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Writing tools


F1 - How are you going to write? Long-hand? On a typewriter? On a computer? Online or offline? With what software? As tempting as it is, don’t spend too much time thinking about this. Pick something and go with it.

F2 - Download or set up your writing tool so it is ready for you to go.

F3 - Set up a back up system for your writing and use it every day

F4- Take a tutorial on your writing tool/software so you will be versed in how to use all of its features.

Task Discussion


  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Oct. 23, 2011, 5:51 p.m.

    Dwnloaded the Scrivener program and followed the tutorial--think I am really going to like the flexibility.  Sounds like many of the things that frustrated me when working on a word processor are workable in scrivener.  Very exciting!

  • Laurian Gridinoc   Oct. 8, 2011, 7:37 p.m.

    I'll write on iPad, using iA Writer and the iPad on a stand with keyboard, easy to focus.

  • karen   Oct. 5, 2011, 10:41 p.m.

    I most always write on the computer (except for occasional spurts by hand on a plane or something, which I enjoy, but only as an exception).

    I like something to write with something that has more built-in ability for note than Word or OpenOffice.

    So I'm using yWriter for my novel. (If I used a Mac regularly, I'd probably use Scrivener.) Last year, I fussed over this quite a lot and spent way too much time thinking about it. I ended up using yWriter and really liked it.

    I'm refining my outline now so I can get it into yWriter to be ready to go Nov. 1!

  • Janka   Oct. 6, 2011, 3:11 p.m.
    In Reply To:   karen   Oct. 5, 2011, 10:41 p.m.

    There is Scrivener for Windows now. It's still in beta, but it seems it's very stable. And it also means it's free for now. ;)

  • karen   Oct. 6, 2011, 6:04 p.m.
    In Reply To:   Janka   Oct. 6, 2011, 3:11 p.m.

    That's cool. It had just come out in beta during Nano last year (too beta for me). If I hadn't already grown to love yWriter, I'd probably try it out. I know a lot of folks love it.