Book Writing Software: The Honest Truth

By Glen C. Strathy

writing softward

The best book writing software ever devised, or that is ever likely to be devised, by human beings is the word processor. Not to say that a typewriter or even a pen don't have certain advantages as well. But word processors were a big leap forward when they came about.

By word processor, I mean any word processor. As a book writer, you hardly ever need the latest, full-featured version of Microsoft Word. In fact, the only reason to ever buy the latest version of any word processor is if your computer or other device can't handle older versions or if you need to send a manuscript to someone who prefers more recent file formats. Most of the time, you are as well off with OpenOffice or LibreOffice (which are free and can save files in a variety of formats). But virtually any word processor will do. You don't need fancy desktop publishing tools. You don't need 200 fonts (Courier or Times New Roman is enough). Unless you're writing non-fiction, you will probably never need to make a table, or use endnotes. And you certainly won't need to write in two columns, insert a video clip, or even use “bold” text.

Conceivably, you might use a “track changes” feature if you're working with a co-writer or editor who prefers that feature.

But that's about it.

Most of the time, as long as your word processor can handle 26 letters of the alphabet, basic punctuation marks, and simple format options, you're set. A word processor compensates for poor handwriting or lousy typing skills, and can even help with spelling and punctuation. Best of all, with practice you can learn to type as fast as you think – which helps you record important ideas before they can disappear into the nothingness from whence they came.

Please note: whenever you use writing software, it is very important to save your work often and make back-up copies. Copy your files regularly to a thumb, back-up hard drive, CD, or a second computer. Print a hard copy now and then. Store copies in a secure place online if you like. Just don't leave three year's work vulnerable to a crashed hard drive or virus.

Beyond word processors, there is a universe of book writing software applications on the market today, many of which are a waste of time, to be honest. Some are useful. And some are useful but problematic. Let me start with the most problematic...

Book Writing Software that Incorporates Artificial Intelligence

Today, there is a huge industry pushing the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in almost every human endeavor. Nonetheless, I'm going to buck the crowd here and say that one human endeavor where AI does not belong is in fiction writing. This is particularly true for generative AI. The reasons are numerous, and this would be a very long article if I were to list them all in detail. (I may do so other articles below.) For now, I will simply say, DON'T. 

Avoid any apps that use generative AI. Don't buy or subscribe to them. Don't use the ones that came included with your computer. Turn them off or delete them if possible. Never ask an AI to generate or edit text for you. That is not its job. It's your job. Otherwise, you're not a writer.

Yes, it's tempting to use AI. AI is designed to be tempting. It's designed to keep you engaged with it. It is fast. It flatters. But writing a book with AI is not writing. It is, in fact, robbing you of the opportunity to write. Using AI robs you of the opportunity to think through a story from beginning to end and express it in words as a unified creation of your mind and imagination. It robs you of the opportunity to grow as a writer and a person through the action of thinking deeply and expressing your thoughts for others to read.

If you're not writing the book yourself, what's the point? 

In fact, using generative AI is worse than hiring a ghostwriter to write your story. At least with a ghostwriter, the book will be a creation of a human mind. With generative AI, it is only an artificial work designed to resemble what a person might have written in order to fool people and to fool you into thinking you're a writer. It's not a real book.

That's my rant for now. More elsewhere if you're interested. Meanwhile...

Organizer Software for Writers

Some book writing software is designed to help you organize your ideas and research by taking the place of a paper file system, notebook, or index cards. They offer a few advantages over the latter. With a book writing software program, your information on characters' backgrounds, setting, etc. can't get disorganized the way paper files can. The information stays where you put it. Plus, your notes can't be misplaced, destroyed by pets, or thrown out accidentally by a neat-freak spouse or roommate.

Some of these apps can also cross-reference your information (for instance, by character, subplot, theme, location, etc) – something that's hard to do with paper notes. As with paper index cards, book writing software lets you write brief descriptions of each scene, event, or idea in your book on a separate “virtual index card” and arrange/rearrange these cards until you have found the perfect order in which they should appear in the finished manuscript.

