I'm intrigued, is it really that good? If so, I think I'll have to buy it. But how does it really work? Is it a planning tool for writing a novel, or can you write the novel IN New Novelist?

Curious,
Ste

It’s a tool, Ste. If you’re already well organised, plot your story, create your setting, construct a history and profile of all your main characters, and keep all your random notes in easily accessible files, you probably don’t need NN.

On the other hand…

x

...I need New Novelist

I'll download it tomorrow.

Ste
x

What is this nonsense about NewNovelist?

Where was it when Tolstoy wrote his masterpiece? Where did it figure with Jack Kerouac? You don't need to shell out for such guff!

If you've got MicrosoftWorks or Encarta there'll be an addon that lets to make and organise all the notes you'll ever need.

If not you could try something like Simbust Lite at http://www.simbust.com/default.php . Just one of probably millions of 'free' note organisers.

Don't do it Steve!

Geoff

Presuming, of course, that I'd shelled out for Encarta in the first place, which I wouldn't.

However, I'll look at the Simbust website and see what it's like.

But can I resist the alluring urge of New Novelist?

Tempted, real tempted,
Ste

Don't do it Steve!

The reason I mentioned Encarta is because it's usually bundled in with most PC's.

But check out some freeware before you go shelling out a fortune for this rubbish.

Geoff

Geoff, it’s a matter of personal choice.

You call it rubbish but have you seen it? I’m using it and finding it very useful to plot my next novel. I believe it’s worth the money I paid for it.

Dee
x

And maybe Tolstoy was well organised. Well, he was also a wealthy man of leisure. He had loads to time and resources.

NewNovelist is an aid for someone like me. Someone who's got notes and ideas in seven different places for one story.... And can't remember what those seven places are!

Ani

Now that I've had some time to reflect on the aforementioned product - I've changed my stance slightly - as an organisational tool, it's excellent - but the story stages smack of Star Wars!!!

Geoff

You don't even know what you're talking about. Have you seen it or used it? Just because you don't agree, what's the point of ranting off on one about it, putting Ste off when you don't even know what it is?

As an organisational tool, it is superb, and if Tolstoy could use it, he probably would have done.

This attitude that some people have that they are writers due to their god given talent, and nothing can help, is juts folly in my opinion!

No point in arguing, I just resent you suggesting I am a fool for buying into this stuff, when you clearly have no idea what you're on about.

Do it Ste

One to look for which is free but of course you don't get all the add ons is Sophocles however it does seem to do abasic job but it depends on what you want worth alook and a free trial though I will find the link later and post it as an addendum to this post.

write on

david

<Added>

http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2079-10212887.html

as promised the link

I have to say that I am pleased with my NewNovelist software. I need to learn to navigate a little, but it's all there!

Ani

When I plan a new novel I write hundreds of notes. I keep them all in temporary Word documents. I did try Excel at one stage but it got a bit silly. It sounds like just what I'm after. I'm not wanting a program to plan out plots or give me a novel template, but I am after some decent filing system to keep these notes in some kind of logical order. At the moment if I need to look back at something I have to trawl through pages of notes.

According to the website, WHSmith sell this, so I'm off to have a look today.

Colin M

Right, I downloaded it and I must say I'm VERY pleased with what I see.

It all looks very organised, and I'm playing with the Global Notes already!

Much better than I expected it to be, thanks everyone.

Ste
x

I got mine yesterday. I've only had a brief play, but it seems to be just what I wanted: it does exactly what it says on the tin. As a filing system for notes on your characters and their world it's well worth the money. I'm not too enthusiastic about the plot lines; they're a great starting point, but a bit like telling someone, "if you want to right a good rock song you need: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, guitar solo, verse chorus." Taken as the average, that's correct, but it seems to take some of the fun out of it: it makes some plots feeled cliched.

Overall, I'd say it was worth the money. But then again, I'm a computer geek who loves lots and lots of notes.

Colin M