Have you seen the advertisements for all the writing software that is being developed? I must admit, I was intrigued.

What are the software developers offering that your standard word processing package doesn't? There is more than one answer to that question, but here's one that may surprise you: "not much".

Benefits of writing software?

Beginner writers, who will benefit from the "how to" element that the writing software offers, will gain much more from purchasing a package than more advanced writers will. The software can assist with areas such as plot planning, "rules" that need to be learnt (before they can be broken), and maintaining structure.

Publishers like standard formulae that are proven in the marketplace. However, like everything, a formula for a book will eventually reach saturation point and publishers will turn to the next in line.

Writing software may also help writers who've worked on a number of books and, after numerous rejections, are struggling to find where they may have gone "wrong".

A while ago, I spoke to four Australian writers who use writing software. Their favourite features included:

~ an outline format for planning their stories,
~ organisation tools allowing better control to ensure no notes were forgotten,
~ keywords linking different areas,
~ one program had a character generator
~ another autotypes the character names

Alternatives to writing software?

These writers also noted, however, that the software is expensive for what you can get out of it. Some of the features are restrictive, forcing users to conform to the program's limitations, although one computer-savvy writer was able to extend the use of a program feature that was frustrating him.

Some of the other writers at the function (and this is a point I agreed strongly with) were a little wary of losing their originality and restricting their own input as a creator.

Advanced writers may also find the instructive nature of the software irritating. Many of the reasons given for investing in the software were for the organisation and planning capabilities, rather than a need for instruction in the writing craft. By not using the tuition element of the software you're paying full price for half the technology. If you're considering software for this reason, have you determined whether your word processing package can be used to organise your work instead?

I use MS Word personally, but any word processing software can be adapted to achieve many of the features required by the writers I spoke to. Using an ordinary word processor, you can:

~ Outline a novel, link or copy the outline into your notes, and link this back to the manuscript in progress,
~ Autotype character names,
~ Track and connect characters, events, and parallel plotlines, and organise the order of events according to a timeline,
~ See how each storyline will develop, and determine what effect it will have on the novel as a whole,
~ Get into a habit of using one file for your notes so that you never lose something. With a scanner you can even add the note scrawled while waiting for the bus,
~ Have in-depth character and location descriptions at your fingertips and reference the description used earlier in the manuscript at the click of a mouse.

You already have this software on your PC.

If you purchase new writing software, you will have to learn to use it in order to benefit from it. Many of the packages are developed to look and feel similar to software you've already learnt to use in a Windows or Mac environment. Some, however, require their own dictionaries to understand just their terminology, let alone the program.

Remember, too, that you still have to type and format your work using your word processing software. Wouldn't it benefit you, and save you money, if you learnt to use the software you've already got? It's like owning a car that you only drive in second gear. Would you really buy another car with more features, rather than learn how to change the gears in the car you've got?

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I will be going through some of these word processing tips in the upcoming weeks. If you're looking for a reference guide specifically for MS Word, have a look at my Word 4 Writers E-guide. I'm in the process of upgrading the package, but the original version is still available now with the option to upgrade later at no further charge.