WriteItNow Novel Writing Software: an Outstanding Program at a Great Price

Every writer needs all the help she can get. There are many software packages available today that help with the writing process in one way or another. Some, such as Y Writer, are free. Others often are quite pricy. One of the best is also a very good foundational writing program. Simply put, WriteItNow Novel Writing Software is a very wise investment of $49.95 (for the downloaded version 3.1.0) or $59.95 (for the downloaded version 4.1.0 for PCs.) Currently Version 3.1.0 is available for both the PC and the Mac.

WriteItNow is the product of Ravenshead Services in Scotland. They have been in existence now for twelve years, and it is clear that their software is thoughtfully designed by writers for writers. Their web site is absolutely correct: the software is consciously designed to help a writer sort out all of the details that are involved in writing a publishable novel without getting in the way. I agree with published author Jamie Lankford: this software enhances any writers development of her command of the entire craft of novel writing.

Novice writers might wonder, as I did, why they need a dedicated writing software package when they have Microsoft Word (or Word Perfect, in my case.) Accessability of background and supporting notes and details during the writing process is the major weakness of traditional word processors. In order to have developmental materials available while writing, they need to be kept in a different file, which must be opened up in parallel with the manuscript file. However, the materials must then be searched through for the piece of needed information. This, of course, slows the writing process down significantly.

WriteItNow streamlines this process while slashing look-up time by using tabs to collect related materials. While adding to the text in the Chapters tab, information on Characters, Events, Locations, Ideas and Notes is a very few mouse clicks away. In addition, character development details and sketches are easily organized by character, and each character is assigned its own screen. Shifting from one character to another is easily accomplished through the use of forward and backward arrows at the top of each screen.
When a writer finds herself hung up on either a character’s name, or needs help with character personality development, included modules can generate literally thousands of character names in a reasonable variety of nationalities, In addition, the modules can supply realistic personality description insights based on either the enneagram, archetypes or Myers-Briggs personality theory.

Keeping track of relationships between characters in a novel can rapidly turn cumbersome in a flat word processor. In WriteItNow, relationships each character is connected with, including the nature of the relationship, is rapidly laid out and referred to on its own tab within the Characters tab. Finally, each character’s personality can be graphically summarized in key areas on a separate tab, and rated independently on a scale of 0 - 50.

Developing detailed descriptions of locations is easily accomplished via the Locations tab. Again each location added has its own screen with plenty of room for notes and background information. Navigation between locations is rapidly accomplished either via the use of forward and backward navigation buttons, or by selecting a location from a drop down menu.

Likewise ideas can be accumulated on their own tab and organized in whatever order works best for the writer. A unique feature is the “Generate Random Idea” button, accessed by clicking on the die icon. The software responds to this feature by coming up with a thought exercise involving one or two characters. Such ideas can be excellent ways for getting the creative juices flowing again.

The Notes tab provides the option of adding background information on Ancient Egyptian Gods or Tudor English life characteristics, with additional informational modules available free of charge to registered users at the Ravenshead website. Again, the author is able to organize her notes in whatever manner works best.

When a manuscript is fully written, revised, edited, perfected and ready for the submission process to begin, again WriteItNow streamlines the process. The finished manuscript can be exported to almost any word processing software program by exporting it in Rich Text Format, or RTF. When this is done, all formatting codes are retained in the exported file. In addition the software automatically formats the pages with standard margins of 1" top and bottom, 1.5" left and right. This file can then be opened in your word processor, given a final, more detailed spell checking, and made ready for submission.

Overall, this is an outstanding program at a very reasonable price. It definitely merits serious consideration by anyone serious about creative writing of novels or short stories.