If you missed yesterday’s post, I’m running a short series on useful tools for writers. The nice thing about writing is that it can be a nearly free activity. But there are tools that can make writing (and promo) easier. Many of the tools are free, too, if you already have a computer and internet connection.
Promo is a necessary evil for any writer who has a book on the shelves. Fortunately, some of the promo has to do with author branding—and I find blogging fun. I make my blogging easier by using Windows Live Writer. It’s a free download from Microsoft and is a whole lot easier to use than Blogger’s program. It looks a lot like a Microsoft Word page. You can upload your posts to any blog provider.
Google Documents: I’ve jumped on the Google Docs bandwagon kind of late, but I do like it a lot. You can access your document anywhere and you could share it out with others, if you wanted to (critique groups, agent, editors come to mind…you can edit in real time with other users, too), or mark it as a private file. It could also be considered a nice way to backup your files by using a cloud and not having the manuscript located only on your computer (that’s where we run into problems.) It’s a free application.
OneNote: You might have OneNote on your computer and not even realize it’s there. It comes with Microsoft Office if you operate Windows on your computer. Having OneNote is like having a binder-style notebook with tabs right there on your computer. So you could have a notebook titled “My Book.” One section of your notebook could be Research, another could be Characters another could be Settings, etc. You can use it to organize notes (even handwritten ones) create tables, or organize brainstorming scribbles.
Here’s a post I wrote that describes how I use OneNote. And this is an excellent post on Writers Alley on the program.
4×6 notecards and pencils: Notecards and pencils are the ultimate low-tech tools for me. I like the slightly bigger notecard size so I won’t lose them as easily, but they still store nicely in my purse or laptop bag for those ideas that strike when I’m away from home. I’m a fan of pencils and I buy them in bulk at Costco. They’re everywhere. Pens just seem to bleed too much for me.
Voice recorder: I do use voice recorders, especially when I’m driving on trips. (I tend to get lots of story ideas when driving.) You can buy voice recorders inexpensively (they’re digital now), but I simply downloaded a free one on my phone. One touch of a button and it’s recording my thoughts for later.
Evernote: I’ve also used Evernote on my phone, which does have a voice recording component, too. But I mostly like the way that I can take pictures with my phone, save it to Evernote with story notes, and then have those notes shared out onto my PC. (Yes, I’m a fan of surreptitiously taking pictures of people who look like characters. :) I also take pictures of settings (landscapes, old buildings, houses with interesting architecture, etc.) It’s free.
Hope you’ll continue to add to this list—I got some great suggestions on tools to try from yesterday’s post! Have any other favorite tools?
Elizabeth – Thanks for these suggestions. I’m going to have to try Windows Live Writer; that sounds intriguing to me!
Like you, I use voice recorder for when I’m on the road. I also find the Notes tool on my phone to be quite handy. I can’t write anything complicated there, but it’s a great reminder system for when those ideas hit while you’re in a waiting room or something.
I went back and read yesterday’s posts and comments, too. Lots of great ideas here. I’m going to check into Evernote. I have an older version of Office and I didn’t find OneNote. I have tried the beta Scrivener for PC but wasn’t enamored. I’m currently using Excel to keep track of all notes, character and plot ideas, etc. So far it works well for me because I can move things around with ease.
Hm, I had never heard of the Windows Live Writer. Now I have to admit that I don’t really like anything Windows Live (Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, all the other stuff they offer)… But I’m going to check it out just because I can.
I have to say though – I use WordPress, mind you, not the free one they offer on wordpress.com but the one on wordpress.org. I think WordPress in general is a much better tool for blogging than Blogger (even if I love Google). Blogger’s just too limited for me!
Although I have to say, I like WordPress, but you can’t really build a true, complex site with it. For that, I would recommend getting a different content manager. I’ve tried Joomla, but that’s also very limited. The best of the best, in my opinion, is Drupal. I just found out they released their v7 and I’m itching to go play with it.
OneNote is another one of those programs I have to figure out how it works. I know it’s there but I don’t think I even ever opened the program.
And I’ve been thinking on this… There are two more tools that I’ve been using that I think I could share here (one is so obvious I kind of don’t believe I forgot about it.
One is yWriter5 (for Writers: http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5_Screens.html). The website looks kind of unprofessional but don’t let it fool you. I’ve yet to experiment with this program some more but so far I’m very impressed with it. It gives you a load of options, like adding Scenes, Locations, Characters, parts of your manuscript and it gives you a wordcount, even Items that play a big role. You can categorize your scenes as drafts, edits, outlines, etc, and even the time the scene lasts.
