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Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Feb 07, 2023

The 23 Best Writing Tools of 2024: A Guide for Writers

About the author.

Reedsy's editorial team is a diverse group of industry experts devoted to helping authors write and publish beautiful books.

About Martin Cavannagh

Head of Content at Reedsy, Martin has spent over eight years helping writers turn their ambitions into reality. As a voice in the indie publishing space, he has written for a number of outlets and spoken at conferences, including the 2024 Writers Summit at the London Book Fair.

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 “Reedsy” is inspired by the “reed pen,” 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, today’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. If you want to cut straight to the chase and find out which is the right writing app for you, we recommend taking this quick 30-second quiz.

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Otherwise, let's dive in!

Writing tools

We all know Google Docs and Microsoft Word, so we’re not going to waste your time giving those two a run-down in our list. Below are four other word processors you might not know about, and that are worth checking out.

1. Reedsy Studio

Cost: Free Does “fake it ‘til you make it” ring true to you? Well,  Reedsy Studio  is a free, online word processor that formats your book as you write. See your drafts automatically turn into a professional-looking, ready-to-publish manuscript — and allow this glimpse of your work as the final product spur your motivation to write.

It comes with an automatic spell-checker — and a built-in goal reminder system to get you back into shape if you find that you're falling behind on your writing schedule! Another one of Reedsy Studio'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.

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Cost: Free Do you like a helpful tap on the shoulder, reminding you about something you need to do? Well, you’ll likely enjoy Draft then, because this kind of writing software 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 “hands-on” 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. 

3. LibreOffice

Cost: Free Yes, we did say that we wouldn’t mention Microsoft Word, because by now everyone knows that it’s a useful writing tool. But we didn’t say we wouldn’t mention its 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 it’s compatible with all of the regular file types people are used to, such as  .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, and .pptx files.

Check it out if: you like a classic word processor — and moreover, a free one.

Cost: $50 (or try a 30-day free trial) The people behind Mellel don’t just know word processing — they also know catchy, memorable marketing. Their description of why writers should choose Mellel starts like this: “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 journey 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.”

Mellel is not free (and note that it’s only for Mac). In return for the price tag, you’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 Mellel’s website, Mellel makes the process of writing much more fun than they let on.

Check it out if: you’re a Mac user who wants more than the Pages app offers.

Organization tools

Plotters tend to finish their writing projects quicker than pantsers — simply because when they hit a wall, they have their notes or outlines to reference, allowing them to jump straight over that hurdle and hit the ground running. P.S. You can grab a free template for your book outline here in this comprehensive guide to outlining.

The following resources will help you keep your thoughts organized so that any bouts of writer’s block don’t slow you down.

5. Milanote

Cost: Free for basic plan or $12.50/month for premium. Milanote is an easy-to-use creative writing app to organize your research, ideas, characters and outline in one place.

The vast majority of novelist-oriented writing software is organized around the idea of a linear document. But for most people, writing isn’t linear — because thinking isn’t linear. Writing is about gradually getting a jumble of ideas into shape, and Milanote's writing app matches the way writers think.

Check it out if: you're a plotter who likes a flexible workspace to organize ideas and see a birds-eye view of how your story outline is coming together.

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6. Evernote

Cost: free for basic plan or $9.99/month for premium. Its cute, little green elephant logo aside, Evernote is a great and easy-to-use option for writers who could do with a little more organization in their lives.

The app lets you quickly jot down thoughts, record audio notes, save online articles you’re hoping to reference, and it will sync all of this information across all of your Evernote-installed devices. What’s also handy about the app is the collaborative aspect of it: you can create shared accounts, so that multiple people can access saved documents at once.

Check it out if: you’re prone to getting great ideas while on the go, and need somewhere to make sure you don’t forget them by the time you’re home.

Cost: $5/month or $40/year (or try a 14-day free trial) While it’s ultimately a writing tool, one of the best assets of comprehensive programs like Ulysses or Scrivener are their organizational features. At the end of the day, whether you’re writing a blog post or a full-length novel, the seed of an idea doesn’t get too far without the ability to organize that idea into a cohesive piece of writing.

And that’s exactly what Ulysses allows you to do: organize your thoughts into a well-written work. This is accomplished through features like customizable writing goals and deadlines , plain text enhancements, a distraction-free typewriter mode, bookmarks, outlining functions, and more.

Check it out if: you’re working on a lengthy piece of non-fiction, like a blog post or essay. (For a comparison of Scrivener vs. Ulysses, keep reading!)

8. Scrivener

Cost: $45 (or a 30-use free trial) Literature and Latte ’s word processor is a popular writing tool — also, in large part, thanks to its organizational capabilities that seamlessly allow writers to turn fragmented ideas into a fully realized book/script/research paper/or whatever else you’re writing.

Scrivener vs Ulysses Apart from the price (Scrivener charges a one-time licensing fee while Ulysses charges yearly), the two platforms offer many of the same features. So we’ll focus on what makes the two programs different.

• Scrivener’s corkboard function is an absolute favorite for writers who rely on visual aid to help with outlining. The function looks like an actual corkboard, and lets writers pin notes to the board in chronological order.
• Scrivener offers templates for works such as fiction, essays, recipe collections, screenplays, comic books — which gives Scrivener another point for versatility.
• Ulysses boasts an interface that is slightly more clean and simple — so if ease-of-use is high on your priority list, it might be the better option for you.
• Ulysses offers a very helpful WordPress and Medium integration, which bloggers who publish on either of these platforms will love.

Check it out if: you’re working on a longer piece of content (like a book or screenplay) and want one comprehensive place to manage all your work. (And don’t forget to check out our equally as comprehensive review of Scrivener’s newest update : Scrivener 3!)

9. Hubspot's AI Content Writer

Cost: Free, with premium upgrade available

HubSpot’s Free AI Content Writer is designed to help bloggers streamline their content creation process. This tool can generate drafts of blog posts, website copy, emails, and more with ease and without additional resources, by relying on prompts or topics provided by users. For those suffering from writer's block, the AI content writer can also create outlines to help spur writing along. 

For those already using HubSpot's marketing and sales tools, the AI content writer's integration will be extra handy. 

Check it out if: you're a blogger short on time or inspiration.

Productivity tools

Alright, let’s kick things into high gear now. You know what you want to use to write, and your thoughts and ideas are concisely organized. If you’re finding it difficult to buckle down and get the job done (or struggle to write quickly or consistently ), these resources will help you realize that Nike manta: just do it.

10. Ommwriter

Cost: free web version or $7 for the full program Do you find the clacking sound of old typewriters satisfying? Do you find soft, neutral colours calming? Does nothing really get you focused quite like a purposeful, long, deep breath? If so, Ommwriter might be the tool to help you reach your goal. As the site’s tagline reads, Ommwriter is “a perfect place to think and write.”

With soothing background noises, customizable keyboard noises, and peaceful backgrounds to choose from, Ommwriter could just be the “break” from everything else going on around you that you need to write.

Check it out if: your very best writing ideas come to you while in “savasana.”

11. To Doist

Cost: free or $4/month for premium plan Have you ever woken up in a cold sweat, panicking about something important you forgot to do? Or, god forbid, gripped in dread about how far behind you are on your word-count goals?

Well, To Doist might be able to help. It’s the ultimate app for creating to-do lists — but these aren’t your grandma’s pen-and-paper lists with little check marks beside them (though we mean no offense to your grandma). It lets you get a daily or weekly overview of your tasks, prioritize the tasks that are most important, and even lets you assign tasks to other people if you’re working on a specific goal with other collaborators.

Check it out if: you have never been able to find an agenda that’s souped up enough to keep you on track.

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12. Marinara Timer

Cost: Free The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method meant to promote productivity. In a nutshell, it stipulates that you should work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute  break, then work for 25 minutes, take another 5-minute break, etc., etc.

The free-to-use Marinara Timer makes this easy for you by alerting you each time your work sessions and breaks are up. It also offers customizable timers in case the 25/5 isn’t quite right for keeping you on track. Fun fact: taking a break to stand up or walk (or do anything but sit!) every hour is also a good way to protect your back if you sit hunched at a computer working for long stretches at a time.

Check it out if: consistent breaks from work help actually keep you focused on the task at hand.

13. Cold Turkey

Cost: Free for basic plan or $20 for premium plan “Meet your match, Zuckerberg,” says Cold Turkey ’s tagline. In case that, paired with the writing tool’s name, doesn’t make it clear enough, Cold Turkey is a program that allows you to completely rid yourself of distraction. And when we say “completely,” we mean completely.

With Cold Turkey, you can block yourself from accessing certain websites — or even your entire computer — for periods at a time, only allowing you to use the current document you’re working on.

Check it out if: “willpower” is not a characteristic you’d ascribe yourself, and the only way for you to get something done is in a totally distraction-free state.

14. Freedom

Cost: $7/month or $29/year (or a 7-use free trial) Apart from pleasantly getting the “freedom” refrain from Aretha Franklin’s “Think” stuck in your head, the Freedom app is another resource that can turn your devices into tools of productivity once more.

It functions like Cold Turkey; however, a unique function of Freedom is the ability to sync your distraction-free periods across all your devices. So if you know that on Tuesdays, you want your computer, phone, and tablet to all block access to Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook — you can!

Check it out if: letting other people know not to bother you during your non-negotiable writing time isn’t enough, you need to let yourself know not to interrupt, well, yourself.

