Anyone can enjoy the benefits of free online tools for writers, but it’s particularly handy if you’re an author. Unlike many other professions, writers are often self-employed, which means doing everything on your own. Writing requires a lot of communication with others, including other authors. And communication requires technology to make it happen.
Writing is an artform. And just like any other, it takes work to serve your desired audience. Building a strong brand is hard, especially on a shoestring budget. This said, there are free tools out there that can help you score yourself additional income for minimal investment.
Once upon a time, the typewriter was the only piece of technology a writer had to make his work easier. Now we not only have computers, but we can also access an endless array of useful writing tools on the Internet. Best of all, many of these web applications are absolutely free!
But it takes time to hunt down these apps (time you could be spending on writing), so I’ve done the work for you and put together a list of my favorites.
Writing Tools
1. Google Docs
Google Docs is my go-to word processor when I’m not typing in Microsoft Word. I highly recommend it if you’re collaborating with another person on a writing project. You can access the document on separate computers and see each other’s changes in real time as you type in the document. Additionally, all of your changes are automatically saved as you type.
I have also found Google Docs one of the easiest programs to use to create PDF eBooks. There are a wide variety of templates to choose from. Check out Google Docs here.
2. Draft
This web-based word processor is an excellent alternative to Google Docs or Microsoft Word if you’re looking for a distraction free interface. Draft has many cool features (view them all here) including the ability to share your documents with other users and accept or decline their changes. And like Google Docs, your work is all backed up online.
I also love that Draft tracks how many words you write per day and will even send out a helpful email reminding you to meet your daily word count goal. Check out Draft here.
The Reedsy Book Editor is a free, online alternative to software programs like Scrivener. Reedsy does not have as many features as Scrivener, but it lets you write (or import) your manuscript, format it, and then instantly typeset to EPUB and print-ready PDF files. Check out the Reedsy Book Editor here.
Editing Tools
4. Grammarly
Grammarly is a proofreading tool that helps you spot grammatical errors, typos, and awkward sentences. Download the web extension and Grammarly will correct anything written in a web browser (yes, even your Tweets and Facebook updates). Though I don’t rely on Grammarly alone for my proofreading needs, it is a fast and efficient tool that I highly recommend. Check out Grammarly here.
The Hemingway Editor evaluates a piece of writing for clarity and simplicity. It calculates readability and highlights adverbs, passive voice, and dull, complicated words. This is an excellent web application for learning how to write effectively. Check out Hemingway Editor here.
5. ShareThough Headline Analyser
You always need to find an engaging title for your articles, essays, or blog posts.
Lots of writers use the CoSchedule Headline Analyzer, which works very well.
But I prefer the ShareThough Headline Analyser because it gives you a rating score of the quality of your title.
There are also suggestions to help you improve your headline or title.
It keeps a history, too, so you can go back to your earlier ideas and look for the best alternative.
6. EduBirdie
There are very few free and reliable plagiarism checkers.
But Edubirdie is free, and it does a great job of checking your writing for unintentional plagiarism.
You can drag and drop or upload your document. Then you select the type of text you want to check, such as an essay, web content, or a resume.
If you want a quick, easy, free, and reliable plagiarism checker, then this will probably be the best one for you.
7. Word Counter
Are you writing to a word count for an essay?
Word Counter can give you a quick total of both your word and character count.
It is fast, accurate, and free. That’s all you need.
8. Canva
This free app will not be part of your writing process.
But when you need to design a quick cover image for your essay or thesis, Canva is a terrific free app for the task.
You can use it to create a quick book cover or stunning images to promote your writing on social media.
9. Trello
Trello is a fantastic web application for organizing and planning writing projects and working collaboratively. It works like an online bulletin board, allowing you to arrange all of your cards into columns. Those cards can be anything from tasks on a to-do list to scenes from your latest novel. Check out Trello here.
10. Marinara Timer
This productivity timer is one of the best apps out there if you’re a fan of the Pomodoro technique like I am. I wrote about the Pomodoro technique in the post below:How to Supercharge Your Writing Productivity: Anthony Trollope’s Strategy for Writing 45+ Books …Want to supercharge your writing productivity but feel like you struggle to concentrate when you sit down to write? It…nicolebianchi.com
Marinara lets you use a traditional 25-minute timer followed by pre-programmed breaks or you can customize the time. The web application also has a handy timer history that records the exact times when you start and finish working, when you pause the timer, and when you take breaks. This is a helpful way to keep track of your hours and see how long projects take you. Check out Marinara Timer here.
11. Evernote
Evernote is my go-to app for creating quick to-do lists, jotting down notes, and writing up blog post ideas. It even lets you take audio notes! With the Evernote Web Clipper extension, you can clip articles from across the web and save them into Evernote for quick reference while working on projects. Best of all, Evernote instantly syncs across any computer or smartphone you use. Check out Evernote here.
Answer several questions and this online tool will help you estimate how many words per day you need to write to complete your writing project by a specific deadline. This is super helpful for when you’re planning out your writing project. If you know how many words per minute you write, it will even tell you how many hours until you reach your goal. Check out the writing calculator here.
13. Hipster Sound
If you like to have ambient noise in the background during your writing sessions, you’re going to love this website. Hipster Sound is an ambient noise generator that recreates the sounds of cafes. It helps you stay focused and improve your productivity, even on those days when you can’t make it to your local coffee shop. Check out Hipster Sound here.
14. Noisli
If you prefer nature sounds to cafe sounds while you write, then Noisli is for you. Noisli lets you mix and match a selection of different nature sounds to create your perfect writing environment. Check out Noisli here.
Conclusion
If you are a writer looking to make money or even make money blogging chances are you will need to do some self-editing at some point. Yes it’s fun writing, but being your own editor is not always easy. Here are three free online tools that will help you edit your own work.