The Absolute Best Writing Software for Aspiring Authors

Looking for the best writing tools to increase your productivity, improve your skills, or manage your time? Need a hand organizing your storylines or maintaining focus or coming up with ideas?

Well, you got it. 

There are a ridiculous number of outstanding writing tools out there, and they each serve their own clever purpose. Nearly every challenge writers face has been eased by a talented techie with a vision. (Even the debilitating fear of failure, if you count Headspace as a writing tool.)

To keep things simple, we're introducing you to a few of our favorite solutions to common author struggles. In this list, you'll get to know:

• The best all-around novel-writing software
• Great story-plotting tools
• Practical word processors for those who like to keep it simple and familiar
• Convenient book-formatting software
• Handy editing tools
• The best AI writing tools for those who want an on-demand brainstorming partner
• Our favorite productivity apps

But first, let's answer one very important question.

Why Bother With Book-Writing Software?

What's wrong with good ol' fashioned Microsoft Word? Why does everybody have to be so fancy shmancy with their tech tools these days?

You don't have to be fancy. In fact, MS Word counts as book-writing software, and you'll find it on this list. It's not about having all the fiction-specific bells and whistles. It's about finding the tool that works best for you, and when you see what else is out there, you might discover something that solves problems you didn't even know were solvable.

For example:

A Great Writing Tool Can Keep You Organized

If you have experience writing novels, you know the process involves a lot more than a single Word document.

There are brainstorming notes, mind maps, character profiles, plot outlines, worldbuilding bibles, research notes, and half a million drafts marked up with either your notes or someone else's.

Novel-writing software often accounts for these things. These specialized tools provide features for keeping all these moving parts organized, often with an interface that helps you visualize your story elements.

The best book-writing programs also have functions to help you manage the manuscript itself, allowing you to organize and rearrange chapters, drag and drop scenes, create different versions during the revision process, and even format your file for publication.

Your Favorite Writing Tool Can Create Space for Creativity

Tools designed specifically for authors often make more space for creativity in the book-writing process by eliminating the distraction of technical details.

In the lists that follow, you'll see software that incorporates industry-standard formatting, seamless note-taking, and features that promote a distraction-free writing experience. Some of these tools offer both online and offline access with automatic syncing between devices.

Our very favorite makes it shockingly easy to share your work, collect feedback, and revise without ever leaving the software or creating 26 different files.

Less formatting and admin means more energy available to put toward crafting that devastating midpoint.

Writing Software Can Help You Meet Your Daily Word Count Goals

Novel-writing software is usually made by someone who knows how easy it is for authors to surrender to writer's block, the fear of failure, or the siren call of social media. That's why many of these programs come with productivity tools to help you stay on top of your goals.

This includes goal-setting features that track your word count, showcase your progress, and celebrate your wins. Many programs also come with an optional focus mode that fades potentially distracting visuals like toolbars so you can focus on churning out those words.

Dabble Writer even includes a word sprint timer, allowing you to create your own productivity challenges or simply Pomodoro your way to a finished draft. And a few tools, Dabble included, come with a community of fellow writers who will cheer you on and join you for writing challenges.

Specialized Software Can Help You Prepare for Publication

If your ultimate goal is to publish your novel, the right software can take a lot of the friction out of the revising and formatting process.

Most tools include some sort of style-check function, as well as editing features like highlighting and commenting. The most impressive programs also allow editors, beta readers, and critique partners to access your project. That way, you're not stuck creating and distributing multiple files, then transferring all their notes back into your main document.

When the time comes to put your work out into the world, some novel-writing programs will automatically format your manuscript to meet industry standards or, for indie writers, provide easy features for formatting a professional e-book and print-ready PDF.

How to Find the Best Book Writing Software for You

Let's say you're sold on using novel-writing software. How do you know which tool is the best one for you?

It helps if you go into your software search with clear priorities. Not all writers have the same process or the same needs. Some want all the bells and whistles, while others prefer simplicity. You might want one tool that does a little bit of everything or a few highly specialized programs to help you out at different parts of the process.

The questions below can help you clarify which software features matter most to you.

Why Are You Looking for Book-Writing Software?

