Writer’s tools are extremely expensive, especially in terms of software. Here’s a great list of free open-source software designed just for writers.

First, lets define exactly what open source software really means. The term “open-source” comes from the idea that the source code of the software is revealed to the public, unlike Microdaft where everything is super-duper secret. (Or at least, so they think.) When the source code of a piece of software is available to anyone, it means that anyone in the software community can use it – within certain very loose guidelines – to create new software, create add-ons, refine the program, and so on. The one major caveat: they cannot take this free source code and sell it for a direct profit.

Does that mean it’s free? Well, sort of. There’s a strong code of ethics in the open-source community, and almost nobody abuses the grass-roots system that has grown up around this concept. Most people who contribute to open-source projects make their living by consulting, designing, supporting, and doing other things alongside the product of the open-source project, not the project itself.

However, this same code suggests that if there’s a donation button, and you’re happy with the software, then by all means, buy the programmer a virtual coffee. Realize that programmers of open-source software make only marginally more than your average freelance writer. Yep – a couple of bucks wouldn’t hurt either of you.

The website osalt.com has a massive database of open-source software for almost any purpose. (Be aware that they also offer downloads of commercial software – scroll past that to get to the free stuff.) But here are some of my personal recommendations for writers;

- OpenOffice, an alternative to Microserf Office. I have not used any MSO products for several years – this does more than MSO ever will, and looks almost identical. Virtually no learning curve, except for some exceptionally cool new stuff. Imagine this: free, does more, and fewer crashes. I once used this to layout an entire book for print, which I’ll talk about in a future blog post.

- WordPress, the blogging platform that this blog you’re reading is based upon. (This is different from WordPress.com, which is when you use it on a public server, which I do not generally endorse for writers.) I’m talking about WordPress.org, which offers the version that you can download and install on almost any webhost. A zany array of plugins and graphical themes are also available at WordPress.org/extend/.

- XMind, a mind-mapping application that can be used not only to distill your writing ideas, but also to map out characters, plot lines, and even help you figure out who the murderer is.

- PDF995, which although not really an open-source project, it is still free and very reliable. Even though you’ve read in other posts what a fan I am of Adobe products, I still use this for creating most of my PDF documents from typed documents, because it’s lighter and faster than the real thing. This version displays ads each time you use it, but you could just slap down the $10 and not see the ads.

- Celtx (pronounced “Kel-tix”) offers an alternative to the writer’s plague of crazy pieces of paper in every room of your house. Designed as a pre-production and planning tool for screenwriting and similar story-based art forms, it’s very useful for writers. Think of this as a digital binder, collecting your ideas and storyboards, not to mention the actual script, all in one place. Great collaboration tools for more than one contributor.

And for Writers Who Podcast…

- My beloved Audacity, the program that I use to record and edit almost all my audio podcasts. Easy to use, with cool built-in effects and a very forgiving undo button. Even the kids will love this.

- I recently discovered The Levelator, a dandy yet tiny application with big benefits for any podcaster. Smooths out levels and jumpy volume levels. This saves me hours of work.

If you can find a way to give back to the open-source community, please do so by donation or by promotion. It will keep writers in software for a long time coming.

This recipe for Chewy Oatmeal Cookies makes so many that I overflowed my little glass cookie jar. Is that a problem?

Blend first for about 3 minutes with an electric hand-mixer;
- 1/2 pound (1 cup) chilled margarine
- 1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla

Then make a well in center and blend in;
- 1 1/2 cups white flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (I used2 teaspoons of the Poudre Douce again from Victorian Epicure)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups rolled quick oats

(Optional: 1 cup raisins.)

Blend all together, and drop by lovin spoonfuls onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, and transfer to a cooling rack. Eat until the book is done.

Take this advice from William M. Akers, of YourScreenPlaySucks.com. Mr. Akers has been a professional writer for television, film and elsewhere for over 20 years, and he now teaches screenwriting at Vanderbilt University.

Here’s a link to an article by Mr. Akers, mainly about:

- how to get back into writing if you’ve taken the summer off,(“If you do not write every day, you are not a writer.”)

