McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Better Word Processor Options?

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Darwinist:
I find myself frustrated by the limitations of MS Word. Specifically, I want the ability to make tabs like you would with excel that I can make to indicate as chapters. I'm shocked that Word doesn't have this. Or maybe they do and I'm just a freaking idiot and can't figure it out.

Anyway, if someone knows how to do that on Word, let me know. If not, anyone have some better word processor options (preferably free)?

OZ:
In addition to great web sites full of helpful hints for writers, this thread talks about the pros and cons of several word processors. I believe some of them are free.    http://www.jimbutcheronline.com/bb/index.php/topic,15083.msg695327.html#msg695327

MClark:
The TL:DR version of that thread. If you have the time, I strongly recommend the thread, because other tools for writers (like writingexcuses), not just software, are mentioned. Most packages are $50-100. Most have demo versions - 30 day trials, usually gimped in some way, but they do give you the feel of using the software.

http://www.ravensheadservices.com/   Write it Now 
http://www.writewaypro.com Write Way Pro
http://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php Scrivener
http://www.blackobelisksoftware.com/  Liquid Story Binder
http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter5.html Ywriter5 (free)
http://www.writerscafe.co.uk/  Writers Cafe
http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/info/snowflake_pro/  Snowflake Pro

My recommendation is you won't get much writing done if you try them all. I would say download three and see if one of them works for you. Ywriter5 (free), WriteWayPro (what I use), Scrivener (almost its own religion, and works for the Mac) are good starting points.

Your comment about a "tab for each Chapter" sounds like something MS OneNote could do, but OneNote doesn't have other tools like formatting your manuscript, word count, writing goals, etc.

Again, lots of neat websites and other tools in the longer thread, so I recommend reading it.

Starbeam:
Just a note--Scrivener is now available for Windows, though I've not used it, and I've heard it's a bit buggy.

Naomi:
I'm using Scrivener for Windows since November, 2011.  I first used the trial version, which (at least in November, 2011) was a beta version for Windows.  There were some bugs.  However, I haven't had problems with the Windows version I purchased, which is more recent than the trial version.  The Scrivener folks are good about responding to questions posted in their forum, and addressing any issues.

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