Show HN: Software Engineer to Novelist: Writing a Book Like Coding
7 hours ago
- #self-publishing
- #writing-process
- #technical-tools
- The author approached writing 'Means and Motive' with a disciplined, step-by-step system, blending non-technical and technical methods.
- Non-technical tools include creating three HTML files: novel.html for the manuscript, universe.html for world-building elements, and guidelines.html for goals and resources.
- Writing involves outlining chapters in universe.html, drafting in novel.html with TBD annotations for unfinished sections, and using guidelines.html for reference.
- Technical tools involve using GNU Emacs with modes for HTML and spell-checking, simple HTML tagging for structure, and custom separators for aesthetics.
- EPublish converts HTML to EPUB, generating reports on chapter status, while Calibre (via command-line) converts EPUB to PDF for print editions, ensuring an automated workflow.