I compiled this list of useful writing tools because, let’s face it, writing and publishing a book is a lot of work. It can seem overwhelming. But a little help may be just what you need to get to the finish line with your book.
A Little Help Can Prevent Setbacks
If you’re like me, you’ve probably noticed that even with a ton of inspiration and good ideas, setbacks can drain your time and energy. Pacing and plot issues can cause a spiral. Editing can start to seem like climbing Mt. Everest, so you dread it and put it off.
So, why not use everything at your disposal to take some of the weight off?
These useful writing tools will help keep you organized, catch major issues before a derailment happens, and save you time and energy. Hopefully, all this will allow you to make steady progress so you can be publish-ready in a timely manner.
This list is by no means definitive but the options below are well-tested, user-friendly, and offer more bang for your buck than the others out there.
Looking for tools to help with the organization and focus you need as a busy author in general? I made a list for that!
These Useful Writing Tools Assist with Organization and Structure
If you’re struggling with organzing your plot structure, story arc, or other big picture elements, below are some useful writing tools that will help you keep track of it all. Maybe you’re just struggling to make it all come together? Or perhaps you’ve unintentionally created a plot hole or a pacing issue? These things can pile up and fixing them after the fact may cause delays in your publishing timeline because you’re spending more time editing. You don’t want that.
Plottr
Because novels(and even nonfiction books) can be complex, it’s easy to lose track of the big picture or forget important details. Plottr allows you to visually keep everything organized from beginning to end. The bonus is that it’s a visual system, kind of like sticky notes, so everything is laid out in front of you. It also comes with a multitude of templates that guide pacing and structure. The downside is that it’s simply an organizational tool. In other words you can’t use it to write in real time because it’s a separate tool from your writing software.
- Starting at $60 a year
- Offers free trial
ProWritingAid Manuscript Analysis
This useful writing tool from ProwritingAid uses AI to analyse your manuscript and provide feedback on plot holes, character arcs, consistency, and more. Of course, it will not take the place of a professional developmental editor. But it will allow you to notice when something is going off track. This means you won’t get overwhelmed and stuck on that final edit.
- $144 a year
- Offers a free version for basic writing suggestions
Editing Tools to Help Polish Your Manuscript Before Handing it to a Professional
Some useful writing tools’ usefulness will depend on whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction. It will also depend on whether you’re just looking for a clean copy edit or help with consistency and language usage. Yes, you will still almost certainly need a professional editor of some type. But these editing tools will save time and money on the process. Also keep in mind that doing a solid self-edit first will start you off on the right foot.
Living Writer
Living Writer is more than just an editing tool. But it’s designed for fiction writing, so results and suggestions will be way more useful. It has so many features and it’s incredibly user friendly. Living Writer allows you to edit as you go, and to focus on your novel chapter by chapter or scene by scene. It also helps with organization and structure and offers a set, low monthly subscription price.
- $9.99 per month
- Free trial offer
ProWritingAid Editor
ProWritingAid offers more than editing, but like Living Writer, the editing software is designed specifically for fiction and creative writing. This means the style and grammar checker willl be more helpful than editing tools that focus solely on academic or professional writing. It also catches structural issues, repetition, and offers rephrasing suggestions.
- $120 a year
- Free basic version available
I’d like to note that Grammarly is another a line or copy editing tool option. However, I don’t personally recommend it for anyone who is easily distracted by constant interference. Grammarly is also not ideal for fiction because the suggestions tend to drown out tone and voice. It can be good for catching basic spelling and grammar errors. But your standard spell check does that.
Formatting Tools that are Useful for Meeting Required Standards
If you’re going it alone because you’re on a tight budget or only require basic (yet proper) formatting, these tools will help you avoid time consuming and frustrating mistakes.
Formatting can be complicated, depending on your vision for the interior design. But these useful tools exist to get the basics done right. Because, yes, your book will need to be properly formatted before you upload it to your preferred publishing and distribution platforms.
Atticus
Atticus is a useful writing tool, but it really shines as a tool to format your manuscript. It’s a user-friendly way to complete a sometimes complex task. It offers both premade themes and customizable templates, allowing you to turn your manuscript into polished-looking and print-ready PDFs, and eBooks. Atticus is a big bang for your buck if you plan on writing multiple books.
- $147 one time fee, unlimited usage
Vellum
Vellum offers what Atticus does, but it’s exclusively for Mac. It displays real-time previews as you test your interior design options. So, you can see exactly what it will look like as an eBook, for example. It’s pricier than Atticus, but if you’re a Mac user and are looking for maximum polish, this may be for you.
- $249 one time fee
- Free small storage (4 GiB) option
At Lease One of these Useful Writing Tools Will Provide the Help YOU Need
Of course, what you choose to use will depend on your needs (and your budget). Not everyone needs help with the same things. But all of these useful writing tools assist with common issues every author faces on their publishing journey. In the end, they can save you the time, money and frustrations that lead to setbacks. Because we all know that a good idea and inspiration alone won’t lead to actually finishing that manuscript.
Wondering what to do now that you’re ready to publish? Unsure about the next steps? My blog offers practical guidance on all things publishing and marketing, so check it out!
You can also get in touch to see how I can help you navigate the whole process.
