Helpful programs and technology for today's busy writer.
Are you one of the thousands of writers out there struggling to "do it all" and finding yourself buried under all the demands of building and running your business? It's a difficult and very time-consuming task to take on the responsibility of not only writing your project, but formatting, marketing and building your brand as an author. All of these things take time and they take organization and skill. Ultimately, the easier you can make some of the more administrative tasks, the more time you can spend writing.
I'm not going to pretend like I know all of the best/brightest tools for use, but I do have a few favorites that really help me save time and help make my author-job easier.
First: let's talk simple word processing. Every author has a favorite. Personally, I use Google Docs because it allows me to access my work on any computer and even on my phone, no matter where I am. Other options include Microsoft Word, Open Office and LibreOffice. Each of the options has pros and cons, but finding one you like is what's important.
Many authors prefer a more complex word processing program like Scrivener. There are many advantages to using Scrivener for authors, including:
Organization: It allows you to easily organize and structure large and complex writing projects, such as novels, research papers, or scripts.
Writing in chunks: Scrivener allows you to break down your writing into smaller, manageable sections, which can make the writing process less intimidating.
Research management: It provides a central location for you to store and organize your research materials, making it easier to access and reference them as you write.
Customizable interface: The interface can be customized to fit your writing needs and preferences, giving you a tailored experience.
Outlining: The software allows for easy outlining of your writing project, helping you to see the big picture and plan your story effectively.
Versatility: Scrivener can be used for a wide range of writing projects, including fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, academic papers, and more.
Multiple export options: Scrivener allows you to export your writing into various file formats, including Microsoft Word, PDF, and RTF, making it easy to share your work with others.
yWriter is a program that helps authors manage and structure long-form writing projects like novels.
Writers who are easily distracted by social media find that FocusWriter is a minimalist, distraction-free writing environment.
Authors who need serious research storage, organization and search ability find Evernote a great companion tool that helps them store, organize and collate their research.
When it comes to tools that help with the editing process, many authors swear by Grammerly, ProWritingAid and Hemingway. Each of them looks at the edit process and offers suggestions for the writer.
Marketing and branding are difficult aspects of the writer life. They both take serious education and understanding, as well as significant time to manage. There are, however, some great programs out there that can help authors manage both:
Wix is a great option for an author looking to build a website. I use the basic version and it was easy to build my own site. It's nothing fancy, and someday I'll pay someone to make me a really great one, but for now this one serves a great purpose. The website is a great landing page for readers to be able to find you and your work. I also use Wix for my newsletter, which I create in the Wix Email Marketing suite.
Canva is an excellent free program writers can use to make all sorts of graphics for social media. I use Canva to create 90% of all my author graphics.
I find it an absolute necessity for authors to be present on at least 2 social media sites of their choosing. I use Facebook and Instagram the most, and the reason behind that is simple. They're connected! Using Meta Business Suite I can create, post and schedule content to appear on both my Facebook page and my Instagram account simultaneously. I create and schedule content on a weekly basis, but many authors do it for much longer periods.
None of these programs are going to replace your presence. Finding and engaging readers is one of the hardest parts of being a writer. BUT, if you can learn how to use and manage these programs of your choosing, you can leverage their time-saving mechanics to help you be present even when you're not. This gives you more time to get back to the most important part: WRITING.
Do you have favorite programs and tech that you use that I haven't mentioned? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments!
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