#AmWriting – Writing Software

Here’s another common question on the writer’s forums I frequent:

What software do you use to write your (whatever)?

The simple answer is – use whatever is comfortable for you. The writing vehicle has no impact on your writing EXCEPT to the degree that it is comfortable/uncomfortable for you. Remember, Shakespeare wrote with a quill pen and paper (and cheap ones at that in all probability), F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote on a typewriter, 30 years ago people began writing on computers running DOS programs. Today, I hear people say they are writing on their phones.

So here’s the central lesson for today:

WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU IS GREAT.

Now, in the computer age, there are many choices designed for different writers and their different needs. For me, this comes down to two programs (I’ll touch on some other ideas to explore at the end of the post)

Libre Office – this is a free software suite equivalent to Microsoft Office. It is highly rated, updated regularly, and, let me mention again, completely free. I spend money only when I must and Microsoft’s ever-increasing costs to use their software turns me off. Office fans will maintain that it is superior to all others, but I’ve never been convinced. I’ve used several different word processing programs over the year, and I see no significant advantage for the pricey product from Redmond. Libre Office can save in the most popular .doc and .docx formats so it works fine for me. I have a copy of this software on all my computers (desktop and my travel laptop). So I have a consistent resource, no matter where I’m working.

Scrivener – I got lucky and got this as a gift. If I had to pay for writing software, this would be at the top of the list. Scrivener offers a format designed for writers, with templates for fiction and non-fiction projects. It helps me keep notes, character profiles and more all in one place. When my WIP is a longer form (novel) this is my go-to software. There is a little bit of a learning curve with it, but to get started is simple. Learn the (many) extras as you need them. I’ve been using it for a couple years and I’m still finding things that make my life easier. The other time I turn to Scrivener is when it’s time to put together a book. For short story collections or books like “You Call, I Drive” I can do the layout and formatting for publishing with it. Love me some Scrivener.

Those are the two I use but there are lots of other options. I see a lot of people use Google Docs. You get all the advantages of cloud storage and access from any computer with this. The downside is that you have to have internet access. Previous to Libre Office, I used Open Office. Very similar (some of the same people worked on both). At one point, development updates were not happening on this project which is why I moved on.  Since that time, Apache took over the project and it’s updated regularly again.  I’ve used yWriter in the past.  Similar in concept to Scrivener. I had no issues with it, we just didn’t “click”. Heck, I’ve used Word in the past!  I’d also mention that there are applications designed for specific needs. If you need help staying focused on your writing check out applications like FocusWriter or Draft (which has a function that stops you from editing while writing!). These are the ones I hear mentioned most often but they aren’t the only ones. Search for “distraction-free writing software” and you’ll find plenty of free and paid options.  IN fact, there are dozens, perhaps hundreds of options out there to help you write.  It’s kind of like dating.  You’ve got to dive in.

The bottom line remains the bottom line. Find something that is comfortable for you and go with it. It’s a relationship with your writing software (even if you opt to dump the software and write with pen/pencil and paper!). Find the right relationship, and then get writing!

I have not received anything for mentioning any of the applications/software listed here.  If any of these companies (or others) would like to change that, drop me a line!  (Hey, if you don’t ask…)

Peace.