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Bob Devereaux (bobdev@hprpcd.rose.hp.com) wrote:

: I saw an ad recently for a Mac-only software product called, I think,
: StoryShaper.  Robert Coover endorsed it.  It helps plan story structures
: & provides variant views of the artifact.
: 
:   (1)  Anyone care to comment as to its merits or de-??
:   (2)  Anyone have knowledge about whether the Cambridge, MA company
:   that produces it plans a PC version??

I suspect you mean "Storyspace," a true hypertext program for the Mac,
from Eastgate Systems of Cambridge, MA. This is the program used by
Coover in one of his writing classes, and endorsed by him.

I've been using Storyspace for the past half year and can post some
comments about it if there's interest here.

In the meantime, some brief points:

* Eastgate can be reached at 800-562-1638.

* A new version, 1.3, will ship shortly after MacWorld (happening
now).

* The price is around $225, direct from Eastgate. (I haven't seen
other sellers carrying it, so there is none of the standard price
discounting.) 

* A version for DOS or Windows seems unlikely, given the small size of
Eastgate and their focus on the Mac.

* Storyspace is a "true" hypertext system in that it supports
bidirectional links between nodes containing text, pictures, or even
Quicktime movies (a feature few writers need, but which
"presentations" and training uses may use often). Multiple paths
through this web of nodes are easy to construct, a valuable tool for
fiction writing.

* Storyspace has a few peculiarities, though, and some bugs. I hope
version 1.3 fixes them! 

I'm using Storyspace to write a novel, and find it superior to the
other hypertext programs I've used (the now-defunct "Architext" and
the crippled "Hypercard") and to traditional word processing apps
(like Microsoft Word and FrameMaker). I still like the powerful
outlining and cloning features of "More," and so haven't switched over
completely to Storyspace.

Hope this helps someone.

-Tim May

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