Comments on: DIY: How to write a book http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 21 May 2013 18:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Kid Geezer http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390915 Kid Geezer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390915 I'm wondering why you quit using Nissus Writer. If you have the right scanner, Devonthink looks like fun. I’m wondering why you quit using Nissus Writer. If you have the right scanner, Devonthink looks like fun.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-769800 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-769800 I am a freelance writer. Which version of Devonthink is adequate for writing a popular science book? Do I need the most expensive version or will the plain "Professional" do? I am a freelance writer. Which version of Devonthink is adequate for writing a popular science book? Do I need the most expensive version or will the plain “Professional” do?

]]> By: reagent http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390924 reagent Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390924 i wish i could remember any of the burroughs i read now. the sonufavish was always onto something in what he said - about the way memory worked, and perception too; what else are you going to write about? there was that weird cut-up technique he talked about... lines of text cut-up and placed in unintended ways: like bomb-sirens for the mind was what he wanted, right? i'm wondering now what mcluhan would've said as well: medium is the massage and all. also, i've been on the mac/pc fence since my lappy just crashed... the mac only comments kind of reaffirm my lean to'rds that side. i wish i could remember any of the burroughs i read now. the sonufavish was always onto something in what he said – about the way memory worked, and perception too;

what else are you going to write about?

there was that weird cut-up technique he talked about… lines of text cut-up and placed in unintended ways: like bomb-sirens for the mind was what he wanted, right?

i’m wondering now what mcluhan would’ve said as well: medium is the massage and all.

also, i’ve been on the mac/pc fence since my lappy just crashed… the mac only comments kind of reaffirm my lean to’rds that side.

]]> By: Mark Frauenfelder http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390940 Mark Frauenfelder Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390940 I'd love to hear more about Devonthink's semantic algorithm that finds connections between snippets. It reminds me of the episode of The Sopranos when Christopher bought a laptop to write a screenplay and was disappointed when the computer didn't write the story for him. I’d love to hear more about Devonthink’s semantic algorithm that finds connections between snippets. It reminds me of the episode of The Sopranos when Christopher bought a laptop to write a screenplay and was disappointed when the computer didn’t write the story for him.

]]> By: physicistjedi http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-392476 physicistjedi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-392476 Here is a list of similar programs in different platforms: http://code.google.com/p/kognite/wiki/DocumentManagementSoftware Here is a list of similar programs in different platforms:
http://code.google.com/p/kognite/wiki/DocumentManagementSoftware

]]> By: Michael Putzel http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-418080 Michael Putzel Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-418080 I look forward to trying the DevonThink-Scrivener combination, but I'm surprised there has been no mention here of EverNote, a multimedia collection tool that syncs itself in Windows, on Mac OS X, online, the iPhone and perhaps other platforms. I use it like an endless spool of notepaper that can clip web pages, e-mail and other files that are then searchable by text or tags assigned by the writer. I use the free version, but there's a commercial version with more features. I started using it in Windows a few years ago and was delighted recently to discover an upgrade that runs on Mac as well, making that part of my conversion a snap. I look forward to trying the DevonThink-Scrivener combination, but I’m surprised there has been no mention here of EverNote, a multimedia collection tool that syncs itself in Windows, on Mac OS X, online, the iPhone and perhaps other platforms. I use it like an endless spool of notepaper that can clip web pages, e-mail and other files that are then searchable by text or tags assigned by the writer. I use the free version, but there’s a commercial version with more features. I started using it in Windows a few years ago and was delighted recently to discover an upgrade that runs on Mac as well, making that part of my conversion a snap.

]]> By: gs33 http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-391719 gs33 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-391719 <i>google notebook is a comparable devonthink alternative that's free and online.</i> 1. Google has recently said they will be ceasing support of google notebook. 2. In no way shape or form is google notebook similar to or a replacement for devonthink. They're not in the same ballpark. google notebook is a comparable devonthink alternative that’s free and online.

1. Google has recently said they will be ceasing support of google notebook.

2. In no way shape or form is google notebook similar to or a replacement for devonthink. They’re not in the same ballpark.

