yWriter, a Writing Software Review

So, as some of you may know - I have been trying out different writing software. I started with StoryBook (see my review). Then I tried yWriter. If you recall I liked yWriter better. After I finished the first draft of my WIP I downloaded the trial version of Scrivener to give it a try. As I always do better with reviews when I can compare two things, I will compare yWriter to my first impressions of Scrivener. Stay tuned for my full review of Scrivener.

I really enjoyed using yWriter. It has some great features. And from what I have seen so far, it has similar functionality to Scrivener. Although it does not have many cool exporting functions, which I personally don't mind.

My Favorite Features

• It's Free
• With the click of a button it will read your writing to you. Great for revising. (By the way, Scrivener does not have this feature.
• Did I mention it is free?

What it is Lacking

• Embedded spell checking. It tells you when a word is wrong but does not offer suggestions. I am a terrible speller so this was an issue for me. (Scrivener does).
• You have to have a Chapter-Scene structure. I got around this by just having one scene per chapter. No big deal. But Scrivener has more flexibility in this area.

The Verdict

yWriter is on the list for my top 5. But since Scrivener is not to terribly expensive I may end up going with it. The big reason? I plan to self publish and Scrivener has some great export options for that. However, I do have a few more I would like to try before I decided for sure.

An Interesting Thoughts on Piracy

I writer friend shared this with me today. I found it very interesting and wanted to share. I would add my thoughts but I think the link speaks for itself.

What do you think?

The Truth about Prologues

(Yes, I had a typo in the title *blush*)

I don't really like debates or flaming wars. So I am usually cautious about the 'hot' topics that I post about. But I found one that I just could help but commenting on.

Prologues.

So I have heard that 50% or readers don't read prologues. Here is the thing though. I did an internet search and have talk to several people. In all the polls that I have scene the ratio seems much lower. More like 10%. I asked myself where did this statistic come from? I can find no evidence of any study or poll that has been done that matches this number. 

Please, if I am mistaken point me to the source of such an elusive statement.

I have also heard that agents don't like prologues. So I did some internet research on that topic as well.

I found that it is not prologues that are bad - but that poorly written prologues (like anything that is poorly written) are bad. 

And here are some references to support my claims:

http://bookendslitagency.blogspot.com/2010/10/great-prologue-debate.html

http://carlywatters.com/2011/08/15/the-dreaded-prologue/ (mentions not to include a prologue - but then look at this post! http://carlywatters.com/tag/prologue/)

http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2010/02/why-prologues-often-dont-work.html

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2010/09/27/7-deadly-sins-of-prologues-great-novel-beginnings-part-2/

http://davidpowersking.blogspot.com/2012/02/aspiring-advice-problems-with-prologues.html - Loved this post by the way!

If you have other information/personal experience please share. As for me, I am going to believe that prologues are just like any other part of a book. Good if done right. Unless of course there is someone that can show me proof to the contrary.

Take away truth. Just because prologues are hard to do right - does not mean you should avoid them. If you believe that - then why are you writing? Writing is hard to do right too.

Wisdom from a Writing Conferences: Essentials of Middle Grade

Jennifer Nielsen presented on the essentials of middle grade novels at the LDSStoryMakers conference.

What I Learned:

I can write middle grade. In fact my current WIP is a middle grade novel. The most important thing I learned is middle grade readers to not need to be talked down to or coddled. They can read about adult issue at a high reading level. Take for example that many middle grade readers are reading The Hunger Games.

How I Plan to Apply It:

I have decided to try my had at middle grade. It is a level that I kind of skipped over when I was that age. Of course that was probably because most fantasy and science fiction novels were in the adult section. I have read some middle grade novels recently and fell in love with it.

If all goes well - I may permanently be a middle grade writer :)