Cost: Free If total silence encourages your mind to wander, whereas light sensory action keeps your thoughts on the task at hand, Noisli will be a friend to you. The tool lets you choose from a range of soundtracks, such as rain, coffee shop, wind, lake, and more. You can mix several sounds at once, and choose the volume for each one. So let’s say you want to create the atmosphere of writing by a babbling brook, with a fire crackling next to you, and the moon shining brightly overhead. Noisli will make this happen for you!

Check it out if: you get the most work done with white noise.

Editing tools

If you’re planning to publish a book — or any kind of writing you’re hoping to make a profit from, it’s crucial that your work is thoroughly edited. To that end, working with a professional editor is an investment you should give serious thought to.

In the meantime, here are a few editing tools that can help you out along the way. Hopefully, they’ll either ensure a typo-free draft, so by the time you do work with an editor, they can spend less time fixing small typos and more time on big-picture work, or, if you decide to forego a professional edit, you’ll have the tools to do the best editing job you can.

16. Hemingway

Cost: Free The Hemingway app claims to make your writing “bold and clear.” It has a number of handy features like a word-counter and an automatic readability score. But its real use lies in the features that make suggestions to your prose. For instance, it might highlight a complex sentence that’s hard to read. It also highlights instances of passive voice , qualifiers, and adverbs. Let’s take a look at how this passage from Ernest Hemingway’s very own To Have and Have Not fares:

“Just” is highlighted because it’s a qualifier, and Hemingway suggests, instead: “Be bold. Don’t hedge.” The sentence in red is highlighted as being hard to read. And “probably” is pointed out as an adverb — the app suggests using a forceful verb instead.

Check it out if: you want to bring out your inner Ernie. (Curious what else Hemingway offers? Check out our full review of the app right here .)

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17. Fictionary

Cost: $19/month or $169 per year 

The Fictionary Story Editing software creates intelligent visuals that help you improve your story's structure, characters, plot, and settings. Using Natural Language Processing, Fictionary identifies your key story arc scenes and gives you actionable insights to improve the structure of your book.  Annual subscribers get access to year-round live classes on writing and editing. Think of it like Peloton for writers. Check it out if:  You want to get your story structure in the best possible shape before submitting to agents and/or editors.

18. Marlowe Pro

Cost: $29.95/mth or $199/year; $45 for single reports

This manuscript assessment tool will provide in-depth feedback on your novel within minutes. Using artificial intelligence, Marlowe can analyze your plot, pacing, story beats, and readability — then provide actionable insights ( as well as comp titles ) based on its database of bestsellers across a number of genres.

To try out this AI editor, claim a free report by entering REEDSYFREE at checkout. And for a 15% discount on a Marlowe Pro subscription , enter REEDSY15OFF when prompted at checkout.

Check it out: to take a scientific and methodical approach to your developmental edits.

19. Cliché Finder

Cost: Free Cliché Finder is exactly what it says on the tin: it combs through your writing in search of clichés, and then highlights them for you. It’s not always necessarily bad to use clichés in your writing, but when you do, you want to be purposeful about it (and not to mention aware of it!).

Check it out if: you want to avoid clichés like the plague, and for your book to sell like hotcakes — and the rest is history.

20. Grammarly

Cost: Free Have you ever sent an email, only to realize that you'd made a glaring typo just as you hit “Send”? Well, no more!

Grammarly essentially functions like the spell checker tool from Microsoft Word or Google Docs, but here’s the great part: it’s a plug-in that will work wherever you happen to writing. That means Twitter, Gmail, Google Docs, Facebook — anywhere. Plus it offers vocabulary or alternate word suggestions — for instance, it might suggest you replace “walking aimlessly,” with the word “wandering.” For a more in-dept analysis, check our full Grammarly review . 

Check it out if: you’re typo-prone! (Read below for a comparison of Grammarly vs. ProWritingAid.)

21. ProWritingAid

Cost: Free browser extension or $79/year for the full software ProWritingAid is a tool you can install that will proofread and spell check your material for you , no matter where you’re writing. It will also offer suggestions to improve your overall language — outside of just grammatical technicalities. (You can even get 10% off via this special offer !) 

ProWritingAid vs Grammarly The two programs offer a lot of the same services, so you might be wondering which one to pick. We have a review of ProWritingAid  that dives deep into this comparison, but the main differences are:

• Grammarly is free to use, and while ProWritingAid offers a free Google Chrome plug-in, this free option only offers spell checking services, it won’t make editorial suggestions.
• ProWritingAid is slightly more tailored towards authors, while Grammarly is a slightly better fit for articles and essays. Ultimately, both tools lend a very helpful editing hand, so deciding between the two mostly boils down to the one you enjoy using more.

Check it out if: you want to make sure your writing is as polished as possible.

Workspace tools

At the end of the day, all you really need to write is a pen and paper. All the fancy tools and apps in the world won’t get the words out for you. That being said, creating an environment that’s appealing — and conducive! — to write in can make the whole process more enjoyable, and encourage you to get the job done.

Here are few physical tools to look over if you’re thinking of sprucing up your workspace.

22. Livescribe Pen

Cost: starts at $100 If you prefer writing on paper, but dread the process of transferring your words to a computer, Livescribe will likely be right up your alley. Through Bluetooth technology, the pen can actually transcribe your pen and paper words to your device. What’s more, it can also transcribe voice notes into digital documents for you.

Check it out if: you’ve ever felt envy at Rita Skeeter’s Quick-Quotes Quill in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire .

23. Ergonomic desk setups

Cost: Varies As 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. That’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 don’t want writing gains to come at the cost of growing back pains.

24. Computer Glasses

Cost: Varies Writers are all familiar with computer-caused eyestrains. Because you blink far less when looking at a screen than you do otherwise, computer vision syndrome (CVS) 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 several 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.

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!

Mystic says:

24/10/2019 – 03:38

I tried Cliche Finder several times and it found a couple of items in my text, but it didn't highlight where it was at. The rest of the tools here, that I can use since I'm on a strict income, are amazing!

Comments are currently closed.

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The Creative Writer’s Toolkit: 7 Tools You Can’t Write Without

by Matt Herron and Joe Bunting | 41 comments

So you want to write fiction or memoir. Where do you begin? And what creative writing tools do you need to accomplish your writing goals?

I’m afraid there’s no right answer to get started as a writer. Each writer comes to fiction in their own way. Whatever it is that draws you to a good story—a gut wrenching plot twist, a heroic protagonist, a likeable villain, a happy ending—is great because it helps keep your passion for storytelling alive.

But when it comes to the actual writing, the composition and craft, all the supposed experts in the field disagree on the right approach.

What a beginner needs is a good schooling in the basics, the foundations of creative writing.

In this series, I’ll go over the common tools experienced writers use to write great books so that you can get moving in the right direction.

7 Creative Writing Tools Every Writer Needs

But before we get to the basic tools you need, we have to know what tools are at a writer’s disposal. For a beginner, this is as good a place to start as any.

1. Books!

If you want to write books, you’ve got to read books . A whole freaking lot of it.

Start by reading any and every short story and novel you can get your hands on. Don’t worry about taking notes or thinking too much into the stories. Just read. Chances are, you’ve already done a lot of it. All writers come to writing through reading first.

Spend as much time as you can spare browsing new book stores, used book stores, and ebook stores. Free ebooks are a great resource that cost very little and they’re all over the place. There are a lot of great free titles out there, especially some of the classics that are in the public domain. Check out Project Gutenberg  if your budget is tight.

Not sure what to read? Here's a list of ten books every writer should read based on genre .

2. Notebooks (or a Notetaking App)

Carry notebooks with you as often as you can. I like the solid dependability of a large Moleskine Classic , but buy whatever kind of notebook pleases you the most. This is your happy place.

And if you're not a notebook person, consider downloading a notetaking app to your phone or mobile device. You can use Evernote or Notion, but personally I just use the native Notes app on my iPhone. Wouldn't it be better to be writing, even if you're just doing it on your phone, rather than playing a phone game or scrolling through social media?

Immediately make a habit out of journaling. Write every day, even if it’s just about the weather or what you had for breakfast.

This is a judgment free zone, so don’t worry if what you write sucks or doesn’t make sense. Just fill the pages, and when you get to the end of that notebook buy another one, and then another, and then another.

When it becomes harder not to write than it is to write, you’ve accomplished your goal. You’ve made writing into a habit.

3. Software

Journaling is all well and good, but it’s not very productive.

Once you start writing stories you’ll want to use a word processor. We’re beyond typewriters, so I don’t mean those. I mean word processing software .

With the rise in ebooks, doing things digitally first makes a lot of sense and saves you extra work anyways. Don’t commit yourself to the pain of writing longhand in the 21st century. Though writing longhand has its own therapeutic benefits, typing on a keyboard is much faster.

