When we told people we had a book coming out in 2025, there was no shortage of curiosity. Alongside the usual questions about the plot and characters, one question kept cropping up: “What writing tools did you use?” It seems that no matter how fascinating the storyline or the characters, people are equally interested in what happens behind the scenes—especially when it comes to the tools for writers that help bring those stories to life.
In today’s world, there’s no shortage of tools designed to assist writers and make the process more manageable. From drafting the first sentence to editing the final manuscript, there’s a tool for every stage of the book writing process. Whether you’re someone who relies on a trusty word processor or you’re deep into the world of book-writing software, there’s a tool out there that can help ease the load. And it’s not just about writing—there are tools for organising ideas, keeping your productivity on track, and polishing every word to perfection.
People often ask about writing tools because there’s a widely held belief that every task has a specific tool—and that finding the right one is key to success. Many aspiring writers set off on their writing journey with the hope that the perfect software will be the answer to their prayers, the magical ingredient that will finally bring their ideas to life. While having the right tool can certainly make a difference, it’s about finding what works for you and your process. After all, the tools you choose are just one part of the equation—your words are still the most important part of the story.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best writing tools for aspiring writers, from software and apps to resources that can boost your productivity and make the writing process a little smoother.
Writing Software Tools
Simple Word Processor Tools
Standard word processor tools are general-purpose tools used by people across all professions for creating, editing, and formatting text. They provide essential features like spell check, formatting options, and document structuring, but they aren’t specifically tailored to the unique needs of writers, such as plotting or manuscript organisation. However, their ease of use, accessibility, and widespread availability make them a popular choice for writers at all stages of their journey. Let’s take a look at some of the most commonly used standard word processing solutions.
Google Docs
Google Docs is an online word processor that’s part of the Google Workspace suite. Its biggest advantage is its real-time collaboration feature, allowing multiple people to work on a document simultaneously from anywhere in the world. Google Docs automatically saves your work, so you never have to worry about losing progress.
Pros:
- Real-time collaboration and commenting, making it great for team projects or getting feedback.
- Cloud-based, so accessible from any device with an internet connection.
- Autosaves every few seconds, eliminating the risk of losing unsaved work.
Cons:
- Limited offline functionality unless you download the file or use the offline mode.
- Fewer advanced formatting and layout options compared to desktop-based processors like MS Word.
- Can become slow and unresponsive with very large documents.
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word has been the industry standard for word processing for decades. Part of Microsoft’s Office suite, it’s packed with features for creating professional documents, including robust formatting options, track changes for editing, and customisable styles. It’s especially popular for academic writing, business documentation, and other formal text work.
Pros:
- Extensive formatting options, styles, and templates.
- Track changes and comments for detailed editing and revision.
- Available both as a desktop app and through Office 365, giving some cloud functionality.
Cons:
- Requires a paid subscription or software purchase (Office 365 or Microsoft Office).
- Can be overwhelming for users who don’t need advanced features.
- Files can become large, especially when working with images or complex layouts.
LibreOffice
LibreOffice offers a free version with many features similar to Microsoft Word, making it an open-source alternative to MS Word. Its word process component, Writer, offers many of the same features as Microsoft Word, including formatting tools, style templates, and the ability to handle complex documents. It’s particularly popular among users looking for a cost-effective solution without compromising on functionality.
Pros:
- Free to use, with no hidden fees or subscriptions.
- Offers most of the same features as Microsoft Word, including support for Word document formats (.docx).
- Open-source, meaning users can customise it to suit their needs.
Cons:
- Not as sleek or user-friendly as MS Word or Google Docs.
- Collaboration features are limited compared to cloud-based alternatives.
- Regular updates are community-driven, which may affect consistency or usability.
Draft
Draft is a minimalist, web-based word processor with a unique focus on version control and collaboration. It’s designed for writers who need to work with editors or co-authors and offers an easy way to track changes, compare document versions, and revert to previous drafts. Its simple, distraction-free interface is perfect for focused writing.
Pros:
- Version control and the ability to track changes between different drafts.
- Simple and distraction-free interface, allowing for a focused writing experience.
- Web-based, so accessible from any device with an internet connection.
Cons:
- Limited formatting options compared to more traditional word processors.
- Lacks advanced word processing features like style templates or complex document structuring.
- Collaboration options aren’t as robust as those in Google Docs.
These standard word processors offer a range of features that can be useful for various writing tasks, from drafting quick notes to preparing detailed manuscripts. However, writers with more specific needs might want to explore specialised writing software, designed to tackle the unique challenges of book writing or complex content creation.
Book Writing Software Tools
Book writing software tools are specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of authors and long-form writers. Unlike standard word processors, these tools offer advanced features such as chapter and scene organization, plotting aids, research management, and distraction-free environments. They are particularly valuable for authors looking to write a novel, as they help manage large amounts of content and structure a narrative. These tools are also useful for complex projects like non-fiction books, screenplays, and academic works. Let’s dive into some of the top specialized writing tools designed for writers.