There's a reason you're reading this article. What is it?

Do you wish Word had more novel-specific formatting features? Has your outlining notebook become a chaotic mess of scribbles and arrows? Is it getting harder to collaborate with your co-author on Google Docs as your manuscript gets longer?

Your primary reason for seeking out book-writing software might not account for all your preferences, but it can serve as your North Star. Writing tools can do so many cool things these days, it's easy to get excited about features you don't actually need.

If you begin your research with a clear understanding of the problem you're trying to solve, you're less likely to waste money chasing after shiny things that do nothing for you.

What Are Your Priorities?

Beyond the initial need that brought you here, what other features would you put in the must-have column?

Do you need to be able to visualize your storylines, settings, and characters? Would it make your life way easier if you could alternate between writing at your desk and writing on the train? Is it important to keep things simple so learning how to use software doesn't become an excuse for procrastination?

Make a list of your top priorities. If it helps, make your list after you read through this article. You might discover must-have features you didn't even know existed.

What's Your Budget?

Some writing tools are free or at least offer a free version. Others require a sizable one-time payment, and others are available by subscription.

The cost range varies significantly, and you can correctly assume that you usually get what you pay for. Free writing software does a few things well enough, while many of the pricier subscription-based programs offer a wider range of innovative features, more flexibility, and greater reliability.

Now, that doesn't necessarily mean you should go with a more expensive tool. It's up to you whether it makes sense to pay for specific features or a certain type of writing experience at this point in your author journey.

Again, you might start to gain a clearer sense of how much money you want to invest in writing software when you see what's out there. But it's still helpful to start with an idea of how much you can comfortably spend.

What Do You Plan to Write?

In this article, we're focusing primarily on the needs of fiction and creative nonfiction writers. But many fiction authors play around in other formats, too.

Do you want your writing software to also have screenplay formatting capabilities? Do you want to write your blog or newsletter with the same tool you use to write your novel? Or do you want your novel-writing software to be its own thing?

Also consider the size and complexity of the stories you write. If you plan to write epic fantasy, you'll definitely want software that can handle a massive manuscript, and you might also want robust plotting features to help you wrangle your many subplots, character profiles, and worldbuilding bible.

Think through all these questions and keep your answers in mind as you explore all your book-writing software options.

Speaking of which, let's talk about the brilliant tools at your disposal.

Best All-Around Book-Writing Software

Our first category is for book-writing software that provides solutions for the entire writing process. These tools offer features for brainstorming, plotting, writing, and revising.

Budget-wise, these options often fall on the pricier end of the scale, but they can actually be pretty cost-effective if the alternative is managing subscriptions to multiple editing tools, plotting software, a word processor, and more.

There's also a lot to be said for the convenience of referencing character profiles and beta reader notes without switching between programs.

If you're looking for an all-in-one option, these are our top picks:

Dabble Writer

I'm sure it's no big shock that this one tops our list. You are reading this article on the Dabble website, after all.

But let me reassure you that I'll be giving every software we discuss its well-deserved flowers. Let me also clarify that Dabble Writer was my tool of choice even before I started writing for them. So my bias toward this program actually predates any loyalty I might have developed through affiliation.

I'm also happy to say that this writing software I was wild about seven years ago has only gotten more amazing.

Planning and Plotting Tools

Dabble's flagship feature is the famous Plot Grid. It's a genius system you can use to outline your story, track character arcs, manage subplots, and more. This tool allows you to see your entire story at a glance and check for plot holes and accidentally abandoned threads.

The Plot Grid is fully customizable. You can add as many columns as you need, drag and drop scenes as your vision changes, and add Labels to indicate story beats, point of view, or literally anything else that could possibly need indicating.

Your Scene Cards automatically link to corresponding scenes in your manuscript, which means the relevant notes are immediately at hand as you write. You can also pin a note and place it wherever you'd like as you work on your manuscript or story notes.

As for organizing other story elements, you get customizable Character Profiles with the option to upload or search for images, group your characters into Casts, and attach relevant notes to a profile. The Notebook allows you to create nesting folders and files, making it the perfect place to organize your worldbuilding bible, research material, and more.