- not self-editing as you write (“If you write something and instantly hate it and erase it and feel worthless… hell, you’re never going to get anything done!”)

- how to avoid interruptions from your children (“They’re in therapy now, but I got my work done.”)

- what to do when you can’t think of anything good to write. (“Write crap.”)

He also reminded me of one of my favourite movie lines, from Finding Forrester: “JAMAL: Women will sleep with you if you write a book? FORRESTER: Women will sleep with you if you write a bad book.”

Enjoy!

Let’s face it: writers don’t get a lot of exercise. I’ve discovered this recipe that makes a really crunchy and filling low-carb snack.

Low-Carb Crunchy Writer’s Snack Mix
(This makes enough to last at least a week or more.)
- 1 box Bran Buds
- 1 bag raisins
- 500g toasted sunflower seeds
- 500g toasted pumpkin seeds
- 250g toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tablespoon sea salt

Toss in large airtight sealed jar, and spoon out when you feel munchy. Little goes a long way.

The raisins add some carbs, but they are more than offset by the bran, and seem to reduce cravings for sweet stuff. The seeds provide omegas and keep one from feeling hungry because they take a while to break down. If I eat about 3-4 Tablespoons of this before midday, I eat far less lunch.

Makes a nice snack with fried onions – just chop an onion, fry in EVOO, and add the mix to the pan. Can also add spices, curry powder mixes, other low-sugar dried fruit or nuts, chili flakes, bran flakes, flax seed, dried vegetable flakes, etc. Use it to top off soups or mix into tuna salad. Delish!

Looking for ways to make your writing resolutions stick? I’ve compiled my list of the most influential books I’ve ever read, both as a writer and as a human being.

I found it impossible to sort these according to importance, with the possible exception of the first title, as all of them have had such great impact at different times of my life.

1. The Elements of Style, by Strunk & White

Reason it made the list: Satisfies the geekiest of urges to look up errors in grammar and punctuation. I get ridiculously emotional about this book.
Number of times read: I carry it in my purse at all times. No kidding.
What it will do for you: Hands-down easiest and best reference for grammar, punctuation, and language usage. Respected by everybody. It’s lighter than the Chicago Manual of Style, and faster to use. I cannot live without it, and read it like a novel.

2. How to Win Friends and Influence People, by Dale Carnegie

Reason it made the list: Makes you think of your writing and yourself as part of a larger whole.
Number of times read: About 10, from age 12 on.
What it will do for you: Gives you the tools you need to communicate better with just about anyone, in any situation. Great gift for young adults, and a healthy reminder of valuable writing and speaking skills for a lifetime.

3. Nancy Drew and the Case of the Hidden Staircase, by Carolyn Keene

Reason it made the list: Reminds you to keep a level head, even when you’re chasing a ghost and your father has been kidnapped.
Number of times read: About 500 between the ages of 6 and 10. About 200 between the ages of 10 and 35. I used to own the entire series, but the bindings eventually collapsed.
What it will do for you: A great series of books for a curious little (or big) girl, teaching us to avoid letting emotions clog our rational processes. Includes many important useful tips, such as to always keep a flashlight in your purse, and how to use a bobby pin to pick a lock.

4. The Greatest Salesman in the World, by Og Mandino

Reason it made the list: Stop thinking this is a book about sales: it’s a story about a salesman who understood people.
Number of times read: Several.
What it will do for you: Falls into the category of classic motivational / professional development literature, whether you are in sales or not. A simple yet profound understanding of what motivates people. (This is sometimes found in the Christian section of your local independent bookstore, though the style is not overtly pastoral.) Note: Mandino wrote about something called “The Greatest Secret in the World” in 1975 – 31 years before Rhonda Byrne shared her “discovery” with anybody.

5. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill

Reason it made the list: Before Tony Robbins, before Stephen Covey, and before Wayne Dyer, there was Mr. Hill and his 17 Laws of Success. This was the first of HIll’s books that I ever read. Given to me by my future husband on our second date, in lieu of flowers or candy. I knew then that he was the one for me.
Number of times read: I typically read it about once every 18 months or so.
What it will do for you: If you think it’s about being financially rich, you’re missing plenty. Hill was so far ahead of his time, which was the dirty 30′s, when we were recovering from that other depression. Don’t forget that Hill was a friend and protege of the wealthiest entrepreneur in the world at the time: Andrew Carnegie, an entirely self-made man. Fear of success? Fear no more.

6. Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte

Reason it made the list: Had I not been obsessed with this book when I was in my formative writing years – about age 12 – I would be less of a writer today.
Number of times read: Many, and I should probably read it again.
What it will do for you: In my less-than-humble opinion, despite the best efforts of Oprah, we do not read enough classics anymore, and we’re not passing them on to the next generation of writers. This book is an excellent example of the Second Rule of Writing, Write What You Know. Nobody knew romance, heartbreak and misery better than the Bronte sisters.

7. Eat Right 4 Your Type, by Peter J. D’Adamo and Catherine Whitney

Reason it made the list: It’s hard to write well when you feel awful, and the plan in this book drastically improved my overall well-being.
Number of times read: I refer to it all the time.
What it will do for you: Gives you a much better understanding of how your body works and what it needs to work well, including your brain. It also happens to be a great example of a well-written, non-fiction book with fun anecdotes and excellent typesetting. Includes an interesting section about anthropology, and personality profiles associated with your blood type. (Turns out, I’m a writer by blood – literally and figuratively.)

8. Crocodile on the Sandbank (Amelia Peabody Mystery #1), by Elizabeth Peters

Reason it made the list: If there is a past life, I lived it in turn-of-the century Egypt, as an Englishwoman Archaeologist and amateur Detective.
Number of times read: I own at least one edition of each in the series – 18 in all, plus a companion book – including autographed copies. I usually have one of these on the go.
What it will do for you: The language used in these books reflects the vocabulary and spoken English of roughly the 1890′s to 1920′s, which is refreshingly complex. Why doesn’t anyone use grammar and sentence structure like this today? Rich sweeping vistas and stories that suck you in and make you read until 3am.

9. STORY: Substance, Structure, Style and The Principles of Screenwriting, by Robert McKee

Reason it made the list: All the world’s a stage, and Robert McKee teaches the writer how to tell a story, fiction or not, that will engage your readers.
Number of times read: About 3 from front-to-back, and refer to it regularly.
What it will do for you: Understanding how a classic story works is a key part of one’s basic writing skillset. The fiction formula taught by McKee is really based on ancient story-telling techniques of classic literature, and has numerous modern applications, far beyond that of writing a film script. Read it with this in mind, and you won’t be able to put it down. Spurs your imagination to great heights.

10. Feel the Fear… And Do It Anyway, by Susan Jeffers

Reason it made the list: Another great communication reference, which talks very specifically about the one emotion that motivates just about everyone to do just about everything.
Number of times read: I’m afraid to say.
What it will do for you: Get past that writer’s block by understanding where it really comes from. Develop a sense of confidence about your writing that you’ve never had before, and if you need to make changes, this book will definitely help you do that. Don’t limit this book’s potential for you by calling it a “self-help” title, as it is a very basic approach to a universal obstacle for all healthy people.

Enjoy!

For a number of years, I’ve had a long internal debate about what makes a good working schedule for a writer, and a book I’m currently reading has an interesting comment on the topic. Robert’s Rules of Writing, by the witty Robert Masello, is making quite an impression on me, and not just about writing schedules. Masello is the author of a number of books, three of which (including this one) are about writing itself. He’s a hardworking professional author, and he knows what it takes to actually make a living in this crazy racket.

For fiction authors, writing schedules are a very big deal, because when you write about something that comes out of your own brain, you tend to spend far to much time alone with just you and your brain. Sitting in dark rooms sipping coffee until 4 am is not a healthy lifestyle, at least, not for extended periods. (By the way, Masello agrees with me on that.)

