Expo: StoryMill novel-writing app adds timeline view

The latest version of StoryMill, Mariner Software's novel-writing application adds new ways to track characters scenes and locations. Mariner unveiled the updated StoryMill 3.0 at this week's Macworld Expo.

Storymill combines aspects off a word processor with a database that lets authors organize their researh notes and categorize scenes, characters, events locations, and more.

Among the additions to StoryMill is what Mariner has billed as an industry-first timeline view. The feature lets writers visually arrange scenes from their novel in chronological order.

A dynamic view allows users to track, tag and filter characters, scenes and locations in the documents, while the application's Smart View allows users to organize information in a project according to selected criteria. Other new features include word frequency counting, a cliche meter and a progress meter to help writers define the goals of their project.

StoryMill 3.0, which requires OS X 10.4 or later, sells for $49.95; Mariner is offering upgrade pricing to registered users through its online store.

Updated at 3:44 p.m. PT with background on the StoryMill application.