The Writing Process

If you could use a little motivation to get your words in, Dabble Writer has an extensive goal-setting feature that gives you the option to customize and stack goals, whether you're aiming to finish your manuscript by a certain day, conquer a timed challenge, or create a daily writing habit. There's also a built-in word sprint timer for added motivation.

You can change the interface to match your mood and focus needs, from selecting a theme to allowing dark mode to opting for the auto-focus feature that fades out everything but your manuscript. If you work with a co-author, Dabble Writer includes real-time collaboration.

Editing Tools

When it's time for the daunting revision process, Dabble Writer has your back in every way imaginable. Thanks to the advanced versioning feature, you can access past versions of your draft and restore previous passages either as a separate note you can pull from or as a complete replacement for your current version.

In other words, there's no need to create multiple files as you revise, and you never have to worry about regretting your edits.

You also have the ability to create Review Copies to share with beta readers, editors, and friends. You can choose to share a read-only version, allow for comments, or invite edits with tracked changes.

As for self-editing, you've got all kinds of handy-dandy tools for marking up your masterpiece. I'm talking about things like highlighting, sticky notes, comments, and even built-in grammar and style checks powered by ProWritingAid. 

Accessibility and Reliability

Another huge benefit to Dabble Writer: you can use it anytime, anywhere, on any device. Access your work in the app or on the web. Write with or without an internet connection. Breathe easy thanks to cloud-based autosave and count on seamless syncing between devices.

Community

Finally, Dabble comes with a big, friendly community of fellow writers. You can join the free DabbleU Campus (even if you don't use Dabble Writer!) and get in on writerly conversations, group challenges, live word sprints, and more.

The highest tier subscription includes access to the exclusive DabbleU Academy, where you can participate in live workshops, go deep on craft with self-guided courses, and attend Office Hours with our resident authors and coaches.

Dabble Might Be for You If:

You're looking for one intuitive writing tool that does it all and adapts to the way you write.

Learn More:

Explore Dabble's features and packages right here. Better yet, explore it for yourself with a 14-day free trial.

Scrivener

There's a good chance you've heard of Scrivener. As the oldest novel-writing software on this list, it led the way as an option designed to address the unique challenges of authors. It's also had plenty of time to expand its features to meet a wide range of writing needs, which is why it also has a reputation as the most complicated program to learn.

Scrivener comes with a steep learning curve. Most users spend a lot of time with tutorials before they feel ready to take full advantage of the program's features. Those who love it will tell you it was absolutely worth the effort. Others find the Scrivener's complexity an unnecessary distraction.

Hopefully, the information below will you help you determine what side of the debate you're likely to land on.

Planning and Plotting Tools

Scrivener is famous for its corkboard, where you can create and organize notecards for individual scenes or chapters. Just like the Dabble Plot Grid, rearranging cards on the corkboard will also rearrange the corresponding sections in your manuscript.

You can also set a status for each card ("to do," "first draft," etc.) and assign color labels according to your own color code. The corkboard layout is versatile, including an option to arrange cards by label. This allows you to see how specific elements track throughout your novel, similar to (but with less flexibility than) the Plot Grid.

Scrivener also gives you a "binder," where you can create folders and files to organize your story into acts, chapters, and/or scenes.

Scrivener's outliner feature is pretty cool, as it shows information about each scene at a glance. You can see a synopsis of each scene, current word count, status, labels, any keywords you've established for the scene, and more. You can customize this view to show only the information you care about.

The Writing Process

At the time when Scrivener first appeared on the scene, it felt revolutionary for offering writers multiple options for organizing and structuring their stories, including the option to compose scenes out of order and rearrange them as needed.

While this perk no longer feels groundbreaking at a time when drag-and-drop scenes are fairly standard in book-writing software, some writers prefer the way Scrivener approaches it.

You essentially treat each section as an independent document within one project. When you're ready to compile them into a single document, you select the sections you want included and format the finished book according to your preferences. It's a more tedious process than what you'll find with most other tools, but it also gives you a great deal of control.

