My Pick for Screenwriting Software: Celtx

Celtx is a FREE software program designed with five internal text writers (templates) for producing screenplays, stage plays, AV scripts, audio scripts, comic books, and novels. They offer a Plus version currently on sale (33% off) for $9.99 (aka $10). As a disclaimer I must tell you I have not used Final Draft or other screenplay software yet. I chose this software because it is FREE and does everything I currently need it to do. Well, and it was suggested by both Jared Sexton and Matt Mullins, authors and creative writing professors at Ball State University.

Admittedly, I have only used the screenplay writing template, so that is what I will be describing in this post, for the most part. Also, I admit to never having read the directions (User Manual - downloadable for FREE), which is why I only recently discovered you need to compile (save) your project into the .pdf version when you want to print it out. You can print it directly from the saved working version without doing this, but apparently you will have format errors if you do...which also explains why I got less of a grade on my screenplays than I would have liked...or, maybe it doesn't.


You can get it for use on the following platforms: Windows, Mac (OS X - 10.5+), Linux 32bit, and Linux 64bit. You can use it in a number of different languages.


What I like about Celtx (beside the fact it is FREE) is that it's so simple to use. Open it, choose your template, and start writing. A drop down menu at the top offers heading options: scene, action, character, dialog, parenthetical, transition, shot, text.

The program has a Storyboard feature:

A Character Catalog feature:

And a Production Schedule feature:

There are two FREE utilities for the program: iPhone/iPad Desktop Sync and a Session Timer. The Language Dictionaries are also FREE to download.


 There are two mobile apps available: Celtx Shots (FREE to download and use - image packs cost varying prices from $0.99 to $4.99) and Celtx Script ($4.99 at the Apple iTunes App Store). Both are designed for use on the iPad and the iPhone, and may be synced with your Desktop copy of Celtx (see paragraph above).


FYI:  Scripts Free is a FREE script writing mobile app for iPhone or iPad (NOT a Celtx or Celtx-integrative app). Check for it via your iPhone.




Everything else will cost extra: 


Writing tool add-ons, sketch images, learning series, Celtx Guides, Storytelling education resources (which includes a link to buy Story by Robert McKee, an excellent book for screenwriters and novelists alike), and Celtx Studios (for storing and sharing projects - available for a monthly fee of $4.99). Special package prices are available if you want to purchase more than one add-on. None of the pricing is extravagant, and remember it is tax-deductible if you are trying to (or are fortunate enough to already) make a living at creative writing.


Well, one can hardly criticize them for wanting to make some profit, especially when the free stuff is so functional and useful by itself.


Celtx offers many other features that make it highly usable and helpful to writers, especially screen and stage play writers (for whom it was originally designed, I think), but I will let you read about them for yourself here (why repeat it when one can link it?).

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