Tuesday, November 5, 2019
The 25+ BEST Writing Tools in 2019
The 25+ BEST Writing Tools in 2019 The 25+ Best Writing Tools in 2019 Before the computer there was the typewriter, and before the typewriter there was pen and paper, and before pen and paper there were plenty of other lost tools of writing - like clay, papyrus, wood, slate, parchment, and, of course, pens made out of reeds. (Fun fact: the name ââ¬Å"Reedsyâ⬠is inspired by the ââ¬Å"reed pen,â⬠which was used as early as 800 B.C. for documentation).As you can tell by now, the act of writing has been a part of human culture from the days of chiseling stories onto the walls of caves - and as we have evolved, so have our writing tools. In fact, todayââ¬â¢s writers and storytellers are spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding which tools to use.The following list details our favorite writing tools and resources for taking any idea through to its written conclusion.Writing toolsWe all know Google Docs and Microsoft Word, so weââ¬â¢re not going to waste your time giving those two a run-down in our list. Below are four other word proc essors you might not know about, and that are worth checking out.Reedsy Book Editor - freeDoes ââ¬Å"fake it ââ¬Ëtil you make itâ⬠ring true to you? Well, the Reedsy Book Editor is a free, online word processor that formats your book as you write. See your drafts automatically turn into a professional-looking manuscript - and allow this glimpse of your work as the final product spur your motivation to write. One of the Reedsy Book Editorââ¬â¢s best functions is that it lets you instantly typeset your manuscript to EPUB and print-ready PDF files.Check it out if: if you want a writing tool that takes care of formatting and conversion for you.Draft - freeDo you like a helpful tap on the shoulder, reminding you about something you need to do? Well, youââ¬â¢ll likely enjoy Draft then, because the online word processor not only keeps track of how many words you write per day, it can also email you daily reminders about your daily word count goals. (Of course, if this sounds a little too ââ¬Å"hands-onâ⬠for you, you can always turn the reminder function off).Other than that, Draft functions a lot like Google Docs: allowing you to track changes, collaborate via suggested edits, and make comments on the doc.Check it out if: you like Google Docs, but want an even simpler interface.LibreOffice - freeYes, we did say that we wouldnââ¬â¢t mention Microsoft Word, because by now everyo ne knows that itââ¬â¢s a useful writing tool. But we didnââ¬â¢t say we wouldnââ¬â¢t mention itââ¬â¢s free counterpart: LibreOffice.LibreOffice is the open source answer for people who want to try Microsoft without paying the price tag. (Open source means that the software is built on code that anyone can inspect and enhance). Plus itââ¬â¢s compatible with all of the regular file types people are used to, such as à .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, and .pptx files.Check it out if: you like a classic word processor - and moreover, a free one.Mellel - $50 (or try a 30-day free trial)The people behind Mellel donââ¬â¢t just know word processing - they also know catchy, memorable marketing. Their description of why writers should choose Mellel starts like this: ââ¬Å"Mellel is a writer's dream come true. To start, it is exceedingly boring: it just works, day in and day out, reliably. An enormous number of people used Mellel to write and they all report that their jou rney with Mellel was boring and uneventful. As well it should. In other words, it does all the mundane bits, and leaves the creative stuff to you.â⬠Mellel is not free (and note that itââ¬â¢s only for Mac). In return for the price tag, youââ¬â¢ll get more book-specific tools than other, perhaps more traditional word processors - such as outlining and bibliography-making functions. And, judging by the witty, funny copy on Mellelââ¬â¢s website, Mellel makes the process of writing much more fun than they let on.Check it out if: youââ¬â¢re a Mac user who wants more than the Pages app offers.Organization tools Check it out if: youââ¬â¢ve ever felt envy at Rita Skeeterââ¬â¢s Quick-Quotes Quill in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.Ergonomic desk setups - variesAs more and more of the workforce moves to sedentary jobs where the majority of 9am to 5pm is spent sitting - usually hunching - at a computer, a growing number of sitting-related health injuries have been occurring. Thatââ¬â¢s why looking into more ergonomically friendly desk setups is a good idea for writers who spend long hours at the computer - or even writing in a notebook. This could be a standing desk, or even just a number of textbooks piled under your desktop so that your screen is eye level, resulting in less stress on your shoulders.Check it out if: you donââ¬â¢t want writing gains to come at the cost of growing back pains.Computer Glasses - variesWriters are all familiar with computer-caused eyestrains. Because you blink far less when looking at a screen than you do otherwise, computer vision syndrome (CV S) is a condition people have been developing due to long stretches of staring at a computer.One way to help alleviate this - other than just making sure to take time looking away from your computer - is to invest in some computer glasses. They typically come in blue or amber shades, and are coated with a protective coating.There are a number of brands you can check out, such as Pixel Eyewear or Felix Gray.Check it out if: you notice itchy or tired eyes after long writing sessions.FREE writing coursesMaybe youââ¬â¢ve got all you need to actually get the writing done, but you could use a leg up when it comes to craft. These free, ten-day courses are intended to help you do the best writing you can!On writingNovel Writing 101 - Over the course of ten lessons, you will learn how to plan an amazing novel, create compelling characters, and build a writing routine to make sure you get from 'page one' to the final chapter of your magnum opus.Writing Non-Fiction - In this 10 day cour se, publishing coach Azul Terronez goes through which common writing mistakes to avoid, which questions to ask yourself before you get started, and finally, how to stay motivated throughout the writing process.Writing YA Novels - Over ten lessons, you will discover the most common pitfalls of first-time YA authors, and learn how to hone your craft towards writing for a teen audience.How to Write a Business Book - à In this course, Alison Jones, a publishing partner for businesses and organizations, will teach you how to approach the writing of your first book, from the idea itself down to the day-to-day writing routine you should adopt.On productivityBuild a Solid Writing Routine - Over ten email lessons, weââ¬â¢ll give you a bunch of practical, actionable tips to help you understand and face down your procrastination gremlins to find a writing habit that works for you.How to Stop Talking About Writing a Book and Actually Start Doing It - In this short course, book coach Jen nie Nash shares the secrets for how to start strong so you can move forward with confidence. Itââ¬â¢s a powerful way to stop talking about someday writing a book, and to actually start doing it, by getting the idea out of your head and onto the page.On editingHow to Self-Edit Your Manuscript Like a Pro - Lisa Lepki of ProWritingAid is here to help you spot (and fix) the ten most common writing mistakes. These mistakes won't just make you seem like an amateur - they will also hinder your chances of landing an agent or securing a publisher.Story Editing for Authors - In this email course, author and Fictionary CEO Kristina Stanley shares her method for ensuring that your story is well-told, well-paced and highly effective. Over ten lessons, you will be guided through the process of reviewing your story, scene-by-scene, with the help of a downloadable resource that you will receive in lesson one.Novel Revision: Practical Tips for Rewrites - The editors behind #RevPit will show y ou how to dive into the revision process and methodically prepare your book for publication. The best writing tools of 2019 that every writer should consider adding to their arsenalà âÅ" ï ¸ At this point, your arsenal is fully stocked: youââ¬â¢ve got a place to do the writing, tools to help you concentrate and edit, a workspace that makes long hours at your desk a little more fun, and advice from professionals on perfecting your craft. At the end of the day, putting these writing tools to good use is down to you - so show us what youââ¬â¢ve got!Have you tried any of the above writing tools - and if so, which were your favorites? Or maybe you feel there are some great resources missing from this list? Let us know in the comments below!
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