Which writing software is best? (video)

Viewing time: 4 minutes 

The Write Question is a weekly video podcast about writing that I started in 2017 and that ran, more or less weekly, until April 2022. This is a republication of issue #130, which discusses which writing software is best. The post first ran on Feb. 28/20.

Transcript:  

Have you ever wondered about whether writing software could help you? That’s what we’re talking about today in The Write Question. I’m Daphne Gray-Grant, the Publication Coach.

I have a question from James Mowdy, an aspiring novelist based in Rochester, Minnesota. Here’s what he asked by email….

“I’m working on my first novel right now and I’m doing it in Microsoft Word. I sometimes hear that real writers use specialized software for producing their books. Do you know of any and what do you recommend?”

Thanks for your question, James. Let me begin by correcting an apparent misunderstanding.

You seem to view yourself as some sort of fake or pretend writer. But, in fact, you’re are already a “real” writer because you are working on a book. Being a writer has nothing to do with whether you make any money at it, or even have any success. If you write, you are by definition a writer.

I have written two books myself and I used MS Word for both of them. It was fine. You may have heard of a software called Scrivener, link below. It is often described as “the” software for writers but even big fans of it warn that it’s very difficult to learn.

I actually own a copy of Scrivener but I’ve been daunted by learning it. I thought about using it for my recent book, Your Happy First Draft, but I was halfway through the project before that idea occurred to me. And one thing I know is that it’s unwise to change horses midcourse. I may try it for my next book, in which case I’ll allow lots of time for the steep learning curve.

In terms of benefits, I understand Scrivener makes re-ordering paragraphs, sections or chapters extremely easy. It also allows you to have a split screen, where you can keep research notes on one side, and your draft on the other. That sounds great to me! To learn more about Scrivener, see my link below to a Joanna Penn blog post.

But, given that you’ve already started your current book, I don’t recommend making the switch now. Consider it for your next book.

A piece of software I suggest you start investigating immediately, however, is one called ProWritingAid. It’s the best editing tool I’ve found, and it offers you very detailed notes on how to improve your writing.  You can get a membership — it costs about $70 per year — but start with the free trial first. I put the link in the description below.

Basically, you enter your text into a box on the screen, and then the software will analyze it for you. The edit is incredibly detailed, almost overwhelmingly so. I enjoy clicking on the summary button because that gives me a concise overview of the changes I need to consider. ProWritingAid looks at reading ease, grade level, sentence length, and your use of the passive voice.

I find it incredibly useful and much MORE effective than Grammarly, which is also a lot more expensive. See below for a link to my blog post comparing Grammarly with ProWriting Aid. By the way, I am not a paid spokesperson for ProWritingAid, nor am I a reseller.

James, I suggest you make yourself a note about Scrivener for your next project, but start using ProWritingAid right away. You won’t regret that choice.

Finally, let me wrap up with a quote from French businessman Xavier Niel. “If you know how to make software, then you can create big things.”

James, you’re busy writing your book so I’m certain you don’t want to create software. But you can USE software to help make the job of writing easier and more fun for yourself.

*

If you’d like to learn how to make writing a happier, more fulfilling process for yourself, please look at my latest book, Your Happy First Draft. I don’t sell it in bookstores or via Amazon. The only place to buy it is on my website, link below.

Links 

Scrivener 

Joanna Penn on Scrivener

Is it worth paying for ProWritingAid? (And is it better than Grammarly?)

Your Happy First Draft

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