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StorYBook Novel Writing Software Review

Free Open Source Program Organizes Book and Story Files

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Writing a Novel - Kenn Kiser
Writing a Novel - Kenn Kiser
This open source software makes organizing the characters, backstories, settings, scenes, chapters and plot lines of a fiction novel easier for creative writers.

There are dozens of story writing software programs to choose from and for many authors it can be a tough decision. Some novelists even wonder if software for writing a book is necessary. It’s common for writers to keep separate files on their computers for characters, settings, backstories, scenes, chapters, and plot lines.

StorYBook Keeps Novel Parts in One File

This fiction writing software allows the writer to create each of the story parts in a separate window, yet saves everything as one file. Writers no longer need to worry about losing a file with important information in it. It’s all conveniently located together in the StorYBook file.

StorYBook Creates a Novel Timeline

Creating a timeline is tedious, yet it is an essential task in a fast-paced novel. As the writer creates scenes, StorYBook automatically fits them into a timeline. In one view, the author can see who is where at any given time. Another view allows the author to see what dates different characters appear in the story. This software also shows the writer how frequently characters appear in the story.

StorYBook Creates a Storyboard

A storyboard is a visual map of what happens when, and with whom in a novel. Creative writing often involves several plot strands with their lines laid concurrently on the storyboard. Creating a storyboard can be done with chart paper and markers, whiteboards and sticky paper, notecards, and sometimes with software or templates designed for that purpose.

This book writing program creates the storyboard as the novelist works. A drag and drop function allows the author to move scenes and chapters within the novel, and it automatically updates the storyboard. The chart can be exported in a png format which is compatible with Microsoft Word.

StorYBook Exports the Novel in Several Formats

StorYBook is designed to be an organizing, plotting, and planning tool for novelists. It can be used to create entire scenes and chapters, but it is intended to be used as a way to map out a novel and fit all the parts and pieces of a creative work together. Exporting the file into another document then allows the writer to flesh out the scenes and edit the book.

When work is complete, the file can be exported into Word as a doc, txt, or rtf file. It can also be exported in pdf format, csv format for Excel, and ODT, a format for OpenDocument files in Open Office.

Authors may find their jobs made easier with this innovative writer’s software. Because it is an open source program, this novel writing software is free by download at the StorYBook website. This writing program frees authors, novelists, and creative writers from having too many files, notecards, and papers for their projects. Everything is safely stored in one computer file.

Another writing program that is exceptional, free, and easy to use is yWriter software. Read the review, download both programs, then compare them to see which one works best for you.

Suzanne Pitner, Suzanne Pitner

Suzanne Pitner - Suzanne Pitner is a teacher and published writer. A member of RWA and YARWA, she writes fiction as Suzanne Lilly.

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Comments

Oct 2, 2009 2:45 AM
Maija Haavisto :
A screenshot of the software would have been a very nice addition to the article!
Oct 2, 2009 5:47 AM
Suzanne Pitner :
Good idea! Why didn't I think of that? Tonight I'll try to get a few screenshots and upload them here. However, you can also see screenshots at the StorYbook site.
Dec 27, 2009 9:00 PM
Guest :
STAY AWAY FROM STORYBOOK SOFTWARE!!!! It is a scam and DOES NOT WORK!! It never saves any of the information you put into in and when you contact the creator of the software be prepared for him to tell you off. I had written a ton for my book in Storybook and it never saved it even though I tried over and over again.
Mar 31, 2010 3:56 PM
Guest :
This software is "free" but there are requests for donations all over it, every time you use it, so to get the one without all the requests for donations I donated $15. The software shut my computer down three times and almost killed it. I asked the programmer, Martin, for a refund. Turns out there are real arse holes in the Swiss Alps as there are in America. He basically told me tough crap and have a great day. I will NEVER used "free" software again and for sure never donate again.
Apr 26, 2010 10:12 AM
Guest :
Storybook works fine and is a great software. Compared with other Novel-writing software the donation of $10 is actually nothing. You get excellently what it's written on the Homepage - not more, not less. I'm totally satisfied. The program helps a lot to avoid a complete mess when writing a story. And I'm not the only one with this opinion (as shown on the Testimonials). BTW: Users that don't know basics about using a PC shouldn't use it, of course.
May 19, 2010 8:52 AM
Guest :
I've been using StoryBook Software. It works well. It saves all the information I enter. It has never crashed my computer.

I find it difficult to understand how a persons failure to operate one's own computer competently equates into StoryBook being a "scam". It does have plenty of places asking for donations, which is completely acceptable, given that 1) the download is a free open-source program and 2) wouldn't anyone want to be compensated for labor that benefits others? Or are we writing free open-source novels now?

The graphical user interface is logically laid out, consistent, and decent to navigate. It did not take a ton of time to learn how to get around in the program.

As far as direct support from the programmers goes, I'm not sure any of that is free. Good luck in getting a Microsoft Office software engineer to walk you through issues one might have using Microsoft Word. You can get phone or direct email support, put you have to ... wait for it ... pay for it. In other words, to complain that software developers to whom we may have given $10, $20 or $0 dollars to won't drop everything and help us with our novels on their software also without compensation seems a bit ridiculous to me.

Overall StoryBook is a very helpful package. It does what it says it does and for those of us who are more graphical/visual in our processing of ideas, it really is helpful with creating and maintaining storyboards etc.
Jun 9, 2010 4:05 PM
Guest :
Hey, can you review the AutoCrit Editing Wizard? I'd like hear your opinion and other people's comments.
Jun 9, 2010 8:50 PM
Suzanne Pitner :
You betcha! In fact, I've been meaning to do that for a while. I use it occasionally, and so far, so good. I'll try to do that review sometime this month. Thanks for reading and for asking.
Jun 24, 2010 3:41 AM
Guest :
I installed StorYBook, and found that it had essentially no facility for actually WRITING anything. Lots of tools for organizing, but aside from some tiny boxes with no apparent rich text controls (bold, italic, etc.), no place to actually write anything.

Interestingly enough, I now see that actually using the software to write -- versus using it to "organize" your writing tasks -- is conspicuously missing from the review.

So, my recommendation would be to skip this one until reviews actually mention something about how you use it to actually write. It's kind of important.
Jun 12, 2011 8:21 AM
Guest :
I have this software and it does help you to get the story organized,but it won't write it for you.
why is it that writers complain about trying to find the perfect writing software out there but what they are actually looking for is a tool to do the actual work for them. It's laziness, plain and simple!
Storybook is fine and it does save your work. You just have to understand how to use it. And no, I haven't donated anything. I don't need to. All it does is help you to get organized with your characters,and locations and your storyline. Putting it all together is easy once you get the hang of it.
Use the HELP feature first to get started on using it. It shows you step by step how to use the software.IF you don't like it, try Ywriter. I tired all kinds but Storybook is the best free open source software I've tried hands down!
If you can't figure it out, then go back to using an old manual typewriter. Or go back tot he way the old masters did, using pen and paper. Have somebody else type up your manuscript for you later AFTER you finish it.
Otherwise, it's time to get a new line of work,friend!
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