We have lots of book writing software we love at The Write Practice, but here are my top three:

• Best Word Processor for Writers: Scrivener.  Scrivener changed my life as a writer. It’s easy to use, easy to keep organized, infinitely flexible, and for those long-term thinkers, you can compile straight to any format, including ebook formats that are ready to publish on Kindle and various other ebook platforms. It has character and setting sketch templates (we’ll go into more detail about character and setting sketches in the next two articles), it autosaves your work, and it rarely ever crashes (unlike the options above). I could go on for days about Scrivener. Instead, I recommend you check out The Write Practice's review of it here .
• Best Editing Tool: Google Docs . Google Docs allows you to quickly share your writing with editors and other writers. I do almost all of my writing and initial rewriters in Scrivener. But when it comes time to share my drafts for feedback, I move over to Google Docs because the real-time editing and suggesting features makes the process so much easier. Check out Google Docs here.
• Favorite Publishing and Book Formatting Tool: Vellum , but it's Mac only (close second: Atticus ). Vellum allows you to take what you've written and create beautiful books quickly and easily. I personally have used it to design several of my books and client books, and I know so many other writers who use it to publish their books too. Check out Vellum here. There's just one problem: it's Mac only! So for the PC users, and if you want to experiment with the new kid in town, there's Atticus, which is a cloud based book formatting tool that has some upcoming features that might just make it better even than Vellum. Check out Atticus here.
• BONUS Best Book Promotion Tool: Bookfunnel. Once your book is published, Bookfunnel allows you to create instant landing pages to deliver your book to readers. They also have a native reading app that allows people to read your book once they have it, saving them from painfully migrating it to their Kindle or other reading app. Bookfunnel is useful for delivering your book to beta readers or your launch team, offering a free book or short story for email subscribers, doing book promotions with other authors, or even selling your book. I've gotten thousands of new readers through Bookfunnel and it's a great tool! Learn more about Bookfunnel here. 

My advice here is the same as with Notebooks, above: use whatever makes you happy. You’ll be spending a lot of time here.

4. An Author Website and Email List

If you're ever going to  publish  your writing one day, you need to have an author website, a place where readers can find your work and sign up for your email list so they can be the first to hear when you publish new books.

Now, I know the idea of setting up a website can feel scary, but we've made it easy for you with this guide,  10 Steps to Building an Author Website . It will walk you through everything you need to do to build a great author website.

Don't forget your email list. It's honestly  more  important than the website alone, because it's the  best  way to stay in touch with your readers and share your work with them. Our favorite email newsletter tool is Convertkit. You can check out Convertkit here.

5. Grammar and Style Guides

Every writer needs a firm schooling in grammar do’s and don’ts as early as possible.

English grammar can take a lifetime to master, which is why there are these handy style guides you can keep around and reference while you’re doing your work.

These guides, plus a dictionary and a thesaurus (I like dictionary.com for those), are a must have for every writer’s toolbox.

I've written in detail about these three essential style guides for writers . But for easy linking, here they are again:

• The Elements of Style by Strunk and White
• The Star Copy Style by The Kansas City Star
• Writing Tools by Roy Peter Clark

On top of learning about grammar and style from these books, you can use grammar checking tools like Grammarly and ProWritingAid to make the editing process easier. Personally, we prefer ProWritingAid at The Write Practice. You can check it out here (and get a discount with the code WritePractice20 ).

Need more grammar help?  My favorite tool that helps find grammar problems and even generates reports to help improve my writing is ProWritingAid . Works with Word, Scrivener, Google Docs, and web browsers. Also, be sure to use my coupon code to get 20 percent off:  WritePractice20

6. Study of Craft

Now that you’ve studied grammar, read the kind of fiction you want to write, kept a journal, and found the right software, you should take a step back and study the craft of writing fiction by reading some nonfiction books on the subject.

I’ve read dozens, but these are the ones that have taught me the most:

The best memoir on the subject.

An absolutely indispensable guide to writing. Talk about nuts and bolts, this book has it.

Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

James Scott Bell is a bestselling author and renowned teacher of writers. This book also introduced me to the LOCK method, which is a really handy tool.

I included this one because, while it’s extremely biased towards indie publishing, it provides an excellent overview of the modern publishing landscape for both fiction and nonfiction.

7. Writing Groups

Writing groups are my favorite tool of all. They’re a great way to meet other writers and put your skills to the test. Being a part of a writing group and workshopping your stories is, in my opinion, the absolute fastest and most surefire way to learn how to write fiction. Hundreds of MFA programs across the country agree.

Writing groups provide:

• Moral support . Other writers understand when you complain that writing is hard.
• Like-minded people . Share your hopes and dreams with like-minded people.
• Feedback . The invaluable critique that comes with workshopping manuscripts. They will give you honest feedback even when you don’t want to hear it.
• Healthy competition . Seeing other people produce work is the best motivation for a writer who is not writing.

I love writing groups and believe that every writer should have one in the early stages. Check Meetup.com  or your local bookstore for one you can join, or join ours.

For years, we've been helping writers connect and get feedback on their work in our community, and we'd love to have you. Learn more about joining our writing group here.

However, one warning: if the writing group you find turns out to be a back-patting session, bail immediately. You’ll never learn anything if no one has the courage the tell you the truth, especially when it hurts.

How about you? What creative writing tools do you find are essential for your writing?  Share in the comments section .

(Note: Some of the links above are affiliate links. Thanks!)

Now that you know what’s in the beginner’s toolbox, what do you do to practice? Here are five options.

• Read a novel or short story
• Write in your notebook
• Read a book on craft
• Study a style guide
• Find and attend a writing group

When you’re finished, share in the Pro Practice Workshop here .  Not a member yet? Join us here !

Matt Herron

Matt Herron is the author of Scrivener Superpowers: How to Use Cutting-Edge Software to Energize Your Creative Writing Practice . He has a degree in English Literature, a dog named Elsa, and an adrenaline addiction sated by rock climbing and travel. The best way to get in touch with him is on Twitter @mgherron .

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

41 Comments

1,2, and 3. I do these three anyway, but this is a nice reminder to flap open a book and grab a pen. Thanks for the information.

I have a few of these tools in my kit. Journaling is the main one. I have so many of them that my house might collapse at any minute. For years, I have been in a critique group. We meet weekly. Two of the four of us has published a book or four. One of us got an MFW in the Bennington program. All of us have are members of the Squaw Valley Summer Writing Program. This helps.

I like reading as a tool. I like to read “everything”. Well, not everything — just everything. Of course, there are favorites. (Never begin a sentence with “Of course”. Never use fragments. Break the rules once in awhile).

Grammar is my “Bète noir”. I’ve tried for years to get it write, have looked at small but concise books on grammar. Nothing works. I’m bad at it. I’m good at spelling, or, once was. Our spell checker is a fluke.

Write. Write. Write. And, read.

ps Oh, and I keep notebooks to paste in stuff that pleases the eye.

My essential writing tools are:

1) Word. 2) Spotify 3) Critique Circle 4) The Write Practice 5) The Emotional Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi 6) Ink by R.S. Guthrie

7) Robert’s Rules of Writing by Robert Masello

and most important of all, my Muse, my best friend, and my Ideal Reader: Jennifer.

Five and seven on your list sound interesting. I will have to investigate those!

Ink is another in that vein. Have you read it, yet?

No I haven’t! I will look unit that one too!

Hope you enjoy it, too. If you become fans, tell Angela & Becca, R.w.Foster sent ya, and tell R.S. that Wayne did. 😀

I haven’t heard of 5, 6, or 7—thanks for sharing!

You’re welcome. Hope you get use out of them. 🙂

I looked up Critique Circle and joined. It’s just what I need. Thanks!

You’re welcome. If you get confused, look up Whiplash & Momzilla (they are moderators), or want to know who gives good critiques, looks up Emmylou515, Jenb, Missvato & Tami-verse. They’re good people.

R.w., thank you again, You probably saved me weeks or months of trial and error. Your inside scoop is greatly appreciated.

You’re welcome again. Oh, and keep an eye out for Kholoblici. He’s a shady character, always trying to virtually cook the newbies. 😉

I hope you like it, and welcome. 😀

I have started number five! Any writing club is great! Especially in October when you can do creepy and scary and it fits the season! Horror is a great topic.

I’m one of those people that always has 1-3 books going at any one time. Currently I’m reading The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay, by Michael Chabon, and My Temporary Life by Martin Crosbie. I regularly write in my journal and work on plot elements for some short stories. My novel needs a major overhaul, and I think I’ll better able to accomplish that when I’ve spent time studying the style and craft of writing. The Write Practice is the only writing group I participate in, and it has been very helpful. I do have a call in to a local writers’ group, to see what they’re all about.

Go check out that writer’s group! And if that doesn’t work out, look on meetup for others nearby 🙂

I love On Writing, so I’m going to give Writing Fiction a go. Thanks for the list of implements for our toolboxes!

Writing Fiction taught me a ton, and it has a bunch of great writing prompts and exercises, plus sample stories. Enjoy that 🙂

I definitely need to start journaling, I’m going to get started today !

Excellent info, Matt. I live in Amarillo, TX and love me some Austin. Hook ’em, Horns!

I’ve completed four novels over the years and lost my literary agent last fall before we got a chance to sell my book. I’m debating whether to continue the traditional route, or go indie.

The life-changing all of everything you listed is my weekly writing group. Writing is such a lonely, solitary process, Wednesday evenings are most favorite. I get together with four other, amazing writers who teach me so much, support me all the way and help me be a better writer.

Just requested Writing Fiction from the library, and I will go find my “morning pages” journal. It’s been rather neglected this week… Thanks for the inspiration!

I’m a content marketer and personally I’m using this writing platform named Wording Lab. I like how the layout is kept simple, without any flashy-distracting advertisements.

They have this tool called the Tone Analyzer, which helps to analyze if your writing sounds too positive or negative. True enough, I copied and pasted a couple of news article to test out the function, and all of them were found to be neutral! (which is what news articles are supposed to be i believed!)​

Anyway, if you guys are interested, the website is:

http://www.wordinglab.com

Great tool. Thanks for the link.

