Using a Wiki as a writing tool

For several years know I’ve used a WIKI on my private server. I’ve used MediaWiki (the WikiPedia folks), WikiTikkiTavi, and of course, egroupware.

Although I often take it for granted, I really think the WIKI is a useful tool for a writer. Here is how I use it.

1. Idea logging.
Everytime I get a good idea I write it down. With the wiki I am able to log it (and yes, I do have my computer with me at all times) and organize it. As someone enrolled in the UCLA screenwriting program, crazy movie ideas, scene ideas, or character ideas hit me at odd times. At least this way I can add them, categorize them, and build on them as they happen.

2. Organizing research
I have finished writing a book recently - a history book spanning 100 years of industry. It required a considerable amount of research to be completed before I even started the writing process. Using the WIKI I was able to organize timelines drawn from different sources and build on them. When I read an article or found some information I could open the wiki for timeline and insert the new event. The ability to just toss a set of parentheses around a word to make it link to another page was fast and easy. I was able to organize newspaper research and photographs and have a place for transcribed interviews publishing requirements, deadlines, costing, and more. Finally, it was a place I was able to put in the text as I wrote it, be it at work (Yes, I worked on my book during my spare time at work) or at home. Plus it was all searchable. Finally, the client was able to access the WIKI to look at the work while it was in progress.

3. Sequential edits rather than parallel: Having someone proofread and edit.
One thing that drives me absolutely insane is when (and this would happen at a school) an administrator would send a Word document around to everyone and say something about ‘please make changes, etc.’ As a writer, it would usually be assumed that I would have something to contribute. I would typically say something like “Make me the first person or the last person to edit.” The reason was if 10 people opened the document, then 10 people make the same 10 changes to the misspelled word. People change wording and order and then send it back. The administrator then has to read 10 documents and decide which were the best changes to integrate. However, with a wiki, changes are made in series. Each person builds upon the changes of the last person. When it comes to working with a group (say, building a proposal) it can be much more effective than having endless rounds of meetings or endless rounds of emails where people are (hopefully) keeping track of the best.

4. Cross platform
Simple enough - anywhere I had a computer I could work. Everyone has net access these days. That covered home and work and even friends houses when an idea came into my head.

I just need a wiki for writing screenplays… I smell a new Sourceforge project coming up!

Any other thoughts on how to use a wiki as a writing tool?