Ever Tried Writing Software?

Have any of you tried using computer software that helps organize and edit your writing? If so, I'd love to hear what worked for you. I need more help than Microsoft's spell check can give me.

 

Oh dear, I just realized my thread title reads as though I'm asking if you can code. See? I clearly need a bit of extra help.

 

I was wondering...

I've tried Scrivener to store research notes, but it simply was not intuitive for me at all. I believe I will be forever chained to pad and pen.

 

... Given this site, I'd say there are a couple of them who can code quite well.

My own experience goes as far as MS Publisher, which was fine constructing works, but is no real help in actually helping to write.

 

I found Scrivener to be quite good for me, though it was a few years ago, and you do have to pay.

There are several free alternatives to it that may be of use.

 

Thank you all for the replies! I've looked at Scrivener but it seems complicated. I might still give it a go. At least it's affordable and I don't mind paying.

Has anyone tried Stylewriter? It's more of an editor than organizational/story assistant but it's expensive! The reviews seem all over the place.

 

There are also programs like Grammarly, and a wordpress plugin called Just Writing I have heard recommended. I do not know how much they cost, and I have not used them, but they may help you.

 

I didn't know there was actually writing software that could help you as you write. This is a very interesting proposal and I need to look into it. Not much money to spend yet but the free stuff sounds great! Thanks.

 

Thank you for the info, Reader! I've never heard of Just Writing before. I'll give it a try next.
Littlesister, there are freebies out there too, but I don't think you can download them to use in word documents and the like. Reverso.net is an online only, free option. The best part is that it checks UK English spelling as well.

 

I found a free writing software called FreeWriting. You get a free trial that has the ability to be turned on and off when you use it so your trial doesn't simply go by the wayside. After the trial, there is a small fee (haven't got there yet) but this software is very interesting.

 

Thanks for sharing, littlesister! I'll try that out. How neat that they let you turn it off and on so you aren't using up your trial too quickly. That seems like good customer (potential) service.

 

I have never used a writing software before and didn't realize that I could try one for free. I think I will try FreeWriting since it's a free trial. I don't think that I am ready to pay for one right now.

 

Thanks for asking this question! I've tried Scrivner before, but I'm not the best planner, so I didn't find it too helpful. I'm excited to check out some of the other suggestions.

 

The Snowflake Pro Software is more similar to Scrivener than just a juiced up grammar/spelling checker. It isn't inexpensive, but it comes with a fantastic license. You can upload it onto five computers at a time. Might help some of the ambitious NaNo writers here.

 

I've never heard of the Snowflake Pro Software before. I'm going to have to give that a look. It is a bit pricey but usually, when it comes to software, that directly reflects quality. Thanks for the suggestion! I've recently been trying Beemgee but it's more for developing your characters and storyline, as far as I can tell from the free trial.

 

I'm rather surprised that there are so many options really. Have you come across the software that is supposed to rewrite the article or story paragraph for you? I believe it's called article spinning. It sounds fantastic in theory, but the actual result is dreadful. A bloke at the library keeps posting signs on the bulletin board about it just to show students that they'll need to do their own work. The computer generated articles are nonsense.

 

Ellie Jane, I've never heard of article spinning before. I can see the intent behind the idea, but I'm totally not surprised it doesn't pan out in reality I don't think I'd like it if it did either? That just seems to take away from the craft of writing.

 

I've heard of it - in fact I have seen several results of it as quick and easy churned out books and articles to make a quick bit of cash before they get pulled from Amazon.

They are bad, seriously bad.

 

Yes, the examples posted were terrible too. I think it's more of a cheating mechanism for young students in my area, but it sure let me see that the robots aren't ready to replace the human mind just yet. It was a bunch of nonsense.

Your Spintax example reminds me of Mad Libs. I bet some of the results are a real riot.