As for the writing experience itself, a full-screen feature leaves you with a clutter-free writing space so you can focus on your story. You can view up to four documents side by side, which helps if you're comparing multiple drafts, referencing other passages, or need to consult research as you draft your manuscript.

Scrivener is also quite versatile, with functions like footnotes that serve nonfiction authors and screenplay formatting for screenwriters.

You can set and track word count targets to motivate yourself, but this feature is not as comprehensive as similar tools in other programs.

As for collaboration features, there really aren't any. Some co-authors make it work through a cloud sync service, but it's a clunky process.

Editing Tools

Scrivener has two noteworthy editing tools.

The first is Revision Mode, which allows you to edit your text without committing to your revisions. This feature uses strikethroughs and color-coded text to show you what has been altered so you can decide which changes you want to keep.

The Snapshots tool offers a similar benefit. You can take a "snapshot" of a section before you revise it, then compare the new version side by side with the original. If you prefer the original, you can restore the snapshotted version.

It's similar to versioning in Dabble Writer, but while Dabble automatically captures every moment in the history of your project, Scrivener only captures the versions you tell it to. Still a pretty cool tool, though.

Accessibility

Scrivener is available for Windows, MacOS, and iOS, and you can use it with or without an internet connection. Just know that while you can use it on multiple devices, you have to buy a separate license for each one. You also have to set up cloud syncing yourself.

Scrivener Might Be for You If:

You want a comprehensive tool for writing in several different formats and don't mind a steep learning curve and some minor inconveniences along the way.

Learn More:

You can get to know Scrivener here and check current pricing here. There is no free version of Scrivener, but a free trial is available.

yWriter

I'll be honest: yWriter's interface is a bit cluttered and outdated. In terms of functionality, it can't really compete with Dabble Writer and Scrivener. It does, however, have something very few all-in-one novel-writing programs have: An extremely low price point.

If you're a Windows user, yWriter is free (unless you choose to pay a small registration fee). MacOS, iOS, and Android versions come at a cost, but again, the fee is minimal.

So while I can't claim to be blown away by the features of yWriter, I can appreciate its accessibility for someone who's only dipping a toe into the novel-writing waters and isn't ready to throw down real money for plotting features.

So let's see what you get with this extremely affordable option.

Planning and Plotting Tools

The planning and plotting tools in yWriter definitely aren't flashy, but they cover all the basics.

There are sections for creating character profiles, storing location details, and establishing key items within the story. You can also upload one image for each entry.

A simple outliner allows you to set up and organize chapters and scenes. For each scene, you're able to provide a scene description and identify key details, like the primary conflict within the scene and its significance within the overall story. You can also access the character, location, and item lists to select the elements present in that scene.

Like pretty much all novel-writing apps, you can rearrange chapters and scenes by dragging and dropping.

Writing Process

Double click on a scene to start writing, and you get twin windows. One is for the content of your scene and the other shows you the information you need to write it. You can click between scene details, characters, locations, notes, and more.

If you could use a little motivation, you have the option to set a deadline and target word count. yWriter maintains a daily progress log so you can review how far you've come whenever you need a hit of dopamine.

yWriter does not have any collaboration features. Your only option is download and share your work in progress with your co-author.

Editing Tools

The special editing tools in yWriter aren't quite as exciting as the ones you find in Dabble Writer and Scrivener, but for a free-or-nearly-free writing software, they're enough to get the job done.

If your story contains multiple points of view, storyboard view offers a visual layout of how those various POVs are distributed throughout your story. This allows you to determine whether any specific voices are overused, underused, or awkwardly spaced.

Your character, location, and item lists also contain stats showing you how often they appear in your manuscript. Again, this is handy for making sure you haven't accidentally dropped any threads or overwhelmed your readers with heavy-handed symbolism.

Accessibility

yWriter is a desktop app available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, and Android. There's no web version, cloud backup, or syncing between devices.

yWriter Might Be for You If:

You just want to explore the possibilities with a low-cost option that does a little bit of most things.

Learn More:

Go here for more information about yWriter.

Best Story Plotting Tools

Now, you might not be looking for a tool that does it all. Maybe you're perfectly happy with a simple word processor and just want a better system for planning your novel.

