Authoring Tools

Designed for Authors

 Specifically designed to cater to the needs of authors, novelists, screenwriters, researchers, and other individuals involved in long-form writing projects. They typically offer features for organizing and managing large documents, outlining, note-taking, research integration, and collaboration. Some may also include tools for character development, plot organization, and manuscript formatting.

1. Scrivener is a comprehensive writing software designed for authors, researchers, and content creators. It provides a range of powerful tools for organizing, structuring, and composing long-form documents.  At the 2023 prices of $59, it is truly a bargin.
2. yWriter: yWriter is a free writing software designed specifically for authors. It helps you organize your novel or manuscript into chapters, scenes, and characters. It offers features such as word count tracking, character development tools, scene management, and note-taking capabilities.
3. Manuskript: Manuskript is an open-source writing software that provides features like organization of scenes and chapters, character development, plot outlining, and more. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

research & note taking

 Scrivener has the ability to store research notes that can be linked to the main story you are writing.   If all you are working on is one project it is probably all that you will need.  However, I have about ten projects that I am working on simultaneously and a lot of the information that I find can be used in several projects.  

1. Obsidian  is a comprehensive writing software designed for authors, researchers, and content creators. It provides a range of powerful tools for organizing, structuring, and composing long-form documents.  At the 2023 prices of $59, it is truly a bargin.
2. OneNote: yWriter is a free writing software designed specifically for authors. It helps you organize your novel or manuscript into chapters, scenes, and characters. It offers features such as word count tracking, character development tools, scene management, and note-taking capabilities.
3. Evernote: Manuskript is an open-source writing software that provides features like organization of scenes and chapters, character development, plot outlining, and more. It is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Reviews

Word processors

Many of us have used word processing software in our work environment.  We are comfortable and knowledgeable with how to use it, so one might want to stick with what they already know.   

Word processing software offers a wide range of features and formatting options that can be utilized for book creation. You can set up page layouts, adjust margins, insert headers and footers, apply different font styles, create a table of contents, and add images or illustrations.

It also provides tools for spell checking, grammar checking, and tracking changes. Once your book is ready, you can save it in various file formats, such as PDF or EPUB, which are commonly accepted by direct publishing platforms.  Using a word processor instead of a dedicated manuscript editor has its challenges.

1. Word (Office365): Available for PC, Mac, Android, and iPhone.  There is a free version, web only, but it doesn’t include desktop versions.  Personal subscriptions start at $9.99 per month and includes desktop applications including Word and Publisher.
2. Libre Writer:   LibreOffice Writer is a powerful and free word processing software that is part of the LibreOffice productivity suite. It offers a comprehensive set of tools and features for creating and formatting documents. With a user-friendly interface, LibreOffice Writer allows users to create professional-looking documents,
3. Pages:   Pages is a word processing for Apple with a clean and intuitive interface. It offers powerful tools for creating documents, designing layouts, and adding media elements like images and videos. It supports collaboration and seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.

My The Number One criteria for choosing What Applications to Invest In:

The single criteria that has to be met is the portability of the application.  I want to be able to work anywhere, on my desktop PC, my tablet, or my phone if I am in my office, or in my living room, or if I am half way across the world.   I don’t want to worry about downloading on a flash drive, or converting to another document type.