For the ones who are struggling to write, I recommend this Mac app and website http://www.placetowrite.com It’s called “Haven – Creative Writing Tool” and it helps writers overcome writer’s block and stimulate creativity.

Great recommendations Matt! If you’re writing shorter articles or papers, i would recommend steller.com to add some visual aspects and publish where your audience will read it.

I would like to suggest http://www.truenovelist.com . It is similar to Scrivener in that it allows you to organize your scenes, chapters, and notes and rearrange them at will, but it is online only so you can access it anytime and anywhere.

It is also free, so I think it would be a great addition to the toolbox of any writer!

Has anyone any experience with a technical documentation program called Flare by MadCap Software? It is an alternative to FrameMaker and quite powerful, but hard to learn. Useful, I think, for heavy non-fiction.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful article! Four years ago I also left my job as a marketing manager in Sydney to do something I’d always dreamed of: writing and editing romance novels full time. Anyways, here are also my 8 best tips and tricks for those wanting to follow a similar path http://catehogan.com/tools_for_writers/

This list definitely needs some updating! Reedsy’s Book Editor is an essential element to add to any author’s toolkit — write, format, and produce your book into various ebook formats, all from one beautiful, easy to use interface. Best of all, it’s free! They even promise to add more functionalities like collaboration and track-changes in the future. If you’re serious about writing a book, try it out for free: https://reedsy.com/write-a-book

Cool list! The problem with word processors like Microsoft Word is that, though they have hundreds of features, they’re not built for writing books; they’re built for writing anything and everything. So when it comes to formatting or typesetting, it’s a pain. I also recommend taking a look at our Reedsy Book Editor, since it combines a simple, Medium-like writing interface with powerful formatting and typesetting, allowing you to export a flawless ePub and a print-ready PDF for free: https://reedsy.com/write-a-book

much better version of the Kansas City Star style guide:

http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/books/article10632713.ece/BINARY/The%20Star%20Copy%20Style.pdf

Try the Writers’ Reverse Dictionary ( http://writersdictionary.com ). With it, you can find a word with its definition. Pretty neat, huh?

Great guide Matt! I would also check out TheRightMargin (goal driven writing app, great new alternative to word processors) and featured in product hunt today: https://www.producthunt.com/tech/therightmargin

And for writing groups, a new Slack for Writers called Writer Hangout: https://writerhangout.typeform.com/to/gw9HF4

Another software addition:

Typen — a writing app http://typen.co

Check it forbes

I use a voice recorder instead of taking notes.

I get most of my ideas at night – even in dreams – and the damn pens often don’t work, or worse, I think they did but they didn’t.

Just make sure you can feel which button(s) to press. The keys on the little Sony IC unit I had were not laid out intuitively, thus, fumbling.

It’s also best to have a recorder from which you can transfer mp3 voice files directly to a computer. You can even use voice to text software to at least get a draft of what you’ve written. It’s easier than play, type, play, type, rewind, play type…

Have you had a chance to try Power Thesaurus ( http://www.powerthesaurus.org )?

I recently helped launch a new tool for online writing, designed for medium/long-form: https://eddtor.com . Loved this article’s Study of Craft section!

Great post. I’ve been wanting to put more time into writing and this is a very timely blog for me. Thanks!

Some of this I agree with—for sure. But I am a firm believer that with enough practice, one can learn only to write decently, not great. To be a superb writer, you need to have instinct, intrinsic style, and God-given ability.

Interestingly, you only see this type of reinforcement in writing. For example, I’ve never seen so many workshops, and conferences, and articles about how to become a great artist. Writing—like art—I feel you either have ‘it,’ or you do not.

The problem with blogs and articles such as this is making everyone believe that, by practice, one can—and in some cases—should be a writer. To me, this only muddies the waters, as it were; this is why there are a million mediocre and poorly written books on Amazon; everyone thinks they’re a writer.

But I digress, this is just one man’s opinion.

Good article, though. I will be looking into Scrivener. 🙂

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29 Free Online Creative Writing Tools (No Fee!)

Whether you’re crafting your next novel, writing short stories, or just exploring your creative side, having the right tools can make all the difference. From overcoming writer’s block to perfecting your prose, the internet offers a treasure trove of free resources for creative writers.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into 29 free online tools (no fee!) that can facilitate your writing process and help you produce your best work.

We’ve even grouped these tools into the following categories: Brainstorming and Idea Generation, Writing Prompts and Inspiration, Distraction-Free Writing, Mind-Mapping Tools, Character Development Tools, Name Generators, Plot and Story Structure Tools, World-Building Tools, Grammar, Word Count and Goal Tracking, Editing and Proofreading, Thesaurus and Synonym Finders, Visual Inspiration and Image Tools, and lastly, Self-Publishing Tools.

Let’s get started!

Disclosure: If you sign up for a paid subscription to any of the following free tools, we may receive a bonus at no expense to you.

Disclaimer: Do you due diligence when downloading any software to your electronic devices.

Brainstorming and Idea Generation

Reedsy plot generator.

Need help with story ideas? Reedsy’s Plot Generator offers a quick spark of inspiration with random plot suggestions. You can choose from different genres like romance, mystery, or fantasy, making it easier to find a prompt that excites you.

Plot Generator

The Plot Generator on Plot-Generator.org.uk is a versatile tool that helps creative writers quickly generate story ideas across various genres, including romance, sci-fi, mystery, and more. It offers customizable fields where you can input specific details like character names, settings, and key plot points, or let the tool randomly generate them for you. This tool is perfect for overcoming writer’s block or just for fun, providing a jumping-off point for new stories.

Writing Prompts and Inspiration

Writing prompts on reddit.

The Writing Prompts subreddit is a community-driven source of endless inspiration. With daily prompts ranging from simple concepts to elaborate scenarios, it’s a fantastic resource for sparking new ideas and challenging your creativity.

Squibler’s Writing Prompts

Squibler offers a variety of prompts, including genres like horror, romance, and sci-fi. You can filter prompts based on your interests or current project needs, making it easier to find the right inspiration.

Writing and Note-Taking Platforms

Google docs.

Google Docs is a reliable, accessible writing platform that offers real-time collaboration. It makes it easy to share your work with beta readers or co-writers. It automatically saves your work in the cloud, so you can access your projects from any device without worrying about losing your progress.

For easy use, we recommend signing up for a Gmail account.

Evernote is perfect for organizing notes, ideas, and research. You can create notebooks, clip web articles, and even record audio notes, making it a versatile tool for writers who like to keep everything in one place.

Distraction-Free Writing

Focuswriter  .

FocusWriter provides a clean, distraction-free environment tailored for writers who want to immerse themselves in their work. With customizable backgrounds, typewriter sound effects, and goal-tracking features, it helps you stay focused and productive.

Honestly, this website looks a little old-school, but don’t let that frighten you if you’re looking for a simple document space to work from.

Calmly Writer

Calmly Writer takes a minimalist approach to word processing, offering a simple interface that reduces distractions. It’s perfect for writers overwhelmed by too many editing options and want to simply write.

Mind Mapping Tools

Mindmeister.

MindMeister lets you visualize your story structure, plot lines, and character arcs. It’s an intuitive tool for creative writers who prefer a visual approach to organizing their thoughts and ideas, making it easier to see the big picture of your story.

On their Free Account, you can create up to 3 mind maps. This amount will help you decide if you like the tool enough for a paid subscription.

Bubbl.us  

Bubbl.us offers a straightforward, user-friendly interface for creating mind maps. It’s great for brainstorming sessions, helping you connect ideas and build a cohesive narrative.

Related: Narrative Elements

Character Development Tools

Rangen’s character generator.

Character Generator helps you create detailed profiles for your characters, complete with traits, backgrounds, and even visual appearances. It’s a great resource for writers who want to build rich, believable characters.

This is another old-school-looking website, but the generator functionality is really simple. It generates traits such as worldview, religion, quirks, and many more.

Campfire Write

Campfire Write is a comprehensive tool for creative writers that helps with character development , world-building, plot outlining, and more. It offers customizable templates for characters, allowing you to detail their traits, motivations, backstories, and relationships with other characters.

Name Generators

Fantasy name generators  .

This site offers an extensive collection of name generators for characters, places, and even fictional species. It’s a handy resource for fantasy writers looking to find the perfect names without getting bogged down in the details.

Behind the Name

Behind the Name provides authentic names along with their meanings and origins, making it a great tool for writers who want to add depth and significance to their characters’ names.

Plot and Story Structure Tools

Plot factory.

Plot Factory offers a comprehensive suite for planning plots, developing characters, and structuring stories. It’s an excellent tool for writers who want to keep all their plot points and character details in one place. This is super helpful, because we all know how disruptive it can be to flip back and forth in a binder or journal looking for plot nuances while writing.

World-Building Tools

World anvil  .

For fantasy and sci-fi writers, World Anvil is a must-have. It helps you create detailed worlds with maps, timelines, and character backstories. It’s perfect for organizing complex settings and keeping your world-building consistent.

Related: How to Create a Fantasy World

Notebook.ai  

Notebook.ai is a versatile world-building tool that offers templates for characters, locations, and items. It’s designed to keep your fictional world organized, with everything from geography to magic systems in one accessible place.

Word Count and Goal Tracking

Pacemaker  .

Pacemaker helps you set and track writing goals, whether aiming for a daily word count or completing a project by a specific date. It’s a great motivational tool for writers who like to see their progress.

WordCounter.net

WordCounter.net is a simple tool that tracks your word count, writing pace, and even keyword usage. It’s a straightforward way to monitor your productivity and ensure you’re meeting your writing goals.

