Writing Software: Storyweaver and Dramatica Pro

Has anybody tried Storyweaver or Dramatica Pro?

Based on my Web research, entailing hours of fluid-draining browsing, Storyweaver (US$29.95) is one of the bestselling writing software in the market. It claims in its website that it can "cure writer's block or your money back," a very strong and confident statement.

Then there's the more expensive Dramatica Pro (US$99.95), presumably the more complex predecessor of Storyweaver.

I downloaded the trial versions and I must say that I'm more inpressed with the detail Dramatica Pro takes you through in piecing a complete story. Storyweaver isn't as complex, but has enough to get your creative juices flowing within a logical framework.

These two packages take you through the process of putting a story together. They ask you loads of questions about your story and help you make important connections as far as plot, character, conflict and theme go. Dramatica Pro is more comprehensive, however, with its numerous (and initally confusing) options and backup information. Once you're done, you can print out your work as an invaluable reference to the different turning points you'll encounter as you write the actual story. Storyweaver and Dramatica Pro compiles your input into a nicely formatted document.

These software packages do not teach you how to write, nor do they write for you. They do the most important job of any storywriting endeavor--preparation.

To get Storyweaver or Dramatica Pro, as well as other writing software, click here.