StoryMill - software for authors

Evening L. Aspen · **Joined:** December 2nd, 2009, 11:01 pm **Posts:** 1461

I thought I'd introduce you all to a little program I use called StoryMill. It's a program written for authors and it lets you organize all of your documents and notes for your novel within one document. I use it for all of my stories; it helps me keep all of my information in one place instead of having tons of files all over my computer.

Here are a couple screen shots of one of my documents. (And this forum in the background) You will see that there are separate sections or views for chapters, research, characters, locations, etc. You can add any of the little notepad-iconned sections. You can double click the individual file thingies to open them in a separate window or click for full screen mode.

I know, the program is pretty expensive. I think that you can download a trial version where you can launch it 30 times... I know that my dad got the program in a package deal so he didn't buy the program directly.

OK, enough with my promotional speech. I just thought that ya'll would like to know about this great program.

PS: I think that it said on the website that if you had another one of their programs, you could get this one for $14 or something...

Lady Eruwaedhiel · **Posted:** December 9th, 2009, 2:12 pm

Love it! Might have to see about adding that to my Christmas list... If it'll work on our computer. It's notorious for spitting out whatever software you try to feed it. :P

Evening L. Aspen · **Joined:** December 2nd, 2009, 11:01 pm **Posts:** 1461

Oh, forgot to mention; I think that it's just for macs...

Lady Laurel · **Joined:** January 11th, 2010, 8:58 am **Posts:** 7

Oh how I wish this didn't cost any money!

Seer of Endor · **Joined:** February 16th, 2010, 10:36 pm **Posts:** 2603

Wish it was free, and wish it ran on Windows.

Ciela Rose · **Posted:** March 5th, 2010, 9:40 pm

Don't we all? I want a Mac sooo bad . . .

Thanks for sharing it, Evening!

Neil of Erk · **Posted:** March 5th, 2010, 11:06 pm

This program looks quite a bit like Scrivener. I haven't been able to compare the two, but based on the picture, they look quite similar.

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

For those of us with Windows computers...Storybook is open-source software designed for writers. I haven't downloaded it (it's downloading now) but it appears to be OK. Here's the basic feature list from the website:

Quote:

* Storybook comes with 3 views:
o The Chronological View shows the scenes sorted by date.
o The Manage Chapters and Scenes view shows all chapters and their assigned scenes. Scenes can be moved and renumbered by Drag-and-Drop.
o The Book View shows all chapters and their assigned scenes sorted by chapter and scene numbers, as you would read it in the final book.
* Storybook helps you to keep an overview, especially helpful for complex stories with two or more plot-lines (strands). Imagine it as a kind of a "dynamic mind map".
* Strands and strand links: Each scene belongs to a primary strand. Optionally, other related secondary-strands can be linked to a scene.
* Characters: Add, edit or remove characters and assign them to scenes.
* Locations: Add, edit or remove locations and assign them to scenes.
* Chapters: Define your chapters and assign scenes to them.
* Parts: Large projects can be split into well-arranged parts.
* Information: A hierarchic tree shows all characters, locations, chapters and strands. If scenes are missing or exist twice, a warning informs you.
* Adjustable view: All views can be re-sized to fit to screen or to get a better overview. Even more working space is available if you hide the information panel with a simple click on the tool bar.
* Task list and Navigation: The task list shows all scenes with a status other than "done". With the "Go to date" respectively "Go to chapter" navigation you can easily jump to the desired date or chapter-number.
* Spell Check: Your text can be checked for spelling. New words can be added to your personal user directory.
* Instant save: Because Storybook uses an embedded database called H2 to store data (and not a file) each input entered is saved in an instant. Even if the program crashes, you won't loose any data.

And did I mention it's free? So yeah, try it out and let me know what you think...I can't wait for this download to finish so I can try it out.

eruheran

Lady Eruwaedhiel · **Posted:** June 18th, 2010, 4:05 pm

OH MAN THAT LOOKS COOL!!

(sorry for the caps -- I'm excited

)

I'm gonna see if I'm allowed to download that! *dances*

Melody Kondrael · **Joined:** March 27th, 2010, 2:47 pm **Posts:** 921

I've tried Storybook but haven't stuck with it long enough to do any good. I write mainly screenplays, so it wasn't quite so useful as for novelwriters in the way I attempted to use it...but I'll try it again.

