BEST WRITING SOFTWARE FOR WRITERS: Which Writing Tools and Software I Use and Recommend
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- čas přidán 29. 05. 2024
- This is the best writing software for writers I have found, and has changed the way I write. In this video, I share with you which writing tools and software I use and recommend.
Comment below with what software you use to write ⬇️
🗒R E S O U R C E S
How to Use Scrivener Tutorial: • Scrivener Tutorial | A...
Another walkthrough of Scrivener: • How to Use SCRIVENER t...
How to outline a book using a plot grid video #1: • How to Outline a Book ...
How to outline a book using a plot grid video #2: • OUTLINE A BOOK WITH ME...
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🌽 R E A D T H E Y W H I S P E R (Book 2 of the They Stay Series)
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0:00 Disclaimers
1:15 Tool #1: Sticky notes
2:31 Tool #2: Index cards
3:00 Tool #3: White board
3:40 Tool #4: Printed copies
4:24 Software #1: Scrivener
8:20 Software #2: Microsoft Word
9:18 Software #3: Microsoft Excel
10:19 Software #4: Pro Writing Aid
11:09 Go download free trials
#bestwritingsoftwareforwriters #writingsoftware #writingsoftwarerecommendations
I've had this idea for an epic fantasy series in my mind since at least 8th grade. I had picked it up on and off again for years but for some reason never had the motivation to actually write more than like five chapters at a time in random google docs. Now, Sophomore year of college, I think it's time I actually sit down and start working on the first part of it. And this video helped me get a good idea on where to properly start.
That's so exciting! I'm so happy this video helped!
Omg let me know the update. I have the same fantasy series one time and in my sophomore year cause i gave up. I do wonder how far ill get if I continue 😂
I hope you do well! If it has pictures I’ll be very likely to read it! When it comes out tell me what the book is called and where to get it! (:
I really understand you, sometimes all we need is a spark to gather all the information that permeates our minds out of them. I trust your ability, the more time you spend in the world of ideas, the better you get. Just be careful not to make an inconsistent transposition.
@@WritewithClaireFraisehi, i never liked writing and reading and learning growing up. Idk why maybe bcause of ADHD. Anyway now I like to learn more and now Im having a really hard time. Do you have apps to use for taking notes on windows laptop? Something that replicates a notebook but with more order/system. Thanks.
hey, i've been wanting to write a book for the longest time and now i'm finally dipping my toes into the water. this video was very helpful, i'll definitely will be sticking around! 😁
Hey! I'm so glad the video was helpful and that you'll be sticking around! I hope your writing projects are going well :)
Loved how direct and concise you were. Thank you!
This was a very helpful video. I have been working on big ideas but have not known how really organize myself in a way that makes sense. I can already see how the plotting grid especially will just some of the anxiety of remembering things away. Big thank you.
The reason I’m commenting becoz I saw all the sticky notes in your door; I said that looks like my door with sticky notes of different colors, on walls, hidden corners; you’re awesome 👏 and amazing young writer; keep it going!
Aww thank you so much! I'm definitely a big sticky note fan, they are my favorite. :)
Thank you, Claire. You are very inspiring. I appreciate you sharing your knowledge. That is a rare find these days. A friend mentioned Scrivener to me last night and suggested I take a look at it. When I did a search for it on CZcams you were the first video to pop up. I have downloaded the app and am going through the tutorial. I am writing my (first) book in Pages and then I will bring it into Scrivener (not sure how yet) to format it. I will figure it out. Also, I am currently using Grammarly. I plan on taking a look at Prowriting Aid after hearing your recommendation. I look forward to watching many more of your videos and learning as much as I can. Keep up the good work.
I used Scrivener for a long time, but I've actually switched over to Notion for most everything organizationally speaking. I still use Scrivener for manuscripting, but world building, notes, outlining, goal-setting, and building a database that I can reference throughout the process are much easier to do in Notion. And Notion is free!
Notion feels like a piece of software made for digital natives. Scrivener feels like technology made for people who are transitioning from typewriters and cork boards into the digital world.
