I decided to write a series of posts covering a topic “software for writers” to provide visitors to my website with a comprehensive information on the topic. This is the first post. Enjoy it!

1. Word processor software

For many writers, word processing software is still a major tool for writing.  The biggest merit of word processing software is that most of us have been using the software even before we set about writing  a novel or other serious stuffs and therefore there is no need to learn the software from the scratch.

A. Microsoft word 
Unquestionably a de facto standard of word processing software.

B. OpenOffice
For a long time, this has been the best free alternative to Microsoft Word. It is compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux.

C. LibreOffice
Another free word processing software based on the same code for OpenOffice. Supports Windows, Mac and Linux.

For the difference between OpenOffice and LibreOffice, read this article. The bottom line is you can expect more customer support from LibreOffice than OpenOffice.

D. Pages
Word Processing program for Mac that comes with Mac OS.

E. Abiword
Free word processing software supporting Windows, Mac and Linux.

F. Bean
Free word processing software for Mac only. It has a good repuation among users.

G. Nisus Writer Pro 
Clean and uncluttered Mac only word processing software. It costs $79.

H. Mellel
Mac only word processor program designed for writers wanting DTP-level document creation. It costs $39.

I. Mariner Write
Simple but powerful word processing software specifically designed for Mac. It costs 49.95.

2. Novel writing software

A. Scrivener
This software may not show on the top of search pages if you google “novel writing software”. However, among professional writers, Scrivener receives consistently favorable reviews and many of them consider it one of the best novel writing programs. It supports both Windows and Mac. Windows version costs $40 and Mac version cost $45.

B. yWriter
If you want a free novel writing software for Windows, yWriter is the answer. Look no further, just download it.

C. NewNovelist
NewNovelist is a combination of novel writing software and guide for novel writing with its features like templates, advice, and text analysis. If you need a step-by-step guide for novel writing, this may be a good choice. This Windows only software costs $49.99.

D. Ulysses
Ulysses is not for everybody. You should know what “semantic editor” means or at least be willing to try the concept. This is a software for writers who want to have a consistent and sophisticated control over the writing process and final output. Ulysses is Mac only and costs $11.99.

If you are intrigued by the following features, Ulysses may be for you.

• Semantic Text Editing
• Console Mode (aka Fullscreen)
• Extensible Export
• Project-Wide Search & Replace
• Multiple Document and Project Notes
• Excerpts
• Counters for Characters, Words & Pages
• Configurable Metadata (status, label, dates)

E. Liquid Story Binder XE 
This is a powerful software for novel writing with many features ranging from text editing, multimedia organization, outlining, timelines and mind mapping. Liquid Story Binder XE is for Windows only and costs $49.95.

F. StoryMill
As a Mac only writing software, StoryMill has an interface similar to Scrivener. One distinct feature of StoryMill is timeline. It costs $49.95.

G. Writer’s Café 
Writer’s Cafe is similar to NewNovelist in that it offers story development tools and novel writing guides in addition to text editor. The software itself looks rather cluttered and outdated but may appeal to some writers who want to have various features at hand. Writer’s Cafe supports Windows, Mac and Linux and costs $40.

H. Writeitnow
Writeitnow’s main features are storyboard, thesaurus, relationships graphs for characters, and full screen mode. The software looks somewhat old but comes with standard features for novel writing software. The Windows only software costs $59.95.

I. Pagefour
Two noteworthy features of Pagefour are full compatibility with Microsoft Word as its files are saved as rtf and Smart-edit that shows you overused words and phrases. Pagefour is Windows only and costs $34.

J. WriteWay Pro
Writeway Pro has standard features of novel writing software such as chapter organization, character creation and text editor. One great feature of the software is automatic word calculation that shows your daily goals for writing. Writeway Pro supports Windows and costs $49 (pro version). At the present (Aug. 6th, 2012), they are selling the pro version at sale price of $35.

K. Writer’s Blocks
Write’s Blocks is an electronic index cards software. You write in the cards and move them for a story and later export them as MS word, rtf, HTML or text file. The interface of the software is quite unique compared to other novel writing software. Writer’s Blocks costs $149 and supports Windows.

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