I have looked at Scrivener, makes me wish I had a ton of money so I could buy a Mac-something so I could buy Scrivener...it looks very cool from what I've heard. (I have a friend who loves it) I'm not sure it's worth switching to mac, though, I'm a Windows-first, Linux-second type of girl.

Andrew Amnon Mimetes · **Joined:** May 14th, 2010, 4:43 am **Posts:** 4458

Storybook is actually pretty powerful. In the past three days or so I've only used it for characters and plot twists but those parts are really good.

Characters: You can list all of your characters minor and major...good for keeping track of things.

Plot twists: This is the best part of the entire software. You can view all of your different plot twists side by side. Clicking on them shows you your summary of the twist, what characters it relates to (And if you've put your actual story into the program: what chapter it's in). I'm loving it and my ideas for my book are so much more clearer now.

I actually haven't tried putting each chapter, scene etc. into the program, I almost like them separate, but I've definitely enjoyed using it for the other aspects of the program.

eruheran

6stringedsignseeker · **Joined:** September 27th, 2010, 11:08 pm **Posts:** 416

I came across Storybook while searching for software online... for those who are using it, how do you like it?

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** September 30th, 2010, 8:35 am

Huh, I apparently need to do some research. I’ve just been scattering all of my stuff into documents and folders all over my computer. *goes to research*

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** September 30th, 2010, 9:43 am

I've resisted writing software. But I eventually tried Celtx for scriptwriting and I love it. I might have to try storybook...

Blueeyedswordmaiden · **Joined:** September 29th, 2010, 10:57 am **Posts:** 12

They both look cool though StoryBook even more so. (Since I can use it!

) Maybe it will help me to be better organized with my novels and stuff. >.<

PrincessoftheKing · **Posted:** September 30th, 2010, 7:22 pm

I'm trying to figure out if I want StoryMill or Scrivener... (Oh yeah, I finally got my Mac!!! It's amazing!!!)

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** September 30th, 2010, 10:59 pm

I had a code to get Scivener half off, but I don't know if it's still any good. I'd have to check. I didn't use it since I don't have a Mac...

PrincessoftheKing · **Posted:** October 1st, 2010, 11:00 am

If you find it, and its still good, could you pm it to me?

Constable Jaynin Mimetes · **Posted:** October 1st, 2010, 11:40 pm

I would, gladly, but it expired May 1st. Figures. :roll:

Anyone invent that time machine yet?

Airianna Valenshia · **Posted:** October 1st, 2010, 11:52 pm

When they do I want to be the first to know.

PrincessoftheKing · **Posted:** October 7th, 2010, 7:29 pm

Vanya Katerina Jaynin wrote:

I would, gladly, but it expired May 1st. Figures. :roll:

Anyone invent that time machine yet?

Oh well...

At least Scrivener isn't ridiculously expensive.

Elly · **Joined:** October 22nd, 2010, 7:58 am **Posts:** 4197

Hmm... wish it was free, and compatible for Windows... :roll:

Lady Elanor · **Posted:** November 9th, 2010, 9:31 am

It looks really good! I'm going to look into downloading it

.

Elly · **Joined:** October 22nd, 2010, 7:58 am **Posts:** 4197

There's another software, www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html (yWriter5) that's compatible for Windows.

Basic StoryMill setup, but slightly different.

KathrineROID · **Posted:** December 26th, 2010, 1:51 pm

Elly wrote:

There's another software, http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html (yWriter5) that's compatible for Windows.

Basic StoryMill setup, but slightly different.

Only Windows? It looks interesting, but I don't see on the site if it allows Ubuntu or Linux (actually, their site seems a bit hard to navigate).

Elly · **Joined:** October 22nd, 2010, 7:58 am **Posts:** 4197

KathrineROID wrote:

Elly wrote:

There's another software, http://www.spacejock.com/yWriter.html (yWriter5) that's compatible for Windows.

Basic StoryMill setup, but slightly different.

Only Windows? It looks interesting, but I don't see on the site if it allows Ubuntu or Linux (actually, their site seems a bit hard to navigate).

I believe it allows Linux. The yWriter5 is compatible for Windows by clicking a link that takes you from the Spacejock website to another site. That site has the Windows compatible download.

Any other questions?

StoryMill - software for authors

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