Timeline Software

Posted by Jen on Friday, May 15th, 2009 @ 12:55 pm

Something I find really valuable when writing is creating a timeline of events. Because if I don’t…I get lost on what day it is, how many days have passed, etc. It makes it easy to do things like accidentally make a school day on a Saturday or have two Tuesdays in a row.

Also, sometimes my characters have weekly obligations. Like say a character named Chuckles has an extra-curricular class every Thursday from 4 to 5pm. For fun, let’s say it’s a How to Become an Evil Clown class. This means Chuckles can’t be in a coffee shop eating scones at 4:32pm one Thursday afternoon. And if he is, there should be a reason, and it should be addressed. And without a timeline, it’s easy enough to forget that Chuckles should be in class or even what day it’s supposed to be. At least for me. I can’t keep all the details in my head.

This is why my Digital Post-It Notes comes in handy, but unfortunately, it isn’t an ideal timeline maker. It’s great for working through the plot, but I want something else in addition to it. I can use Excel to create a timeline using columns, but it’s also not ideal. Microsoft Visio is okay, but if I change anything, I’ll have to redraw some things just like if I had a hand-drawn timeline.

So, I thought: Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if there was a special Timeline Software? Turns out, there’s plenty of them out there, but they are expensive. Here’s one, and here’s one. They both have free trials, but I don’t want to start using one, really love it and then not have it any more. And no way will I pay 200 bucks for this stuff.

So, I’m open to suggestions. Does anyone know of any CHEAP or FREE timeline programs? I want software that will create something like the diagram below. Something where I only have to type in the day and time and it will automatically render the diagram for me.

Comments

By Dan on May 15th, 2009 at 1:06 pm

Chuckles? Evil Clown Class?

That’s just wrong.

By Jen on May 15th, 2009 at 1:28 pm

Ha. Yeah, I don’t know what came over me.

By Anissa on May 16th, 2009 at 10:29 am

Oh! I’m going to have to follow this thread. I’d love something to keep me organized in the story. I’m forever going back to make sure things are happening in the right order, etc. A timeline would rock!

By Tia Nevitt on May 18th, 2009 at 10:58 am

I just use Word’s outlining capability. I use indents to keep track of the timelines of each substory. It’s compact, it’s easy, and very intuitive. And everything is in one line down the page, so it’s not confusing.

Even though I’m highly technical, I find that fewer tools works better for me. I use TiddlyWiki for my worldbuilding and my character sketches/relationships, and Microsoft Word for everything else.

I think you’ve given me a new MS Word for the Novelist article idea.

By Michelle Muto on May 19th, 2009 at 1:39 pm

I use Scrivener, and while it’s not a timeline app, it creates a binder for my manuscript including a research section that holds documents, notes, webpages. Inside the research folder, I create a timeline page, a character page, etc.

For Chuckles, I’d have a section on the page that listed all of Chuckie’s classes and times.

Or, inside the working manuscript section, I’m able to put down notes, such as TUESDAY, so that I’d know this chapter/scene happens on Tuesday. It’s also where I put down notes for other things I need to add/check on later.

While Scrivener is a Mac app, there are plenty of good writing apps for PCs, I’m sure. I just can’t remember the name of the Scrivener PC equiv.

Here’s Scrivener’s site if anyone’s interested in such applications: tp://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.html

By Ron Kloss on May 19th, 2009 at 8:57 pm

We recently released what may be the most beautiful timeline software ever. Up to 12 bold timelines (categories or characters) are populated with thumbnail photos, which scroll through time, and link to “Event Pages” which contain photos, audio, video or text. The time scale can be anything from minutes to centuries. It is very visual and allows the big picture of timeline events to be viewed in context, but also the details of each event to be examined, by simply clicking on a thumbnail. Download the free 30 day trial and I’ll try to make you an offer you can’t pass up. Ron Kloss

By Andrew on May 19th, 2009 at 11:39 pm

I need something like that - though perhaps on a larger scale that can keep track of events over thousands of years. :)

By Ron Kloss on May 20th, 2009 at 12:40 pm

Andrew… Softimeline allows the time scale to specified as “custom” so it can be millennia, bya, mya, or even innings. When you choose custom, you define the unit of measurement. At the website, the entire Help file is accessible. See: “How to: Work with timeslices”, and it is all explained there. Better yet, download the free trial, and test it. Because we are new to the market, we need good examples which we might showcase on our website, and will make a some complimentary copies of Softimeline available if later on we might capture a few snippets to display, with your permission. So the software could easily be used for archeology, geology, astronomy, ancient history, as well as writing, especially if you have photos or graphics to display. Ron Kloss

By Ron Kloss on May 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm

We left the www out of the website url. It is:
http://www.softimeline.com

Sorry.

By Kermonk on June 5th, 2009 at 5:29 pm

Heh, good topic, I’ve been looking for something as well. But apparently there isn’t really anything free. Its just horrendous prices.

I was looking for something for the PC, but came across this for Mac which does look cool - a 3D timeline where you can zoom in and out. That’s cool, but also pricey :) http://www.beedocs.com

 

Leave a Comment

« « STRANGE ANGELS In Stores!| Writing Update » »