I appreciate you taking the time to make this video. It's been very helpful.
I'm so glad!
Good info on software. Liked the overviews.
Really like your style, and your tips on non-software tools.
I use Scrivener to write in. I use Grammarly and Pro Write Aid to edit. I use Word for page layouts and send them to print.
Thank you so much for this video. I work with a lot of new authors and I think your video did a good job at explaining what their experience getting into Scrivener might be like. So thanks!
You are so welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful
Loved the vid, thank you for taking time out of your day to help us out with such useful information! God bless.
Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I'm so glad you liked the video :)
I love Plottr for plotting. You can easily plot levels of your story, define and track characters, scenes, etc. Plus its much easier to move scenes around than in Excel.
I have heard of Plottr! I'm glad it works for you!
I use Microsoft sticky notes. :) Sometimes it is just to quickly put down ideas or scenes. Words of dialogue. But then I end up with dual monitors full of sticky notes!!!!!!!!! 🤣But a great way to start. It is so easy to get confused in Microsoft Word. I used to use a great free script writing software that used word Macro's in the 90's... I think it was literal called 'Bob'. 🤣My problem has always been in planning a story first before I start writing. That isn't how my brain works, as I often start with a scene and it just grows from there. So I am resistant to plot it out mainly because I have no idea where it is going! :) That is probably why I have taken 25 years to finish my first film script. But it would be nice to have a programme to help me to get organised (My writing is like a teenagers bedroom :) ) and work out the plot as I go along. I wrote my first draft of a film script on an electronic typewriter. Then printed out the script and cut it up and pasted it onto another A4 sheet of paper for the shooting script. Yes, I am old 🤣 Isn't technology great :) Great video Claire. Keep doing what you love. Thank you.
This was both informative and inspiring I’ve been kind of putting words on paper the whole time without any kind of refinement and watching this video really opened my eyes I’m so excited!
I'm so glad!
This was so helpful! thank you!
Your awesome I’m going to start my life story just for fun and yes I will have a bit of creative writing. Your video explains thoroughly thank you
Love how old-school the first three are! I'm handsy like that too 💯✍🏽
That was so helpful thank you 💞
Excellent video and tips - thank you for that.
Thank you for your insight.
Nice reviews. Thanks for a useful breakdown. Got me thinking 👍🏻
Thank you Geoff, I'm so glad I could help!
This was helpful. Thank you
Starting my first novel. Trying to get as much info about everything before beginning. Thanks for the help!
I've been searching through Scrivener videos and found yours. This was incredibly useful. Thank you for so many useful insights and such a powerfully succinct evaluation. I also enjoyed your energy level and enthusiasm. Post it notes are incredibly useful. At the moment I use them as a Kanban board for doing tasks on one of my home office walls. I think it is a great idea though for brain storming and keeping track of ideas and components as you assemble and place them. Whiteboards are great thinking tools too. I've taught a lot of ESL classes in a few countries as well as my own, and the minute I have a whiteboard marker and a whiteboard I am good to go. I haven't tried Prowritingaid before so will look into it. I have Scrivener downloaded but haven't used it yet. I've been pondering a plot line for a while now, and think I am ready to launch into it. I'm looking forward to exploring your videos. Please keep up the great work ! Cheers. Simon Inglis (Australia)
Thank you so much for the comment! I'm glad to meet another Post-It Notes fan!
Hey there thank you for the video. It was a great help👍🏻
I appreciate the tips. Very helpful, thanks. I subscribed
Thank you so much for subscribing :)
great video! found your channel recently and already it's super helpful
I'm so glad my videos are helpful!!
Super helpful and great video!
I love onenote for outlining and notes
Plot Grid. I'll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.
No problem!!
What an honest and informative video - Thank You!!! - I have many parts of a non-fiction book saved in Google Docs and can't seem to get organized - I think your sticky notes/index cards trick and Scrivener will help a lot. Again, thank you.
Keeping everything organized is such a struggle. Thank you so much for commenting, and I hope your book is going well!
