10 Apps to Help Write a Book and Why They Are Beneficial
Writing a book is an exciting yet challenging endeavor, and having the right tools can make all the difference. Whether you're a seasoned author or a first-time writer, there are many apps designed to streamline the writing process, organize your ideas, and boost productivity. Here are 10 apps I highly recommend for writing a book, along with why they are beneficial:
1. Scrivener
Why It’s Beneficial:
Scrivener is a powerhouse writing app that allows you to structure, draft, and organize your book effortlessly. It gives you the ability to break your book into manageable sections—chapters, scenes, or ideas—and move them around with ease. You can also keep research, character sketches, and plot outlines all within one project. This app is perfect for authors who want an all-in-one platform that keeps everything in order.
Key Features:
Flexible project organization (folders, subfolders, scenes)
Research and notes storage within the app
Corkboard feature for visual organization
Export options to various formats (Word, ePub, PDF, etc.)
2. Hemingway Editor
Why It’s Beneficial:
Hemingway Editor helps you write with clarity and punch by analyzing your prose and offering suggestions for simplifying complex sentences. It highlights adverbs, passive voice, and hard-to-read sentences, making it easier to edit and refine your writing. It’s perfect for authors looking to streamline their writing style and improve readability.
Key Features:
Highlights hard-to-read sentences
Adverb and passive voice detection
Readability grade score
Writing style suggestions
3. Grammarly
Why It’s Beneficial:
Grammarly is an essential tool for writers of all levels. It checks for grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style errors, offering suggestions for improving your writing. It’s a great tool for polishing your manuscript before submitting it to editors or publishing. The premium version provides deeper suggestions for tone, style, and even plagiarism detection.
Key Features:
Grammar and spelling check
Suggestions for clarity and style
Plagiarism checker (premium version)
Tone and readability analysis
4. Evernote
Why It’s Beneficial:
Evernote is an excellent app for organizing notes, research, and ideas. Whether you’re working on character development, world-building, or plot points, you can keep all your material in one easy-to-access location. It syncs across devices, so you can access your notes from anywhere, whether you're writing on your computer or jotting ideas down on your phone.
Key Features:
Note-taking and organizing
Syncs across all devices
Web clipper for gathering research
Audio, image, and PDF note support
5. Focus@Will
Why It’s Beneficial:
Focus@Will helps you stay focused during your writing sessions by providing music designed to enhance concentration. The app offers a variety of audio channels, including classical, ambient, and even nature sounds, to help you tune out distractions and boost your productivity. Perfect for writers who struggle to focus in noisy environments.
Key Features:
Music designed to enhance focus
Customizable sound channels
Timer feature to set writing intervals
Progress tracking
6. Notion
Why It’s Beneficial:
Notion is an incredibly versatile app for organizing your writing life. From tracking writing progress and managing character bios to planning your book's structure and organizing research, Notion can be customized to fit your needs. It’s particularly great for visual thinkers, as it allows for easy drag-and-drop organization.
Key Features:
Customizable templates
To-do lists and task management
Database and calendar features
Collaboration options
7. Ulysses
Why It’s Beneficial:
Ulysses is a minimalist writing app that helps you focus on your words without distractions. It offers a clean, distraction-free writing environment with features like markdown formatting and goal tracking. It's a great tool for authors who want a simple interface with powerful organization features, especially for those who don’t need all the bells and whistles of more complex apps like Scrivener.
Key Features:
Distraction-free writing interface
Markdown support
Seamless cloud syncing across devices
Export options (Word, PDF, ePub)
8. ProWritingAid
Why It’s Beneficial:
ProWritingAid is a robust editing tool that offers in-depth analysis of your writing. It not only checks for grammar and spelling but also evaluates your sentence structure, style, and pacing. It’s perfect for authors who want to refine their writing and improve their overall storytelling techniques. It integrates with Scrivener, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word.
Key Features:
Grammar and style checks
Writing suggestions for pacing and structure
Integration with other writing tools
In-depth reports for self-editing
9. Airstory
Why It’s Beneficial:
Airstory is designed for writers who want to increase productivity by using “drag-and-drop” writing. The app allows you to save and categorize phrases, paragraphs, or sentences that you can later reuse in your writing. This is especially helpful for non-fiction writers or authors who want to save time by reusing well-crafted passages.
Key Features:
Save reusable writing “snippets”
Drag-and-drop features for efficient writing
Distraction-free writing mode
Compatibility with Word and Google Docs
10. Google Docs
Why It’s Beneficial:
Google Docs is a classic, cloud-based writing tool that’s ideal for collaboration. If you’re working with an editor, beta readers, or co-author, Google Docs makes it easy to share your work in real-time. It’s simple, efficient, and constantly updated, making it a great choice for authors who want to avoid the hassle of formatting and focus on content.
Key Features:
Real-time collaboration and commenting
Cloud storage and automatic saving
Voice typing for hands-free writing
Accessible on any device with internet access
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right writing apps depends on your personal writing style and the specific needs of your project. Some writers may prefer the comprehensive organization of Scrivener, while others may favor the distraction-free environment of Ulysses or the editing power of Grammarly. The key is to find tools that help streamline your writing process, enhance productivity, and make the experience more enjoyable. Whether you’re drafting, editing, organizing, or collaborating, these apps will support your creative journey every step of the way.
Which apps do you use in your writing process? Feel free to share your favorites!
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