National Novel Writing Month
Writing Community
If you're looking to jump-start your novel, one of our favorite tools is National Novel Writing Month. (NaNoWriMo)
"NaNoWriMo helps you track your progress, set milestones, connect with other writers in a vast community, and participate in events that are designed to make sure you finish your novel. Oh, and best of all, it’s free!" - NaNoWriMo
Check it out at www.nanowrimo.org!
Image courtesy of NaNoWriMo.
LibreOffice
Looking for a rock-solid word processor without the hefty price tag? We recommend Libre Office, the most versatile free office suite on the market! Its powerful and feature-rich word processor (Writer) is clean and easy to navigate and will be familiar to Microsoft users.
LibreOffice's other applications include Calc (spreadsheets), Impress (presentations), Draw (vector graphics and flowcharts), Base (databases), and Math (formula editing)and more…and did we mention it’s all totally free?
Check it out at www.libreoffice.org!
Noisli
Looking for a way to maintain your writing focus in an increasingly noisy world? Noisli's high-quality white noise app is an excellent option that helps you write distraction-free!
Create a personal environment that fuels creativity and reduces stress by mixing and matching sounds from Noisli’s library or by trying out their curated playlists. Their free version also offers Timer and Text Editor tools that are the perfect additions to set your next writing session up for success.
Check them out at www.noisli.com!
MarinaraTimer
Looking for a way to increase productivity and focus? The Marinara Timer is a perfect go-to productivity timer with three options to choose from based on your personal work style!
Their Traditional Pomodoro Timer focuses your work into a 25-minute cycle followed by a 5-minute break. After four of these “Pomodoros,” you’ll get a 15-minute break!
The Custom Timer allows you to set time segments that fit your workflow and reduce distractions. Best of all, you can share this timer with teammates.
If you want to go basic, then you'll love their Kitchen Timer. Simply tell it how long to go, and get working!
Check it out at www.marinaratimer.com!
The Free Dictionary
Most writers have a favorite dictionary. But if you’re in the market, we’d love to suggest www.thefreedictionary.com.
It boasts a Dictionary; Thesaurus; Medical, Legal and Financial Dictionaries; Acronyms; Idioms; Encyclopedia; and Wikipedia Encyclopedia entries all available, as applicable, for every word you search. In short, this dictionary is one of the quickest ways to jump-start your writing research!
"TheFreeDictionary.com now allows you to create your own personal homepage …you can add your own bookmarks, weather information, and RSS feeds from anywhere on the web."
Check it out at www.thefreedictionary.com.
OldMapsOnline
Researching topography or the layout of city streets for your work of modern or historical fiction? Or maybe you want a bit more information to fill in the finer points of your memoir or auto-biography?
Whether fictional or factual, Old Maps Online indexes over 400,000 maps from all over the world—some dating back to the mid 1800’s. Its database serves as an excellent resource to search out the details that capture your readers imagination and bring your story to life.
Check it out at www.oldmapsonline.org!
Grammar Girl
If you are looking for the difference between “backward” and “backwards” or how to use reflexive pronouns, Grammar Girl's YouTube channel is for you!
New York Times bestselling author Mignon Fogarty shares her weekly Grammar Girl podcast and video tips about English, grammar, and writing. Her website has been named one of Writer's Digest's 101 best websites for writers multiple times, she is on the Writers Board for NaNoWriMo, and she is an inductee in the Podcasting Hall of Fame.
Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/c/grammargirl/search!
Hemingway Editor
Need to cut down your word count? Shrink your manuscript? Strengthen your message?
Hemingway editor is an excellent free app that will help you do just that. Hemingway will highlight complicated sentences, passive voice, adverbs, and more so that you can write tighter, bolder copy!
Check it out at https://hemingwayapp.com/.
Word Count
Most word processors will display your word count for you, but if you are looking for a little extra help, we suggest Word Count!
Word Count is a simple and free text and webpage word counter. Simply copy and paste your text or your webpage url, and Word Count will give you a rundown that lists your “top” (aka repeated and overused) words and phrases. It also provides a helpful rubric outlining typical word counts for different mediums and platforms. If you’re trying to hit or fit a specific goal for that article, devotion, or essay, Word Count will give you an instant confirmation that you’re on the right track! (Or maybe still have a little work to do…)
Check it out at www.wordcount.com!
Unsplash
If you are looking for excellent imagery for your book cover, blog post, or article, look no further than Unsplash.
With 1,000,000+ free images, Unsplash boasts “the world's premier collection of high-quality pictures—submitted by our community of talented contributors and completely free to use for any purpose.”
Check it out at www.unsplash.com and “Make something awesome!"
BeFunky
Do you need to make a poster of your next book signing? Or maybe a cover image for your author page on Facebook?
For any of your marketing needs BeFunky is your all-around graphic design answer! With photo editor, collage maker, and graphic designer apps, they sport an intuitive interface with tons of tips and explanations to walk you through your creative process. Plus they stock a robust library of royalty free photos for your use and tutorials to help you along the way!
Check them out at www.befunky.com!
“Journaling with Jesus”
As writers we all need encouragement and direction for our journey. One wonderful way to receive that is by developing our connection to our King through the habit of prayer journaling. Journaling is simply taking time to have an intentional conversation with the Lord, by asking questions and then listening for and writing what you feel He’s showing you.
If this idea is new to you, Carol Round's beautiful book “Journaling with Jesus” well help you get started!
To learn more from Carol Round on Journaling and other topics visit www.carolaround.com!
“How to Set Writing Goals the SMART Way”
Are you looking to set some writing goals for 2023 that you’ll actually keep?
If you want make goals that will take you to the next level of your writing journey, then “How to Set Writing Goals the SMART Way” by The Write Life will give you the perspective you need. From explaining why goals are a key part of writing success to the nuts and bolts of creating goals that are practical and inspiring, this article provides a simple and thorough framework as you plan your writing path for 2023!
And if this article whets your appetite for more, type “goal setting” in their search bar for additional resources and inspiration!
Ready for your best writing year yet?
Check them out at www.thewritelife.com/writing-goals/!