These next two options might fit the bill:

Plottr

Plottr is designed purely for plotting and planning with several tools to help you lay out your story visually and keep track of key elements. There is no space for drafting your novel in Plottr, which means you'll either have to keep the program open if you want to reference it as you write or export your outline for use in another software.

Key features include the timeline, a tool that allows you to map out each scene of your novel and track character arcs, subplots, alternate timelines, and more.

You can also create extensive profiles for characters, locations, and items. All this information can be organized by book and by series, sparing you the irritation of having to recreate profiles for characters and locations that show up in multiple books.

One of Plottr's newest and most interesting features is a family tree function, allowing you to easily visualize character relationships.

Plottr also comes with loads of built-in templates, covering all major story structures and character development tools like the Enneagram. You can also create your own templates and customize the setup of your timeline and profiles.

Overall, Plottr is good for getting organized without overdoing it. That said, it might not be robust enough to meet the needs of fantasy and sci-fi writers who are building entire universes from scratch. For that, you might want to check out the next option.

There is no free version of Plottr, but there is a free 30-day trial.

Plotter Might Be for You If:

You love color coding and want a basic, intuitive tool for organizing your story's details.

Learn More:

You can explore the tool here and check out current packages here.

World Anvil

This tool is intense. Originally created to serve D&D dungeon masters, World Anvil is loaded with nearly every feature you could possibly need to dream up a fictional world and its inhabitants.

You can build an extensive timeline that covers thousands of years of history across multiple civilizations. You can upload maps and link elements within them to notes on your world or even other maps. You can write and organize articles detailing everything from the deities that manipulate your world to the cookware your fictional beings use.

World Anvil also features character sheets, plotting tools, and an editor for drafting your manuscript. As far as a writing tool goes, it's fine. Without question, the standout feature is World Anvil's worldbuilding capabilities.

Another thing that sets this tool apart is its community. Authors have the option to both publish their novel and share their world details with a substantial community of readers, providing an opportunity to build a readership and deepen your audience's connection to your work. Just be aware that this community skews heavily toward fantasy and sci-fi.

World Anvil Might Be for You If:

You write speculative or historical fiction and need a powerful tool for organizing complex worlds.

Learn More:

Click here to get familiar with World Anvil. Click here to see current pricing.

Notion

If you like free stuff and enjoy building your own systems from scratch, this might be your jam. Notion is a versatile organization tool that wasn't designed specifically for writers but has definitely earned its rank among the best writing tools.

With Notion, you can construct your own web of interlinking charts, documents, databases, galleries, to-do lists, and more. Create a toggled outline. Design a worldbuilding template to use for future projects. Keep your word count log, project manager, query list, and marketing plan in the same place where you plot your story.

You can even draft your novel in Notion. (Though it won't automatically format a manuscript for you the way a dedicated writing program like Dabble will.)

Just be aware that it takes time to learn all the ins and outs of Notion. You can find templates other writers have shared, and that will save you from starting from scratch, but even the templates come with a learning curve if you're brand new to the tool.

‍Notion Might Be for You If:

You're crazy about organization systems and want to keep your story ideas and marketing timeline all in one place.

‍Learn More:

‍Go here if you want to give Notion a whirl.

Best Software for Drafting Only

This list is for the folks who do all their plotting in notebooks and corkboards and are only looking for a place to write their story. For those writers, which word processor is best?

It depends on how much you value familiarity and accessibility. It's also important to factor in the length of your projects. The standard word processors you know best—programs like Google Docs and Microsoft Word—weren't built for epic fantasy novels and don't always handle long manuscripts as well as dedicated novel-writing tools do.

Let's take a look at your options.

Ellipsus

This would be my top recommendation for anyone who wants something that operates like Google Docs but is built with novelists in mind (and is AI-free!). I can thank my buddy Doug for telling me about this one.

You won't find visual plotting tools in this web-based app, but it does feature several novel-writing templates—enough that it's clear this program was built for folks like us.

Just like Google Docs, Ellipsus is a free tool that allows you to collaborate in real time with anyone who has an Ellipsus account. The text editor functions the same, with headings to keep you organized, and you get to customize your workspace. Little side note: Ellipsus is almost as beautiful as Dabble. Almost.