Grammar, Editing and Proofreading

Grammarly is a popular writing assistant that goes beyond basic grammar checks. It provides suggestions for improving clarity, tone, and style, making it a perfect companion for creative writers. The free version includes grammar, spelling, and punctuation checks, helping you polish your work and catch errors you might otherwise miss.

Pro Tip: If you’re a student, educator, or self-employed, you can write a Grammarly Pro subscription off on your taxes (USA-only)

Hemingway Editor

Named after the famously concise writer, the Hemingway Editor focuses on readability. It highlights complex sentences, overuse of adverbs, and passive voice, encouraging you to write clear, strong, and engaging prose. It’s ideal for those looking to tighten their narrative style.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is an all-in-one tool that offers detailed reports on your writing style, grammar, and consistency. The free version provides essential editing features that can help elevate your work to a more professional level, making it invaluable for creative writers.

Slick Write  

Slick Write helps improve your writing by analyzing grammar, potential stylistic mistakes, and other features of your text. Its real-time feedback can guide you in making immediate improvements to your draft.

Thesaurus and Synonym Finders

Thesaurus.com  .

Thesaurus.com is a classic tool for finding synonyms and antonyms, helping you diversify your vocabulary and avoid repetition. It’s a quick and easy resource for when you need the perfect word.

OneLook Thesaurus  

OneLook Thesaurus allows you to search for words related to concepts rather than just synonyms. It’s perfect for when you know the feeling you want to convey but can’t quite find the right word.

Visual Inspiration and Image Tools

Unsplash offers an extensive library of high-quality, free images that can inspire your writing or serve as visuals for blog posts and social media. It’s great for when you need a little visual spark to get your creative juices flowing. Personally, I like to use images as writing prompts.

Canva  

Canva is an easy-to-use tool that can help you create visuals, book covers, or social media graphics. Even with its free version, you can access many templates that add a professional touch to your writing projects.

Self-Publishing Tools

Draft2digital.

Draft2Digital simplifies formatting and distributing your eBook to major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. It’s user-friendly, with intuitive tools that guide you through the self-publishing process.

Reedsy Book Editor  

Reedsy’s Book Editor is a free tool for formatting your manuscript for publication. It’s designed to handle everything from chapter formatting to generating a professional-looking table of contents, making it a valuable resource for indie authors.

These 29 free online tools cover all aspects of the writing process, from brainstorming and drafting to editing and self-publishing. By incorporating these resources into your creative workflow, you can streamline your writing process, overcome obstacles, and bring your stories to life. So explore these tools—your next great writing adventure awaits!

Want to learn more? Consider submitting to From Whispers to Roars .

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The 10 Best Writing Tools for Every Writer’s Needs in 2024

Senior Content Marketing Manager

April 2, 2024

Start using ClickUp today

• Manage all your work in one place
• Collaborate with your team
• Use ClickUp for FREE—forever

Most writers have a pretty love-hate relationship with the art of writing. 

On the one hand, it’s what you do and what you’re good at. On the other hand—it’s really hard.

The good news is that although writing will never be easy, that doesn’t mean it can’t get easier. With the early miracles of digital tools like Microsoft Word to the new era of AI content creation tools , creative writers have seen writing software drastically change—all in an effort to make the process easier.

However, writing tools are starting to become a dime a dozen. It’s hard to tell what writing tool would work for your specific needs. But that’s why we’re here!

We’re giving you a list of the 10 best writing tools you can use in 2023 so you avoid being stuck on a blank page and deliver content free of easily avoidable errors. First, let’s look at what makes a great writing tool in the first place.

What Should You Look For In a Writing Tool?

• 1. ClickUp 

2. Grammarly

3. hemingway editor, 4. power thesaurus, 5. google docs, 8. reedsy book editor, 10. evernote.

Great writing tools come in all shapes and sizes. Some help you avoid grammar and spelling mistakes, while others focus on keeping your brilliant scripts in some semblance of order. Today’s creative writers are spoiled with choices in online writing tools.

To make the process as easy as possible, you should put together a veritable writing software tech stack to help you at every stage of the writing process. Regardless of the writing tool, you want to keep a sharp eye on a couple of aspects that best writing tools share like:

• Integration capabilities : No one writing tool is going to do everything for you, so you’ll likely be relying on a couple of writing tools and editing software working together. You want to make sure that every tool you pick is going to play nicely with each other so that each tool makes the others more powerful. 
• Low price : You’re not made of money! If you’re going to shell out for a couple of writing tools, you want to make sure that the benefits outweigh the costs.
• Specialization : Great writing tools often specialize in one area, but there are options available that have all the features you could ask for—and more!

Writing software should go hand-in-hand with your productivity tools—because what’s the value of an unproductive writer?

The 10 Best Writing Tools

Whether you’re writing novels or a simple blog post, the best writing tools help you hit your word count goals, use a solid grammar checker, and keep you distraction-free. Let’s look at our favorite writing and editing tools you need to try.

1. ClickUp  

ClickUp isn’t just a writing tool with a surplus of project management features, it’s one of the best productivity tools on the market. And while we know we’re putting ClickUp at the top of this list—we’re not alone! ClickUp made the No. 1 spot in G2’s list of best collaboration and productivity tools for 2023!

Writers can use ClickUp as the central repository for all of their content—in a distraction-free space or as a collaboration tool with fellow writers. With tagging users or tasks, rich text editing, and powerful search functions, ClickUp works as your central writing tool for all types of content creation.

At the core of every ClickUp feature is productivity. And with the new AI writing assistant tools now in ClickUp Docs , you can use the power of AI writing tools ( like Writesonic ) directly within our platform!

This AI integration makes ClickUp a great writing tool for so many different teams with features to easily generate text and copy for any topic, make content shorter or longer, and run grammar checks in a flash. This handy tool can help content teams deliver blog post ideas or product teams create product requirement documents and design user-testing studies in seconds!

ClickUp Features: 

• Premade templates and organization tools make case studies , creating a content database , and more a super simple thing
• Collaborative whiteboards make real-time ideation so much easier
• Project management tools help you track and optimize your creative workflows

ClickUp Pros:

• Highly adaptable for a single person or an entire organization to assign tasks or comments
• Get started for free with access to thousands of templates
• Allows you to set writing goals to help you keep on track of your progress
• Integrated AI tools to create team-specific documents and use grammar checks

ClickUp Cons: 

• Not all features have made it to the mobile app
• AI functions are currently on a waiting list (for now!)

ClickUp Cost:

• Free Forever
• Unlimited : $7/month per user
• Business : $12/month per user
• Enterprise : Contact for pricing

ClickUp Ratings and reviews:

• G2: 4.7/5 (6,000+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (3,000+ reviews)

Grammarly is a set of grammar and plagiarism-checking editing tools that help writers polish their drafts into a professional sheen. Writers will benefit from Grammarly because it helps them create clearer and more effective writing. With this writing tool, you can be sure that your content is free from grammatical errors, awkward phrases, and plagiarism. 

Some key features of Grammarly include its automated spelling and grammar checker, writing style suggestions, plagiarism detector, and personalized feedback. It also has a built-in thesaurus so users can replace overused word choices. Regardless of whether you’re writing a poem for Grade 12 English or OKRs for your latest project , Grammarly is a tool that any writer should look to add to their toolkit. 

Compare Grammarly to Wordtune !

Grammarly Features: 

• Get a second opinion on your style and tone with its smart editor
• Use the plagiarism checker to make sure you haven’t inadvertently copied anyone
• Cut down on typos and grammatical errors with its spell checker

Grammarly Pros:

• Easy to use, even when you’re not in their editor
• Suggestions cover a broad range of common errors, mistakes, and omissions 
• Fantastic free version for anyone to use

Grammarly Cons: 

• Some suggestions get repetitive and feel unhelpful
• Formatting can get messed up when moving your writing between Grammarly’s editor and your preferred writing app 

Grammarly Cost:

• Premium : $30/ month
• Business : $14.50/ month per user (for teams with more than 10 people)

Grammarly Ratings and reviews:

• G2: 4.6/5 (1000+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.7/5 (6000+ reviews)

Bonus: AI Marketing Tools

Hemingway Editor is a writing aid that aims to boost the readability of your writing. It achieves this goal by giving writers access to a free writing app that analyzes sentence structure and gives easy-to-follow feedback.

For instance, the Hemingway app will highlight any sentences it believes are too complex in red. So all you need to do is plug in your work and edit any red sentences until your piece is more clear and easier to read. Plus, it assigns your writing a readability score, so you can ensure your writing fits the intended audience. 

Hemingway Editor is such an impressive tool for writing because it can be hard to edit your own work for stylistic issues like over-relying on adverbs or passive voice usage. With Hemingway Editor, you can quickly fix these problems, improve an already great first draft, and become a better writer.

Hemingway Features: 

• Color-coded editing suggestions make it easy to skim your articles
• The program detects hard-to-read sentences so you can make your writing clear
• Easy importer allows for quick edits regardless of where you’re writing

Hemingway Pros:

• No login or signup to use
• Simple interface means anyone can use it
• Helps you cut down on hard-to-spot problems like sentence complexity and adverb overuse

Hemingway Cons: 

• Lacks a lot of features you’d see in other editing programs like Grammarly
• No way to integrate it with your actual writing tool like Microsoft Word
• Not ideal for writing ideas

Hemingway Cost:

• Paid Version : $19.99 (one-time payment)

Hemingway Ratings and Reviews:

• G2: 4.4/5 (46 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (10 reviews)

Bonus: AI Text Generators

Power Thesaurus is a website that helps people find different words to use in their writing. This writing tool is great for those looking for a more convenient, digital thesaurus. With its search function, you can find synonyms that help you say what you want to say in a new and interesting way.