Scrivener
Scrivener is one of the most popular and powerful tools for long-form writing. It’s designed to help writers organise their projects by breaking them into manageable sections—whether that’s chapters, scenes, or research notes. Scrivener offers a split-screen mode, allowing you to view and edit different parts of your project simultaneously. The corkboard feature helps plotters visually map out their storylines, making it a great option for those needing structure.
Main Features:
- Organisation of content into sections (chapters, scenes) for easy navigation.
- Corkboard and outliner views for plotting and restructuring.
- Ability to store research, notes, and even multimedia within the project.
- Export options for multiple formats, including ePub and Kindle.
Tailored For: Novelists, screenwriters, and non-fiction writers who need to manage large projects and structure their narrative.
Atticus
Atticus is a relatively new writing software, designed primarily for authors looking for an all-in-one solution for writing, formatting, and publishing. Atticus allows writers to draft their books and format them for self-publishing in the same space, offering tools for both writing and preparing a book for publication in formats like ePub, Mobi, and print-ready PDF. The cloud-based nature of the software ensures you can access your work from anywhere, making it ideal for authors who want flexibility.
Main Features:
- Combines writing and book formatting in one tool.
- Cloud-based, allowing access to your manuscript from any device.
- Formatting options that meet the requirements of major self-publishing platforms.
- Collaboration features for authors working with editors or co-authors.
Tailored For: Self-published authors who need a seamless transition from writing to formatting and publishing.
Ulysses
Ulysses is a minimalist writing app, perfect for writers who want to focus on getting words down without distractions. It offers a clean, uncluttered interface, while still packing powerful features under the hood. Ulysses uses a simple markup language for formatting, which allows writers to focus on content rather than constantly tinkering with formatting tools. It also has organisational features such as folders, tags, and filters, making it easy to manage long-form projects.
Main Features:
- Distraction-free writing environment with minimal interface.
- Simple markup for formatting, eliminating the need for extensive menus.
- Organisational tools like folders, tags, and filters for managing large projects.
- Syncing across devices via iCloud for Apple users.
Tailored For: Writers looking for a simple, elegant, and distraction-free writing experience, particularly those on macOS.
Mellel
Mellel is known for its strength in handling long and complex documents, particularly those that require detailed formatting, such as academic papers, technical writing, or books with complex structure. It offers robust support for multilingual projects and is a favourite among researchers and authors writing in various languages. Mellel also excels at footnote and bibliography management, making it an ideal tool for academic writers.
Main Features:
- Advanced formatting tools for long and complex documents.
- Multilingual support, making it great for international projects.
- Detailed footnote and bibliography management.
- Superior handling of long-form, structured writing projects with complex layouts.
Tailored For: Academic writers, researchers, and authors working on technical or multilingual documents.
Firstdraft Pro
Firstdraft Pro is a cloud-based writing and organisation tool, much like Scrivener, but with a focus on both structure and creativity. It combines features for plotting, scene management, and outlining, while also offering AI-assisted writing prompts and drafting assistance to help overcome writer’s block. Firstdraft Pro is designed to help writers keep their manuscript organised and move efficiently from idea to draft to revision.
Main Features:
- AI-assisted writing prompts to generate ideas and overcome writer’s block.
- Scene and chapter organisation, helping writers manage long-form projects.
- Cloud-based, allowing access from any device, similar to Scrivener but online.
- Collaborative tools for writers working with editors or co-authors.
Tailored For: Authors who need both organisational structure and creative writing support, with the added benefit of cloud accessibility.
Organization Tools
Why You Need Organization Tools
When it comes to writing, especially for long-form projects like novels, non-fiction books, or academic papers, staying organised can make the difference between a smooth creative process and a chaotic one. While creativity drives the initial spark, organisation keeps everything on track, ensuring your ideas evolve into a coherent, well-structured final product. Organisation tools serve as the backbone of the writing process, helping writers manage everything from plotting and outlining to research and timelines.
For many writers, having a clear outline is the first step toward developing their manuscript. Whether you’re a plotter who meticulously plans every chapter or a pantser who prefers a more spontaneous approach, some level of structure is usually necessary to keep things flowing. Organisation tools can help by allowing you to arrange and rearrange scenes, chapters, or even entire plotlines. This way, you can visualise the overall arc of your story and ensure it unfolds logically.
In addition to outlining, research is another area where organisation becomes essential. Whether it’s character backstories, historical events, or world-building details, keeping track of research can quickly become overwhelming. Organisation tools allow you to store your notes, references, and multimedia in one place, so you can easily access and integrate them into your writing without interrupting the flow of your work. They also ensure that important details aren’t lost in the shuffle of creative energy.