This software also offers a paid plan, which comes with bonus features like chat, writing insights, and Emboss, a fascinating function created to help writers prove they composed their work with their own human brains. The paid plan also gets you version history forever, while the free version only covers you for 30 days.

The one downside is that Ellipsus doesn't have a desktop app, so you can only use it online. Rumor has it an app is in the works, though.

Ellipsus Might Be for You If:

You want the simplicity of Google Docs but with a stronger fiction focus and less (zero) AI.

Learn More:

Check out Ellipsus here.

Google Docs

Google Docs has a lot going for it. It's free, it's easy to learn, and collaboration is a breeze. Co-authors can edit the same draft in real time. Editors and beta readers can add comments and suggestions at any time. And because Google runs the world, nearly everyone has a Google account, so you can invite people to join your project without asking them to sign up for yet another service.

The downside?

Google Docs doesn't handle novel-sized documents gracefully, especially not if you write epic fantasy or tend to write your first draft 150 pages too long (not that I know anything about that). The longer your draft, the slower the system works.

It can also be a bit clunky navigating a long work using just headings and the search box, but that's going to be true of every program on this list. It's also how our foremothers did it in the old days before book-writing software, so we know it can be done.

Google Docs Might Be for You If:

You want something free and familiar that your beta readers and editors will already know how to navigate.

Learn More:

Explore Google Docs here.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is another one that's super familiar but not designed for the novel-writing process. Not specifically designed for it, anyway.

Compared to Google Docs, you can do more with Microsoft Word in terms of formatting, but the trade-off is a slightly more complicated interface. It also costs money—either a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription—unless you use the pared-down web-based version.

The functionality is similar to Google Docs. You can use headings to navigate a long document. There are collaboration features to make it easier to work with others. And you'll have a lot more frustrations with the software as your manuscript gets longer.

The biggest benefit of writing in Microsoft Word is that it's the industry standard. Agents, publishers, and other professionals will usually want to see your manuscript as a Word file.

Of course, this isn't a huge hurdle to overcome when using other software; nearly all of them give you the option to export your novel as a Word doc, and some of them (like Dabble) even export with industry-standard formatting.

That said, it's still a good idea to at least have Word on hand so you can easily exchange files with publishing pros as you build your author career.

Microsoft Word Might Be for You If:

You want to keep it simple and familiar.

Learn More:

Here are the deets on Word.

Best Formatting Software

This one's for the self-published authors.

At some point, you're going to have to turn that beautiful manuscript into an actual book... ideally, a professional-looking one. You've got to think about margins, page numbers, headings, spacing, font, all of it. It won't do to just PDF your manuscript as-is and send it off to the printer.

Now, you can do all this stuff in Word, but it's painful and tedious. I would know. I did it that way for my first book.

The far better option is to use a book-formatting software, like the two below.

Atticus

Atticus isn't strictly a formatting tool. You can also write your book in it, streamlining the entire writing and publishing process for authors who are satisfied with its drafting tools. Others prefer the more robust functions of writing programs like Dabble Writer and Scrivener, using Atticus strictly for formatting purposes.

That is, after all, what Atticus does best. This tool makes it easy to format your manuscript into a professional e-book or print book. It's intuitive and offers a wide range of options so you can create the exact look you want without ever fussing over the millimeters of your margins.

Atticus is also accessible to nearly all writers, as it's available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Atticus Might Be for You If:

You plan to self-publish and need an intuitive tool to help you prepare a professional product.

Learn More:

Click here to see everything Atticus offers.

Vellum

Vellum is another tool that you technically could write your novel in, but most people don't. Its writing features are fairly limited, even more so than Atticus. In fact, while Atticus is designed to be a full-process tool with a heavy emphasis on formatting, Vellum has always been format-focused. Atticus features extras like collaboration and goal tracking. Vellum does not.

The other major limitation here is that Vellum is only available for Mac. But if you happen to use a Mac and don't need to write where you format, Vellum is an excellent option.