Plus, Power Thesaurus provides antonyms so writers can add variety and contrast to their stories. Power Thesaurus may not be the most exciting writing tool you’ve ever seen. However, the free version should be perfect for most people and it can be invaluable when you’re stuck looking for that exact word that’s currently escaping you.

Power Thesaurus Features: 

• Simple search bar allows you to input a word and get a list of synonyms, antonyms, and more
• Includes a chrome extension and mobile app
• Hit the ground running with endless synonym and antonym options

Power Thesaurus Pros:

• Simple UI that anyone can use
• No login or signup needed
• Community-run

Power Thesaurus Cons: 

• Doesn’t have a lot of features
• Free version contains ads

Power Thesaurus Cost:

• Pro : $2.49/ month (when bought annually) 

Power Thesaurus Ratings and reviews:

• G2: No current reviews
• Capterra: No current reviews

Bonus: Newsletter writing software !

Google Docs is a digital word processor that allows you to create documents, store them online, and share them with others. It’s great for writing letters, stories, notes, and more!

The Google Suite is important for writers because of its convenience and flexibility. First, its online nature means you can access your documents anywhere with an internet connection. This makes it easier to work on your writing when you’re away from home or need to share something with someone quickly.

Another great feature is its collaboration tools. This means you can work on a document with multiple people at once, so you don’t have to worry about sending out and keeping track of multiple versions of the same file.

Overall, this is an excellent tool for any writer who needs an easy-to-use word processor that offers a ton of functionality, even on the free subscription tier.

Google Features: 

• Full-fledged word processor
• Integrates with other Google products like Google Drive or Sheets
• Fully online for easier access and collaboration with teams

Google Docs Pros:

• Easy to use and an industry standard that most people are familiar with
• Frequently updated by Google
• Free version is fully functioning and great for small businesses

Google Docs Cons: 

• Keeping your docs organized is no small task
• Limited number of templates
• No native desktop version

Google Docs Cost:

These prices are for subscriptions to the Google Workspace and other Google programs like Gmail and Drive

• Business Starter : $5.40/ month per user
• Business Standard : $10.80/ month per user
• Business Plus : $18/ month per user

Google Docs Ratings and reviews:

• G2: 4.7/5 (6000+ reviews)

Notion is an incredibly powerful productivity tool for writers, offering a range of features that make it easy to organize and write their work. With Notion, writers can easily create documents, store them in the cloud, and share them with other people. It’s also great for tracking progress on stories or writing projects.

Plus, Notion offers a variety of templates that make it easier to get started with the tool right away. There are templates for different writing projects and even journals to keep track of your thoughts and ideas. Notion is also incredibly handy for collaboration; writers can share documents and notes easily, and it also supports multiple users editing the same document simultaneously.

Overall, Notion is a versatile tool for writers looking to stay organized and make the most of their writing process. From notetaking to collaboration and more, Notion has something for everyone.

Notion Features: 

• Notes and Docs system allows you to easily write and store whatever you need
• Notion AI gives you access to an AI writing assistant that can help you clean up your notes or rewrite a tricky sentence
• The Wiki system makes it simple for you to organize and share your writing with colleagues

Notion Pros:

• All-in-one system simplifies writing, organizing, and sharing your documents
• Search features help you find the exact piece of writing you want
• Lots of features and integration to help you with whatever you need

Notion Cons: 

• The UI can quickly become messy compared to a more basic Microsoft Word tool
• Not the most functional book-writing software since it’s hard to use with unreliable internet connections

Notion Cost:

• Plus : $8/ month per user
• Business : $15/ month per user

Notion Ratings and Reviews:

• Capterra: 4.7/5 (1000+ reviews)

LINER is the search assistant you didn’t know you needed. As a writer, you spend almost as much time writing as you do research. For this reason, you need a dedicated tool that’s going to make research so much easier and more efficient.

LINER can do exactly this.

LINER integrates with your browser and makes your Google searches more helpful. For instance, when you ask Google a question, LINER will use AI to give you a quick answer. Or if you find a useful article, you can use LINER to highlight the important parts and save it for later in your own knowledge base. All of this helps you spend less time on research and more time getting your writing done.

LINER Features: 

• Search assistant recommends content when you search for something
• AI summarizes your search requests and suggests new searches for better research
• Highlight anything anywhere on the internet and then save it for later

LINER Pros:

• Saves you time when researching a topic by providing simple AI-generated answers to basic questions
• Great way to store articles to read later
• Allows you to highlight articles, YouTube videos, and more

LINER Cons: 

• AI answers can sometimes give you incorrect or incomplete information
• Features may not be helpful to everyone

LINER Cost:

• Essential : $8.83/ month
• Professional : $10.49/ month
• Workspace : Contact for pricing

LINER Ratings and reviews:

Reedsy Book Editor is less a tool and more a community. Lots of great writers have tons of fantastic ideas for books, but they don’t know how to actually get their books published. Reedsy was started to help aspiring authors get their work published. It does this by offering writers access to a network of professional editors, designers, and marketers.

It also provides resources like blog posts, webinars, and tutorials that help writers create the best book they can. The tool itself is a simple online editor that makes it easy to format books for Amazon Kindle or print-on-demand services.

With its easy-to-use interface, you can quickly upload your manuscript and then make any necessary changes to get it ready for publishing. Overall, Reedsy Book Editor is an invaluable resource for authors who want to take their writing to the next level. 

Need a little extra help getting your book off the ground and running? Try our free Book Planning template for better results!

Reedsy Features: 

• Includes a free 10-day course on how to publish a book
• Reedsy Marketplace allows you to connect with all kinds of professionals within the publishing industry
• Plot and content generator helps you get past writer’s block
• Easy book editor simplifies the process of actually creating a published work

Reedsy Pros:

• A single place for you to find editors, designers, and more to help you create a book
• One of the few free-to-use book writing software options
• Lots of content and tools to help you write

Reedsy Cons: 

• Focused primarily on helping you create a new book or short story

Reedsy Cost:

Reedsy ratings and reviews:.

• G2: 4.5/5 (1 review)

Bear is an Apple notetaking tool that helps you write down and keep track of your story ideas and to-do lists. Where Bear really stands out from the pack of the best writing tools in this list is with its beautiful UI. It’s organized in a way that’s easy to understand, and its minimalist design fits really well with the writing process.

Plus, Bear has lots of tagging tools that make organizing your notes and ideas simple and efficient. So you can easily keep track of everything you’ve written or plan to write without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re a student, a professional writer, or just someone who loves writing and brainstorming ideas , Bear is an invaluable writing software to have in your arsenal.

Bear Features: 

• Use hashtags and links to keep your notes organized
• Encryption keeps your notes private
• Markup editor helps coders work in over 150 programming languages
• Looks gorgeous
• Perfect for taking notes on the go or writing your latest essay
• Syncs across devices so you can work on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac

Bear Cons: 

• Only supported on the Apple ecosystem
• Lack of advanced writing or organizational features
• Pro : $14.99/ month

Bear Ratings and reviews:

• G2: 4.5/5 (42 reviews)
• Capterra: 4.5/5 (6 reviews)

Check out these Bear App alternatives !

Evernote is another helpful notetaking tool for writers because it allows them to save ideas, documents, and notes in one place. Evernote also makes it easier to collaborate on writing projects since you can easily share documents with others. 

Additionally, Evernote has many features that make organizing your writing simple and efficient. For instance, you can use its tagging system to quickly find relevant documents and notes. Also, Evernote’s search function makes finding specific keywords within your documents easy. Finally, Evernote also works as an archive for documents you don’t need regularly, so you always have access to them.

Evernote may not be the prettiest or newest tool on this list, but it’s certainly one of the most useful. If you’re looking for a writing tool to help you keep your writing organized and accessible, Evernote is definitely worth considering.

Evernote Features: 

• Task tool lets you keep on top of the things you need to get done today
• Offline functionality means you can access Evernote anywhere
• Integrates with your calendar

Evernote Pros:

• Files are searchable regardless of whether they’re in a note or a PDF
• Easy to add and edit images
• Lots of features that simplify the notetaking process

Evernote Cons: 

• Free version lacks key features like adding due dates or connecting your Google Calendar
• Expensive compared to competitors
• Not really ideal for book writing software

Evernote Cost:

• Personal : $8.99/ month
• Professional : $10.99/ month
• Teams : $14.99/month

Evernote Ratings and reviews:

• G2: 4.4/5 (1000+ reviews)
• Capterra: 4.4/5 (7000+ reviews)

Find your favorite writing tools today

Writing is an essential part of life, and there are many writing software options available to help make the process easier. Whether you’re looking for AI, a search assistant, book editor, or notetaker, something will work well for you in this list to keep you distraction-free.

One way to get started improving your writing efficiency today is with ClickUp. ClickUp can help any writer by giving you a single place to create, store, and organize your creative works and documents. It’s one of the best writing tools especially if you’re working with a team, getting feedback, and collaborating with your colleagues. 

ClickUp is free to try, so get started today and see how you can get more out of your writing hours.

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The 14 Best Writing Tools for Writers in 2024

Discover the best writing tools for to supercharge your creativity!

