Re-centralised

I was going to write a big round up of the all different tools available for NaNoWrimo but I quickly realised that it would take more time than I had free. I chose to instead do a roundup of just the software I am going to be using this year, and go over how I came to chose them.

Customary background:

Last year I used TiddlyWiki on a USB drive exclusively. It followed me around and I was able to plug it in and instantly start working – on any computer I found myself at. This was useful as I wrote most of my novel at work. Overall, I would say that I used 6 different computers – some with internet access some without – to complete it.

I still have it, and thanks to the brilliance of Tiddly, everything still makes sense. I started writing the second part to the series in it this summer – using the original Wiki as the basis. All of the character outlines, text, and locations were all in there – in a nice tidy search-able format. It was an absolute joy to use.

Whats different this year:

I am not going to be writing it at work, nor do I intend to use multiple computers. I might use a different computer (my laptop) sparingly so I would like a work-flow that is adaptable. Using Tiddly was great but my biggest complaint was the entering of text. It is still a non linear wiki – its’ not designed with the idea of typing out 5000 words in to a Tiddler (and have it make sense / be readable / wordprocessor style). It’s not a deal breaker – its just that since my requirements have changed a bit this year I wanted to take the opportunity to check out my options.

The biggest trend has been the “distraction free” editors. Things like DarkRoom & Q10. I could have edited Tiddlys CSS and ran full screen in Firefox and gotten a similar results but I thought I would switch it up a bit. Experiment.

This year:

This year I am not going to use TiddlyWiki to write my novel in – even though I think it is the absolute best way to write a novel from a 2 or 3 line thesis statement. This year I am going to use a combination of Q10 & Fossil.

Why I think this is ‘the way’ for me:

I will be using at most 2 computers and I need it to not be in the cloud. I want to utilize a distraction-free editor and still leverage the ease of a 1-file solution. I also want version control.

Fossil stores all the data in a single SQLite file. It runs on any platform so I can use it on any computer I have. I can easily back it up across my own computer and FTP it off site (in case of data loss) and since its a version control system, I have a record of every alteration to every chapter, and can easily export a copy of the most recent chapters, etc.

Not only can I still write in Wiki Markup for a future import but Fossil has a built in wiki so if I need it, so its always right there waiting.

I can import pictures and other meda into the “project” and they stay in the single file.

It also gives me a good reason to use & learn Fossil which will come in handy once it comes time to start writing more code.

Q10 has some amazing features for writers. Character counters, page counter, timer, running word count, easy-on-the-eyes colour scheme, etc. Do check it out for yourself!

It also provides a wonderful interface – essentially none. It is really distraction free. Digsby sometimes pops up on me, but otherwise it’s light enough weight to run on my computer, while doing exactly what it says on the tin.

Some people may not like the typing sound effects but when I get on a roll it becomes almost hypnotic.

The added bonus is that it writes plain text files so I can still write with Wiki Syntax.

Oh, and did I mention their both free?

Other Runners up:

Google Documents. Why not?

Not working in the cloud. If I was working on multiple computers, that all had internet access, and were fast enough to use Google Dox it could be a contender. No fear about data loss (cloud) and plenty of flexibility.

ccTiddly. Why not?

The better scaled brother to Tiddly gets a pass this time. I don’t have my project server up so I lack a good place to run it at the moment. Also, like I stated above I want to try an interface other then Tiddy’s this year.

yWriter. Why Not?

Amazingly powerful and flexible piece of software. I really want to poke at it more – its so detailed – but for Nano I am locking for a big canvas – something I can catch a lot of words on and worry about later. I think yWriter really shines when it comes time to edit – as its all broken down right in the software. If i remember correctly, you can even import text files. Last year I imported my novel into yWriter to fiddle with. Check this software out.

WordPress. Why not?

Interface. Feels too much like data entry. Even for my posts on LK.com, I write them in Q10 or Notepad++ first…

PyRoom. Why not?

Not as feature filled and polished as Q10. I use PyRoom on my Linux laptop, but my desktop is windows, and Q10 simply rocks (yes I have PyRoom on my windows machine too – see my post about it).

MS Word / Open Office. Why not?

To plain. I spend a lot of time in these applications as is (at work) so I wanted something that’s visually different. Still powerful word processors, and a viable option nonetheless.

Paper composition book. Why not?

To much work to transcribe. Sore hand.

Thoughts:

When it comes to NaNo or even strict-outline-less writing, I have yet to find anything that works as well for me as Q10 or TiddlyWiki. This is for my own style and creative process. Tiddly gives you the tools to build an entire world from scratch, on the fly. Q10 just gets out of the way and lets you type (and keeps you from checking your Facebook/Gmail/IM/Twitter every 5 minutes).

I’m excited to use Fossil for this project too. It gives me some fun side projects. One of them is skinning Fossil, which I currently have done enough to be workable for Nano. The other is to code a helper app to act as an easy mode button for commits and what not. It’s not something that’s essential – just something I feel like doing.

Overall, it comes down to what works best for you for the way you work.

Expect a follow-up post where I dig a bit deeper into the exact work flow I am using, and maybe if I find time, a proper post/screencast/presentation about the power of TiddlyWiki.