Like Atticus, Vellum makes formatting a breeze with loads of options for customizing the look of your book. Users who have been able to try both tend to prefer Vellum. It's more reliable and turns out a more polished product, while Atticus is fairly decent but can be a bit laggy and occasionally buggy.

Vellum is also the more expensive of the two, but as of this writing, it's also the only one that offers a free trial.

Vellum Might Be for You If:

You work on a Mac and want a polished formatting tool that's a breeze to use.

Learn More:

You can get to know Vellum here.

Best Editing Software

Most novel-writing programs come with editing features built in. But if you'd like a little extra help beyond the style check that comes with your tool of choice, here are some solid options:

Hemingway Editor

This is one of the best writing tools for improving your prose. Hemingway Editor reviews your work and highlights anything that could be improved for clarity or simplicity.

What makes Hemingway Editor different from editing tools like ProWritingAid is that it's only concerned with readability. It highlights style slip-ups like passive voice, excessive adverbs, and overly complex sentences. It even assigns your writing a reading level. 

Now, it's worth noting that you and Hemingway Editor may not always be on the same page about style preferences. Some of the tool's suggestions won't work for you if you prefer to write more like a Brontë and less like, well, Hemingway.

Nevertheless, it's a handy tool for learning to cut adverbs and stay in the active voice. It also provides an opportunity to make sure you're writing to the reading level of your readers—super helpful if you write children's books.

‍Hemingway Editor Might Be for You If:

You'd love some help bringing more clarity and simplicity into your writing. (It's definitely worth looking into if you write a blog.)

‍Learn More:

You can start using Hemingway Editor's free web app right now at this link. You can also snag the desktop app for a fee.

ProWritingAid

As a writer living in the age of ChatGPT, I must insist that human is always best. And that includes editing. 

But you probably don't want to hire a professional to review every draft of your manuscript. In which case, ProWritingAid is an excellent alternative to a living, breathing editor.

This is one of the best writing tools out there because it goes above and beyond what you expect from an editing tool. In addition to checking your work for grammar, spelling, and common style issues, it also reports on things like:

• Clichés
• Consistency
• Overused words
• Readability
• Pacing issues
• Sentence length

You can even get an analysis of an individual chapter as well as your plot, characters, and manuscript, all of which takes your genre into account.

Just remember that robots may be smart, but they're still not human. If you use this tool, only take creative feedback that makes sense to you, and trust human editors and beta readers to give you a more accurate idea of how your audience will experience your story.

‍ProWritingAid Might Be for You If:

You'd love some grammar, style, and story help before you start working with editors and beta readers.

‍Learn More:

You can get to know ProWritingAid here.

Best AI Tools for Authors

You may have figured out by now that this topic makes me itchy. It's getting easier and easier to have the machines write your book for you, and books are magical because they're a way for human beings to reach out to one another.

Nevertheless, AI is here, and there are plenty of authors who use AI tools in their process while still telling a story that is uniquely their own. So let's talk about the tools that are at least designed to be helpers rather than creators.

That's not to say people never use them to write complete AI novels, and it's not to say that I'm at at peace with the way they've gained their knowledge.

But they're here and you're a writer in the 21st century and I've promised to tell you what's available to you, so let's talk.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that will answer questions about literally anything. It will also help you write stuff. 

If you feel your whole body going cold as you imagine a robot churning out a novel in a matter of minutes when you've spent years pouring your entire human heart into your craft, I get it. The implications are unsettling. My very patient husband has heard a lot about it.

However, as Robert points out in this level-headed article, ChatGPT isn't designed to be a novelist. It's a conversation partner—and potentially a good brainstorming partner, too.

You can share your plot and genre with ChatGPT and ask it for title ideas. Get help coming up with story beats. Give it a genre, setting, and a protagonist and ask it for ideas for your next novel.

You don't have to use ChatGPT's exact ideas, but you can use them as a starting point to inspire your own. 

‍ChatGPT Might Be for You If:

You wouldn't mind a little help brainstorming and workshopping from time to time.

‍Learn More:

You can find ChatGPT here.

Claude

Claude is very similar to ChatGPT but with some perks that are particularly relevant to writers.