I’ve heard a variety of testaments from writers about their routines. Some write strictly from time X to time Y, then walk the dog, go to the library, the park, the coffee joint, etc., and then return to their desks, write another Z number of words, etc. Personally, this level of rigidity has never worked for me. I often rely on random inspiration for creative writing, and my non-fiction work also relies on inspiration, although it’s often much less random. I just can’t sit down at 8am each morning and produce good stuff.

Masello’s comment about routines is typical of the rest of the book: he’s clear, concise, and delightfully opinionated. He states, “The hard part of writing isn’t scribbling words on a page. The hard part is scribbling words that mean something, that make sense, that build a narrative or lay out an argument, that construct a scene or articulate a position. It’s not about how many pages you can cover with ink in a day. In some cases, a good day’s work might be a couple of paragraphs. But if those two paragraphs are right, then they’re a lot more valuable than ten or twenty pages of idle burbling.”

He closes that page the way he closes each chapter or “rule”, with a clear statement in bold type, as per, “Writing takes deliberation and thought, craft and commitment.” Sounds like Masello’s no more in favour of writing schedules than I am.

Here are three books that every author, fiction or non, should have in their library. And, at least one of them may not be what you expect.

If a grammar reference could have sex appeal, this would be the book. The Elements of Style is the definitive reference for writers of any type. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I carry this around in my purse. Makes for great reading during your lunch, in the ladies, in a taxi, etc. I don’t care how nerdy this makes me sound. At least I’ll know that I’m using proper sentence structure as I defend that accusation. The 50th Anniversary Edition is now on the way, and the illustrated version has become a cultural icon. You can even download it as an audio book. I’m not sure I could sleep at night if I didn’t know where my copy was.

This next one will seem a bit strange to some, because I’m primarily a non-fiction writer, and I’m about to recommend a book about screenwriting. But Robert McKee’s STORY is based on making content appealing, easily understood, have good flow, timing, and yes, also about using the dreaded plot diagram. All of these still apply, whether you are writing for business, a cookbook, or an instruction manual. Plus, it’s just a great read. This book is also the source of the beautiful quote, “…the story arts have become humanity’s prime source of inspiration, as it seeks to order chaos and gain insight into life.” Good reading no matter what.

The third book is my 12th-grade English text book, Adventures in English Literature, which I sinfully stole from the shelves of my Catholic school on the last day of class. I loved that class, and I loved my instructor, Mrs. Hargreaves. Her genuine love of literature, English and otherwise, was contagious (at least to myself) and I knew I’d use that book over and over again. In the end, I was billed for my missing book, so between that and a few minutes in the confession booth, my debt to society has been paid. It was worth the cost of an over-priced textbook, because it’s amazing how often I use it to look up a poet, their life story, and a summary of their work in 300 words or less. It’s still faster than Google. Authors all the way from Chaucer to modern poets still living are profiled, along with introductory material about each era and the current events that shaped the work of each writer. It’s an extremely useful cultural reference, along with a handy way to confirm the accuracy of quotes and source material. It’s amazing how many current works reference stuff in this volume.

OK, there’s one more, and it’s a recent addition. Teach Yourself Copywriting, by the modest J. Jonathan Gabay, who doesn’t even have his name on the cover, is a tight little volume about writing words that sell stuff. You’ve all heard me say it a million times, “every organization is a sales organization”, and this book is a great summary of how to craft words that tell people about your organization. Clear, to the point, and with extremely useful illustrations and diagrams, this book just doesn’t waste time. Gabay starts from the right place, the mind of the buyer, and ends in the very same spot. A great reminder of what motivates people, how to get them to understand things quickly, and how using fewer well-chosen words is always more powerful than many words used casually. Very enjoyable to read cover to cover.

Enjoy your back to school reading!

I was awoken very early this morning by my neighbour’s new rooster. (Yes, she’s still my friend.) While trying to get back to sleep, I heard another sound – a gentle rustling and footsteps in my yard, outside my bedroom window.