]]> By: Ian Holmes http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390958 Ian Holmes Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390958 Books are frowned upon in academic science (until *after* tenure), but for papers, I generally follow the more conventional (boring) process of starting with a list of figures and tables. I really like the database + semantic cross-referencing approach, though... Books are frowned upon in academic science (until *after* tenure), but for papers, I generally follow the more conventional (boring) process of starting with a list of figures and tables.

I really like the database + semantic cross-referencing approach, though…

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-391220 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-391220 Yes but do any of these nifty applications allow you to open two documents side by side in the same project? Scrivener allows a vertical split pane, but most monitors are, yknow, wider than they are vertical, and if you're writing something based on notes, you want those notes in one window, and your main document in the other. Also, these apps seem to accommodate audio files, but when will they integrate a program like Listen&Type, for transcribing interviews? Yes but do any of these nifty applications allow you to open two documents side by side in the same project? Scrivener allows a vertical split pane, but most monitors are, yknow, wider than they are vertical, and if you’re writing something based on notes, you want those notes in one window, and your main document in the other.

Also, these apps seem to accommodate audio files, but when will they integrate a program like Listen&Type, for transcribing interviews?

]]> By: parezcoydigo http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-391228 parezcoydigo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-391228 I love to use the combination of devonthink and scrivener. Unlike Steven, I prefer to keep my devonthink databases more structured-- but this is related, I think, to the type of research and writing I do (academic history). In a manner similar to what he describes above, when I get to the writing phase, I drag and arrange all the snippets that work into folders on the research tree in scrivener-- divided by chapter, and chapter section. This has transformed the writing process for me. I have a series of posts on this workflow for humanities research/writing here: http://parezcoydigo.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/posts-on-devonthink/ I love to use the combination of devonthink and scrivener. Unlike Steven, I prefer to keep my devonthink databases more structured– but this is related, I think, to the type of research and writing I do (academic history). In a manner similar to what he describes above, when I get to the writing phase, I drag and arrange all the snippets that work into folders on the research tree in scrivener– divided by chapter, and chapter section. This has transformed the writing process for me.

I have a series of posts on this workflow for humanities research/writing here: http://parezcoydigo.wordpress.com/2008/12/18/posts-on-devonthink/

]]> By: clairegiordano http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-392768 clairegiordano Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-392768 Steven: Thanks so much for sharing your creative process--how you build bridges between the islands--and for talking about how you use DEVONthink. I'm also going to check out one of the tools mentioned in the comment thread: Scrivener, from Literature&Latte. Wish me luck! --ClaireG Steven: Thanks so much for sharing your creative process–how you build bridges between the islands–and for talking about how you use DEVONthink. I’m also going to check out one of the tools mentioned in the comment thread: Scrivener, from Literature&Latte. Wish me luck! –ClaireG

]]> By: Russ Mitchell http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-408666 Russ Mitchell Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-408666 The combination of Scrivener and DevonThink works really well. Scrivener is simple and just about perfect. DevonThink is more complicated, far from perfect, but the best writer's database I've found. The combination of Scrivener and DevonThink works really well.

Scrivener is simple and just about perfect.

DevonThink is more complicated, far from perfect, but the best writer’s database I’ve found.

]]> By: PeerB http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-391027 PeerB Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-391027 Scrivener (http://www.literatureandlatte.com/) seems to do everything of the above except for the semantic algorithm. I like it a lot! (I have no affiliation to literatureandlatte.com) Scrivener (http://www.literatureandlatte.com/) seems to do everything of the above except for the semantic algorithm. I like it a lot!

(I have no affiliation to literatureandlatte.com)

