# software for creative writing **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 24, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497 "2005-08-24T21:39:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Shadez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/90ced4/32.png) [@Shadez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadez)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/1 "2005-08-24T21:39:03Z")
I just receieved my new laptop in the mail (yipee) and am looking for programs to fill it with. One of the categories is creative writing (fiction:novel/short story, poetry). Anywhere from idea to creation to revising/organizing to publication. I have a few of the programs, but am unsure if I am missing anything. 🙂 Price is not an issue at the moment. Thanks, /Shadez ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/2 "2005-08-24T23:23:46Z")
Well, you didn’t mention screenplays, but I always hear good stuff about “Final Draft Pro” for both Windows and Mac OS. ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/3 "2005-08-25T00:06:16Z")
There’a always Dramatica which will have you writing formula stories in no time. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_H](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@Bill\_H](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_H)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/4 "2005-08-25T00:55:21Z")
Personally, I think Dramatica sucks, but I haven’t found anything better. I like Sophocles fro screenplays, but like Final Draft Pro, it doesn’t do anything to help with the creative end of things; it’s just a formatter and organizer. ---
**Author:** ![phall0106](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phall0106/32/5934_2.png) [@phall0106](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phall0106)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/5 "2005-08-25T12:35:55Z")
Call me slow \*(“Hello Slow!”), \* but I had no clue something like this existed. (Not sure why I didn’t think about it before hand…) Would something like this help me with those times when I get stuck in a story and I know where I want to end, but can’t figure out the best way to get there when writing? …tell me more… ---
**Author:** ![Chairman\_Pow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Chairman\_Pow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chairman_Pow)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/6 "2005-08-30T22:55:54Z")
> [@phall0106](#): > > Call me slow \*(“Hello Slow!”), \* but I had no clue something like this existed. (Not sure why I didn’t think about it before hand…) > > Would something like this help me with those times when I get stuck in a story and I know where I want to end, but can’t figure out the best way to get there when writing? > > …tell me more… Something like _Dramatica_? I agree with **Bill** in that it’s kind of a silly program, essentially giving you guideposts to hit en route to the denumont in act 3. It relies on a series of squares divided into four parts, which are then divided into four parts, which are then divided into four parts… and the relationship between the story elements contained in the squares. It essentially assures you that whatever plot you go down you are always making sure that opposites are conflicting and the “good” things compliment each other. I do, however, second _Sophocles_ to me it didn’t have the bloat of _Final Draft_ and was much more intuitive. It’s also significantly less expensive IIRC, but the last time I used it was like four years ago. I do have to admit that I really like the Courier Final Draft font though… ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/7 "2005-08-31T04:16:47Z")
On a non-drama note, [Storyspace](http://www.eastgate.com/storyspace/index.html) is aimed at lit-snob hypertext authors, so you might want to check it out if you’re not already familiar with it. ---
**Author:** ![Sleel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/73ab20/32.png) [@Sleel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleel)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2005, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/software-for-creative-writing/318497/8 "2005-08-31T06:56:01Z")
I like TextWrangler a lot, but I suspect you didn’t buy a Mac. LaTeX for UNIX variants is very powerful and gives you a ton of control over layout.