If nobody has used it, ...
1
vote
3answers
228 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
94 views
Phrase suggestion on Xiosis Scribe 2011
I have downloaded Scribe from www.xiosis.com and have been giving it a go. So far its all its advertised to be.
My question is I have written a long article on Scribe and phrase suggestion is not ...
2
votes
4answers
524 views
Software recommendations for magazine layout?
I use Word now but I would like to find a better software for laying out a magazine.
In this magazine, I would like to create columns (2 or 3 depending on the page), insert image on 1, 2 or 3 columns ...
2
votes
3answers
73 views
What systems provide easy article submission for websites?
I am a web developer putting together a system for writers/editors to efficiently add — fairly rich — content to a website.
I've previously used standard WYSIWYG editors but find that often what you ...
1
vote
4answers
113 views
Is this description of my small productivity application clear enough?
I wrote a small productivity application, Tomate. Since I'm not a native English speaker, I'm afraid the description of the project may not be clear enough for potential users. Can you help me improve ...
10
votes
6answers
970 views
Technical Writing Software
I'm interested in newer software/software stack to use in writing technical papers. For the longest time I have been use LaTeX to handle this but in looking at getting longer pieces published, such as ...
1
vote
3answers
605 views
Good report making software
I am reaching the final stage of my academic project work. Usual practice is to use Microsoft Office/OpenOffice/LibreOffice for preparing the final project report. As I am inclined towards FOSS I am ...
0
votes
1answer
346 views
English writers IDE [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is there a special software for writers?
What IDE's do writers typically write in? I'm aware of Microsoft Word, but surely that is not something that a professional ...
3
votes
2answers
434 views
LaTex + version control writing package
This should be probably cross-posted to tex.stackexchange.com. However, since my question is more oriented towards writers who also have a firm grasp of technology, I'm posting it here in hopes of ...
16
votes
9answers
5k views
What tools are available for 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
128 views
Do you use a pop-up dictionary/thesaurus on Windows? What are your criteria?
I used to use WordWeb as a pop-up dictionary/thesaurus while I wrote, but I found it lacking, particularly in its inability to let me define my own terms per context (for example, when writing about ...
10
votes
8answers
766 views
What is a good OCR program?
I keep a writing journal that I enjoy writing in. I also have a lot of old journal with writing that I'd love to digitize but am too lazy to retype. What is a good, accurate, OCR program that would ...
21
votes
14answers
6k views
Is there any good time-line software out there?
I write mostly speculative fiction, and use Scrivener for writing and note-taking.
But I'm looking to start crafting timelines to keep track of the exact year and months events in the distant and ...
8
votes
4answers
801 views
Software for analyzing a manuscript?
I would like to get a better picture of a manuscript I've written, especially in regards to word usage patterns and potentially overused terms.
I'm curious whether anyone can recommend a document ...
8
votes
3answers
235 views
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?
1
vote
6answers
268 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?
11
votes
2answers
2k views
What's a good writing software for Android phones/tablets?
Everyone once in a while while I'm out I come up with something I want to add to my story. Are there any good writing apps for Android phones and tablets? Most places that recommend mobile writing ...
7
votes
11answers
715 views
Do fullscreen writing environments help for writing? Why?
I recently found out about full-screen writing applications like OmniWriter and DarkRoom and I'm interested in using them, but I'm skeptical as to whether or not these are actually useful for ...
