Microsoft OneNote (reviewed by Angie Arndt)

I admit it. I’m an obsessive plotter. I like things nice, neat and above all, organized. That’s why I really enjoy using OneNote. (Click on the icon for link to 30-day free trial.) Like the Circus Ponies’ Notebook, it also acts like a real-life notebook, with sections and pages. It also interfaces with all the Microsoft Office programs, allowing you to cut-and-paste screenshots and text into Word, PowerPoint and even create to-do’s in Outlook. It’s great to open one program and have all of my research available and categorized.

Also like Notebook, there are templates available for specific types of notebooks, decorative pages, lists, etc. But I couldn’t find anything specific to writing novels. (There are some research templates.) But, it is very easy to set up your own notebooks. (See my Screenshot.)

I have a notebook for each of my works-in-progress. Within each notebook, I have a section for Characters, Setting, Storyline and Research. Each Character gets at least one page; main characters get more. This program also offers sub-pages, so I use those to show the character arc. For example, my protagonist has a Before and After sub-page to show character changes.

I’ve also created pages for each setting, chapter and any research that I’ve done. Screenshots are incredibly easy: to copy part of a screen, press the Windows key and S; to copy and entire webpage, click on Tools on the Internet Explorer menu bar and then select Send to OneNote. The program automatically launches and copies the selection or page to a new page in the Unfiled Notes section along with a hyperlink, so I can find the website again.

From the Unfiled Notes section, I just right-click on the page tab and select Move Page To. Each of my notebooks are listed on a drop-down menu, so I can move it wherever I choose. Because I’m working on a series, I may use characters or settings for more than one book. No problem, all I have to do is right-click again on the page tab, select Copy, open the next WIP’s notebook and Paste. (Click image at left to see screenshot.)

Now just because I like to have everything organized doesn’t necessarily mean that I am organized. That’s why I like OneNote’s automatic save feature. That’s right, I never have to remember to save my work. Whenever, I close the program, everything I’ve done is automatically saved. Whew! OneNote gives me one less thing to worry about!

Review by Angie Arndt, writing as P.S. McManus

Writing Tools: Notebook for Mac

You may be familiar with Microsoft Office’s OneNote, however Mac users also have access to a powerful project management tool in Circus Ponies’ Notebook. With its customizable tabs & dividers; various page formats (to-do list, word processing, outline); highlighting & sticker-tagging capabilities; multi-media compatiability (drag & drop PDFs, multi-media, or even voice record right into your page); as well as its high-powered search feature, Notebook is every writer’s dream.

The “starting point” box lists a number of ready-made project templates that you can easily adapt to fit your needs. One such choice is “Write a Book or Novel,” which automatically places several character and chapter tabs, a clipping page (more about that in a minute), and the standard set of notebook indices. Most writers have “catch phrases” we overuse. Because Notebook automatically indexes every word you input into your project, you can easily search for weak areas to rewrite.

For instance, at the Arkansas Inspy Writers group meeting held in Little Rock on July 14, ACFW president Robin Miller gave an excellent presentation on characterization. She cautioned those in attendance against using such phrases as he/she “thought, wondered, noticed, hoped, considered, etc.” during periods of character internalization, as this is “telling” rather than showing. Using Notebook’s indexing system, within seconds, writers can obtain a list of such words used in their manuscript.

Another useful tool of Notebook is the clipping page feature. While doing research in the past, I’ve printed off literally reams of paper containing notes from web sites and spent hours digging through those pages, searching for a location’s description or a quote from an historical figure. No more. Once Notebook is installed on your system, Notebook automatically shows up under your “services” list in a number of applications, including Safari. So, now I simply search until I find a resource I want to save, move my mouse over “Notebook” in my services list, and a number of “clip to” choices appear. Once I select which page to put the clipping, it’s automatically indexed along with all my other work. Easy searching.

I’ve set up a Notebook for each of my Works in Progress. I can include information for my main characters, the story’s plot outline, and even paste in what I’ve already written in a “writing” page (word processing page). Once I’ve finished my edits, I can copy and paste my work into a Word document, and viola!, it’s ready to go. And speaking of ready to go, Notebook also includes various means of sharing data, including converting the entire project to HTML format and uploading it onto the Internet.

I lucked into my copy of Notebook. My dad purchased it, thinking it was merely a way to organize his desktop icons. Without trying the product, he decided he didn’t need it and gave it to me. I should feel guilty for not giving it back, but I don’t. If he wants a copy now, he’ll have to get his own box!

If you’re a Mac user and a writer, give Circus Ponies’ Notebook 30-day trial a try. (Click on the above picture for a link to the web site.) I think you’ll be well pleased.