What is it?
Liquid Story Binder XE is a writing program created by Black Obelisk Software solely for Windows. It's a writing program designed to have the capability of a commercial text editor with a great deal of features and flexibility.

How it works?
Liquid Story Binder XE is software that must be purchased and downloaded. You can download Liquid Story Binder XE for free for 30 days, and have access to all of the program's features. After 30 days the program will stop working, and you have the choice of either uninstalling the program or purchasing a code to continue using the program indefinitely. Both the downloading and code purchase can be done directly from Black Obelisk's site, and the code is $45.95.

The Basics:
As stated above Liquid Story Binder only works on Windows machines. Its interface can be as full or as empty as you like; all the features can be used or left off. The workspace is not only completely customizable, but can be saved as well. This way when you restart the program you don't have to restructure your workspace every time. The menu can show up to 15 different stories, as well the program creates a seperate folder for each. The program has a bunch of great preferences such as 20 second Auto Save, automatic save on close, snap windows and others which allow you to customize the program to suit your use. There are even a list of preset different colour schemes under the Display tab, as well you can also customize a colour scheme of your own. Black Obelisk often updates the program and the updates are downloadable directly from their site.

The Pros:
The program's download is small for a program, which is great. I love that the interface is as customizable as it is and can suit my various needs and desires. I'm often moving my windows around and I like that the program remembers my set up for every story I have a file for. It actually really helps me remember where I was in my mind the last time I wrote, if that makes any sense. Also I'm one of those writers who makes a ton of notes on back story, characters etc. and it's great that I can do it all in the program and have it present or not when it suits me. The master File list is multi-functional in that I can see every file for the story, or I can simply focus on Dossiers, or Chapters, or what have you. Save features are good and you have pretty good protection from losing your work.

The Cons:
It does have a bit of a learning curve. So many features can be a hinderance as well as a blessing. Also my version of the program does not have a retrieve function like Microsoft Word has, where if the computer is suddenly shot off for a reason (i.e. sudden power outage) your work is often restored. If this program doesn't have such a feature, I'd like to see it.

My Thoughts:
All in all I love this program, and use it frequently for my work. If you can get your hands on this and you like having a single place for your work and notes you'll love this program. If you like a simple bare bones kind of workspace you'll still love this program. So download it, give it a try and don't be surprised if you stick to it. It's well worth the price.

You know those moments when you read something, or hear someone say something that just strikes something deep down in you and it changes your perspective? And suddenly something you struggled with all falls into place?

I love those moments. They don't happen often enough for me.

My favourite one hit during this past NaNoWriMo which actually not only really helped me (just barely) get over the finish line, but finally gave me something to help keep at the story in the off-season. During NaNo, there's just something about that competition that can help you really get your butt in gear, but the challenge a lot of us face is how to keep it up after NaNo's done. I recall someone asking about how to silence the inner editor or how to not sort of edit yourself as you're writing, and someone responded with a brilliant (IMO) reply: how can you properly edit something that doesn't exist?

Often even a writer can't really see where the story's going to go, though you have the idea in your head. So much can happen between the first words and the last. Characters come and go, events change, things and people that weren't important suddenly are. Editing before the story's written I feel just hampers the story itself. Let it grow. Let it breathe. Let it become whatever it's going to become, and then shape it into perfection. Nevermind if it doesn't sound great now. It will in time. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. I wish I could remember who said that.

I've been seeing this term being bandied around quite a lot lately. Well, it seems to flare up every now and again. But is this advice about building platforms being spread in a helpful manner? How and when does "building a platform" apply?

Firstly, I define "platform" seperately from networking. The definition of platform I'm accustomed to applies to non-fiction writers. A platform establishes them as an expert in their field, essentially what they "stand on". It's not limited to keeping a blog or website or any other form of social media but also tours, workshops, etc. In essence not just being able to say "I'm an expert" but being recognized as an expert. So what use is a platform then to fiction writers? There's no requirement that says we have to establish ourselves as a fantasy writer, sci-fi writer, crime writer, etc in the same sense as a non-fiction writer. At least not via social media. Of course it's great if you've gained many followers or readers on your blog, many being actual readers and not just fellow writers, that would certainly only work in your favour. If people are that interested in your blog they're certainly going to be interested in your book. But it's not going to make or break your chances of being published. A publisher is not going to look at a work that's really caught their interest, check out the writer's blog and reject it because said writer has a low number of readers. That isn't how publishing works. Publishers buy stories because they believe they can sell them, and they have all the tools and know-how to market the book to readers. It is not our job to market ourselves and our work unless we're self-publishing. Promote? Naturally. Network? Sure. But market? Not our job. If a publisher can't sell our work, we're not supposed to step in and do it for them (micro publishing exempted, as that works quite differently from large, medium and small publishing). So what's an aspiring writer to do?

Best advice I've received for aspiring authors is to write something worth selling. All promotion and blogs and twitters and such aside, we're writers first and foremost. That shouldn't be forgotten or put to the wayside in favour of creating a "brand" or "platform" or whathaveyou. Because even the greatest platform or largest reader base isn't going to mean a darn thing if you're not producing something worth buying. It certainly doesn't hurt to network, work on your blog or reach out in the meantime, but don't let it become your main focus. After all, when was the last time you heard about someone getting rejected on the basis of their blog readers and not their novel? ;)

I've had this week to myself, no obligations that require my time, so I'm trying to take advantage of it as much as possible. This sort of feels like the final lap, I have to get done the things that have been sitting around needing to get done that have been bothering me. Since my personality doesn't let me just ignore them and push them aside (though I think they've been pushed aside long enough) then I need to get them done. So far, so good. Monday Review will be back on Monday, I'll be reviewing Liquid Story Binder and there'll be regular activity from here on in. Since I'm kind of out of helpful writerly stuff to review now, I'll probably hit my bookshelf and review some of my favourite authors. I'll have to get back one of my books that I want to review, it's out on loan. Come to think of it, it's been out on loan awhile now...

Finish line, here I come.