However, the biggest limitation of a computer-based index card system is the size of your computer monitor. The great advantage of paper notes is that you can spread them out over a large surface – a desk, table, or office floor. You can pin index cards to a corkboard, or your attic wall. This allows you to see all your ideas/events/scenes at the same time. You can rearrange them until they sit in proper relation to each other and you know where they should appear in your book.

Unless you have one of those huge monitors or smartboards the size of a wall (like in science fiction movies), book writing software will only lets you display a few cards at a time. In my opinion, it can be very frustrating trying to grasp the whole structure of your book when most of your scenes won't fit on your tiny screen.

Some software packages try to let you see your entire story at once while you're rearranging the elements. Outline 4D by Write Brothers, which features a unique Timeline view that is especially useful for screenwriting. It lets you selectively zoom in on specific parts of your outline or zoom out to take in the entire story. However, you still need the biggest monitor you can buy to really make it work. Software like Scrivener or Novel Factory provide a Corkboard view similar to how writers traditionally use index cards to work out plot structures. (See below.) However, you are still limited somewhat by the size of your screen.

Formatting Software

If you're writing a screenplay, proper formatting is important and tedious, and writing software can be a big help. If you're screenplay is being produced, then many screenplay formatting apps offer features that assist with the organization of a production. Some notable names here include Final Draft, Move Magic Screenwriter, or Studio Binder. Some all purpose writing apps or even a word processor can handle screenplay format, with a little effort.

On the other hand, the format for a book manuscript is pretty straightforward and requires nothing more than an ordinary word processor.

Novel Writing Software

Novel writing software attempts to make the writing process easier for novelists. It guides you through a step-by-step idea-generating or structuring process designed to help you flesh out a story. Each software package follows a different process, and each one is based on what the programmer believes creative writers do or should do.

Some book writing software does little more than steer you towards a traditional (and perhaps cliched) formula for your chosen genre. Others attempt to structure the writing process rather than the end product. Both are useful, particularly if you are a novice novelist.

Book writing software programs can be a great help in the early stages of writing when you have an existing idea for a novel that you want to flesh out. By asking you questions about aspects of your story you haven't considered yet, software invites you to explore those areas and come up with new ideas. If you aren't particularly good at structure, good software can help you see your novel as a whole and shape it into a stronger story.

The difficulty is that every writer has their own method for coming up with a story – and maybe a slightly different method for every story they write. Your book writing software may want you to flesh out aspects of your story in a particular order, which may not be the order that feels right or natural to you. It may want you to start in one place; you want to start in another. You may find yourself wanting to skip ahead in the questions, and perhaps double back later. Or maybe you just want to write a scene now and not worry how it fits with the structure.

My feeling is that you should use these programs when they help, but don't let them dictate to you. Feel free to incorporate their advice into your own process, but remember it is your process and you're in charge of it.

That said, there are a few book writing software programs I hold in high regard, and some I recommend you avoid. These include...

novel factory

Novel Factory: Online Novel Writing App

An easy-to-use novel writing app that offers a lot of support and helpful features.

dramatica

Dramatica Pro 

For years I held Dramatica writing softare up as the most powerful structure and thematic tool for fiction writers. You'll find me discuss the theory it's based on throughout this website.

Sadly, I can no longer recommend the newest version of the program, as it now incorporates AI. If you can get a copy of the older version, great. 

scrivener

Scrivener: Book Writing Software

Versatile, full-featured software that combines word processing with powerful outlining and cross-referencing features.

Writing with AI

Writing Novels Using Artificial Intelligence

How will artificial intelligence affect fiction writers? Do publishers want books written with the aid of AI? What is the correct way to use AI apps to improve your without making your writing seem generic? Here are some thoughts on the matter.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Related articles you may enjoy...