Thank you so much for putting this together. You finally got me to stop falling into the black hole of researching writing software and just pull the trigger on downloading a trial of Scrivener haha. Also I checked out your plot grid method and realized I'm already kind of doing that, but your way is MUCH better
Congrats on taking the plunge on Scrivener! If you like how Google Docs can be accessed in a bunch of different places, I have also heard great things about LivingWriter :)
Helpful info thank you👌♥️
Great video useful tips from headers to footers 😊
Very well done video. Enjoyed your enthusiasm and your presentation style was excellent. Thanks for the tips. I am a first time book writer doing two books about a recent long distance backpacking trip, so I am always eager for some pointers. Again, nicely done, I know you have a great writing future ahead of you!
Thank you so much! That is so kind of you. I hope your writing projects are going well :)
You gave me a great tips, thank you😊.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so much! I’m starting a book and am such a beginner!
Good luck with your book! I hope your writing is going well :)
Good stuff. I was getting terribly disorganized while working in ‘Pages’ and ‘Notes’ and having all kinds of software open. I like to jump from chapter to chapter and not work linear, but I work best if I can work on just one chapter at a time. I like that scrivener seems to let me focus on one chapter, while still having the whole thing in order. I hate not having an overview over my work and drown in my own notes and disorganization. If only my notebooks had a scrivener template option. I will give scrivener a spin tomorrow.
Your video’s feel very genuine, with love for the craft, and are very well structured, edited and directed. Impressive. You should be getting a massive following if you continue on this path. If that’s even something you desire of course. Cheers and thank you.
Thank you so much for these kind words, your comment made my day! I hope Scrivener helps you as much as it helped me :)
Thanks, really helpful
Hi Claire,
Thanks for sharing your approach to writing and some tools as well. I’m also using Scrivener for a science fiction/fantasy novel. My trouble is that I often get ideas for scenes, world building, and whatever else for my story…when I’m not actually writing; I end up quickly writing them down in a note on my iPhone I call my ‘scrapbook.’ It’s just a place for my brainstorming, like your sticky notes but a lot less organized. I need an app to not only quickly write ideas, but also organize and draw connections. Any suggestions?
Thank you for sharing your ideas for some of the writing platforms.
I use Microsoft Word Document 2016 version and it’s still works for me. I like how I can create notes, add picture illustrations for the scenes if I want to. Also, on the search magnifying glass symbol I can find words easier which it highlights them but if it’s too many of the same word it won’t show. :(
There is so much still I cannot fully figure out. But I try to stick with basics. Also, I’m not sure if they have a feature that can reference scenes, or words that were spoken in other chapters. Like if I read a story in Ch 1 and later find that “Word” or “Scene(s)” in another chapter like 4, 10. Which I hoped they had.
Thanks for the great video! I'm buying Vellum today.
Great video! New subscriber here and looking forward to digging into more of your content. Thanks!
Thanks so much for subscribing! Hope you enjoy the content
Was writing on Docs but I've been having a glitch recently that when I edit or even highlight a section it just glitches out and I have to refresh to get it to work again. Hopefully scrivener will help me from now on.
Also my personal taste I use Microsoft one note for structuring. Very helpful with folders and pages.
Very good and helpful information. Thanks
Thanks so much! So glad I could help :)
Thanks for recommending scrivener, I did not know it and looks nice, now is the time for hard part - try to write something ;-)
Lol, now is when the work begins!
Claire. Thanks for the video. I well be checking out your plot grid videos. I am working on a biography and looking for a tool to keep different layers of the timeline separate and yet be able to stack them so i can have a birds eye view of what was happening around the same time. I am wondering if scrivener can do complex timelines.
I honestly think Scrivener is one of the best tools for doing complex timelines because you can organize chapters or scenes by color, and you can also drag and drop them into different folders. You could totally have a big folder for different sections of time, and then put each scene that takes place during that period of time into those folders.
Thanks for all your hard work. I've had similar experiences. I'd suggest some people might like to try Causality for all sorts of writing, including outlining.
