Software
A major objective of BECOMING A WRITER SERIOUSLY is to track down and review software that is particularly suited to the needs of writers. Our major reviews provide brief descriptions of software that every writer should know about, present its underlying logic, along with screenshots that show the software at work in the hands of a writer. We also write shorter posts about other software that may contribute to a writer’s productivity.
To help visiting writers easily find our software reviews, this page offers a list of the most important productivity software for writers reviewed by this blog, with links [just click the boldface orange type] to the review.
Additional software tools for writers are summarized on separate sub-pages, with links to the full reviews:
WORD PROCESSORS
Writers should be aware that there are many alternatives to Microsoft Word that are designed especially with writers, rather than office staff, in mind. Some are free; almost all are much cheaper than Word. For writers with a more business or technical point of view, here’s a link to a very comprehensive review of many Word alternatives.
PageFour – This program will appeal to many writers for features that go beyond Microsoft Word and its reasonable price. In fact, writers with few projects can use it for free. The program is periodically updated. I personally use it a lot. See also what other reviewers have to say about this program.
RoughDraft — a free program with some remarkable features not available in Word. I personally use it a lot. Especially recommmended for writers with challenged eyesight and those who often use Spanish and French.
yWriter — a free word processor crafted especially for novelists, with organizational features that are very helpful in managing a book project.
THE BUSINESS OF WRITING
EssentialPIM — A free personal information manager ideally suited for writers. The reasonably-priced Pro version has features worth the upgrade cost, with stronger management of contacts and tasks. Since my original review, a new 2.0 version of both free and Pro versions has been released, with some significant improvements. Also available in a portable USB version.
Achieve Planner is an extremely powerful life planner, dealing with goals and projects, as well as schedules. If you have any doubts about where writing fits into your life, this program may help you find the answers. I consider it an EssentialPIM on steriods. I love how it helps one visualize one’s allocation of time. I use EssentialPIM for day-to-day time management and Achieve Planer for broader life planning.
Microsoft Office Accounting Express — a free online facility from Microsoft will keep your accounting straight.
QuickBooks Simple Start — Quicken offers a FREE “starter” version of this popular accounting software which may provide all the power a writers needs.
Sonar — a free, simple program to track manuscript submissions, by the same developer of yWriter. His Track-a-Minute keeps logs of time spent on various projects.