The need for organisation grows even more significant when working on larger projects. A novel or an academic dissertation often spans hundreds of pages, involves multiple characters or concepts, and may take months (or even years) to complete. Without a clear system in place to manage your progress, it’s easy to get lost, lose motivation, or forget key elements that hold the project together. Organisation tools help you stay focused by providing structure and allowing you to track your progress step by step.
Ultimately, staying organised keeps the creative process manageable. It allows you to break down a massive task into smaller, actionable steps and helps you see the big picture while maintaining control over the finer details. Whether you need to outline your entire book, keep track of research, or simply organise your thoughts, the right tool can make all the difference.
Tools to Organize Ideas
When tackling a large writing project, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the moving parts—characters, plot points, research, and structure. That’s where idea organisation tools come in. These specialised tools are designed to help writers manage their thoughts, plotlines, and research in an organised and accessible way. Whether you need a digital corkboard, a visual outline, or a flexible workspace for all your notes, these tools are crafted to help you keep everything in order and ensure that your ideas flow seamlessly from concept to completion.
Milanote
Milanote is a visual tool that allows writers to organise their ideas in a flexible, creative space. It functions like a digital corkboard, letting you pin notes, images, and even links to web resources. It’s especially useful for visual thinkers who prefer to map out ideas in a more graphic and freeform way. You can organise plot points, character profiles, and research materials, and move them around as your project evolves.
Main Features:
- A visual workspace for brainstorming ideas, plotting, and outlining.
- Allows you to organise text, images, links, and other resources on a digital corkboard.
- Collaboration options make it easy to share your ideas with others.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface, great for reordering ideas as your project progresses.
Tailored For: Visual thinkers and writers who like to map out their ideas with flexibility and creativity.
Evernote
Evernote is a popular note-taking app that is particularly useful for organising research and storing ideas. It allows you to save web clippings, PDFs, and images alongside your written notes, making it a comprehensive tool for keeping all your research in one place. Evernote’s tagging and notebook features enable writers to categorise and find their notes quickly, even in large projects.
Main Features:
- Robust note-taking functionality with options for adding text, images, web clippings, and files.
- Tagging and categorisation tools to organise large amounts of research and ideas.
- Cross-device syncing, so you can access your notes from anywhere.
- Integrated search feature, making it easy to find specific pieces of information.
Tailored For: Writers who need a flexible and comprehensive space for managing research, brainstorming, and notes.
Trello
Trello is a project management tool that can be adapted to suit the needs of writers. Using boards, lists, and cards, Trello helps you organise your writing tasks and plotlines in a visual, step-by-step format. Each card can represent a chapter, scene, or character, and you can move them around as your story evolves. Trello is highly customisable, allowing writers to create systems that suit their unique workflow.
Main Features:
- Visual boards, lists, and cards that help break down writing projects into manageable chunks.
- Customisable workflows to track progress, outline scenes, or manage deadlines.
- Collaboration features for teams or co-authors.
- Add checklists, attachments, and due dates to keep your writing on schedule.
Tailored For: Writers who prefer a task-based approach to organising their stories and need a flexible tool for managing progress.
Fictionary
Fictionary is a unique tool designed specifically for writers who want to focus on story structure and character development. It provides an interactive space where you can visually map out your story arc, plot points, and character arcs. Fictionary also offers insights and tips on improving your story’s structure, pacing, and narrative flow, making it an excellent tool for authors looking to refine their plot.
Main Features:
- Story mapping features for plotting scenes, chapters, and character arcs.
- Insights and suggestions for improving structure, pacing, and tension.
- Visual tools to see the overall story arc and how each scene contributes.
- Built-in editing tools that focus on plot coherence and narrative flow.
Tailored For: Writers who want to map out and refine their story structure, with a focus on plot development and pacing.
Plottr
Plottr is an outlining tool specifically designed for fiction writers. It allows you to visually organise your story’s plot, character arcs, and timelines. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, Plottr helps you see the big picture of your story at a glance, making it easy to reorder scenes and adjust your outline as needed. You can also use it to map out character journeys and timelines, ensuring consistency throughout your story.
Main Features:
- Visual timeline for organising scenes, chapters, and plot points.
- Drag-and-drop interface for easy rearranging of story elements.
- Tools for mapping character arcs and tracking story timelines.
- Customisable templates for different story structures (e.g., three-act, hero’s journey).
Tailored For: Fiction writers who want a clear, visual overview of their story’s structure and character arcs.
Notion
Notion is a flexible, all-in-one workspace that can be customised for a variety of writing tasks. From outlining and note-taking to research and task management, Notion allows writers to create their own templates and workflows. You can organise your writing projects into databases, lists, and boards, making it easy to track progress, store research, and structure your story all in one place.
Main Features:
- Customisable templates for outlining, research, and project management.
- Multi-functional interface combining note-taking, databases, and task tracking.
- Collaboration features for writers working with others or getting feedback.
- Cross-device syncing, allowing you to access your workspace from anywhere.
