I was curious if anyone has worked with Dramatica Pro and what they thought of the program. I "played" around with it briefly a few years ago and have always been intrigued by it. It seems to be a program that one would either love or hate... or both! I don't write on a regular basis. Most of my writing is limited to scripts for my 3D animations. -thanks, Perry

Hi Perry, I am in the process of writing a review of Dramatica Pro [not sure where it will be published]. It is a fantastic program, and the newer version has come a long way from the original one. Especially if you are writing a novel. However, there is a refined version of the program if you want to do just short stories of scripts that sells for half the price, and will do almost as much at Dramatica Pro. What I liked best, was the fact that the program guides you along, instead of doing the thinking for you! It gives great feedback, and is an invaluable program for working out the kinks. Love your 3D animations by the way :] Dee-Marie

Hi Dee-Marie! Long time no talk. I saw the refined version but no Mac version yet :( I tried out a demo version to help develop a childrens story for a 3D contest where you had to create a story and then illustrate it in Cinema4D. I liked how Dramatica Pro made me really stop and think about my characters and the plot and realize that I had started with a very weak, incomplete story with lots of holes. Something must have worked as I was the Grand Prize Winner in the contest! (my 3D skills may have also played a part) The picture is the latest in my gallery. -can't wait till our next interview, Perry

Outstanding Perry, you will need to build a whole new room for your awards :] You are the best! Looking forward to seeing you in the movies ;] Dee-Marie

I have just downloaded the free demo of Dramatica which does not allow you to print or save. It looks great but I really like the KISS principle. On the same website that hosted the demo version, I found a free version of Storyweaver 3.0. All I can say is wow. What a fantastic inspiration to create an interesting story. Plus it is user-friendly to dopey people like me. You can print and export what you have done, but cannot save it to continue in the next session. The way to overcome this is save in .rtf then copy and paste back into the answer blocks. Will be working on my Klado story to improve and forge ahead. Thanks for the heads up Perry, even if you were the one asking the questions....

I'll have to look at Storyweaver. What is the KISS principle? It sounds like something from a James Bond movie! I like user-friendly as I put myself in the "dopey" people catagory too! :)

K-I-S-S

Keep
It
Simple
Stupid

In the Engineering profession we have another term, we call it... Idiot Proofing

Message edited on: 02/06/2006 09:23

LOL!!! I can't believe I've never heard of KISS before. I like that. I'm totally familiar with "Idiot Proofing." Thanks for the info, Perry

Attached Link: WiteItNow Software

If you want really good fiction software, I recommend WiteItNow. That's all I use. It's strong-suit is helping you build out characters and organize your novel, background data, etc. There's a demo to try as well.

Message edited on: 02/12/2006 02:16

Attached Link: http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/

Another one to consider. Storylines has a virtual corkboard, and some nice features to help you organize your plot without being rigid about it. I view any of these software products as a tool. When it gets down to it, you're still going to have to do the actual writing.

Thanks for the program suggestions! I downloaded the latest Mac Demo for WriteItNow and the demo won't run properly. (Not a great selling point for the program!) Storylines looks great visually (I love that corkboard look.) Now I'll have to see how the program functions. -Perry

I've used WriteItNow for years, the Windows version, and I love it. I've never had any problems at all. However, I tried the Storlines demo. I loved that as well. I exchanged a few e-mails with Rob, the main developer at Revenshead Services. He says WriteItNow is adding something similar that will integrate into its current timeline and character arc features. I think I will wait for that, but if it takes longer than six months, I may find myself working in both pieces of software. Incidentally, I've tried demos for Writers Blocks (similar to Storylines but has a klunky 16-bit design. I hated it. I wasn't too fond of Dramatica either. And finally, I did use New Novelist for awhile. It's not bad for the price.

Attached Link: http://www.newnovelist.com/overview.html

You can get a taste for NewNovelist from the website. I can't seem to find the email now, but I believe DramaticaPro has developed a software that is similar to Storylines and what WriteItNow is developing. You might find a real corkboard with notecards will do the trick, and not cost as much (depends on how focused you are on tech solutions). I know one writer who uses TreePad to organize her stories. It isn't strictly a writer's tool, but can be use for that purpose. Any software can probably help you with organizing your material; no software will guarantee you success.

The only thing I've seen in DramaticaPro that resembles Storylines is their Plot Progression area. It resembles Storlines in some ways, but it works nothing like that. There is a tool called Writer's Blocks that is designed to work like Storylines, but it is an old 16-bit Windows application that has never been updated, making it really klugy to use. Presently, I know of nothing that is exactly like Storylines, except using index cards manually, and even that is much slower and believe-it-or-not more complicated than using Storylines. If I keep talking, I'll end up buying their product instead of waiting for the WriteItNow upgrade. Rob told me that will only be 3 months from now. I will try and be patient. Incidentally, WriteItNow has many features not found in Writer's Cafe and Storylines, but the same is true in reverse. It all depends on what features we need as individuals to organize the chaos in our writer's brains.

The DramaticaPro product is new...I couldn't find it on their website but I got an email announcement about it. I think if you've found a product that works for you, then you should stick with it. The point is to spend time writing, not playing with software. I agree, the best product is the one that suits your own personality and needs. Often, for me, that's a notepad and pen.

dialyn, you may have hit the nail on the head! I think right now that I'm more interested in playing with software so I'll have a good reason not to just sit down and actually write. (shame on me!) And, of course, when I finally do write, I can blame all my failures on the program. I haven't heard of the program you use: NotePad and Pen? Is it expensive? Is it Mac or PC? (I'm being silly... sorry) -Perry

Lol @ Perry. I know exactly what you mean. They are becoming foreign objects now with the tech of PC's around. It is much easier to use backspace than tippex to correct wrong words. And then to rewrite after editing using the dictionary, give me spellcheck and thesaurus online anytime.

I must admit I use Notepad with rtf or txt format as I generally submit my work to sites like this online, and I hate having to go back and correct line lengths to make sure the sentences are not jaggered and broken.

Hugs to all.

Message edited on: 02/21/2006 00:27

Why I like my notepad and pen.

• No batteries, no plugs needed.
• I can easily retrieve what I have deleted if I change my mind (I use a single line to indicate a delete).
• A notepad is less intrusive and more portable than a laptop on a bus, or other small area.
• I have to write slowly, and thus more thoughtfully.
• I don't use up print cartridges in order to see the story on a real page of paper.
• Transcribing from the paper to the computer acts as a primary edit.
• My writing is encrypted because no one but me can read my handwriting!

I like writing on a computer as much as anyone, but the notepad and pen has its place too.

Lol about your handwriting.. Mine is the same.. Maybe your calling was a doctor. ;o)

Attached Link: HLArledge.com

Dialyn My favorite reason is... "I have to write slowly, and thus more thoughtfully." That is the most true of all of the points you raised. It is easier to rewrite on the PC, but often I wonder if I would have to rewrite less if I had spent more time per sentence in the first place. Thanks for the reminder, HL