October Novel Prep Challenge

Here's a list of options for storing and organizing your prep materials and novel. Feel free to add to the list and discuss the pros/cons of each. All the cloud-based products are available for pretty much any computer or app-based mobile operating system.

1. Our very own Writing.com  
Pros: Portfolio system is organized, incentive for reviewers, cloud-based, counts words
Cons: Expanded storage requires paid upgrade, some coding knowledge needed, not easy to move things around (e.g., switching scene order), not super easy to edit with a mobile device.

2. Google Drive  
Pros: Free, cloud-based but also syncable for local use, easy to use, word processor for novel and spreadsheets to organize info, commenting is reviewer-friendly, counts words
Cons: Not easy to move things around, large files run slowly online (e.g., novels)

3. Microsoft OneDrive  
Pros: Same as Google Drive
Cons: Same as Google Drive, so personal preference between Google/MS wins here

4. Scrivener  
Pros: Designed specifically for novel planning and writing, very organized, characters / settings / etc. available at your fingertips, allows you to shuffle scenes around, compiles completed project for you, counts words
Cons: Cost, must install on a Windows or Mac, not cloud-based, not available to reviewers

5. Ywriter  
Pros: Like Scrivener, designed specifically for novel planning, but free
Cons: Installation required, not cloud-based, not available to reviewers

6. Lino  
Pros: Giant sticky-note board, great for moving scenes around. Cloud-based, free. Create multiple boards for novel, characters, settings, etc. Sharable for reviewers but no apparent ability to comment or collaborate (correct me if I'm wrong.)
Cons: No easy way to compile words for counting or publication.

7. Evernote  
Pros: Like a pile of notebooks, simple, mostly-text for faster access speeds. Cloud-based, free. Write novel in one notebook, store characters in another, etc. Sharable for reviewers and collaboration.
Cons: No easy way to shuffle scenes around.

8. Gingko  
Pros: Unsure. Brand new product. Appears to be a cloud-based version of Scrivener.
Cons: Unsure. Cost? Not clear at a glance.

9. Workflowy  
Pros: Free. Cloud-based. Designed for to-do lists but perfect for outlining due to collapsable bullet levels.
Cons: Not designed for novel projects, mostly just a good outlining tool.

Others?

Cheers,
Michelle