Editorial Staff

Last updated on Mar 13th, 2024

When you click on affiliate links on QuillMuse.com and make a purchase, you won’t pay a penny more, but we’ll get a small commission—this helps us keep up with publishing valuable content on QuillMuse.  Read More .

Table of Contents

Welcome, fellow writers, to a journey that will revolutionize your writing experience! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best writing tools for writers, helping you enhance your creative process, streamline your workflow, and conquer writer’s block. Whether you’re a novelist, a blogger, or a professional wordsmith, these tools are the secret weapons you’ve been waiting for.

Writing is a uniquely personal endeavor, but the tools you use can significantly impact your productivity and creativity. In this guide, we will delve into a myriad of writing tools, both digital and tangible, that cater to different aspects of the writing process. We’ll not only introduce these tools but also explain how and when to use them effectively. So, grab your favorite writing beverage, settle into your cozy writing nook, and let’s dive into the fantastic world of writing tools that will take your craft to the next level!

Best Writing Tools for Writers

Are you ready to supercharge your writing journey and discover the ultimate tools to elevate your craft? In this comprehensive guide, we’re about to take you on a journey through the world of the best writing tools designed to empower writers. Whether you’re a budding novelist, a seasoned blogger, or a professional wordsmith, these tools are your secret weapons for conquering writer’s block, enhancing creativity, and streamlining your writing workflow.

From word processors and distraction-free writing environments to grammar and proofreading aids, creativity-boosting tools, writing on-the-go solutions, audiobook creation platforms, research organization software, and even book cover design tools, this guide covers it all. We’ll help you explore, experiment, and choose the tools that resonate with your unique writing style and needs. So, let’s dive in and unlock the potential of these incredible resources that will transform the way you write.

But before we delve into the world of writing tools, it’s essential to be aware of the most common mistakes in writing. Understanding these pitfalls can save you time and effort on the editing front. So, take a moment to explore our post on most common mistakes in writing for valuable insights.

Once you’ve mastered the art of writing, you may want to enhance your productivity. Typing faster with accuracy is a crucial skill for any writer. Find out how to do it in our post on how to type faster with accuracy .

And for those aspiring to write a book with no prior experience, we’ve got you covered. Explore our comprehensive guide on how to write a book with no experience to embark on your authorial journey with confidence.

Now, let’s continue our exploration of the best writing tools that will take your craft to the next level.

Word Processors Galore

The foundation of any writer’s toolkit starts with a powerful word processor. There are plenty of options to choose from, but we’ve narrowed down the top contenders.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word, often considered the gold standard of word processors, is a timeless choice for writers of all kinds. Its user-friendly interface and robust features make it a go-to for many writers. With its comprehensive spell check, grammar suggestions, and formatting capabilities, it’s a versatile choice for any writing project.

Microsoft Word’s familiarity is its strength. It’s a word processor that many of us have grown up using, and its track record for reliability is unmatched. Whether you’re crafting a novel, a research paper, or a business report, Microsoft Word provides the essential tools for word processing with a familiar and intuitive interface.

Google Docs

Google Docs is the epitome of modern convenience for writers. It offers the power of cloud-based collaboration and seamless sharing. With Google Docs, you can write from anywhere, on any device with internet access, and collaborate with fellow writers in. Plus, it’s free!

The beauty of Google Docs lies in its accessibility and ease of sharing. No more emailing document attachments back and forth, and no need to worry about losing your work if your computer crashes. Google Docs automates the saving process, so your work is always up to date, and securely stored in the cloud. Whether you’re co-authoring a novel or working on a team project, Google Docs is the epitome of modern collaborative writing.

Distraction-Free Writing

Distraction is a writer’s worst enemy. These tools are your fortress of solitude.

FocusWriter

FocusWriter is the secret haven for writers seeking an escape from the digital noise. It provides a minimalist, full-screen writing environment that engulfs you in your work. You can even customize its themes to create the perfect ambiance for your writing.

What makes FocusWriter stand out is its commitment to providing a distraction-free writing experience. The absence of toolbars and buttons leaves you with a clear, clutter-free canvas for your thoughts. Background sounds, like the soft tapping of a typewriter, can further immerse you in your writing. It’s a haven for those who need to tune out the chaos of the modern world to focus on their creative endeavors.

OmmWriter takes distraction-free writing to a whole new level with its tranquil ambiance and minimalistic design. When you open OmmWriter, you’re greeted with a serene background and a simple, unobtrusive interface. The gentle keystroke sounds are soothing, helping you concentrate without the jarring interruptions of a typical keyboard.

OmmWriter is the ideal tool for writers who need to escape to a Zen-like state of concentration. It’s not just a writing application; it’s an experience. The soothing background and ambient sounds transport you to a place where words flow effortlessly, and ideas bloom without disruption. OmmWriter is your ticket to a tranquil writing paradise.

Grammar and Proofreading Aides

Grammar and proofreading are crucial for polished writing. Let’s explore the best tools for this task.

Grammarly is the ultimate sidekick every writer needs. It’s like having a personal editor in your pocket. Grammarly scans your text for grammar and spelling errors, offering real-time suggestions for corrections. But it doesn’t stop there; it also provides style suggestions and even analyzes the tone of your writing, ensuring it aligns with your intended message.

Grammarly is the Swiss Army knife of writing tools. Whether you’re crafting an email, a blog post, or the next great American novel, Grammarly has your back. It’s an essential tool for writers looking to elevate the quality of their writing. Plus, it’s incredibly user-friendly, seamlessly integrating into your web browser or word processor.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is a comprehensive writing tool that goes beyond the basics. It’s like having an eagle-eyed editor who dissects your writing, offering in-depth reports on various aspects of your work. It analyzes readability, pacing, overused words, and much more, providing you with a comprehensive overview of your writing’s strengths and weaknesses.

For writers who are serious about improving their craft, ProWritingAid is a valuable ally. It’s particularly useful for long-form projects like novels, research papers, or dissertations. With its detailed feedback and suggestions for improvement, it serves as a virtual writing coach, helping you become a more skilled and self-reliant writer.

The Creative Muse

Writer’s block is the bane of every author’s existence. These tools will help reignite your creativity.

Evernote is your digital notebook, a place to gather and organize your thoughts, snippets, and inspiration. The beauty of Evernote lies in its cross-device synchronization, ensuring your creative sparks are always within reach. It’s the perfect tool for collecting and structuring ideas, research, and even random musings that could turn into your next literary masterpiece.

Evernote’s versatility extends beyond just text – you can add images, audio recordings, and clippings from the web, creating a rich repository of inspiration. Whether you’re working on a novel, a blog, or simply looking to organize your daily thoughts, Evernote is your versatile, ever-accessible creative companion.

Scrivener is a comprehensive writing software that is tailor-made for authors working on complex, long-form projects. It serves as a digital writer’s haven where you can outline, organize, and write your masterpiece all in one place. Whether you’re planning a novel, a thesis, or a screenplay, Scrivener provides the tools to break down your work into manageable pieces.

What sets Scrivener apart is its ability to organize your research materials alongside your writing. You can attach reference documents, create character profiles, and even outline your chapters – all within the same interface. It’s a must for authors who require structure and order in their writing process. Scrivener helps you navigate the intricacies of your project with ease, allowing you to focus on the creative aspect of your work.

Character Name Generator

Use the following name generator tools to create character names.

Fantasy Name Generator 

Books of any genre, whether nonfiction or fiction, always contain one or more characters. Finding the perfect character name can be a difficult task. Most character names come from the writer’s random thoughts. If the character’s name does not sound appealing, the book loses value. A name holds the power to enhance or diminish the value of a book. 

For this reason, as a writer, you must choose the right name for the characters.

Don’t worry, the Fantasy Name Generator will help you to choose the most appropriate character name for your book. It is your ultimate tool for creating names brimming with enchantment, ideal for writers, game designers, and daydreamers. If you know more about this Name Generator tool, please check out another article on Fantasy Name Generator Review .

Writing on the Go

Writers often need to work on the fly. Here are some mobile solutions.

Ulysses is a sleek, mobile writing app designed for iOS devices. It’s not just intuitive but also highly functional, making it an ideal choice for writers on the move. Ulysses offers seamless synchronization between your devices, ensuring your work is always at your fingertips.

One standout feature of Ulysses is its support for distraction-free writing. You can immerse yourself in your work without being overwhelmed by toolbars and options. The app embraces a markdown approach, allowing you to focus on your words without worrying about formatting. Whether you’re drafting a blog post on your iPad during your morning commute or taking notes on your iPhone during a coffee shop brainstorming session, Ulysses has you covered.

iA Writer is a minimalist writing app available for both iOS and Android. This app thrives on simplicity, offering a clean, uncluttered interface that’s perfect for jotting down your ideas whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.

With markdown support, iA Writer keeps your writing free from distractions and enables you to maintain focus on your content. Its portability and easy synchronization across devices make it a dependable choice for writers who want a no-nonsense, distraction-free writing experience on their mobile devices.

The Audiobook Revolution

Audiobooks are a growing trend in the world of literature. Here’s how you can get in on the action.

ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange)

ACX is the go-to platform for authors looking to transform their written work into captivating audiobooks. Whether you’re a self-published author or looking to narrate your work yourself, ACX connects you with narrators, producers, and sound engineers who can bring your words to life.

One of ACX’s remarkable features is its versatility in helping authors at various stages of audiobook production. You can find the perfect voice for your story, collaborate on the production process, and even publish your audiobook through Audible and iTunes. It’s a gateway to expanding your reach and giving your readers an auditory experience of your work.

