The main screen allows you to add and remove files from the project. It supports plain text (TXT) files, and the idea is that when your book is nearing completion you combine the files into one and import the result into a word processor for layout, spelling and grammar. (yWriter handles the combining for you - In fact, I use my yBook program with the output to print formatted drafts.) But I wouldn't worry about this stage while you're writing - most novels die after the budding author has sweated out the first chapter or two. That's the bit I'm trying to help with.
The editor window is where you can enter text for each scene. I've resized the screenshot to make it smaller. I've mentioned this before, but when I'm typing I want as little as possible between my brain and the text flowing from my fingers - that means no squiqqly red lines, no green underlining, no popup windows and NO animated paperclips telling me I'm trying to write a letter. Yes, the yWriter editor is very basic, but I've written, edited and re-written three complete novels with it. If you prefer a full-featured word processor there's nothing to stop you writing your text in one. Just copy and paste each scene into the edit window when you've finished writing it.
The Storyboard lets you view all the scenes in your project, with each one allocated to the relevant viewpoint character's line. You can drag and drop scenes to change the viewpoint and their order in the project.
The file list also shows scenes, but in a table. You can change the status on one or more scenes at the same time.
The Outliner is new. You can type an outline into the box (or load/paste an existing outline) and tag chapter and scene breaks. When finished, yWriter will automatically generate a project from the data.
On the project settings screen you can set up deadlines for each completion level. These dates are used to generate the work schedule.
I added this feature to help you win NaNoWriMo. Enter your target count plus start and end date and it will give you the words per day you have to write.
This is the first step in the new yWriter project wizard. In the past I've had feedback telling me the program was too much of a mystery when first loaded - this should make life easier. After you complete the wizard you'll have a project set up, and you can start adding chapters and scenes.
yWriter comes with several translation files, most submitted by other users:
There are many other features in the program - the best bet is to try them out!
