Writing Club

I just got back from my monthly Writer's Club and, as always, thoroughly enjoyed myself.
It's a night when I actually get to leave the house-alone.  No kids, no car seats, no snacks and diaper bags.  It's all about writing.  It's fun to discuss what's going on with our current writing projects.  It inspires me to continue on my path when I see others struggling too. 

I've finally completed my outline using the Marshall Novel writing software .  I didn't plot to the very end because a lot will change for me between the beginning and the end BUT I did plot through my middle.  It's where I need the most help; I tend to have saggy middles.  It really made me think about where I was taking my characters.  It did take me longer to complete than I thought it would, though.  Now when I sit down to write at the end of the day I can just go, and I do.  I'm already on chapter 3 so I'm feeling very positive and upbeat.  I may actually get another book wrote and maybe it won't take me a year to do it.

And writing when you have small children is possible.  Saying otherwise is an excuse.  Even if you can only manage to eek out 15 minutes a day that still makes almost 2 hours of writing a week.  And if you're like me once I get myself sat down for my 15 minutes I usually find that the time flies and I write for longer.

Hi ho, hi ho, plotting here I go!

I recently purchased the The Marshall Plan Novel Writing Software .  It's really making me think.  The reason I wasn't really getting anywhere writing my latest book was I hadn't given enough thought to my conflict etc. 

I've gotten through the first part (the beginning of the book) making my notes and figuring out my conflict and surprises and romantic sub plot.  It has been awesome.  Hard but good.  I thought I would be able to breeze through it in an evening but this is day four and I'm still plugging away. 

When I get to writing it though it should go fast.  I'm going to have a very, very detailed outline/synopsis.

Decisions, Decisions

Holy Moley!  I've been researching different writing software lately; and there is a lot of it out there. 
I've been looking into The Marshall Plan Novel Writing Software , Power Structure, Story Weaver, Dramatica Pro and various others.  It gets a little over whelming, there are so many options. 
I want something that is easy to use pretty much from the get go.

 Mostly I just want help with the plotting aspect.  I want to make sure I have a good map before I leave on my journey.

I already use Write it Now, here's a review of the latest installment Write It Now 4 .  I really like it for keeping all my chapters notes in one place where they are easy to access.  They have a character creator that's pretty good too. 

When I started my last book I was a student with Long Ridge Writer's Group and Mary Rosenblum, my instructor was a huge help.  But now I'm flying solo and need to figure out my method. 

 I've got a pretty feel for my new work in progress; I've written chapter 1 and am pretty happy with it but I need more direction, a firmer path.  Once I get that I can get my butt in gear and get this book wrote before I lose my  spark. 

I'm really leaning towards The Marshall Plan software.  It is pricey but it's got good reviews and a 30 day money back guarantee.

I'll let you know how this goes.  When I pick the one I want I will do a review or something here.