If you want to go more in depth about what I liked and disliked about LivingWriter, read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- What LivingWriter is<\/li>\n
- Its core features<\/li>\n
- Its pros and cons<\/li>\n
- Why I recommend Atticus instead<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
Table of contents<\/h2>
- What is LivingWriter?<\/a><\/li>
- How Much Does LivingWriter Cost?<\/a>
- Is there a free version of LivingWriter?<\/a><\/li>
- Very Expensive Lifetime Option<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Core Unique Features of LivingWriter<\/a>
- Custom Templates<\/a><\/li>
- Outline\/Chapters\/Sub-chapters<\/a><\/li>
- Story Elements<\/a><\/li>
- Story Board<\/a><\/li>
- Online\/Offline Support<\/a><\/li>
- Support<\/a><\/li>
- Goals and Word Count<\/a><\/li>
- Version Control<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Pros About LivingWriter<\/a><\/li>
- Cons About Living Writer<\/a><\/li>
- Final Verdict: Try Atticus Instead<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. But as always it costs you nothing extra, and every penny goes to the Kindlepreneur coffee fund. Thanks!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is LivingWriter?<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n![\"Plot](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Plot-board-in-LivingWriter-1024x655.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLivingWriter<\/a> is a word processing app<\/a> that is specifically designed for book writers, whether you're working on a novel or a nonfiction manuscript. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It's kind of like a combination of two popular writing tools: Google Docs and Scrivener<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firstly, it offers a user-friendly interface that looks a lot like Google Docs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But is also has chapter and scene divisions, which resemble Scrivener's organizational structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the best features of LivingWriter is that it also has a built-in Story Elements section (which we\u2019ll talk about further down), where you can keep track of all your characters, locations, and general notes. This means you can easily keep track of everything you need to know about your story and your characters, all in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What LivingWriter is NOT is a formatting program<\/a>. Which means you\u2019ll need a separate program for formatting purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We, of course, recommend Atticus<\/a> as an all-in-one formatting, writing, and collaboration platform. But more on that in a little bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How Much Does LivingWriter Cost?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
LivingWriter has three pricing options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Monthly Subscription<\/strong>: $14.99\/month<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Yearly Subscription<\/strong>: $144\/yearly (equivalent to $12.00\/month)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- One-time Lifetime Fee<\/strong>: $699.00 (you must be registered for a free trial)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Is there a free version of LivingWriter?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There is not a free version of LivingWriter but they do offer a 14-day free trial so you can see if it\u2019s right for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But there is little benefit in using the 14-day trial other than just getting to know the software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Very Expensive Lifetime Option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One of the biggest downsides of LivingWriter is that the pricing plans are either subscriptions or a ridiculously high lifetime fee of $699. That's nearly 5X the cost of Atticus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here at Kindlepreneur, we\u2019re not big fans of subscriptions, because who wants to write their masterpiece in a tool like this, only to lose it when they can no longer pay the subscription?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why both Publisher Rocket<\/a> and Atticus<\/a> are designed to be lifetime products, with no subscription fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you buy Atticus today, you\u2019ll get a quality formatting program, but it\u2019s also shaping up to be a powerful word processor like Google Docs and Scrivener combined, with more features coming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And all of those new features will be available to everyone<\/em> who has bought it in the past, along with every new feature to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Core Unique Features of LivingWriter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s walk through each of the unique features that LivingWriter offers. Many of these features you will find in other programs, but LivingWriter puts them together in a way that is appealing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Custom Templates<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Story](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Story-templates-in-LivingWriter-1024x451.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOne of the first things that caught my attention upon opening living writer was its custom templates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This allows you to preselect various outline template such as The Hero's Journey<\/a>, Save the Cat<\/a>, and even some more obscure options like Derek Murphy's Plot Dot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They even have some nonfiction options such as a memoir or PhD Thesis template.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Outline\/Chapters\/Sub-chapters<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Chapters](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Chapters-Divisions-in-LivingWriter.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nMuch like Scrivener, LivingWriter has a breakdown of your chapters and scenes, although the structure is slightly different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LivingWriter starts with outline sections, generated by the templates or you can create them yourself, with chapters and “sub- chapters” below that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It's essentially the same as what Scrivener does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Story Elements<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Setting](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Setting-up-a-project-in-LivingWriter.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nOne unique feature of LivingWriter is the ability to add “story elements” that act as a type of glossary for your book. This can be breakdowns of your characters, locations, and events within your story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sadly, these elements are not terribly complicated, and I would recommend a tool like Campfire for more thorough world building<\/a> options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the story elements can still provide a quick reminder of certain details that you need to have on hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Story Board<\/h3>\n\n\n
\n![\"Card](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Card-Viewing-in-LivingWriter-1024x544.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nLivingWriter does have a convenient way of visualizing your plot with the Story Board option, which brings all of your different outline elements into one board, so you can switch them around and play with your outline much like sticky notes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Yearly Subscription<\/strong>: $144\/yearly (equivalent to $12.00\/month)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Outline\/Chapters\/Sub-chapters<\/a><\/li>
- Very Expensive Lifetime Option<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How Much Does LivingWriter Cost?<\/a>
- What is LivingWriter?<\/a><\/li>
![\"Goal](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/Goal-setting-in-LivingWriter.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"version](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/2023-01-27-10_26_30-The-Heros-Journey-Test-_-LivingWriter.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n![\"Atticus](\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Atticus-Alice-in-Wonderland-1024x547.png\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n