Great tip! I haven't heard of Causality before, I'll look it up
Thank you for the content and beautiful smile. Best wishes.
Very interesting, this does give me a lot of tips, as a new writer.
I'm so glad it helped!!
Thank you for the tips. It is very helpfull for me to edit
So glad I could help!!
Scrivener is so good. I doubt anyone uses *all* its features -- but that's great, just use what you need. It doesn't run natively on Linux but it will work on Linux if you use the last 32 bit version and WINE. Thank you for the video.
Keep going.. love from India
I like to write cursive on paper. Is there eoftware thay will scan that and convert it to a text doc of some sort.
I use Scriver so I can work on four stories at a time so I dont run into character, plot or detail loss. I use Fadein for my fast draft of chapters or in between stories or character development and the copy the elements to Scrivener. Microsoft Word has too many security issues to deal with. Old stories prior to 2016 have to be sent to Officemax to print out as opening them can be bad. I use Libreoffice for outlines, profiles and arcs.
I enjoyed this vid. For real, i was searching for an writing app for days now, im kinda hesitant at first about scrivener bcoz iA writer seems to look simpler, but as i listen to ur comment on scrivener, i think it wont disappoint me :) due to the fact that u r using it for years now. And i can relate with u on plotting things randomly. :) Thanks Claire, :) new subs Here. :) 😁🎉
I have been using scrivener for years and still absolutely love it! It's definitely not for everybody, but if you do the free trial and it feels like it works well with your brain and the way you write, I highly recommend it. It's definitely the software I use most frequently while writing :)
Its a one time purchase right? Im excited to use it, :) can u make some vids on ur writing process from start to finish to publishing :) and about self publishing.? Just curious. Thank u by the way. :)
Lots of good info!
So glad it was helpful!
I’ve been using sticky notes, and note cards and even a white board in the same way as you. I finally broke down and bought scrivener and the target for sessions alone is really worth the $30+ I paid for it (I found a coupon code). It would have been worth full price, too. As you said, great motivator. Interested to see how you use excel, for plotting in more depth. I’ll be looking for those vids. I have a short story (about 20,000+ words) that has 3 time lines all in MSWord and index cards and I get lost every times I try to edit it. hehe Thanks for this.
Isn't the project tracker amazing? I agree, that feature alone made it worth the price. I have a few videos on plot grids--those help me with editing too since I can write down everything that happens in the story and see visually what needs to be there, what needs to go, and what I need to add. I highly recommend experimenting with plot grids they were a lifesaver for me!
@@WritewithClaireFraise I watched them and will again. My current project has only one time line, but an older one has 3. If I ever decide to grow that one I'll need a way to track them better. It's just one big word doc now. It stalled at 20k words. LOL
Thank you Claire.., nice video..! ;)
Thank you so much!
In Scrivener you can also view the whole book in one linear document. The first icon of the three on the right side of the search bar does that. And there is a way to format in the compiling function that saves you a lot of editing dramat that you had when just compiling it instead. It is designed to do that. There is no live tracking on changes but if someone you send it to has scrivener as well, they can use Scrivener's tool to track changes and send that back to you. I think I just talked myself into using scrivener. I only don't like the fear of a zip file breaking or getting deleted and another small thing. I can't find what word can that scrivener cannot, besides of existing without the other. Anyway, play with Scrivener a bit too and you may want to change this video haha. Nice hair. Thank you for helping me with decisioinmaking
One thing I don't like about Scrivener is its ignoring of WordPerfect import/export capabilities. Also it is very Word centric in its way and means of doing things. Something I will tolerate because it is so good in many other ways.
I love your videos. I am going to write my first book at 28. I guess its not a bad time to start. 😄
So exciting about writing your first book! Good luck, and thank you for watching my videos :)
Excellent
your video was exactly what I was looking for thank you can you / have you done anthing to further illustrate how to utilize the excell plot grid ...thanks again!
I have! I’ve made a how to outline a book using a plot grid video, how to outline like Jk rowling, and 2 brainstorm a book w/ me plot grid videos that you can check out :) So glad my video helped you!
