Today, there are more writing applications and solutions than ever before. The choice, that a writer has to make between varying software and applications is vast. It can make the simple decision of selecting a writing platform a complex one. As technology grows, like always, the selection is likely to grow, making the decision harder to make.

Word Processors:

When I talk to writers, people who need to write something as a part of their job role, there are some well-known software choices. These players in the writing sector are huge and need no introduction. Quite often, people automatically select the same option each time. Typically, this includes the likes of MS Word, LibreOffice, and GoogleDocs to name the main ones that come to mind. These are options that allow for cross-platform readability, allowing anyone to be able to access whatever you create.

I thought I would mention a few newer alternatives. Xodo, Zoho, and WPS Office all have free versions available. Each of them requires very little new understanding. Like most word-processing software, the page (the GUI) is like that of MS Word, so everyone (or nearly everyone) knows how to use it. In the UK, MS Word used to be something that schools had to teach pupils to use, to some degree. Other processors are becoming popular, typically ones that have more advanced tools that integrate AI. However, these are typically paid applications, and this article is more focused on what I typically use.

What Works for Me?

I love using my MacBook Pro to write. It looks and feels nice, and it always makes it a pleasure to write. From the clarity of the screen to the minimal pressure that is needed when using the keyboard, it’s just a wonderful tool to write with. Apple has an app called Notes, which many Mac and iPhone users will likely know about it. It’s nothing special; there is no advanced technology or even a particularly pleasant appearance (GUI). But for me, the Notes app works, and it works well.

Now, Notes is very basic—a lot simpler than most options that people use. But this is something that I like about it. I usually make a ‘folder’ for every chapter of the novel. Within the Notes folder, you can store any number of articles. This makes it easy to keep information in sections of the book where you want it. 

Structure:

Typically, I have a ‘plan’ article, a timeline, then the writing of the chapter, and every subsequent version of it, after editing. One of the main benefits of using Notes is that it automatically stores what you write to your iCloud account. I don’t need to click ‘save’ and continually update the chapter I am working on. Also, there’s no risk of losing what I’m writing; it automatically saves to the cloud. This means that I can also access it on any other computer I am logged in to, even my iPhone.

A Word on Word:

Word is a more typical tool to write with. The visual copy of the writing, or the ‘on page’ representation, makes Word great for the later stages of development. It is good for applying the formatting once the novel has all of its constituent parts. Changes to things such as the font, paragraphing, and spacing, in addition to changing the margins and indents, generally make it the right package for pre-publishing. Usually, when I get to the next ‘phase’ of writing, as I edit the first draft of each chapter, I transfer it into a Word document. This process of taking it from one and placing it in another means that it helps me measure where I am up to in the editing process.

End Note:

I suppose those who write should work with a processor that is ideal for them. It doesn’t need to be the latest thing, the most expensive, the most advanced, etc. Notes is the most simple processor that I have ever used, I think, yet it works for me. I like that I can have a folder for each section, which contains all the articles, research, and text that pertains to that one area. As I reach the end of what I am writing, Word becomes easier to use, where I can see the page and format it correctly. It helps that MS Word is a format that most can open or at least read.

This article was about what I use and what works for me. I am working on an article about which word processors work well in general, which new ones are popular, and an evaluation of the tools they provide. Stay tuned for this.

Keywords: #word #writing #wordprocessors #notes #manuscript #googledocs #authors #typing #style