My 5 Favorite Writing Tools
From Draft to Publish: Top Tools to Elevate Your Writing Process
As an author, finding the right tools to enhance your writing process can be a game-changer. Over the years, I've experimented with various software and applications, and today, I want to share my top picks. These tools have proven invaluable in improving my writing, editing, and overall productivity. Plus, I'm not getting paid to write this, so you know it's authentic!
1. Prowriting Aid: The Ultimate Editing Tool
Prowriting Aid is my go-to tool for in-depth editing. Unlike Grammarly, Prowriting Aid integrates seamlessly with Word and offers a plethora of hints and suggestions. It's much more than a grammar checker; it helps you rephrase sentences, has a built-in thesaurus, and monitors overused words, clichés, and readability. It even includes a plagiarism checker. Though it's a paid tool, it's worth every penny for the comprehensive feedback it provides.
2. Scrivener: Organize and Draft Like a Pro
Scrivener is a powerhouse for organizing and drafting your manuscript. It allows you to break your work into manageable sections, drag and drop to rearrange scenes, and keep all your research in one place. Its corkboard and outliner views are particularly helpful for visualizing the structure of your story. While there's a bit of a learning curve, the effort pays off as you get familiar with its robust feature set. Scrivener offers a trial period, after which you pay once (only $59.99)—no subscription required.
Turns out, I'm not the only one clued in on this ace writing tool. Famous writers like Taffy Brodesser-Akner, who used it while working on Fleishman Is in Trouble, and Conrad Williams, along with many others, swear by it. Scrivener's flexibility makes it an essential tool for any serious writer.
At first, Scrivener looked daunting, but I took a course on Udemy for $15 and after an hour, I got the hang of it. I wrote my first two books with Word and Google Docs. Scrivener gives me so much more.
3. Balabolka: Free Read-Aloud and Audio Export Tool
Balabolka is a fantastic free tool that reads your text aloud and exports the audio to a digital file. I’ve found this to be incredibly useful for catching errors and awkward phrasing that you might miss when reading silently. Listening to your story can provide a fresh perspective and inspire meaningful changes to improve your book. Reading aloud not only catches errors your eyes miss, but it is also a great way to answer the question, does my dialogue sound natural?
4. Marlowe: AI Software for Character and Pacing Analysis
Marlowe is an exceptional free AI software that checks the pacing and personalization of characters in your book. You’ll love how it analyzes passive voice and verb choice with insightful feedback to take your writing to the next level.
Marlowe provides a pretty darn good analysis that can help you fine-tune your manuscript. You’ll get a detailed look at your story’s structure and character development, ensuring your book is engaging and well-crafted. Give it a try; I think you’ll like this bestseller companion.
5. Microsoft Word: Built-in Read-Aloud Feature
Many people don't realize that Microsoft Word has a built-in read-aloud feature. To access this feature, go to the "Review" tab and click on "Read Aloud." For added fun, you can even select different voices, some of which are quite lovely, to listen to your story. The read-aloud function is a great tool for helping you catch mistakes and refine your prose. An added perspective of voice to your work can lead to more engaging and powerful content.
These tools have made a significant difference in my writing process, and I hope they do the same for you. Whether you're drafting your first novel or polishing your latest masterpiece, these resources can help you elevate your writing to the next level. Happy writing!
Happy writing,
Charlie and the Munn Avenue Press Team
P.S. Whenever you're ready to bring your manuscript to market or promote your existing books, we're here to help. Simply reach out to us here.
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Charlie and the Munn Avenue Press Team
P.S. Whenever you're ready to bring your manuscript to market or promote your existing books, we're here to help. Simply reach out to us here.