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Writer's Dreamkit 4.0

Writer's Dreamkit 4.0

List Price: $59.99
Your Price: $34.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Delayed Gratification
Review: At first I was skeptical about this product since some of the reviews I read were very negative. Several people seemed furious about what they thought they had purchased. As for myself, I was looking for a program that would help me outline and structure my story. Well, I got that and much more with this DreamKit. The "much more" is a plus, but only after you get used to it since there are many terms to learn. I must admit that my first reaction was not a good one. There's so much to learn and absorb if you're a beginning writer or if you have limited knowledge with the terminology, that it's a real daunting proposition at first.

After a hard day's work, I wound up with 32 Scenes, many with full descriptions which you can shuffle however you like. This program is very flexible and intuitive once you get the hang of it. I'm still learning many things about it, but my main interest was getting help with the outline, and it delivered. The HELP Section is great and the Dramatica Terms Dictionary is very helpful as well.

The bottom line: this program takes a little time to warm-up to but once you do, it's very useful and even fun to use. Beginners will find the almost scientific approach to writing somewhat intimidating, but it's all designed to make the artistic side of writing much more effortless. I suggest that all the disgruntled users take a deep breath and give it another shot. You'll be glad you did.- A. Rios Jr.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: a little stressful
Review: I bought this because I am an inspiring romance writer. This was an "ok" program. It only lets you write everything you want to put in each scene and then you can print it all out. But if you don't know what you want to write yet, it doesn't give you any ideas or anything. I suggest buying books to help you learn to write instead, and then just using plain old microsoft word!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not what to be expected!
Review: I bought this because I am an inspiring romance writer. This was an "ok" program. It only lets you write everything you want to put in each scene and then you can print it all out. But if you don't know what you want to write yet, it doesn't give you any ideas or anything. I suggest buying books to help you learn to write instead, and then just using plain old microsoft word!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Mistakingly Expected More
Review: I downloaded the Dramatica Pro 4.0 demo as well as the 350-page theory manual. I found it to be an AMAZINGLY helpful aid to writing a complete story.

The product description for DreamKit read similarly to the Pro version, and I couldn't tell any differences by the product descriptions. So I called the company up, and the most specific information that the guy that I talked to could provide was that the Pro version "offered more features".

Since the cost of this DreamKit is significantly less than the Pro version (and you can get an upgrade credit from DreamKit to Pro), I decided to try the DreamKit first.

Perhaps those that haven't tried the demo may find this software somewhat entertaining, the DreamKit IS ALMOST WHOLLY INCOMPATIBLE with Dramatica theory, as it leaves out major features required by the theory.

For instance (for those of you who have used the demo and are somewhat familiar with Dramatica theory...), there is no way to plot each individual "throughline". The theory manual states that each throughline must be mapped out to ensure story consistency and that only with the aid of a computer can this be done.

Another glaring ommission is that character motivations are broken down into only 16 basic components--Dramatica theory calls for them to be broken down into 256 components.

I recommend saving your money and purchasing the Pro version if you are able.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Stressful and irritating format
Review: I found that this program did not help me at all. The format is very irritating and confusing. It is hard to learn to use it and I am a professional computer programmer. Once I did learn it, I found thhere is not much there. It is very limiting and in many ways stifles creative flow.

I would reccomend trying Storycraft instead, which I found to be helpful and user intuitive.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Not All It's Hyped Up to Be
Review: I recently purchased The Writer's Dreamkit two weeks ago to be exact. I was so excited after reading all the reviews. I decided it only cost a couple of dollars let me try it. I'm still trying to figure out this product.

I really don't see it as being helpful. I can definitely do without it. I just decided to try it and see for myself. I really wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I think it's really a lot of hype.

Instead of it being a creative tool, it more turned out to be a science project without instructions.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Junk.
Review: I suggest saving yourself the $34.49 and instead investing in a Bickpen and one of those little black journals we used in school. All this program is good for is keeping a record of character, plot and motivation. Frankly, all you need is a couple pieces of paper for that.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: a little stressful
Review: I think I would have been very pleased with this product except for a problem that developed on my computer after I installed the software. I have windows xp and after I installed the software a serious error occured on my computer. I had never had a problem with my computer before I installed it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Helps you create a first draft once you plot out the basics.
Review: I thought the ads for this program were somewhat vague, so I'll try to be specific. Writer's DreamKit will not create your characters, generate story ideas or write your novel. It won't even force you to write five pages per day. It will help you organize chapters and define conflicts in your stories. Creative but maybe poorly organized writers will benefit from the outline feature, which is pretty versatile and easy to use.

The best way to use this software is to plan out the characters, situation and ending beforehand and have an idea for the outline in mind. The first step is answering a serious of multiple-choice questions and describing your characters and their situation. This section can reveal aspects of your story you may not even be aware of and I found that very interesting. (For example, you may not realize that two characters always contrast in their approach to solving problems but by answering the questions, some subtleties like that become obvious.) You can use the observations to better define your characters and expand on elements of your story.

The DreamKit allows you to leave gaps and move chapters around easily but some changes, like adjusting character personality traits, require recreating from scratch. You can transfer your outline to a word processing document or fill in the chapters in DreamKit, though there are no tools to assist with editing-- it won't advise you if you're writing clichés or losing the reader's interest in exposition.

The examples taken from well-known films like Star Wars and Casablanca are very useful since the writing terms used are somewhat distracting (activity, impact character, etc.). The pictures feature is less useful. (You can select graphics to represent all your characters, but why would you?)

There is a slim users manual that is mandatory reading before you can even begin the program. If you enjoy writing fiction more than reading instruction manuals you may find this frustrating. A poster-sized chart warns "Read This First", but I personally found the chart tedious.

A complex story, with multiple points of view or an atypical plot structure, will be more difficult to utilize with this program with than straightforward, single dimensional one. A short story writer may not have much to gain from this program either. I didn't use the screenplay feature, so I won't comment on that. Overall, this program is much more useful than I expected and can really help a writer get his characters and situation into a cohesive and complete first draft.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Negative 4 Star Rating!
Review: I would give this program negative stars if possible!!! Not only is it confusing it is not the least bit helpful. I only regret that the box was destroyed. I am out [of my money] for nothing!


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