Article by David B. Silva

In the early days of the personal computer, we’re talking the mid-’80s here, there was speculation that someday books would all be writen by computers. It sounded a little too science-fictiony for most writers. After all, words on a page—no matter how well they appear to work together—are meaningless without the insights and experiences of the writer behind them. At this point in time, I’m happy to report, computers are not writing all our books for us.However, writing software has progressed far beyond the basic word processing abilities of Word and Word Perfect.Today, we have a wide variety of story development software. Most can be used to write novels or screenplays, even television scripts or stage plays. Programs such as Truby’s Blockbuster or Dramatica Pro teach their own unique approach to story development. Other programs, such as Power Structure, StoryBase, and StoryWeaver provide prompts for help with character, structure, and theme. They do not write the story for us.But they are coming closer. Dramatica Pro, for instance, uses what it refers to as a story engine, that reveals relationships of deep structure independent of subject and content. It takes you by the hand and shows you what character, plot and theme issues you need to address. And finally, it weaves all your plot points together for maximum Dramatica Pro impact. Truby’s Blockbuster helps you find the best story form for your genre work, helps you develop the 7 keys that provide the nucleus for your story, and then lays out the 22 steps of story development to carry your plot from start to finish.I’ve used most of these programs at one time or another. While I believe Dramatica Pro has great potential and a unique take on story development, it also has a steep learning curve. Personally, I turn to writing software to save time. If it drains my time to learn how to use it properly, then it defeats its purpose.Truby’s Blockbuster, on the other hand, quickly gets me to the heart of my story and has me putting the pieces together in a relatively short time. I don’t use it for all my projects, but find it most helpful for the bigger books. Could I write without the use of software?Of course.Would my stories be better for it?Probably no better. Probably no worse.Then what’s the point?The point is this: story development software can serve both good and evil, depending on how you use it. If you rely too heavily on the software, then you defeat the purpose of being a writer, which is to bring your own take on the world into your work. Your stories will likely begin to all read alike, very cookie-cutter and pre-fabbed. You’ll be moving us another step closer to the day when computers will write our books for us. But if you use the software to organize your thoughts, to make the initial brainstorming process quicker and more efficient, without relying too heavily on each and every aspect of the software, then it can serve the good in your work. Much like the rules of grammar, the rules of struture and story development are there to guide you. Once you thoroughly understand how they work, you’re freer to break them. This is when you step forward as a writer, with your own voice, and your own creative approach to writing.If you’d like to check out some of these programs, here are some good places to get started:Novel-Writing Programs: http://thesuccessfulwriter.com/novelwritingsoftware/Screenwriting Programs: http://thesuccessfulwriter.com/screenwritingsoftware/Whether you decide to use story-development software or not—Steinbeck, Hemmingway, Faulkner and many others did just fine without them—always remember to bring yourself to your work. That’s the only true way you’ll ever be an original writer.

Screenwriting Tips

Product Description
The official book tie-in to the new movie by the screenwriter of Forrest Gump and Munich—the untold story of the birth of the CIA—an epic drama, directed by Robert De Niro, starring Matt Damon, Angelina Jolie, Alec Baldwin, Billy Crudup, William Hurt, Joe Pesci, John Turturro, and Robert De Niro.

Edward Wilson (Matt Damon) understands the value of secrecy—discretion and commitment to honor have been embedded in him since childhood. As an eager, o… More >>
The Good Shepherd: The Shooting Script

Making A Good Script Great With International Lecturer & Author Dr. Linda Seger “A must have for every writer, beginner or professional.” – Barbara Corday, President Columbia Pictures Television. “Ideal for producers, executives and writers.” – Renee Valente, Producer ‘Love Thy Neighbor.’ “An invaluable tool for the working writer.” – Richard Walter, UCLA Department of Theater, Film & TV. Features Structuring The Story, Expressing The Theme and Creating Unforgettable Characters. 90 min. Making A Good Script Great Series Noted Hollywood script consultant, international lecturer and author Dr. Linda Seger, analyzes the elements necessary to make a good script great. Dr. Linda Seger is an international script consultant, seminar leader and public speaker. Her clients include TriStar Pictures, MGM/UA, Turner Network, ABC and CBS. She is author of six books, including the best-selling “Making A Good Script Great” and “Creating Unforgettable Characters.”

Film 099: Will Hunting has his first session with his psychologist Sean, a man who lost his wife to cancer two years ago, and has had his own difficulties adjusting to life, but is very wise and from a similar background to Will, an emotionally struggling genius from the “wrong side of the tracks” in South Boston. Made for: Brooks Institute of Photography MPV375: Directing & Screenwriting Instructor: Alison Nigh Sunday, February 10, 2008 Assignment: Blocking Scene #4 Students will rehearse, shoot, and edit the assigned scene from Good Will Hunting. To see more films, visit: www.briangurrola.com

But is the article writing job really for you? Just because you are a good writer does not mean that it is. Read on to see if you should pursue it, or find another niche.

Of course, you can always use article writing to create e-books, which can be given away or sold.

You can also spin short stories into worthy articles. You can use your creative impulse to weave some magic and entertainment into your articles. You will find that you can also appeal to a wider audience by using a story telling technique, children especially love a good story. As a writer, you can imagine that I love the fact that my children are interested in the arts and literature.

Here are a few tips for good article writing:

Keep your paragraphs short and to the point. Your article needs to have a beginning, a middle and an end. Most articles will be between four hundred and six hundred words long.

NO errors. Spelling mistakes are simply not accepted.

If you’re a freelance writer looking for work, many times you’ll see job ads that ask for writing samples. Well what better way to get in some practice and good exposure than write a few articles on writing?

To Start Writing is also a great tip. It is so easy to come up with an excuse to NOT write. But once you are seated, you will find it is easier than you thought. Don’t worry too much about the quality initially, the important thing is get something down on paper. You can always tidy up things later.

People don’t necessarily write about something because they understand it already. They often start writing about something because they want to understand it, and the process of writing is what brings about their understanding. Why not start article writing today and improve your thinking skills by writing?

Save photos or clip pictures from magazines. One way to start writing is to view something that gives you a scene or some action that will lead to a story.

Make a list of the stories that you most like. Start with any story you really like, and think about how you could weave that into an article.

Then start writing and see if the article “grabs” you. Bible stories have been successfully retold a hundred ways in books and movies, under many titles. Why not find a formula you like, which has been proven to work, and write your own updated version?

Oh yes, by now you may be asking, what is The Secret To Good Article Writing? Well, it is simple really, sit down and write them.