lets work together Topic Tuesday #19: Writing Tools

[Brayon]

We are all writers, and we've discussed before about "how we write." Today I want to discuss writing tools.

 

Recently I download the Free Trial to Scrivener and have been testing it out. So far, so good and I like it. I also use MS Office Suite and recently was able to upgrade to Office2016. I also us a lot of Role-Playing aids to keep track of characters, and locations. You can find several free ones on DriveThruRPG.com. Online, I read writing articles, use google to look up words for both spelling and definition. There are many more like Name Generators, prompts, other random generators to help flesh out characters.

 

So, what do you use?

[Superpride]

A lot of information about my stories from the characters to the plot I keep mostly in my head, but other aspects like the lore for my story Hero Wanted, I have it recorded in a wiki site.  This allows me to have a reference as I write my story, and it allows my readers to explore the lore of the story if they want to look deeper into it.  I also use several sites that catalog names meant for parents searching for a name for their baby or babies since these sites usually have a plethora of information about names from their meaning to their very origins.  I like that since I want to have the names of my characters to have a special meaning that relates to the story and to have my readers to discover that on their own.  It's a very unorthodox way of using these sites, which brings up a good question related to this topic: What tools have you repurposed to use for your writing, like using baby name sites to find names for your characters?

[CassieQ]

6 hours ago, Superpride said:

A lot of information about my stories from the characters to the plot I keep mostly in my head, but other aspects like the lore for my story Hero Wanted, I have it recorded in a wiki site.  This allows me to have a reference as I write my story, and it allows my readers to explore the lore of the story if they want to look deeper into it.  I also use several sites that catalog names meant for parents searching for a name for their baby or babies since these sites usually have a plethora of information about names from their meaning to their very origins.  I like that since I want to have the names of my characters to have a special meaning that relates to the story and to have my readers to discover that on their own.  It's a very unorthodox way of using these sites, which brings up a good question related to this topic: What tools have you repurposed to use for your writing, like using baby name sites to find names for your characters?

I am very big into the baby name websites.  I find ones I like (I prefer traditional names over unusual ones) and I created a "name bank" for my male and female characters for when I get stuck.  When I use one in a story, I cross it off so I know not to use that one again.  I tripped up once and used the same name multiple times in one of my stories for different characters.  I also like checking out the meaning behind names, alternate spellings, popularity, nick-names...I probably need a hobby or something.      

[Mikiesboy]

For names.. i use magazines, work (i jot down interesting first or last names), movie credits.  I often use surnames as first ones.  I write using word 2016 and use one note to plot out my chapters.. it's easy to make notes and write reminders when necessary.

Edited August 8, 2018 by Mikiesboy

[Myr]

I use Word with Office 365.  So there is an update or another each month.  I use Grammarly to assist in my ongoing nightmare.  @Cia just keeps getting more brutal as an editor. lol.

I use Visio to flowchart some things.

I have TONS of Role Playing Game resources.  If you write in Sci-Fi or Fantasy, there are hundreds of tools for the Dungeon/Game Master that go towards creating an adventure.  I've used random ideas to spur things.

 

I've also used name generators online as well in other resources.  Stars Without End has a particularly nice random name generator.  http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/226996/Stars-Without-Number-Revised-Edition?manufacturers_id=3482

 

As @BHopper2 mentioned, Drivethrurpg.com has a LOT of nice resources.  They also have frequent freebies that might generate ideas.

[Mikiesboy]

I've been considering trying my hand at a fantasy type story.  I'd say that would need a lot of planning. So we will see just how good I am at that with the help of One Note!

[MacGreg]

Most of my writing comes straight out of my head, for what that's worth. I don't do much research, and character names more or less appear organically. Then again, I don't write in complicated genres, like sci-fi or fantasy or historical fiction, so that probably makes a difference. For tools, I use Microsoft Word on a laptop, pen and paper (usually for poetry), and a virtual filing compartment in my head. I also have a vintage typewriter that my boy gifted me a while ago; sometimes I set that up and tool around on it, just to hear the keys click.   

[Brayon]

21 minutes ago, MacGreg said:

I also have a vintage typewriter that my boy gifted me a while ago; sometimes I set that up and tool around on it, just to hear the keys click.   

That's awesome. I would love to have an old typewriter.

[cognac69]

 I get nostalgic and think back to older times and things too, then my mind goes blank, it must be the Alzheimer's 🤫