Tailored For: Writers who need a highly customisable and flexible tool to organise their ideas, notes, and writing progress.
Best Options for Pantsers vs. Plotters
Writers tend to fall into one of two categories: plotters or pantsers. Plotters carefully plan and outline their story before writing, creating a detailed roadmap to follow. Pantsers, on the other hand, prefer a more spontaneous approach, writing “by the seat of their pants” and discovering the story as they go. The good news is that no matter your style, there are tools to help you along your writing journey. Here’s a look at some of the best options for both plotters and pantsers, along with tips on choosing the right tool for your writing process.
Tools for Plotters
Plotters thrive on structure and organisation, using detailed outlines and plans to guide their writing. The following tools are tailored to help plotters stay organised, visualise their story, and keep their plot on track.
Scrivener
Scrivener is a plotter’s dream tool. It allows writers to break their manuscript into sections, organise chapters and scenes, and keep track of research, notes, and ideas all in one place. Its corkboard view is especially helpful for plotters, as it visually lays out the entire story. Scrivener also provides outliner and project management features, allowing plotters to map out their entire story before diving into the writing.
- Best for: Writers working on large projects who need to organise a lot of content, research, and ideas.
- Tip: Use Scrivener’s corkboard feature to map out your story scene by scene and easily rearrange the plot as needed.
Plottr
Plottr is designed specifically for writers who want to visualise their plot. With its timeline feature, you can easily organise your story’s structure, chapters, and character arcs. Plottr allows you to drag and drop elements to rearrange scenes and offers templates like the three-act structure or the hero’s journey, making it perfect for writers who need to plan their story in detail before writing.
- Best for: Writers who prefer a visual representation of their plot and character development.
- Tip: Use Plottr’s templates to start building your story structure, and then customise the timeline to fit your specific plot points.
Milanote
Milanote is a more flexible visual tool, ideal for plotters who like to map out their ideas in a less structured but still organised way. It’s perfect for creating storyboards, character profiles, and outlining plotlines with a mix of text, images, and notes. It functions like a digital corkboard, allowing you to organise everything visually and see the big picture of your story at a glance.
- Best for: Writers who want a flexible but visually driven tool to organise ideas and plotlines.
- Tip: Use Milanote to create character mood boards and visualise relationships between plot points and characters.
Tools for Pantsers
Pantsers prefer a more flexible approach, writing without a rigid plan and allowing the story to unfold as they go. The following tools provide flexibility and simplicity, allowing pantsers to jot down ideas, organise them as needed, and keep their process light and spontaneous.
Evernote
Evernote is perfect for pantsers who like to capture ideas on the fly. It’s a simple and flexible note-taking tool that allows you to store and organise snippets of writing, research, and thoughts. You can use it to keep track of ideas as they come, without needing to structure them into a strict outline. Evernote’s search and tagging features make it easy to find specific ideas when you need them, allowing you to stay organised without feeling constrained.
- Best for: Writers who want to capture ideas and notes without feeling tied down by rigid structure.
- Tip: Use Evernote’s tagging feature to categorise your notes loosely, allowing for easy retrieval while keeping your process spontaneous.
Trello
Trello offers a visual, flexible way to organise tasks and ideas, making it ideal for pantsers who want a tool that can evolve alongside their story. With Trello’s boards, lists, and cards, you can track scenes, characters, and plotlines in a more fluid, non-linear way. You can move cards around as the story takes shape, giving you the flexibility to change direction without losing track of previous ideas.
- Best for: Writers who need a flexible system to manage their ideas and scenes without strict planning.
- Tip: Use Trello’s cards to create a scene-by-scene overview that you can rearrange as the story changes direction.
Choosing the Right Tool Based on Your Writing Style
When selecting an organisation tool, it’s important to consider how you prefer to approach writing. If you thrive on structure and like to see the big picture before you start writing, a tool like Scrivener, Plottr, or Milanote will give you the detailed control you need. On the other hand, if you enjoy the freedom to explore your story without a set path, flexible tools like Evernote or Trello are likely a better fit.
Here are a few tips for making the right choice:
- For Plotters: Look for tools that allow you to visualise the entire story arc and easily organise and rearrange scenes and chapters. Features like timelines, outliners, and project management can help you stay organised and focused.
- For Pantsers: Choose tools that are simple and flexible, allowing you to jot down ideas as they come and move things around without feeling restricted. Tools with loose organisation features like tags and cards will help you maintain control without sacrificing your creative flow.
- For Both: Some writers may find themselves somewhere in between plotting and pantsing. In this case, a hybrid tool like Scrivener or Milanote, which offers both structured and freeform organisation, could provide the best of both worlds.
No matter your style, finding the right tool can enhance your writing process and help you bring your story to life in the most efficient and enjoyable way possible.