]]> By: Hamish MacDonald http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-391031 Hamish MacDonald Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-391031 How can we have gone this long without anyone mentioning Scrivener?! I was using a PC when I wrote my last book, so I used Microsoft's OneNote for my idea-collection (along with a notebook I hand-made for the occasion; it feels important to do the 'building your own lightsabre' kind of preparation for the task, I find). Now I'm back on a Mac, and I've discovered lots of really supportive software for my creative activities. For writing, the most important of these is Scrivener (from literatureandlatte.com). It lets you pull your source material -- any kind of file, be it text, Web pages, audio, video -- into a research folder in the project, then gives you a great system for working on individual chapters then exporting them into a variety of ready-made formats (novel, screenplay, radio play, etc). There's even a mode for blanking out everything on the screen except the document you're working on. I'm looking forward to using this with my next novel, but I've already got a lot of use out of it for my copywriting, pulling together all the supporting material and writing articles in sections (hed, dek, middle, conclusion, etc.). Oh, and there's a split-screen mode, which I use when I want to listen to one of the audios in my research folder while composing in the top panel. I've no connection with the developer (who's very friendly and responsive, and hosts a great writers' discussion forum on his product's site). I just think this is a great and helpful tool. (And yet I can see how being called "The Great and Helpful Tool" would not be a compliment.) How can we have gone this long without anyone mentioning Scrivener?!

I was using a PC when I wrote my last book, so I used Microsoft’s OneNote for my idea-collection (along with a notebook I hand-made for the occasion; it feels important to do the ‘building your own lightsabre’ kind of preparation for the task, I find).

Now I’m back on a Mac, and I’ve discovered lots of really supportive software for my creative activities. For writing, the most important of these is Scrivener (from literatureandlatte.com). It lets you pull your source material — any kind of file, be it text, Web pages, audio, video — into a research folder in the project, then gives you a great system for working on individual chapters then exporting them into a variety of ready-made formats (novel, screenplay, radio play, etc). There’s even a mode for blanking out everything on the screen except the document you’re working on.

I’m looking forward to using this with my next novel, but I’ve already got a lot of use out of it for my copywriting, pulling together all the supporting material and writing articles in sections (hed, dek, middle, conclusion, etc.). Oh, and there’s a split-screen mode, which I use when I want to listen to one of the audios in my research folder while composing in the top panel.

I’ve no connection with the developer (who’s very friendly and responsive, and hosts a great writers’ discussion forum on his product’s site). I just think this is a great and helpful tool.

(And yet I can see how being called “The Great and Helpful Tool” would not be a compliment.)

]]> By: StRevAlex http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390786 StRevAlex Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390786 I think it's always fascinating to get a peek at the methods and processes of a working writer. Especially when he's as good a writer as you are, Steven. :) I think it’s always fascinating to get a peek at the methods and processes of a working writer. Especially when he’s as good a writer as you are, Steven. :)

]]> By: AirPillo http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390787 AirPillo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390787 I suddenly want to write a how-to book, about how to write a how-to book. I suddenly want to write a how-to book, about how to write a how-to book.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-392587 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-392587 I had the pleasure of seeing Douglas Adams give the closing address at a Mac developers conference. One of the things he mentioned was the lack of really good software that works how authors think. He was invited to Microsoft to see the latest version of Word. He asked about having features that would benefit authors. The engineers said they were reluctant to add more features for lack of key combinations. Seriously. I had the pleasure of seeing Douglas Adams give the closing address at a Mac developers conference. One of the things he mentioned was the lack of really good software that works how authors think. He was invited to Microsoft to see the latest version of Word. He asked about having features that would benefit authors. The engineers said they were reluctant to add more features for lack of key combinations. Seriously.

]]> By: wobblesthegoose http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390796 wobblesthegoose Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390796 Is there a Devonthink like application for windows? Is there a Devonthink like application for windows?

]]> By: the_boy http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390800 the_boy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390800 well, this should make the second half of my semester less hellish. Provided, of course, that there is a windows version. well, this should make the second half of my semester less hellish. Provided, of course, that there is a windows version.

]]> By: Steven Johnson http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390801 Steven Johnson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390801 As far as I know, Devonthink continues to be Mac-only. But I know there are some analogues in the Windows world -- I'm sure some will be suggested here... Of course, this could be a good opportunity to make the leap... :) As far as I know, Devonthink continues to be Mac-only. But I know there are some analogues in the Windows world — I’m sure some will be suggested here…

Of course, this could be a good opportunity to make the leap… :)

]]> By: Stu http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390809 Stu Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390809 A quick google investigation revealed this list of windows alternatives: http://academiclifehacker.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/windows-alternatives-for-devonthink/ A quick google investigation revealed this list of windows alternatives: http://academiclifehacker.wordpress.com/2007/01/12/windows-alternatives-for-devonthink/

]]> By: wolfiesma http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390818 wolfiesma Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390818 Mark passed along some more good advice on writing awhile back: http://www.boingboing.net/2008/12/09/blog-about-peoples-d.html Moment of silence for the late, very great John Updike. Angry, bitter silence. Mark passed along some more good advice on writing awhile back:
http://www.boingboing.net/2008/12/09/blog-about-peoples-d.html

Moment of silence for the late, very great John Updike. Angry, bitter silence.

