Writing Tools

I know Pacemaker has been mentioned, but what other writing tools do you find helpful?

I downloaded the NaNo trial of Scrivner to give it another go. I had it on an older PC but I never really got the hang of it. The tutorial that came with the NaNo trial was helpful, and I have high hopes for it. The only downside is that it doesn't travel. I'm used to things I can access anywhere like Google Drive and Keep.

 

I'm using my trial of Scrivner this year as well! I've used Evernote and Microsoft OneNote before. I like the Write or Die app to help me do more writing and less thinking too.

 

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly is Keep? Searching leads to a ton of stuff, so I'm asking directly.

Natalie, thanks for mentioning that app. I'm going to give it a try. It sounds amazing. I wish you both tons of luck with NaNo!

 

Keep is Google's answer to note-taking. You can make a quick note or a list. It even records audio, and you can add images. I mostly use it when I'm out and about, and someone says or does something interesting.

I completely forgot about Write or Die! It is evil, but it definitely helps quell the inner editor.

 

I didn't know about Google Keep. As a lover of all things Google and note-taking, I'm very disappointed in myself, but super thankful to you for bringing it to my attention! I'll have to check it out. Do you by chance know how it compares to other apps, like Microsoft OneNote?

You should, Ellie Jane! It let's you use either a rewards system (like getting pictures of cute kittens) when you get to a certain word count or will start being nasty if you're not going fast enough. I work better with the "punishment" system. It really does help with that, Jordan. It's one of my biggest problems too!

 

Do any of you use Pronoun - ebook services for writers? I just read this morning that they are shutting down as of January, 2018. It's not an immediate shutdown and writers will still be allowed to manage their work online until January. Just a bit of news.

 

I briefly used OneNote at work, but I didn't stick with it. I've also tried EverNote but I kept running out of space.

As for finding Google Keep, I think I did a search for note-taking apps for probably the thousandth time and it popped up. Since Google already runs my life, I figure what's one more product?

 

I've tried using Scrivener in the past and it is complicated software. It was a wash for me, but it seems popular with other writers and researchers.