@@WritewithClaireFraise VERY KOOL...TY :)
Checked out scrivener and pro writing aid per your recommendations for my first book I'm working on.
Is it completed ❓
thank you for the advise
I’m glad I could help!
Hi Claire, I have never written a book before, but I have some ideas. My problem is, that I don't have a way to organize my thoughts. Do you have some ideas for us beginners?...
My pages crashed and totally fed up with the mac bait. I want something that works. I get you on the being drown with tools, just want to write and get good gramar flow and please readers with my craft.
Thinking libre office and not sure next steps. I wanted vellum, but not a mac fan anymore.
Would you say libre office/atticus would do it all?
Curious: You mentioned that you changed the tense of one of your stories. 1.) What tense was the story in, and what tense did you switch it to? 2.) Why did you switch it, what was the advantage to switching it? 3.) Are there software tools to switch tense? 4.) If yes, did you use one of those? Thank you for fielding my questions! I appreciated your video; well done!😊
Love your bookshelf!
Thank you so much!! It's the bookshelf in my childhood bedroom, I will be having to move some of those books to my big girl bookshelf over the summer lol
Aww that’s so sweet
thank you for the amazing video
Glad you liked it!
thank you
great practical information. I was wondering what is happening with the publishers like McGraw Hill, Pearson, etc. They are looking for book formats for mobile phones and also for other popular digital formats. Are there any recommendations for producing or exporting content to that formats? How the business model works?
Unfortunately I am not the person to ask about this as I have no experience in that area. I hope you can find what you're looking for!
I use all three programs to write my science fiction novels. These programs are completely awesome😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰😀😀😀😀😀
I know right I love them!
Nice!
very useful
Thanks!
No problem!
Thanks for sharing! I have used Rephrasely for most of my content writing. Have you tried that one?
I'm not familiar with that one! I'll have to look it up.
Thanks
I use Dabble simply because I can run it on my Android phone. It is like Scrivener but much easier to use and better at backing up to clouds.
I don't quiet need something like this program but know of any free ones I could test out or use?
I have a couple novel ideas/notes in my phone and want to start putting pen to paper and get at it. For a first time writer, would you recommend scrivener?
I would hold off on Scrivener until you know how you best operate as a writer better. I started with Pages and once I figured out I needed more structure I got Scrivener. But I'd definitely start writing before investing in any particular software :)
Sent this video to my teenager who writes his own rpg characters and backstories for fun…hoping he sees it as a career path.
❤happy writing
I started off writing a couple of years ago in Pages. Been I switched over to Microsoft Word. When I exported my document through pages end of Microsoft Word I lost the ability to use MS editor. Even though I have English selected as the language of my document it starts to underline every single word in red and wants to check it in Italian
thank you let me try to use pro writing aid
👍
Can you easily switch back and forth between devices with some of these? I tend to use my ipad to write...but I do have a desktop and may end up getting a laptop in the near future :) - I am not good at just sitting in one space so I need something that travels with me. I use Pages now but would love something like Scrivener or similar, that gives me more context, like the folders. Thanks for any advice!
You might want to check out Living Writer! I haven't used their program before but I've heard it's like Scrivener except it's cloud based more like Google Docs so you can access the projects from anywhere. Here's the link to their website :) livingwriter.com/
@@WritewithClaireFraise I've heard of that before. Thanks - I'll check it out!
@@jettison_m No problem!!
I'm very old school in that I enjoy handwriting.. It seems my thoughts can flow better.... But I need something digital that's easy to move through and save...
Very valid! I have wrist problems and handwriting hurts my wrists if I do it too much so I like my ergonomic keyboard
Yeah that's they way I was too, and I still am for legal writing. But I will now write creatively onscreen.
Have you used chapterly?
have you ever tried dabble? - i appreciate your video. thank you.
Thanks sweetie. I'm planning on writing my book. #ItCantRainForever 🌈 great advice though!
Thanks so much! Good luck with your book!