Audacity is an open-source audio editor that’s perfect for authors interested in DIY audiobook production. It’s not just user-friendly but also has a vibrant online community, offering extensive resources to help you get started.

Audacity enables you to record, edit, and enhance your audiobook recordings. It’s an invaluable tool for authors who want to take control of the entire audiobook creation process. Whether you’re narrating your book, recording interviews, or adding sound effects, Audacity equips you with the capabilities to craft a professional-sounding audiobook.

Organize Your Research

For those tackling non-fiction or research-heavy projects, these tools are indispensable.

Zotero is a free, open-source tool designed for collecting, organizing, and citing research sources. It streamlines the research process, making it a breeze to compile your bibliography and keep track of your references.

What makes Zotero a must-have for academic and research writers is its ability to seamlessly import citations from your web browser. It allows you to create a centralized library of research materials, complete with tags and notes. Zotero also simplifies the citation process, generating citations in various styles with a single click. It’s your research assistant, helping you manage the complexities of academic writing effortlessly.

EndNote is a powerful reference management software that simplifies the process of organizing and citing your sources. It’s particularly advantageous for academic writers who need to maintain a vast library of references.

One of EndNote’s standout features is its ability to sync your reference library across multiple devices, ensuring you have access to your research materials wherever you go. EndNote also offers extensive customization for citation styles and allows you to insert references directly into your documents, saving you time and reducing the risk of citation errors. It’s the ultimate tool for writers engaged in scholarly or research-based writing.

Writing Hardware

For those who appreciate the tactile experience of writing, check out these hardware options.

AlphaSmart Neo

The AlphaSmart Neo is a blast from the past and a haven for writers seeking a distraction-free, portable word processing experience. It may look like a simple, retro keyboard, but it’s designed for writers who crave simplicity.

One of the most compelling features of the AlphaSmart Neo is its long battery life. It can run for weeks on a single set of AA batteries, making it an ideal companion for writers on the move. With its minimalist interface and straightforward operation, the Neo is a dedicated tool for the purist writer who wants to focus solely on the act of writing, without the distractions of modern technology.

Remarkable 2

The Remarkable 2 is a tablet designed for handwritten notes and sketches, but it’s also an excellent e-ink device for writing. It provides a paper-like feel that can enhance the writing experience.

The Remarkable 2 stands out for its digital paper technology, which simulates the tactile feel of writing on actual paper. It’s perfect for those who miss the feel of pen on paper but want the convenience of a digital platform. Whether you’re jotting down ideas, sketching, or simply working on your next manuscript, the Remarkable 2 is a unique and versatile tool that bridges the gap between analog and digital writing.

Creating Captivating Covers

For self-published authors, having an eye-catching book cover is essential. These tools will help you design the perfect cover.

I apologize for the previous interruption. Let’s continue with the completion of the post:

Canva is an exceptionally user-friendly graphic design tool that caters to authors who want to create stunning book covers without needing a design background. It’s an excellent choice for self-published authors, as it provides an array of pre-designed templates and design elements that you can easily customize to match your book’s theme.

What sets Canva apart is its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, which makes it accessible to writers who may not have design experience. You can create striking book covers with high-quality images, text, and graphics, ensuring that your book stands out in the crowded market of self-published works. Canva empowers authors to unleash their creativity and design book covers that capture the essence of their stories.

Adobe Photoshop

For self-published authors who are design-savvy and want complete creative control over their book covers, Adobe Photoshop is the go-to choice. It’s a professional-grade graphic design software that provides unparalleled customization and precision.

Adobe Photoshop allows you to create book covers with pixel-perfect detail. You have full control over every aspect of your design, from colors and fonts to image manipulation. While it has a steeper learning curve than Canva, the results are limited only by your creativity and skills. With Adobe Photoshop, your book cover can be a work of art that resonates with your target audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall writing tool for writers.

The best overall writing tool often depends on your specific needs and preferences. For a versatile choice, “Microsoft Word” and “Google Docs” are popular options. However, for a more focused, distraction-free experience, consider “FocusWriter” or “OmmWriter.”

Are there any free writing tools available?

Yes, there are plenty of free writing tools available. “Google Docs,” “Grammarly,” “Evernote” (with a free version), “Ulysses” (with a free trial), “Audacity,” “Zotero,” and “Canva” (with a free version) are all fantastic options for budget-conscious writers.

What writing tool is best for collaboration?

“Google Docs” is an excellent choice for collaborative writing. It allows multiple users to work on the same document in real-time and provides easy sharing and commenting features.

What is the best tool for self-publishing authors?

For self-published authors, “Scrivener,” “ACX,” “Canva,” and “Adobe Photoshop” are fantastic tools. “Scrivener” helps with writing and organizing your book, while “ACX” aids in creating audiobooks. “Canva” and “Adobe Photoshop” are ideal for designing book covers.

There you have it, fellow writers – the ultimate guide to the best writing tools at your disposal. From word processors to creativity boosters, organization aids to hardware options, and even book cover design tools, we’ve covered it all.

Your writing journey is a unique adventure, and these tools are here to accompany you, inspire you, and empower you to achieve your writing goals. Remember, the key is to find the tools that resonate with your unique writing style and needs. So, explore, experiment, and write your way to greatness. Happy writing!

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We keep our articles up-to-date regularly to ensure accuracy and relevance as new information becomes available.

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• Mar 13th, 2024
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Welcome, fellow writers, to a journey that will revolutionize your writing experience! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best writing tools for writers, helping you enhance your creative process, streamline your workflow, and conquer writer’s block. Whether you’re a novelist, a blogger, or a professional wordsmith, these tools

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150 Best Writing Tools and Resources [2024 Edition]

I can almost hear you thinking:

The list with tools. Again. How many more articles like this do we need to decide on the best resources for writers? Or is it going to be a list of writing tools for students?

Whether you write essays, business articles, or books, you should bookmark this page. Here I’ve gathered all the best tools for writers by categories and needs. Now you can find them in one place and save time on searching.

• Inspiration and idea organization
• Writing apps for planning: titles, theses, outlines
• Distraction-free online writing tools
• Essay writing tools for students
• Business writing tools and resources
• Creative writing tools
• Book writing tools and resources
• Best writing tools for proofreading and editing
• Checking for plagiarism and quality
• Tools for writers to cite sources

Inspiration and Idea Organization

These apps will come in handy for everyone working with text content. They help take notes, organize thoughts, and brainstorm ideas for your future content. College students can use them to craft to-do lists for their academic assignments.

Writing Apps for Planning: Titles, Theses, Outlines

These tools are popular among bloggers and copywriters working with many articles daily. They help beginners plan tasks better. Feel free to use them for generating titles and outlines. If you’re at school or university, they help with research and essay writing.

Distraction-Free Online Writing Tools

Authors know how frustrating a writing process is when something disturbs you. These tools help overcome writer’s block, catch the muse by the tail, and write faster.

Essay Writing Tools for Students

College students often struggle with essay writing. No wonder: Too many rules to know and too many details to remember. These resources will assist with every step of academic paper creation.

Business Writing Tools and Resources

Whether you write emails, business essays in school, or business articles, check these resources. Here are glossaries, samples, and other handy information on business content creation.

Creative Writing Tools

These tools are great supplies for writers of creative content. They’ll help generate ideas, craft drafts, and write engaging assets for different audiences.

Book Writing Tools and Resources

Consider these apps and tools for creating characters and organizing book plots . They’ll help you remember the storytelling principles and overcome writer’s block. Some are book writing software to save your whole story in one place.

Best Writing Tools for Proofreading and Editing

Authors know the writing process isn’t over after a draft is ready. Now it’s time to revise and edit it. These tools are the best for proofreading your work and checking its grammar. If you don’t have resources for hiring a professional editor, the below list is your helping hand.

Checking for Plagiarism and Quality

These tools are the best plagiarism and readability checkers. They’ll help avoid duplications and polish your texts for better quality.

Tools for Writers to Cite Sources

For those crafting academic papers or nonfiction based on research, it’s critical to provide sources they used. These tools and resources will help to cite them right. (Practical for school or college students dealing with reference lists in essays round-the-clock.)

• What is the most used writing tool?

The most used writing tool is Google Docs. Authors outline and write drafts there, share docs with clients and editors, and save texts in a cloud. Grammarly is the most popular one for proofreading and editing your texts. And those willing to check their texts for originality use Duplichecker or PlagiarismCheck .

• What are the best AI writing tools?

For today, the best AI writing tools are Jasper, Copy AI, and Textero . Many content creators also use ChatGPT : It saves time on research and idea generation.

• Which Google Docs tool can help you find synonyms to improve your word choice?

There’s no separate tool to install for this feature but a built-in dictionary in Google Docs. Go to Tools > Dictionary to find synonyms or word definitions in your document. Or, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Y to see them.

• What are some apps that write essays for you?

School and college students make the most of AI tools for essay writing. They use ChatGPT, Copy AI, and Jasper . These tools are great for deciding on an essay topic idea, generating a thesis statement, or outlining your future essays. Such apps can also help with essay proofreading, and you can ask them for up-to-date information to use as evidence.

• What is the best book-writing software?

I would recommend Reedsy, Novel Factory, and yWriter . Each helps you develop characters, create narrative arcs, and organize story plots. For an all-in-one decision to write, publish, and distribute books, try Fast Pencil . Vellum can be your choice if you write business e-books and want to prepare them for publishing.

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