Legendary text editor WordStar, beloved by many famous writers, including George R.R. Martin, made available through a free archive published by science fiction writer Robert J. Sawyer.
WordStar Revival
Writing Tool
Creative people often become attached to certain tools for their work. Some prefer classic methods such as pen and paper or an IBM Selectric typewriter. However, for a whole generation of authors, it was WordStar that became an indispensable assistant in the creative process.
History of WordStar
WordStar is a cult text editor that hit the market in 1978. Originally developed for the CP/M operating system and later adapted for MS-DOS, it quickly gained popularity among writers thanks to its intuitive interface and powerful functionality aimed at creative writing.
Celebrity Fans
Among WordStar's admirers are such distinguished writers as Ralph Ellison, Anne Rice and George R. R. Martin. Anne Rice even expressed her admiration for the program, calling it "wonderful and sublime" in a Facebook comment in 2015.
WordStar Archive
Robert J. Sawyer spent several weeks creating the archive. It includes not only the program itself, but also detailed instructions on how to use it, as well as PDF versions of the original manuals, which total more than 1,000 pages. To ensure compatibility with modern computers, Sawyer also included MS-DOS emulators in the archive.
The uniqueness of WordStar
Why do experienced writers choose a program that seems outdated at first glance? Sawyer explains this by the fact that WordStar simulates the process of handwritten creativity, unlike most modern text editors, which work like a typewriter. According to Sawyer, Microsoft Word is software designed for "dictation." WordStar offers a set of tools specifically designed to support the creative process of writing text.
Glossary
- WordStar is a legendary word processor popular among writers in the 1980s and 1990s.
- George R. R. Martin is an American science fiction writer, author of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
- Robert J. Sawyer is a Hugo and Nebula Award-winning Canadian science fiction writer.
- CP/M is a microcomputer operating system popular in the 1970s and early 1980s.
- MS-DOS is an operating system developed by Microsoft for personal computers.
Links
Questions Answered
What is WordStar and why is it important for writers ?
Who published the free WordStar archive and what is included in it?
Why do some writers prefer WordStar to modern word processors?
What famous writers have used WordStar?
What is the main difference between WordStar and Microsoft Word?
Hashtags
Save a link to this article
Discussion of the topic – WordStar: Rebirth of Legendary Editor George R.R. Martin
The article talks about the revival of the legendary WordStar text editor, which was used by George R. R. Martin and other famous writers. Robert J. Sawyer has published a free archive of the program, giving it a second life.
Latest comments
8 comments
Write a comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are checked *
Liam
Wow! I never thought that ancient programs could be so useful for modern writers. Wondering how WordStar impacts the creative process? 🤔
Sophie
Liam, I'm surprised too! I heard that Martin still uses DOS to work on A Song of Ice and Fire. Apparently, old school rules! 😎
Antonio
Sophie, that's for sure! I've tried different text editors myself, but I always come back to good old Notepad++. Simplicity and functionality are the key to productivity. 💻✍️
Helga
Guys, don't you think this is just nostalgia? Modern programs are much more convenient and efficient. Why complicate your life? 🤷♀️
Pierre
Helga, it's not a matter of complication. WordStar, Sawyer writes, simulates the process of writing by hand. This can help you get into a creative flow. I'd try it! 🖋️💡
Klaus
Bullshit. You can also write on paper with a pencil. All these programs are just a distraction from real creativity. Previously, we managed just fine without computers.
Olena
Klaus, don't be such a grump! 😄 To each his own. Personally, I'm excited about the idea of trying WordStar. It's like time travel for a writer. Who's with me? 🚀📚
Antonio
Olena, I'm in! Let's set up a challenge - we write only in WordStar for a week and share our impressions. Who else will join our retro experiment? 🕰️🖥️