50 writing tools quick list

The only catch is that you must keep typing. If you stop for even a few seconds, everything disappears and you have to start over. A basic writing tool, but perhaps one of the best for someone who is really struggling with inspiration and motivation.

For most writers, distraction is a huge problem. Between cell phones, video games, and the internet in general, our minds have become programmed to multi-task. Focusing on one thing can be hard, especially with all the aforementioned distractions just waiting in the wings, calling our name. Beating these distractions with sheer will power alone is possible, but difficult. It may be worth exploring some writing tools to help eliminate distractions from your writing time. Calmly Writer is one of the most basic pieces of writing software you will find.

And this is the whole point. Other than your words, there is only one other icon. Clicking this will reveal the menu and all its options:. But, it helps you zero in on your writing by filling your entire screen with nothing but your own words. This is effective in putting many in the zone. Focus becomes razor sharp. With nothing else to even click on, words get written fast.

With all other thoughts out of the way, creativity can flow at its best. To make this simple writing experience the best it can be, Calmly Writer does offer some customizable features for you to work with:.

For those looking for a calm and serene place to write, Calmly Writer is your answer. With everything else hidden away, all you need to do is create. Freedom is a unique writing tool that will block your distractions. Calmly Writer provides you with a clean and simple space that encourages focus.

Freedom removes your ability to even utilize the distractions that exist on the internet. The concept is simple - you can create customized lists of the websites that are most distracting to you.

Social media, games, news, entertainment - these are some of the most common. Once you click to start your session, Freedom blocks all websites on your list for your chosen amount of time. Another huge distraction for many is their cell phone. The app is available to download on mobile as well, and it does much the same thing. You can choose which apps you want to be blocked, and Freedom will disable them for the duration of your session.

This writing tool is basic, easy to use, and incredibly powerful. After a free trial, it is available at three different price points:.

Sometimes more time-consuming than the writing itself, editing is a tedious part of the process. You should always begin by thoroughly editing your work yourself. Once this is done, it is recommended that you hire a professional editor if you plan to publish. In addition to both of these, however, is the option of utilizing some writing software that does parts of the editing for you. These in no way replace your own work, nor that of a professional. But, the right editing tool can save both of you some time and effort by taking care of the small stuff.

Grammarly is among the top-rated writing tools out there right now. It is a program that scans your work and points out grammatical errors. The basic version of the service is free and allows you to scan an unlimited amount of documents and words. All of these options come free of charge, and you have unlimited use. For many writers , this is more than enough editing help.

If you do any kind of serious writing, however, you may want to consider the premium upgrade. For a detailed look at the upgraded premium version, check out our Grammarly review. This can help you decide if it is worth the investment. The Hemingway editor is similar to Grammarly. Where they differ is in their specific functions. Hemingway will also scan your work and point out errors. But, it focuses on mistakes of a different variety.

The Hemingway Editor checks your work for overall readability. It does this by picking out several specific stylistic problems:. The editor is available online and is free to use. You can copy and paste your text, or you can do your work directly into the editor and have it check as you go. It does offer some formatting options to make this a viable choice.

It is the exact same program, but you can download it and have it available for offline use. Hemingway is a fantastic writing tool for those who publish shorter, nonfiction content to a blog or website. It helps you ensure your work is clean, concise, and professional.

It can be used by those who write fiction as well. Though, they should keep in mind that there is no way to adjust for stylistic choices. So, you may take some creative liberties with the language that Hemingway will mark as a problem.

In addition to this list, there are some writing tools out there that can assist you in coming up with a great idea for your content. Scapple is a program developed by Literature and Latte , the same company that created Scrivener. Scrivener is where you write your content, Scapple is where you come up with it. Scapple is a simple but useful tool that mimics a brainstorming technique known as a mind map. This is where you write down your main, usually broad, idea, and start connecting other ideas and thoughts to it.

In days past, writers would do this with pencil and paper. Scapple decided to digitize this method of thinking and make it easier, more accessible, and even more productive. A mind map in Scapple is literally limitless. When you need a certain section, zooming back in is easy. Scapple is also perfectly compatible with Scrivener. If both programs are open, you can simply drag the mindmap from Scapple into Scrivener.

For those that want to expedite and organize their brainstorming and ideas stage, Scapple is your best bet. For bloggers, coming up with consistently fresh and entertaining content can be difficult. Especially if your blog is your income. So, HubSpot has created a tool to help you find some new topics.

You start by entering up to five nouns into their idea generator. Once the nouns are added, you can click to generate some ideas. Some of the topics and titles are simpler than others. But, all of them have the potential to spark inspiration. And even if the title you choose has been done before in some capacity, you can still make the content itself original and unique. For most writers, the ideas never stop. There is always more work to do, and another blog post to publish. Often, there are many small mistakes and repetitive actions that take up a lot of our time - probably more than we realize.

Life would be much easier if we could find a writing tool or two to help eliminate some of these small distractions. TextExpander is a writing tool that has the potential to exponentially increase your productivity. It functions similarly to autocorrect on a cell phone, but with anything you want.

For example, maybe you know you frequently misspell a word. You can tell TextExpander to automatically correct it each time you type it. This is a basic example, you can make them as complex as you want. If you work in customer service, for example, you might find yourself sending many emails that are all the same.

Some stuck in my head: "Shape short writing with wit and polish. But this book is readable and accessible enough to read in one gulp. It's a great introduction to the art of writing.

For a summary of the 50 tools, see the 50 writing tools quick list. If you prefer listening to reading, check out the 50 writing tools podcasts. Post a Comment. Seek original images. Tune your voice. Read drafts aloud. Blueprints Work from a plan. Index the big parts of your work. Use dialogue as a form of action. Dialogue advances narrative; quotes delay it. Foreshadow dramatic events or powerful conclusions. Plant important clues early. To generate suspense, use internal cliffhangers.

To propel readers, make them wait. Repeat, repeat, repeat. Purposeful repetition links the parts. Write from different cinematic angles. Report and write for scenes. Then align them in a meaningful sequence. Mix narrative modes. Prefer archetypes to stereotypes. Use subtle symbols, not crashing cymbals. Write toward an ending. Help readers close the circle of meaning. Useful Habits Turn procrastination into rehearsal.

Plan and write it first in your head. Do your homework well in advance. Prepare for the expected — and unexpected. Read for both form and content. Examine the machinery beneath the text. Save string. For big projects, save scraps others would toss.

Break long projects into parts. Then assemble the pieces into something whole. Recruit your own support group. Create a corps of helpers for feedback. Limit self-criticism in early drafts. Turn it loose during revision. Learn from your critics. Tolerate even unreasonable criticism. Own the tools of your craft. Build a writing workbench to store your tools.