Also, you even have an option where you can make a short “Goal, Conflict, Outcome” description. All in all it’s just pretty neat and I’m sure I haven’t figured out all of its facets yet.
Then the other thing… “uToDo” http://www.veetosoft.com/uo_demo.html, a seemingly basic To Do List program, but you can sort your To do Lists, like, I have a very extensive Writing area, with all things to do for my book. You can order it on importance, give it tags, a due date (+ alarm)… You can organize it just the way you want it. It’s pretty nice.
I need to get myself those notecards but somehow we don’t really have them here (I’m from The Netherlands), oddly.
As for the pen/paper, though… I always have a pen and paper beside my bed. I get most ideas either in the morning after a dream, or in the evening, when I’m reading a book.
Thanks for all the great suggestions again, I’m going to put a voice recorder on my phone asap. :D
These are good suggestions. I looked at One Note once, but sometimes I want research, etc. OFF the computer. Seems to help my brain work differently. I have those recorders on my phone. Haven’t used them yet.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
These sound great – I’m particularly interested in OneNote and will try it today!
My writing pal and I use the pomadoro timers at mytomatoes.com – it gives you 25 minute timing and is perfect for beavering through work – seems to give us motivation though that is impossible. All it is is a timer but hey! The idea is that you can do anything for 25 minutes. We take five minute breaks and move our bodies about…
I didn’t know I could download a digital recorder for my phone. What a great idea!
More good stuff! I don’t carry 4×6’s with me, but I always have a folded up piece of paper in one of my pockets and a pen. When reading, or observing things and people during the day and an idea/word/phrase, whatever, hits me I jot it down. Low tech, but I’ve snagged some gems with this habit that I’d have lost or forgotten without it.
My most important tool is definitely my laptop (a wonderful, new Mac – gift from my husband). I use Word but not a lot of other programmes for my writing.
But when I get stuck, I still resort to a squared notepad of exactly the right size and quality of paper + a good, fineline pen (preferably blue). After a hand-written page or two, I can usually go back to writing on the computer.
Wow, how on EARTH did I not know about OneNote? I have some research transfer to do this afternoon! Thanks so much!
Hi Elizabeth, these are great suggestions and reminders. Thanks! I’ve never used a voice recorder, but am going to give it a try. Love the idea of recording ideas while driving on a roadtrip.
You are so amazinging organized. All these handy things sound very cool. I do use Google Documents, though probably not as often as I should, but all the rest of this was new to me.
Margot–Notes on the phone is a great way to keep up with ideas on the go. :)
Jan–I’d like to try out a new timer. Sounds like a good one!
Toby–It really can come in handy. :)
Carol–I think I need to explore Scrivener…it’s for Macs, though, isn’t it (unless we use it on our phones?)
The Old Silly–That’s the way that I am, too. If I don’t immediately write the idea, then it’s gone for good!
Manon–Oh, Blogger is pitiful. It really is very limited. But I’ve invested so much time and posts into it that I can’t make the change to a better platform.
I read Katie Weiland’s blog post on yWriter and she was quite a fan of it, I remember. Thanks for reminding me of it. Might be a useful tool.
UtoDo sounds like a great program–thanks! That’s one I’ll check out. From time to time I’d really like an alarm to remind me of important tasks.
Maybe that would be a good sideline business in the Netherlands! Ha! I think folks here mostly use them for things like recipes, addresses, and to organize research for papers, etc.
Have fun with the voice recorder!
Terry–I’ve gotten to the point where I like several copies of everything I do…paper, computer, phone…so I can find/access them quickly.
A.B.–It’s a great program. Good luck!
Linda–It really comes in handy. :) And my kids don’t even turn a hair anymore when I start talking murder into the voice recorder!
Hart–I think if I weren’t organized, I’ve got so much going on that everything would start falling through the cracks. :)
Dorte–Love my laptop! And I’m with you…if I get stuck, then paper is my favorite way to go.
I’ve heard of these programs, but haven’t tried any of them yet. Maybe in the summer, I’ll have a bit of time to figure them out! :)
Google Docs is very convenient. That’s where I store all my stuff >:)
Cold As Heaven
I’ll have to snatch EverNote!
Cold as Heaven–Considering how much you travel, it’s a great idea. :)
Alex–Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Elizabeth, Scrivener was originally for Macs only. They have a beta version for PCs that you can download for free. The expect the bug-free version will be available this spring or summer and will be $40, I think I remember that price but not sure. It was just a little too clunky for me but I know a lot of writers love it.