Note Taking and Research
Essential Tools for Note Taking
When it comes to writing, keeping track of your ideas, research, and notes is crucial. Whether you’re jotting down a sudden burst of inspiration or organizing extensive research for a novel or nonfiction book, having the right note-taking tools can make all the difference. Here are some essential tools that can help you stay organized and focused.
OneNote
OneNote is a versatile note-taking tool from Microsoft that allows writers to organize their thoughts, ideas, and research in one place. With its robust features, OneNote makes it easy to create, tag, and search notes, ensuring you can quickly find the information you need. OneNote’s integration with other Microsoft tools like Word and Excel makes it a seamless addition to your writing toolkit.
Main Features:
- Note Organization: Create notebooks, sections, and pages to keep your notes structured.
- Tagging and Searching: Easily tag notes and use the powerful search function to find specific information.
- Collaboration: Share notebooks and collaborate with co-authors or editors in real-time.
- Integration: Syncs with Microsoft Word and Excel, making it easy to transfer notes and data.
Pros:
- Comprehensive note organization and search capabilities.
- Real-time collaboration features.
- Integration with other Microsoft tools.
Cons:
- Requires a Microsoft account for full functionality.
- Can be overwhelming for users who prefer a simpler interface.
Simplenote
Simplenote is a minimalist note-taking tool designed for writers who prefer a clean and distraction-free interface. Its simplicity makes it easy to jot down ideas and organize notes without getting bogged down by unnecessary features. Simplenote’s tagging and search functionalities ensure you can quickly find your notes when needed.
Main Features:
- Minimalist Interface: A clean, distraction-free environment for note-taking.
- Tagging and Searching: Organize notes with tags and quickly find them using the search function.
- Distraction-Free Writing Mode: Focus solely on your writing without any distractions.
Pros:
- Simple and easy-to-use interface.
- Effective tagging and search features.
- Distraction-free writing mode.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to other note-taking tools.
- No rich text formatting options.
Research Tools for Writers
Conducting thorough research is a vital part of the writing process, especially for nonfiction books, academic papers, or detailed novels. The right research tools can help you organize and manage your sources, notes, and ideas efficiently. Here are some top research tools that can enhance your writing projects.
Zotero
Zotero is a powerful research tool that helps writers organize and manage their sources, notes, and ideas in one place. It offers a range of features, including citation management, note-taking, and tagging, making it easy to find and access information. Zotero’s ability to integrate with writing tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word makes it an excellent choice for writers who need to conduct extensive research.
Main Features:
- Citation Management: Automatically generate citations and bibliographies in various styles.
- Note-Taking and Tagging: Organize your research with notes and tags for easy retrieval.
- Collaboration: Share your research library with co-authors or collaborators.
- Integration: Works seamlessly with Google Docs and Microsoft Word for easy citation insertion.
Pros:
- Comprehensive citation and bibliography management.
- Effective organization of research materials.
- Integration with popular writing tools.
Cons:
- Requires some learning to use all features effectively.
- Can be resource-intensive on older computers.
Editing Tools
Grammar Checker Tools
Grammar checkers have become an essential part of the writing process, offering writers a second set of eyes to ensure that their work is clear, correct, and professional. These tools not only catch basic errors like spelling and punctuation but also help with more complex issues such as sentence structure, readability, and tone. For writers, using a grammar checker can mean the difference between a polished, easy-to-read manuscript and one riddled with grammar mistakes that distract from the story. While grammar checkers are not a substitute for human editing, they provide an invaluable first line of defence for improving the quality of your writing.
Grammarly
Grammarly is one of the most popular grammar checker tools, offering an easy-to-use interface that can be accessed via a web browser, desktop app, or even as an extension for writing platforms like Google Docs and MS Word. Grammarly checks for a wide range of issues, including spelling, punctuation, sentence structure, and even tone. One of its standout features is its ability to adjust suggestions based on the writing style you select (e.g., academic, creative, or casual). It also provides real-time feedback, helping writers to correct errors as they go.
How it helps:
- Sentence Structure: Grammarly identifies complex or unclear sentences and offers suggestions to make them more concise and readable.
- Clarity: It highlights overly complicated phrases and redundant words, helping writers simplify their language and improve readability.
- Correctness: From basic spelling and punctuation errors to more advanced grammatical issues like subject-verb agreement, Grammarly catches a broad range of mistakes.
Best for: Writers of all levels who want real-time feedback and comprehensive grammar support across different platforms.
Pro Writing Aid
ProWriting Aid is a robust grammar checker that goes beyond just correcting mistakes—it also serves as a style editor and readability checker. It provides detailed reports on everything from grammar and spelling to sentence length, overused words, and passive voice. ProWriting Aid integrates with popular writing platforms, including Google Docs and Scrivener, making it an excellent option for long-form writers. Its in-depth analysis helps writers understand not just where their writing falls short, but also how they can improve it.
How it helps:
- Sentence Structure: ProWriting Aid offers suggestions for improving sentence variety, flagging overly long or complex sentences that may confuse readers.
