StorYBook Novel Writing Software Review

Free Open Source Program Organizes Book and Story Files

© Suzanne Pitner

Jun 11, 2009
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.

Editor's Choice

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.


The copyright of the article StorYBook Novel Writing Software Review in Writing Novels is owned by Suzanne Pitner. Permission to republish StorYBook Novel Writing Software Review in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Writing a Novel, Kenn Kiser
       


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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.
2 Comments