For one thing, Claude tends to sound more natural, which might be irrelevant when you're only planning to brainstorm with it but is significant for authors who use AI for tasks that are at least less essentially human, like drafting marketing copy.

Claude can also process way more text and reference material and can connect with external tools like Google Drive. This makes it easier to do things like ask for an analysis of your work or a summary of research material (just remember to personally fact-check any AI-generated information you plan to use in your writing).

Claude Might Be for You If:

You want a slightly more powerful brainstorming and research buddy.

Learn More:

You can find Claude here.

Best Productivity Apps for Authors

Our final category covers the tools that keep you focused, on track, and cranking those words out.

Here are the top picks:

Freedom

The ironically named Freedom is a website blocker. But there are a lot of website blockers out there, so why did this one make our list of the best writing tools?

For one thing, Freedom allows you to create multiple blocklists. Let's say TikTok is your biggest distraction when you're writing, but you need to access it to develop your social media content. You can create two different blocklists for those two different tasks: writing and social media.

As for what you can block, Freedom covers everything. You can block desktop apps, specific websites, or entire site categories like “news” and “games.” You can even throw up a blockade between yourself and the entire internet.

Freedom also gives you the option to schedule sessions in advance. When your session begins, you lose access to all the sites on your blocklist. That's huge for those of us who have a nasty habit of “just finishing this YouTube video real quick” when writing time rolls around.

You'll also find a few extra perks with Freedom. These include things like ambient noise, session annotation, and session history so you can notice patterns in how you work and when you're at your best. You can even work in locked mode, which prevents you from ending a session. 

Freedom Might Be for You If:

Willpower isn't cutting it anymore.

‍Learn More:

Get to know Freedom here.

Dangerous Writing App

Every fall, the DabbleU Campus community (which you can join for free, FYI) does a 60-Day Novel Writing Challenge. Last year, our own fearless Robert doubled down on the challenge by vowing to delete his entire manuscript if he didn't reach his target word count. I worried about him every day.

He pulled it off, though, and if you, like Robert, are motivated by the threat of devastating consequences, you might like the Dangerous Writing App.

The premise is both simple and terrifying. You choose to generate a prompt or write from your own idea. You set a word count target or a time limit. Then, once you start typing, you can't stop until you hit your target or the time runs out.

If you stop typing for more than a couple seconds, all your work vanishes. It's gone. Forever. Like it never happened.

In case you need an even bigger thrill, there's Hardcore Mode, where your words are invisible and the backspace key doesn't work.

Now, this initially seems like an app designed for thrill seekers, but it can also be handy for those of us who tend to overthink that first draft. Any time you struggle to get started, you can swing by the Dangerous Writing App (it's free!) and let the words fly, even if they're dreadful nonsense.

The Dangerous Writing App Might Be for You If:

You need to get out of your head or crave more adrenaline in your writing process.

Learn More:

I pretty much just told you all there is to know, but you can check out the app here.

OmmWriter

OmmWriter is a minimalist writing app that only comes in focus mode. It takes over your entire screen, and fades the few tool icons it has as soon as you start typing.

But that's not all. OmmWriter allows you to choose from different backgrounds, fonts, ambient sound, and even keystroke sounds to create a writing experience that works for you. All available options are specifically designed to stimulate calm and concentration, from the chromotherapy-informed backgrounds to the affirming clicks of the keystrokes.

There are no additional features—no way to format your work or share it without exporting. So it probably won't be the only place you work on your manuscript. But it can be a helpful supplemental tool when you're struggling to shut out the world.

OmmWriter Might Be for You If:

You want a fully immersive focus mode.

Learn More:

Click here to check out OmmWriter.

Try One of the Best Writing Tools for Free Today

A lot of cool options here, right? But as I said before, the only writing tool that really matters is the one that's going to make a difference in your unique writing process.

The best way to find the best writing tools for your routine is by experimenting with the programs that interest you.

That's why Dabble Writer offers a 14-day free trial. This trial gives you access to every single one of Dabble's features and includes two weeks of access to DabbleU Academy. You don't even have to enter a credit card to get started. Just click this li'l link and start Dabbling.

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