- Clarity: It highlights vague, repetitive, or wordy phrases and suggests more direct alternatives, helping to tighten up the prose.
- Correctness: The tool scans for grammar and punctuation errors, while also pointing out stylistic issues like passive voice and adverb overuse.
Best for: Writers looking for a detailed analysis of their writing, with in-depth feedback on both grammar and style.
Hemingway Editor
Hemingway Editor is a unique tool that focuses on readability and clarity rather than traditional grammar checking. Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s writing style, the tool encourages writers to use simple, concise language. It highlights complex sentences, adverbs, passive voice, and hard-to-read phrases, making it a great tool for writers who want to streamline their writing and make it more accessible. Unlike other grammar checkers, Hemingway doesn’t provide real-time feedback but instead works as a standalone app where writers can paste their text for analysis.
How it helps:
- Sentence Structure: Hemingway Editor flags long, complex sentences that might overwhelm readers, helping writers break them down into simpler, more digestible sections.
- Clarity: It emphasises the use of plain language, highlighting difficult phrases and suggesting simpler alternatives to improve readability.
- Correctness: While it doesn’t focus as much on traditional grammar issues, Hemingway highlights passive voice and excessive use of adverbs, encouraging writers to write more assertively.
Best for: Writers who want to focus on improving the readability and simplicity of their writing, making it more accessible to a broad audience.
Actual Writing Editing
While grammar checkers handle the technical side of writing, actual writing editing goes a step further, focusing on elements like style, tone, pacing, and consistency. Achieving a polished, professional manuscript isn’t just about avoiding grammatical mistakes—it’s also about maintaining a consistent voice, ensuring your narrative flows smoothly, and eliminating redundancies or clichés that detract from the story. The right editing tools provide actionable insights to help elevate your writing, offering suggestions on how to refine your prose, enhance character development, or streamline the pacing of your story. Here are some of the top tools designed to assist with comprehensive writing edits.
Fictionary
Fictionary doesn’t just help to organise your ideas. It is also a specialised editing tool that focuses on story structure, helping writers strengthen their narrative by offering feedback on plot, character arcs, and scene dynamics. The tool provides a comprehensive analysis of your manuscript, helping you identify areas where tension lags or where character development needs work.
How it helps:
- Style & Tone: Ensures consistency in tone across different scenes by providing insights into character motivations and interactions.
- Actionable Insights: Offers detailed feedback on the structure of your plot and character arcs, ensuring your story is cohesive and engaging.
- Consistency: Tracks elements like timelines, locations, and character traits to avoid inconsistencies throughout the manuscript.
Best for: Writers looking to strengthen their story’s structure and character development.
Marlowe Pro
Marlowe Pro is an advanced manuscript analysis tool designed to provide detailed feedback on the overall structure, pacing, and marketability of a story. It offers professional-level insights into aspects like narrative tension, character arcs, and readability. Marlowe Pro’s reports help identify slow-moving sections, areas where pacing falters, and characters that might need further development, making it an invaluable tool for authors preparing for submission or publication.
How it helps:
- Style & Tone: Offers analysis of tone and readability to ensure your writing resonates with the intended audience.
- Actionable Insights: Generates detailed reports on plot structure, character development, and pacing, giving you concrete areas to improve.
- Consistency: Analyses your manuscript for narrative consistency, ensuring characters stay true to themselves and the story flows smoothly.
Best for: Writers preparing for publication who need in-depth analysis of their manuscript’s structure and market readiness.
Reedsy Studio
Reedsy Studio connects writers with professional editors, offering a more hands-on approach to manuscript editing. While it isn’t an automated tool, Reedsy gives you access to a curated marketplace of top-tier editors who can provide detailed feedback on your writing style, tone, pacing, and more. This personalised approach ensures your manuscript gets the professional attention it needs, whether it’s for structural edits, line edits, or final proofreading.
How it helps:
- Style & Tone: Professional editors provide personalised feedback, ensuring that your writing maintains a consistent tone throughout.
- Actionable Insights: Tailored feedback on everything from narrative flow to character consistency, offering deep insights into improving your manuscript.
- Consistency: Editors check for continuity errors, character inconsistencies, and plot holes that might disrupt the reader’s experience.
Best for: Writers seeking personalised, professional feedback and editing services.
Cliché Finder
Cliché Finder is a simple yet powerful tool that helps you identify overused phrases and clichés in your writing. Clichés can weaken your prose, making it predictable or unoriginal, so it’s important to weed them out during the editing process. Cliché Finder scans your text for common, overused expressions, allowing you to replace them with fresher, more engaging alternatives.
How it helps:
- Style & Tone: Helps refine your writing style by eliminating clichés and encouraging originality.
- Actionable Insights: Identifies tired phrases and suggests that you revise them for stronger, more creative language.
- Consistency: Ensures that your writing stays fresh and engaging from start to finish, avoiding repetitive language.
