Writing can be the lowest tech endeavor you ever pursue, but who wants that? Let’s look at some software, strategies, and products that can improve your writing process and overall experience. Work smarter, not harder!
Best Software For Writers
Here are my top software recommendations for writers, whether you struggle to hit word count goals, stay focused, plan your novel, or actually sell books.
1. Hit Word Count With Cold Turkey Writer
Cold Turkey Writer is great for writers who have trouble focusing, writers who like to work in sprints, and writers who are easily distracted by the internet.
Cold Turkey Writer is a drafting program that locks you out of your entire computer until you have completed either a word-count or time-based writing goal. You cannot get out of it once you lock in until you have reached the goal. It’s a great, minimalist way to structure writing sprints.
Cold Turkey isn’t really for full drafting, like I wouldn’t write my whole book in there, but I’ll do writing sprints to get my words down, then copy it into my regular writing program to look it over and edit it. Cold Turkey is for getting that first immediate draft out, because that’s often the hardest part of writing!
Cold Turkey Writer – $9
Lightweight, distraction-free drafting tool. You cannot close or end the writing sprint until you have achieved the goal, time-based or word count.
2. Write with NovelPad
NovelPad is fantastic for most, if not all, steps of the writing process. It’s got a straightforward, distraction-free drafting page. It has a robust note-taking feature that lets you link any note to any other element of your manuscript. The notes are a great place for brainstorming, worldbuilding, character development, editing and revision notes.
I love how organized the whole thing is. You get this great overview shot of your whole book with scene and chapter cards you can click and shuffle around.
It comes with a ProWritingAid integration, so you can start your editing process right in the drafting software.
My favorite feature is the side-by-side scene revisions.
You can save infinite revisions of any scene and see them side by side. You click to swap which version is in your live manuscript, so you can change your mind at any point, and all of those revisions will stay safe and attached to that scene.
NovelPad also has writing workshops included with the subscription, where they match you up with other writers in your genre for regular meetings and feedback.
There’s a commitment-free, no credit card required two-week trial, and you can download everything you’ve written if you decide not to stick with NovelPad afterward. No reason not to try it out!