@@WritewithClaireFraise thanks sweetie
You sound very well versed and knowledgeable. You got a sub and a like from me watching just this one video. Because I don’t write stories, AND I greatly respect your direction… I thought that I would ask if you could point me in the direction of someone who has good self help/nonfiction writing tips. Or I would love them from you directly, however I can’t tell if it’s your thing. Thanks 🙏🏼
Thank you so much for the sub! So sorry for the delay in replying. I have no experience writing nonfiction so I don't feel qualified to give tips on that, but I recommend going and finding a Facebook group filled with nonfiction writers. They will probably have better resources that I can give you. That's how I started networking with indie authors when I started self-publishing! I hope you find what you're looking for!
Right now, I am using an app on my tablet called Novelist. It also has a browser version, but I haven't toyed around with it yet. My current plan is to write my book in novelist and then finish the formatting of my first draft in Libra Office.
I haven't heard of Novelist! I'll have to go look it up.
Have you tried Living Writer? I have heard it is as good as scrivener, but you can work on it from different computers, which might make it a game changer for me. I was set on buying scrivener, and then read a review of LivingWriter. Tell me what you think? I value your opinion.
Hi! I haven't tried Living Writer, but I just did some research and it looks similar to Scrivener, but probably a little more user-friendly. I like how it has built-in story structure and also seems to be able to work a little like Google Docs in the sense that you can collaborate with others? My favorite feature of Scrivener is that little word count tracker (I'm kind of obsessed with it) so if Living Writer doesn't have that, for me personally I'd probably stick with Scrivener, but it all depends on what you like and would use most. Maybe try a free trial of both and see what you think? You're right, being able to work from different computers is a total game changer!
LivingWritter seems like a cheaper alternative to Scrivenger if anyone is interested in that :D (not sponsored at all) and I'm trying it out before Scrivenger to see if I like something like it.
I learned about LivingWriter after filming this video. It's great for people who want to work on their MS from multiple computers because the document is stored in the cloud. Like a Scrivener x Google Docs combination
@@WritewithClaireFraise it’s so great isn’t it?
@@rach3092 how do you like it so far? I want to try but see a review for it to see if it's worth paying a fee after the trial...
@@classicstorm I don’t like it anymore, it deletes my work now and again and that bothers me to no end. Idk if it’s a cloud save issue on my end or what but I canceled my sub. Just gonna use docs for now or Dabble.
@@rach3092 what device were you using?...
Where could I check out those books you said you've written? Just curious is all, I'd love to check them out!
-Gabriel
Hi Gabriel! I published a book in high school, and I'm coming out with a new book (and first in a series) in three weeks. Here is the Amazon link to my upcoming book: www.amazon.com/They-Stay-Suspenseful-Young-Mystery/dp/1737225301/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=claire+fraise%27&qid=1628649544&sr=8-1 and here is the Goodreads link: www.goodreads.com/book/show/57821402-they-stay
THANKS🎉 Ansley Ray, "The Chroma"
Cool video 👍
Thank you so much!!
I'm a graphic designer by training, but I've always wanted to tackle writing a story. Problem is that I'm very visual with my approach to things, and I haven't found a software that helps outline plot points in a visual A -> B -> C format. The closest thing I've found are mind maps, but I can't really move them around as much as I would like. Any software suggestions?
Google docs
I'd try Plottr! It's super visual, you can drag and drop things if I remember correctly. It's like a mind map-esque writing software!
try use paper and pen?
@@yeekam8317 lol
Hi i am from Jamaica...I love writing and hope to one day be a published author...but ever since recently I just lost all motivations and urge to persue and write more...Is there any advice or can u help me in anyway ? please ,will mean a lot
Losing motivation to write is definitely tough. I would try to reconnect with the parts of writing that you love and spend some time focusing on that. Sometimes pressure and stress can make me lose my inspiration to write, and what I always do is write a scene I'm dying to write that makes me fall back in love with the story. Sometimes taking a break can also be the best thing you can do to regain motivation. I hope this helps and I wish you the best of luck in your writing journey :)