I crept out of bed to see a young deer and her very brand-new fawn munching on Bracken Fern in my cedar grove. This was the smallest fawn I’ve ever seen. He was very darkly spotted, and his mother was gently licking him. He couldn’t have been more than a few days old. From my vantage point, he seemed only to be about the size of a cat. I must have made some sound, because he followed her as she quickly led him out of my view.

This morning is the last time that I may get to see such a scene, because today is the day that my yard will be excavated by heavy equipment. Our newly-built house will finally nest into the garden I imagined more than 2 years ago when I first walked onto this lot. The stumps of trees that we felled to build the house and deck will be scraped clean, like everything else here. And all of that Bracken will be gone by the end of today, pushed into a large pile of organic matter that will form a berm between the front of my property and the road. 12 hours from now, the food source on my property for these deer will be eliminated.

Building and construction are a lot like writing and editing. You plan, you imagine, but when it comes to actually doing it, you are forced to make compromise after compromise. Editing a large manuscript is arduous and sometimes full of agonizing decisions about what to keep and what not to. The “manuscript” of my construction project has been awful to edit because of outside forces like weather (the market), lack of available help (sub-contractors), and a huge distraction factor on my part. (Ironically, many of my days have been spent writing instead of finishing to build a house.) And once you’ve eliminated all the crap, you must be careful not to have robbed it of all character.

Living on a gulf island means that there are weeds in every garden – plenty of them – and I’m far, far from being the only food source for these deer. In fact, I rarely see them in my yard, and they are quite fat. (More than once has my husband suggested that he wished he still had his rusty .22 in the basement.) I’m not hurting them by pulling out stumps and putting up wire fencing. And so I believe a few weeds should be left in each piece of writing, especially in non-fiction, which often serves to keep the content light and more personable.

Today I’m ripping out thistle, scraping away long grasses and raking up piles of stones. But I’m going to leave a section of grasses and ferns at the end of my driveway still wild – just for the deer. They are so sweet and gentle, and I want to make sure that my garden is going to be welcoming to creatures like that. I don’t care about the weeds – they will flower and attractively greet visitors. Who wants to pretend to be perfect, anyway?

Even if not all of us are writers, we are all listeners. Communication that works is usually simple and plain. If it’s obvious, it’s often right.

Check out this elegant video about graphic designer Paula Scher, the creator of the CitiBank umbrella logo, and various famous signage and design work in New York City and other locations.

Paula points out that clients (let’s call them readers here) usually like to think there’s a lot of process behind what they’re reading, and that the work required to create the product should be plentiful. If it’s too easy for the writer or creator to create, it can’t be that worthy. Paula points out that people think if it’s too easy to create, they are not getting their money’s worth. “But it IS done in a second!” She exclaims, knowing that what we see as obvious is usually right.

At 6:30 into this video, Paula makes a beautiful closing statement about the moment when one “gets it”, and never losing that feeling. It is what makes all of us better writers, because we’re constantly looking for that feeling again and again and again.

I’ve been waiting for years to visit the store that represents punctuation nirvana: The Writer’s Store on Westwood in Los Angeles, California. I can’t believe I was so stupid to set a $50 budget for my visit to a shop that carries not only books, but software, clever mousepads, mugs, famous writer action figures (!!), and yes, the hat that Michael Moore made famous. (I look extremely clever in mine, thank you very much.)

While I crept up and down every single shelf, the-best-husband-in-the-world kept a 2-year old busy in Peanut Butter Playground next door. This elegant children’s shop did such a good job of making my literary pilgrimage stress-free that I feel compelled to give them some sort of plug.

So what did I buy? Well, the hat, of course ($9.95). The Illustrated Elements of Style ($24.95); Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury ($13.95); Eats, Shoots & Leaves, by Lynne Truss (hysterically funny at $17.50); a self-hypnosis CD to encourage creativity for writers (surprisingly effective at $19.95); and a variety of other books about punctuation, writing style, and grammar that put my budget not just out of sight, but out of my mind.

To make myself feel less indulgent, I also purchased a couple of clever mousepads for friends that resemble old-fashioned typewriters, and a mousepad that looks like a film clapboard for a certain budding filmmaker that I happen to be related to.

I will be back.