Today I have some news from the software for writer’s front. This includes an upgrade to my writing program of choice, Liquid Story Binder, and a new freeware program designed to provide a completely distraction-free environment for stream-of-conciousness type writing, called Momentum Writer.
Liquid Story Binder xe Upgrade, with New Typewriter Tool
As a Windows user I have a choice of many different writing systems. Those who have read me on this blog may be aware that my choice is Liquid Story Binder xe. Although LSB has a large learning curve, caused by the many choices possible in arranging and organising writing projects, for me, it has become a natural tool to use – exactly how I want it.
Licensed copy holders of Liquid Story Binder have just been issued an upgrade over the weekend, to Version 4.01. The developer, Jesse Wall of Black Obelisk Software comes out with upgrades all the time. This newest version is no less an upgrade, containing several bug fixes and enhancements to functions such as the word count, and search functions, and one major new module – the Typewriter Tool.
In-built to LSB, the new Typewriter Tool is slanted towards stream-of-consciousness or distraction-free writing. Users are presented with a full-screen to write in, and are not allowed to edit existing text, change formatting, scroll, delete or even use the backspace key. The Typewriter tool is available through three of Liquid Story Binder’s modules – the chapter, builder and journal writing types.
Having tried it out, I must say – it’s a little daunting. You are presented with a huge white screen of blankness, and the cursor is placed at left middle of this. My immediate reaction, even when aware that I was in a no edit mode was to try to correct my first typo – a missing space between words. The only other function available on typewriter mode was a word count below. Escaping out took me to the originating chapter mode in Liquid Story Binder itself, where my typing was presented, and I could spell-check and format as I wished.
The lack of backspace function has caused some controversy on the LSB user group mails, with quite a few people – mainly typists of old, asking for the return of backspace. I’m of two minds on that one, because I think my own take on the module was more towards the blankness of that first white screen, something anybody facing a blank notebook page, particularly in a brand new notebook, will perhaps share with me.
Black Obelisk will give you the chance to try out this particular function for free however, because not only has Liquid Story Binder just undergone an upgrade, but the typewriter function found in it has been brought out as a freeware individual writing tool called Momentum Writer.
LinkMe : For more information on Liquid Story Binder, go here (affiliate link)
Momentum Writer – Freeware
As above, Black Obelisk has now released a new and freeware writing tool, called Momentum Writer.
Momentum Writer is the ultimate tool for distraction-free writing. Like a mechanical typewriter, users are prevented from editing previously written text. There are no specific formatting options, no scrolling, deleting, or revisions. Momentum Writer doesn’t even allow you to use the backspace key. Momentum Writer forces you to write, to move forward, to add new words. It halts the temptation to linger, revise, and correct. Momentum Writer is a typewriter for your PC
Key features of Momentum Writer as listed are -
Full Screen Editing
Typewriter Scrolling
Tough Editing and Formatting Restrictions
Multiple, User-Defined Color Schemes
Automatic, Instantaneous Document Saving
Automatic Last Document Reload
Word Count Changes
Vista Compatible
Momentum Writer is a little different from my use of the typewriter function INSIDE of Liquid Story Binder, in that as a stand-alone program, it has it’s own formatting of the one screen. The screen which opens for typing, after naming your text document, is grey, with the font in white. Once you escape out of the typing screen, you are presented with an advertising splash screen inviting you to trial LSB also. Once out of that, you find yourself back at your windows desktop, with the text document as you named it, filed onto the desktop.
There are tricks for new players here, though. On re-opening the Momentum Writer program from the desktop icon I was expecting to be presented with an option to start a new file or open my existing one. Instead, my existing one opened, and for a moment I panicked.
However, right click the big screen.
On Right-click a number of options are availabe in Momentum Writer. You can start a new file, set some preferences for margins, and change to some other colour schemes for the writing screen itself. Even the workspace colour schemes – which come out of Liquid Story Binder – are customisable. You can change the background colour, font colour to suit.
Opening a new file also gives you the option of where you wish to save your text files also. I hadn’t noticed that the first time around. You can then easily export your text file into any of your writing programs for further editing work.
As a free program, I would suggest for those looking for a pure write with no distractions program, Momentum Writer is worth a trial. After some usage, I got really going, and have found it particularly good for journal entries, naming my text files simply by the date or entry. As I have a journal function and the same typewriting function within my copy of Liquid Story Binder, I have it all within the one place.
LinkMe : To download Momentum Writer, go here. (direct download link)
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Mon, Jun 8, 2009
Review Writing Software, Writing Software & Tools