Editor’s Be aware: This story initially appeared on The Penny Hoarder.
Whether or not it’s a calling, a ardour, a way to make money — or some mixture of all three, writing is a reasonably rewarding approach to spend your time, not that I’m biased.
However earlier than you set out in your favourite cafe with a typewriter and a cool hat (neither of that are an precise requirement of the occupation), hear this.
There are a number of on-line instruments that may enable you to get your profession as a wordsmith off the bottom — with out spending a dime.
On this record, I’ve included 10 of my absolute favourite (and fully free) writing instruments at present in the marketplace.
Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a distraction-free writing platform, a approach to save your concepts on-the-go, or a eager enhancing buddy — these freebies have one thing for each author. Preserve studying to search out your new favourite free writing device.
10 On-line Instruments for Writers
For brand spanking new writers and previous execs alike, listed here are 10 free on-line instruments to assist.
1. Google Docs
It isn’t glamorous, however it’s free, and it definitely does get the job performed. With loads of free storage and countless methods to arrange your work into folders, Google Docs is a must have for any critical author.
Plus, it’s straightforward to share paperwork with different writers and editors for seamless collaboration.
You may entry Google Docs just by signing in (or signing up) for a Gmail account. From there, you’ll be able to create new paperwork and folders, spreadsheets (which will be tremendous useful for monitoring your taxable income), and a lot extra.
2. FocusWriter
One other nice free device for easily-distracted writers, FocusWriter solutions the decision with that good blank-page look, and no fussy settings or extra controls to get in the best way.
Customise your background theme, set a timer or alarm after which get to work.
Since this software is out there through obtain moderately than in an internet browser, you’ll have to have considered one of its supported units. Luckily, FocusWriter is out there on Home windows, Mac OS, and Linux.
3. Sprinter
It doesn’t get any easier than Sprinter, a one-window on-line writing platform that permits you to set a timer (or not) and simply “free-write.”
(Pun supposed. The corporate can also be behind Freewrite — a line of good typewriters which can fulfill any author’s aforementioned hipster-cafe fantasies).
Drafts will be saved and accessed via the corporate’s on-line platform, or copied and pasted into any phrase processor.
Moreover the timer and old-school typeface (which is very satisfying for some motive), this free platform additionally features a real-time phrase rely and “read-time” that will help you decide the size of your present draft.
4. Medium
In the event you’re a brand new author simply seeking to dip your huge toe in and make a reputation for your self, you may wish to strive utilizing Medium. This running a blog web site gives a clear, distraction-free expertise and permits you to get your writing in entrance of extra individuals rather a lot quicker than you’d by beginning your individual weblog.
You may write and publish your work without cost, and even submit it to publications inside Medium (to get extra eyes in your writing).
Each time I meet a brand new author seeking to get on the market, I at all times advocate submitting to those publications.
Not solely do they make spectacular samples to point out would-be purchasers, however in addition they train you a bit about easy methods to cater your writing for sure audiences and platforms — an essential talent if you wish to get paid to write.
5. Milanote
In the event you’re a extremely visible sort of author on the lookout for an organizational device greater than a writing interface, then you definately may wish to strive Milanote. It gives a good way to compile all of your photos, notes, and the rest into one easy-to-use visible board.
When you strive Milanote, it’s straightforward to see how it might be useful for bigger initiatives like longer essays or books the place you could have plenty of concepts and notes to maintain observe of. It’s additionally a helpful brainstorming device in the event you like making temper boards in your writing work.
Though Milanote has a vast paid model, there’s additionally a free model, which incorporates 10 file uploads, limitless shared boards with different customers and 100 notes, photos, or hyperlinks.
6. Evernote
Though it’s not strictly a device for writers, Evernote is a superb software to learn about.
Much like Milanote (however much less mood-board-ish and extra about note-taking), Evernote permits you to arrange your whole notes and concepts in a single place. I particularly like Evernote for the best way it syncs seamlessly throughout all units.
Use it to make notes on the go, then open up the applying in your laptop computer and dive again in, proper the place you left off. You need to use the fundamental model of Evernote without cost, or get just a few extra perks by paying for the premium model.
7. Hemingway Editor
In the event you’re on the lookout for a free approach to edit your work earlier than submitting it to an editor, The Hemingway App is a good way to go.
This free on-line device permits you to paste your accomplished article or essay and get prompt suggestions on grammar, formatting, and even readability.
I particularly prefer it for this final level, for the reason that app stresses using easy language, quick sentences, and energetic voice, all of which assist enhance your writing and make your editor’s life simpler.
8. Grammarly
For writers in want of a bit of additional assist with grammar, you may wish to strive Grammarly, which will be downloaded onto your system or used within the type of a browser extension.
This free device gives prompt suggestions on grammar in addition to readability, phrase selection and tone.
Some editors even require their freelance writers to make use of Grammarly when beginning out, so in the event you’re not feeling 100% in your skill to draft up grammatically appropriate prose, this can be a good spot to begin.
9. yWriter
For longer our bodies of labor like novels and different books, this free downloadable phrase processor could show to be a useful useful resource.
Combining a clear, distraction-free interface with a great deal of nice group instruments — like the flexibility to interrupt your work into scenes or chapters and discover them once more later — makes yWriter top-of-the-line free writing instruments in the marketplace.
The most effective half about yWriter is that it was created by an writer for authors.
Providing a few of the identical performance as paid instruments like Scrivener, yWriter is a superb one to get as soon as your work begins reaching lengths within the hundreds of phrases and group turns into crucial.
10. Reedsy Ebook Editor
For the author who already has a big physique of labor and is seeking to edit it, think about making an attempt Reedsy Book Editor.
This platform gives extra than simply enhancing. It additionally has an enormous community of freelance editors, designers, and publicists obtainable that will help you carry your manuscript on top of things, whether or not you’re sending it off to a literary agent or self-publishing.
Whereas you’ll have to pay for superior providers, you’ll be able to entry the free formatting instruments on their web site, which let you format your manuscript as an epub or PDF, one thing you’ll have to do earlier than publishing irrespective of the way you select to do it.
Past these instruments, the corporate additionally gives quite a lot of free on-line mini-courses for writers together with a self-publishing course, a advertising course for revealed writers, and a course to assist jumpstart your novel.
The Closing Phrase
Writing isn’t straightforward, however in relation to all the pieces else — enhancing, formatting, and even publishing — there’s a free device that may assist.
The most effective half about getting comfy utilizing these on-line instruments is that you just’ll really grow to be higher at your craft by utilizing them.
Platforms like Medium and Reedsy will help you higher perceive what it takes to get revealed, whereas Draft and FocusWriter could assist increase your day by day phrase rely. When you get in a groove, you might discover you want these instruments much less and fewer, which is one clear approach to measure your progress as a brand new author.
