I’m constantly on the lookout for software programs to make my life easier as a writer. As I try them, I’ll add a link here for my review. If the review is set for a future date, please check back. I’ve reserved Wednesday for software reviews. I’m on a software review sabbatical until further notice. See lame excuse here.
yWriter – First, and most important, yWriter is FREE to download and use! Second, and still rather important, it’s a word processor which breaks your novel into chapters and scenes. It will not write your novel for you, suggest plot ideas or perform creative tasks of any kind. It does help you keep track of your work, leaving your mind free to create. Reviewed March 8, 2010.
AutoCrit – The Wizard is an instant book editor. With a click of a button, it shows you the weaknesses in your manuscript. Reviewed March 31, 2010.
DAZ 3D – DAZ Studio is a free, feature rich 3D figure design and 3D animation tool that enables anyone to create stunning digital imagery. This is the perfect tool to design unique digital art and animation using virtual people, animals, props, vehicles, accessories, environments and more. Simply select your subject and/or setting, arrange accessories, setup lighting, and begin creating beautiful artwork. DAZ Become a 3D Artist for Free. Reviewed April 7, 2010.
Character Writer – Character Writer is the next generation of writing software, combining the power of the Enneagram personality-typing system and the latest technology. Character Writer is a cross-platform software package that offers both character-generating and story-generating tools in one easy-to-use interface. Reviewed Part One April 14, 2010 and Part Two May 12, 2010.
Visuwords™ online graphical dictionary — Look up words to find their meanings and associations with other words and concepts. Produce diagrams reminiscent of a neural net. Learn how words associate. Reviewed April 21, 2010.
Thinkmap Visual Thesaurus is an interactive dictionary and thesaurus which creates word maps that blossom with meanings and branch to related words. Its innovative display encourages exploration and learning. You’ll understand language in a powerful new way. Reviewed April 21, 2010.
Liquid Story Binder is a uniquely designed word processor for professional and aspiring authors, poets, and novelists. Writing software for those who require the editing ability of a commercial text editor as well as a document tracking system. It is for those who want the freedom to create and revise but are tired of losing track of their work. Reviewed April 28, 2010.
Storybook – Storybook is a free (open source) novel-writing tool for creative writers, novelists and authors which will help you to keep an overview of multiple plot-lines while writing books, novels or other written works. Reviewed May 5, 2010.
WhiteSmoke – The General Version of WhiteSmoke Writer 2010+ features the full grammar and spelling correction engines, and text enhancement for general writing purposes. For writers of all skill levels, the General Version is the first stop on the way to clear and correct texts. Reviewed May 19, 2010.
WriteItNow – from first idea to final manuscript. Reviewed May 26, 2010.
Storybox – The software for Novelists that lets you write the way you want to write. Reviewed June 16, 2010.
NaturalReader – Text to Speech software with natural sounding voices. This easy to use software can convert any written text such as MS Word, Webpage, PDF files, and Emails into spoken words. NaturalReader can also convert any written text into audio files such as MP3 or WAV for your CD player or iPod. Reviewed June 23, 2010.
TextAloud – TextAloud is Text to Speech software that converts your text from MS Word Documents, Emails, Web Pages and PDF Files into natural-sounding speech. You can listen on your PC or create audio files for use on portable devices like iPods, PocketPCs and CD players. TextAloud even has automatic iTunes/iPod syncing. Reviewed June 30, 2010.
Pandigital Novel – The Pandigital Novel 7″ Color Multimedia eReader features a full color, touch screen display and brings dynamic multimedia to the eReader world. Reviewed July 21, 2010 and August 18, 2010.