10 Free Tools for Becoming a Writer

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Editor’s Notice: 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 method to spend your time, not that I’m biased.

However earlier than you set out on your favourite cafe with a typewriter and a cool hat (neither of that are an precise requirement of the career), hear this.

There are a number of on-line instruments that may assist you to get your profession as a wordsmith off the bottom — with out spending a dime.

On this listing, I’ve included 10 of my absolute favourite (and fully free) writing instruments at present available on the market.

Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a distraction-free writing platform, a method to save your concepts on-the-go, or a eager enhancing buddy — these freebies have one thing for each author. Maintain studying to search out your new favourite free writing device.

10 On-line Instruments for Writers

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For brand spanking new writers and previous execs alike, listed here are 10 free on-line instruments to assist.

1. Google Docs

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It isn’t glamorous, however it’s free, and it actually does get the job carried out. With loads of free storage and infinite methods to prepare your work into folders, Google Docs is a must have for any severe author.

Plus, it’s straightforward to share paperwork with different writers and editors for seamless collaboration.

You possibly can 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 could be tremendous useful for monitoring your taxable income), and a lot extra.

2. FocusWriter

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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 way in which.

Customise your background theme, set a timer or alarm after which get to work.

Since this utility is obtainable through obtain fairly than in an internet browser, you’ll have to have one among its supported units. Thankfully, FocusWriter is obtainable on Home windows, Mac OS, and Linux.

3. Sprinter

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It doesn’t get any less complicated than Sprinter, a one-window on-line writing platform that permits you to set a timer (or not) and simply “free-write.”

(Pun meant. The corporate can also be behind Freewrite — a line of good typewriters which is able to fulfill any author’s aforementioned hipster-cafe fantasies).

Drafts could be saved and accessed by way of the corporate’s on-line platform, or copied and pasted into any phrase processor.

Apart from the timer and old-school typeface (which is particularly satisfying for some purpose), this free platform additionally features a real-time phrase rely and “read-time” that can assist you decide the size of your present draft.

4. Medium

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In the event you’re a brand new author simply seeking to dip your large toe in and make a reputation for your self, you would possibly wish to strive utilizing Medium. This running a blog web site provides a clear, distraction-free expertise and permits you to get your writing in entrance of extra folks lots quicker than you’ll by beginning your individual weblog.

You possibly can write and publish your work at no cost, and even submit it to publications inside Medium (to get extra eyes in your writing).

Every time I meet a brand new author seeking to get on the market, I all the time advocate submitting to those publications.

Not solely do they make spectacular samples to indicate would-be shoppers, however additionally they train you a bit about methods to cater your writing for sure audiences and platforms — an essential talent if you wish to get paid to write.

5. Milanote

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In the event you’re a extremely visible type of author on the lookout for an organizational device greater than a writing interface, you then would possibly wish to strive Milanote. It provides an effective 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 tasks like longer essays or books the place you’ve a lot of concepts and notes to maintain monitor of. It’s additionally a helpful brainstorming device should you like making temper boards on your writing work.

Though Milanote has a limiteless 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

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Though it’s not strictly a device for writers, Evernote is a good utility to learn about.

Just like Milanote (however much less mood-board-ish and extra about note-taking), Evernote permits you to manage all your notes and concepts in a single place. I particularly like Evernote for the way in which it syncs seamlessly throughout all units.

Use it to make notes on the go, then open up the appliance in your laptop computer and dive again in, proper the place you left off. You should use the fundamental model of Evernote at no cost, or get just a few extra perks by paying for the premium model.

7. Hemingway Editor

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In the event you’re on the lookout for a free method to edit your work earlier than submitting it to an editor, The Hemingway App is an effective way to go.

This free on-line device permits you to paste your accomplished article or essay and get on the spot suggestions on grammar, formatting, and even readability.

I particularly prefer it for this final level, because the app stresses the usage of easy language, brief sentences, and lively voice, all of which assist enhance your writing and make your editor’s life simpler.

8. Grammarly

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For writers in want of a bit of additional assist with grammar, you would possibly wish to strive Grammarly, which could be downloaded onto your system or used within the type of a browser extension.

This free device gives on the spot 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 should you’re not feeling 100% in your capacity to draft up grammatically right prose, it is a great spot to begin.

9. yWriter

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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 among the best free writing instruments available on the market.

The most effective half about yWriter is that it was created by an creator for authors.

Providing among the identical performance as paid instruments like Scrivener, yWriter is a good one to get as soon as your work begins reaching lengths within the hundreds of phrases and group turns into crucial.

10. Reedsy E-book Editor

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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 provides extra than simply enhancing. It additionally has an enormous community of freelance editors, designers, and publicists obtainable that can assist you carry your manuscript up to the mark, 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 regardless of the way you select to do it.

Past these instruments, the corporate additionally gives a wide range 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 Ultimate Phrase

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Writing isn’t straightforward, however in the case of every part 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 truly turn into 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 enhance your each day phrase rely. When you get in a groove, it’s possible you’ll discover you want these instruments much less and fewer, which is one clear method to measure your progress as a brand new author.

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