The Craft of Writing : Writing Software
Here is a small list of novel writing software programs. I will be posting a screenwriting software list in the near future.
There are two main types:
*Organizational software which puts your story ideas in an outline form.
Scrivener for Mac and Windows – $40.00
[use coupon code : WORDSWITHJAM you will get $8.00 off.]
Free 30 day trial of the full version.
http://literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php
My Writing Spot – Free Online
http://www.mywritingnook.com/
PageFour – $39.00 Free 45 Day Free Trail
PageFour is a tabbed word processor, outliner, and organizer for writers
http://www.softwareforwriting.com/pagefour.html
Writer’s Blocks $149.00 Free 14 Day Trail
“Writer’s Blocks for Windows is a unique writing tool that will help you organize ideas and information so that you can write any type of complex written material easier and faster.”
yWriter – Free to download and use
“yWriter is a word processor which breaks your novel into chapters and scenes, helping you keep track of your work while leaving your mind free to create. It will not write your novel for you, suggest plot ideas or perform creative tasks of any kind. yWriter was designed by an author.”
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html
StoryBook – Free
“Storybook enables you to organize all the elements regarding your book, namely characters, locations and different plots, including main story and secondary threads.”
http://storybook.en.softonic.com/
*Story generating software which takes inputted information about plot, characters and so on and generates a plot outline. Most of these have a learning curve.
The Marshall Plan – $149.00
http://www.themarshallplan.net/software.htm
Power Structure $99.99
“Power Structure is story development and outlining software for Mac or Windows that turns all your random thoughts, ideas, and notes into a carefully structured story or script.”
Free Demo
http://www.powerstructure.com/
StoryWeaver – $29.95
“StoryWeaver is built around more than 200 Story Cards – each an interactive screen designed to help you develop a single dramatic element of your story.”Free Demo
http://storymind.com/storyweaver.htm
Dramatica – $99.95 or $119.95
“Dramatica software is its patented story engine that keeps track of every choice you make for your story, cross references their collective dramatic impact and alerts you to any holes or inconsistencies in your structure.”
Free Demo
http://storymind.com/dramatica_pro.htm
NewNovelist [Version 3] – $29.99 [regularly $47.99]
“Newnovelist is a Windows program that helps people who want to write a novel… complete their novel.”
http://www.newnovelist.com/index.html
The Craft of Writing: Why Strong Female Characters Matter (And Why Most Writers Still Get Them Wrong)
The Craft of Writing: Flawed, Not Fragile — Writing Emotional Complexity in Female Characters
John Risner
John Morgan Risner is a screenwriter, novelist, and story analyst, and the founder of Screen Writer Ink. With over a decade of experience teaching screenwriting and filmmaking at the university level, he has helped writers develop stronger stories through a focus on character, structure, and cinematic storytelling. His work spans multiple genres, including thriller, horror, and mystery, with an emphasis on character-driven narratives. He is also a film historian with a deep knowledge of classic and modern cinema, including the James Bond films and novels. Through Screen Writer Ink, he provides writers with practical, experience-based insight into the craft of storytelling—helping them move beyond theory and write with clarity, purpose, and control.