]]> By: Mediocreman http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390827 Mediocreman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390827 Very insightful! I'm overwhelmed right now with my current book project but was very encouraged by your piece. About how long does it usually take you to complete a book from the time you start researching to the time you turn in your first full draft? Very insightful! I’m overwhelmed right now with my current book project but was very encouraged by your piece. About how long does it usually take you to complete a book from the time you start researching to the time you turn in your first full draft?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-918968 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-918968 You say, "I grab the first chapter folder and export it as a single text document, open it up in my word processor, and start writing." But that exported text file is mostly, if not wholly, other people's work. What workflow do you use to build your own writing around the ideas you've culled using that general process? You say, “I grab the first chapter folder and export it as a single text document, open it up in my word processor, and start writing.” But that exported text file is mostly, if not wholly, other people’s work.

What workflow do you use to build your own writing around the ideas you’ve culled using that general process?

]]> By: Hamish MacDonald http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-391099 Hamish MacDonald Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-391099 This might also be helpful: Jim Munroe wrote a nice article years ago for his site, No Media Kings, about the creative process of writing a novel (how you actually get it written, after you've done the kind of tought-organisation in the piece above): http://nomediakings.org/Writing.htm This might also be helpful: Jim Munroe wrote a nice article years ago for his site, No Media Kings, about the creative process of writing a novel (how you actually get it written, after you’ve done the kind of tought-organisation in the piece above):
http://nomediakings.org/Writing.htm

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-408005 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-408005 A great Windows-based free form database along the lines of DevonThink is AskSam, http://www.asksam.com/. You can capture or import whatever you want into it (images, urls, text, etc.) and have the search function return relative matches. You can adjust the relative aspect of your searches. The found information can be placed in a document and with added text, it can be a searchable paper, book or journal. There are examples on the site that showcase the use of AskSam. A great Windows-based free form database along the lines of DevonThink is AskSam, http://www.asksam.com/.

You can capture or import whatever you want into it (images, urls, text, etc.) and have the search function return relative matches. You can adjust the relative aspect of your searches.

The found information can be placed in a document and with added text, it can be a searchable paper, book or journal. There are examples on the site that showcase the use of AskSam.

]]> By: eustace http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390860 eustace Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390860 This sounds great - a useful method to reduce the <i>stress</i> of writing almost anything. This sounds great – a useful method to reduce the stress of writing almost anything.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-392396 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-392396 The writing wannabee crowd here might want to check the free and cross platform wikidPad for a windows alternative to Devonthink: http://wikidpad.sourceforge.net/ (I know, I know, not the same thing, etc.) The writing wannabee crowd here might want to check the free and cross platform wikidPad for a windows alternative to Devonthink:

http://wikidpad.sourceforge.net/

(I know, I know, not the same thing, etc.)

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-820429 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-820429 If I'm starting something new that I know I will hate writing, I do something similar. Instead of posting anything relevant to the topic at the bottom of the page, I post long quotes from a favorite book to make it seem like I'm just proofreading or filling in some details. Works like a charm because the voice in my head that sounds an awful lot like my mother stays quiet. If I’m starting something new that I know I will hate writing, I do something similar. Instead of posting anything relevant to the topic at the bottom of the page, I post long quotes from a favorite book to make it seem like I’m just proofreading or filling in some details. Works like a charm because the voice in my head that sounds an awful lot like my mother stays quiet.

]]> By: thehum http://boingboing.net/2009/01/27/diy-how-to-write-a-b.html#comment-390862 thehum Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-390862 <a href="http://www.google.com/notebook/">google notebook</a> is a comparable devonthink alternative that's free and online. google notebook is a comparable devonthink alternative that’s free and online.

]]>