Writing is a complex process that requires a lot of mental energy, concentration, and focus. If you are an author, you know how difficult it is to write a book. The only way to make this task less stressful is by using some online writing tools that will help you in your work. Many online writing tools are available in the market today; however, not all are useful for authors. Here are some of the best online writing tools that every author must-have.
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15 best online writing tools for authors
Authors need all the help they can get when it comes to writing. This is where online writing tools come in handy. These tools make writing a book less stressful and more efficient. Here are fifteen of the best online writing tools every author should have.
1. Grammarly
For any author, online writing tools are essential. And of all the online writing tools available, Grammarly is one of the best. Here’s why: first, it helps to identify and correct grammar mistakes in your writing. This is important not only for ensuring that your writing sounds polished and professional but also for ensuring that your meaning is clear.
Second, Grammarly can help you improve your word choice and make your writing more concise. Third, it can provide valuable insights into your writing habits, including which areas you tend to struggle with and how you can improve. Finally, Grammarly is exceptionally user-friendly and easy to use, making it an excellent option for any author looking to improve their online writing skills.
2. Canva
Canva is one online writing tool that can significantly assist, whether you need help designing a cover, creating characters, or mapping your story. It’s a free online graphic design platform that provides users with a wide range of templates and tools to create professional-looking designs. For authors, some of the most valuable features of Canva include the ability to create mind maps, character profiles, and storyboards.
Mind maps can help brainstorm ideas and plot out your story, while character profiles can assist you in developing well-rounded characters. Storyboards can also be used to map out key scenes in your story, allowing you to visualize the flow of your narrative. With all these features at your disposal, Canva can be an invaluable online writing tool for authors.
3. Hemingway Editor
When it comes to online writing tools, there are a lot of options available. However, one tool that stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness is the Hemingway Editor. The Hemingway Editor was explicitly designed for writers, offering several features that can be extremely helpful. For instance, the editor highlights long, complicated sentences in yellow and suggests ways to make them simpler.
It also highlights adverbs in green and suggests alternatives that can be more powerful. In addition, the editor flags words that are often overused, such as “very” or “great.” Overall, the Hemingway Editor is an excellent tool for authors who want to improve their writing. It’s simple to use and can help you make your writing clear, concise, and compelling.
4. ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid is one of the best online writing tools out there. It’s a comprehensive tool that can help you with everything from grammar and spelling to style and tone. And it’s not just for fiction writers – it can also be used by non-fiction authors, bloggers, and even students. ProWritingAid is an online tool that helps you edit your work in real-time. It provides detailed feedback on your writing, so you can see where you need to make improvements.
It also has many features that make it easy to use, including a built-in thesaurus, dictionary, and grammar checker. You can even use it to compare your work to other writers in your genre, so you can see how your style stacks up. If you’re looking for an online writing tool to help you improve your work, ProWritingAid is worth checking out.
5. Google Docs
Regarding online writing tools, few can match the power and versatility of Google Docs. For authors, Google Docs offers several features that make it an ideal platform for writing, editing and collaborating on documents. Perhaps one of the most valuable features for authors is the ability to track changes. This means you can see who made what changes to a document and when they were made. This can be incredibly useful when working on a collaborative project or when you need to review a document later on.
Another handy feature is the ability to add comments to a document – perfect for asking questions or giving feedback to a co-author. And of course, Google Docs also offers all the usual features you would expect from a word processing program, such as the ability to format text, add images and insert hyperlinks. All in all, every author should check that Google Docs is a powerful online writing tool.
6. Google Sheets
As an author, it’s essential to have a toolbox of online writing tools that you can rely on to help you with various aspects of the writing process. Google Sheets is one such tool that can be extremely helpful, particularly when it comes to tracking your progress and keeping your thoughts organized. With Google Sheets, you can create a dedicated writing spreadsheet where you can track your daily word count, as well as any other vital details about your project.
