This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you find the most useful sites and applications. Register here.
Pens. Pencils. A typewriter. Computers. A star of words. A word. Google Docs. Writing tools are constantly changing. That evolution has brought us hundreds of writing apps to choose from. Read on for recommended tools for a variety of writing challenges.
If you are easily distracted: iA Writer
This is a very simple scripting interface. Most writing apps have cluttered, distracting interfaces. I know I procrastinate when I find myself checking out style options. iA Writer is the purest app I’ve found for structured design. All I can see are the words I write.
- Highlight writing issues:An optional setting identifies abbreviations and filler words. The software can also highlight your syntax by color—adjectives in brown, adverbs in purple, verbs in blue, etc. I especially appreciate the clean interface.
- Price:2-week free trial, then $50 for Apple devices, $30 for Windows or Android.
If you’re stuck in writer’s block: Literally
Overcome the blank page problem by speaking out loud about your ideas without worrying about the exact words. With Letterly and other AI dictation apps like Oasis ($50/year), it’s easy to turn spoken thoughts into drafts.
- Price:$10/month.
Letterly and Oasis write what you have to say and convert it into various formats such as an outline, summary, social post, or draft blog or journal entry.
- A desktop alternative: The Oasis team recently launched a new Mac AI app called TalkTastic. It allows you to cut, transcribe, and convert text into any writing application. You can use it with Google Docs, Word, or any other software.
When I’m stuck looking at zero word count, I like to open one of these apps and talk to myself about a few ideas. It is a form of “free writing” orally. In a few minutes, I have sentences to build on.
If you’re working on a book project: Scrivener
If you’re working on a long writing project with many parts, try Scrivener. It gives you many ways to see and organize parts of your work. I like the index card view, which allows you to drag cards to reorganize what’s important.
- Price:After a month-long free trial, it’s $60 for a one-time purchase for Mac or Windows ($51 for teachers). Or $24 for iOS.
If you would like to write with others: Etherpad
Etherpad is my favorite open source writing tool for live brainstorming, writing, and editing. You can use it online for free at sites like Framapad and pad.education, or set up your own experience with a little coding. Here is an example of a collaborative document I started. Add to it to try Etherpad.
If you like exploring AI: Lex
The AI in the Lex writing and editing app identifies cliches, passive voice, hedging (I think, maybe, etc.), missing quotes, and repetition. It also allows you to customize the writing matter to your attention. You can also select a phrase you’re having trouble with and Lex will suggest a rewrite option.
- Price:It’s free for basic use. Pay $12/month billed annually for full features.
- Other:For more editing options, I like to paste a blank sentence into DeepL Write for more sentence ideas. It now works in English, French, Spanish and German. I use the free version, but you can upgrade for $11/month.
If you like to try . . .
I’m always trying new apps. Here are a few I’m watching these days.
- Butter Docs is an alternative to Google Docs that lets you see your research as you write, with built-in space for notes and outlines.
- Leaflet is a very simple, early version of the new writing app from the team behind Hyperlink, my favorite online group work collaboration site. Here’s an early rough example of a simple Leaflet document.
- Blaze is an AI tool that aims to simplify the process of writing social content. The new feature allows you to upload a podcast or video you’ve recorded and easily convert it into a draft for other formats/platforms.
- Letterloop enables collaborative newsletters for a family or group of friends ($5/month). It’s a creative way to build—or reinvigorate—a writing habit by working with a small group of people you care about. Create a limited edition newsletter for family members or friends.
- Alternatively, use Substack to create a free, private newsletter. Theme it with a milestone, project (“cooking test”) or anything else you like. A small, friendly audience can lower the evaluation rate. You choose the topic, style, and participants.
This article is republished with permission from Wonder Tools, a newsletter that helps you find the most useful sites and applications. Register here.
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