Best for: Writers who want to avoid predictable, cliché-ridden prose and keep their language sharp.
AutoCrit
AutoCrit is a powerful editing tool specifically designed for fiction writers. It analyses your manuscript against industry standards, offering suggestions to improve pacing, dialogue, word choice, and readability. AutoCrit is known for its genre-specific feedback, which can be tailored to align with the conventions of your chosen genre, whether it’s romance, thriller, or fantasy. This level of customisation makes AutoCrit an excellent tool for fine-tuning your manuscript.
How it helps:
- Style & Tone: Provides insights into whether your tone aligns with the genre’s expectations.
- Actionable Insights: Offers detailed feedback on pacing, word choice, and dialogue to ensure your manuscript is polished and engaging.
- Consistency: Tracks elements like repeated words or phrases to ensure your writing remains varied and fresh throughout.
Best for: Fiction writers looking to align their manuscript with genre conventions and improve overall pacing and style.
SmartEdit
SmartEdit is a comprehensive manuscript editing tool that focuses on improving style, tone, and consistency. It provides a range of editing checks, including repeated phrases, adverb overuse, and inconsistent character names. SmartEdit doesn’t aim to replace a human editor but instead offers an extra layer of revision that helps identify potential issues before submitting your manuscript for professional editing.
How it helps:
- Style & Tone: Highlights overused words, adverbs, and passive voice, helping you maintain a sharp, active tone.
- Actionable Insights: Offers reports on areas like repeated phrases and sentence length, giving you specific elements to improve.
- Consistency: Tracks character names, locations, and timelines to avoid inconsistencies across your manuscript.
Best for: Writers looking for a detailed, automated analysis of their manuscript to improve style and consistency before professional editing.
Productivity Tools
Who Needs Them?
Productivity tools are essential for writers who need help balancing their creative projects with everyday responsibilities, especially those juggling full-time jobs or other commitments alongside their writing. These tools are designed to keep you on track, manage your time effectively, and reduce distractions—all while helping you stay motivated to achieve your writing goals. Whether you’re struggling to find time to write or need help organising your thoughts and tasks, productivity tools can be a game-changer.
For many writers, especially those working on a book while holding a full-time job, finding the time and mental energy to write can feel like an uphill battle. Between work meetings, family obligations, and daily life, it’s easy for writing to fall to the bottom of the priority list. This is where productivity tools come in: they help writers carve out dedicated writing time, minimise distractions, and keep their projects moving forward.
Productivity tools help you stay focused by breaking your work into manageable chunks. This keeps your energy levels high and prevents burnout, even when you’re working on a creative project after a long day at the office.
Additionally, some tools can block distracting apps or websites during designated writing hours, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in your writing without the temptation of scrolling through social media or checking your inbox. These tools are particularly useful for writers who find it difficult to focus amid the constant barrage of digital distractions.
For writers balancing multiple projects or deadlines, productivity tools can help with organisation, allowing you to track progress, set deadlines, and break larger tasks into smaller, actionable steps. This is especially helpful for those working on long-form projects like novels, where it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture. By keeping track of each chapter, scene, or editing milestone, productivity tools help ensure that your book stays on track—even when your schedule is packed.
Some of The Favorite Writing Tools for a Productive Writing Routine
Sudowrite
Sudowrite is an AI-powered writing tool designed to help writers overcome writer’s block, generate fresh ideas, and stay productive during the content creation process. By offering AI suggestions, Sudowrite can assist with brainstorming, plot generation, and even rewriting sections of text to improve flow and creativity. While not a traditional productivity tool in the time management sense, Sudowrite boosts productivity by enhancing creative output, helping writers develop their ideas faster.
Main Features:
- AI-generated ideas, dialogue, and plot suggestions.
- Built-in tools for brainstorming and overcoming writer’s block.
- Rewrites and expands sections to help maintain momentum.
- Designed to integrate with your writing style, offering suggestions that align with your voice.
Pros:
- Speeds up the creative process by offering fresh perspectives.
- Helps combat writer’s block, keeping productivity high.
- AI suggestions can improve the flow and coherence of your writing.
Freedom
Freedom is a distraction-blocking app that allows writers to focus on their work by blocking access to distracting websites, apps, or even the entire internet for a set period. It’s a versatile tool that can be used across multiple devices, meaning you can block distractions on your phone, tablet, or computer simultaneously. For writers who struggle to stay focused due to digital distractions, Freedom creates a space where you can write uninterrupted.
Main Features:
- Blocks access to specific websites, apps, or the entire internet.
- Customisable session lengths to match your writing schedule, ideal if you’ve got daily word count goals.
- Works across multiple devices, including computers and smartphones.
- Scheduling feature allows you to block distractions during regular writing times.
Pros:
- Helps eliminate digital distractions, enabling deep focus.
- Can block across devices, ensuring no interruptions during focused writing sessions.
- Highly customisable to suit your writing habits.
Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey is another powerful app blocking distracting websites that allows you to temporarily lock yourself out of distracting websites or apps, but with a twist: once it’s on, there’s no turning back until the time is up. Cold Turkey is ideal for writers who need a more rigid system to control their focus. Whether you’re working on a novel or a short story, this tool helps ensure you stay productive and don’t fall into time-wasting activities.
Main Features:
- Completely blocks access to websites, apps, or even your entire device.
- Offers “frozen turkey” mode where blocks cannot be undone until time expires.
- Scheduling feature for creating recurring distraction-free writing times.
- Provides analytics on how much time you’ve saved by blocking distractions.
Pros:
- Prevents procrastination with a strict blocking system.
- Rigid, no-turning-back approach ensures dedicated writing time.
- Customisable blocklists and schedules help tailor the tool to your needs.
Noisli
Noisli is a background noise generator that helps writers create a focused, productive environment. It offers a variety of ambient sounds, such as rain, forest sounds, and white noise, which you can mix and match to create your ideal writing atmosphere. Many writers find that background noise boosts their concentration, making Noisli a great tool for enhancing focus during long writing sessions.
Main Features:
- Customisable ambient noise options, including white noise, nature sounds, and more.
- Ability to create and save your own sound combinations.
- Timer feature for timed writing sessions, integrated with your background noise settings.
- Minimalist, distraction-free interface to keep the focus on writing.
Pros:
- Helps improve focus by creating an immersive, distraction-free audio environment.
- Customisable sounds to match your preferred working atmosphere.
- Timer function can be paired with writing goals for added productivity.
OmmWriter
OmmWriter is a minimalist, distraction-free writing app that combines calming visuals and sounds to help writers focus on the task at hand. The app offers a clean, serene writing space with soft background music and subtle typing sounds, creating a meditative environment that encourages productivity. OmmWriter is perfect for writers who thrive in peaceful, distraction-free environments.
Main Features:
- Distraction-free writing interface with calming background music.
- Customisable themes and sounds to suit your personal writing atmosphere.
- Minimalist design to reduce clutter and help focus on the writing.
- Offers subtle sound effects for typing to create an immersive writing experience.
Pros:
- Creates a peaceful, focused environment conducive to deep writing.
- Minimalist interface helps eliminate distractions and clutter.
- Offers customisable audio and visual elements to enhance concentration.
AI Writing Software Controversy
With the rise of AI-powered writing tools, the writing community has found itself divided. These tools, designed to assist with everything from generating ideas to drafting entire paragraphs, have sparked a heated debate about their place in creative writing. Some see AI tools as invaluable aids that can help overcome writer’s block, while others worry about the ethical implications and the potential impact on originality.
AI as a Creative Aid
For many writers, AI tools offer a welcome boost to creativity and productivity. Tools like Sudowrite and Firstdraft Pro can generate ideas, suggest plot twists, or rewrite sentences to improve flow. Writers who struggle with writer’s block or tight deadlines often find that these tools help them move past creative hurdles. Rather than replacing creativity, proponents argue that AI serves as a helpful co-writer, offering fresh perspectives and ideas that spark further inspiration.
Additionally, AI tools can improve the efficiency of the writing process. With AI’s ability to draft sections of text quickly, writers can focus on refining and perfecting their work instead of getting stuck in the initial stages. For those who see writing as a craft that’s as much about revision as it is about creation, AI is seen as a time-saving tool.
Concerns About Ethics and Originality
On the other side of the debate, many writers express concerns over the use of AI in creative writing. One major worry is the impact on originality. Can a story or manuscript still be considered the author’s own if significant portions were generated by an algorithm? Critics argue that relying on AI too heavily may dilute a writer’s voice, leading to formulaic or impersonal prose.
There are also ethical considerations to weigh. AI writing tools are trained on vast amounts of existing content, raising questions about ownership and plagiarism. Who owns the work that an AI generates, and is it ethical to use material produced by a machine that may have learned from other writers’ content without their consent? For many, the creative process is deeply personal, and the idea of handing part of that process over to an algorithm feels uncomfortable.
Finding Balance
The debate around AI writing tools is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. As the technology continues to evolve, writers will need to decide for themselves how—and if—they want to incorporate AI into their creative process. For some, AI will remain a helpful tool for generating ideas and overcoming roadblocks, while others may choose to avoid it altogether in favour of maintaining complete creative control.
In conclusion, the best writing software and tools can significantly boost your productivity and refine your writing style, making the process smoother and more enjoyable. In fact, we wrote our entire book using MS Word and Trello—two simple yet powerful tools that helped us stay organised and focused.
Whether you’re writing a novel, non-fiction book, or anything in between, there’s a writing tool out there to help you achieve your goals. From AI-powered assistants to distraction blockers, the right tools can make all the difference in bringing your creative vision to life. The bottom line: The best writing software solution is the one that works for you.