You can also use Google Sheets to brainstorm ideas, make outlines, and collaborate with fellow authors. Best of all, since it’s a cloud-based tool, you can access your writing spreadsheet from anywhere – which means you can always pick up where you left off, no matter where you are. So if you’re looking for a handy online writing tool to help you stay organized and on track, be sure to try Google Sheets.
7. Scribendi
Scribendi is an online editing and proofreading service that offers authors a wide range of features and services. In terms of editing, Scribendi offers both developmental and line editing, as well as copyediting and proofreading. This means that whatever stage your manuscript is at, Scribendi can help you take it to the next level. And in terms of services, Scribendi offers everything from book cover design to web page optimization.
In other words, they can help you with every aspect of getting your book published – and looking its best. But what sets Scribendi apart from other online writing tools is its team of highly skilled and experienced editors. Whether you need help perfecting your dialogue or developing your characters, Scribendi’s editors will be able to offer expert advice and guidance.
8. Evernote
With so many online writing tools, deciding which ones are worth investing in can be tough. However, one tool that is worth considering is Evernote. Evernote is a versatile tool that can be used for everything from brainstorming ideas to organizing research to drafting and editing your work. It’s also extremely user-friendly, making it an excellent option for authors of all experience levels.
One of the best things about Evernote is that it’s available on nearly any platform, including desktop, laptop, and mobile. This means you can access your work no matter where you are or on your device. And because it automatically syncs across devices, you never have to worry about losing your work. If you’re looking for an online writing tool that will help you streamline your workflow and stay organized, Evernote is worth checking out.
9. Thesaurus.com
As an author, finding the right word is essential to crafting an engaging and compelling story. However, sometimes the perfect word can be elusive, hidden among a sea of less-than-ideal alternatives. That’s where online writing tools like Thesaurus.com can come in handy. Thesaurus.com is an online resource that provides a vast database of synonyms and related words.
This can be invaluable when searching for the right word to describe a character or setting. In addition, Thesaurus.com can also be used to find words with similar meanings, which can be helpful when trying to avoid repeating the same word repeatedly. With its incomparable database and ease of use, it’s no wonder that Thesaurus.com is one of the best online writing tools for authors.
10. Trello
As an author, one of the best online writing tools you can use is Trello. Trello is a platform that helps you organize and collaborate on projects. You can create boards for different projects, each with multiple lists. For example, you could create a board for your current book project. You could have a list for each chapter within that board. You could add cards for each scene or plot point within each chapter list. This system helps you track your progress and ensure that nothing gets forgotten.
In addition, Trello makes it easy to share your work with beta readers or editors. You can invite them to view your board, and they can leave comments on individual cards. This makes it easy to get feedback and make changes without sending multiple versions of your document. Overall, Trello is a handy online writing tool that can help you organize your thoughts and ideas and get feedback from others.
11. WordPress
WordPress is one of the most popular online writing tools for authors. It’s easy to use and has a wide range of features, making it an excellent choice for experienced authors and those just starting. Best of all, WordPress is free to use. You can create a blog or website with WordPress in minutes without worrying about setting up a hosting account or paying for web hosting.
And because WordPress is so popular, there are a ton of plugins and themes available for it, so you can customize your site to suit your specific needs. WordPress is an excellent option whether you’re looking for a simple way to share your writing with the world or need a robust platform for self-publishing your work.
12. WordCounter
WordCounter is a simple online writing tool that can be extremely helpful for authors. As its name suggests, WordCounter counts the number of words in a document. This can be useful for ensuring you stay within word limits or track your progress as you write. In addition to counting words, WordCounter also counts the number of characters, sentences, and paragraphs.
It can also provide detailed information about your reading level and the average length of your sentences. And if you’re working on a collaborative project, WordCounter makes it easy to see who contributes the most words. Overall, WordCounter is a helpful online writing tool that can be used for various purposes.
13. Copyscape
Copyscape is an online writing tool that helps authors to check for plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious issue that can have serious consequences for authors. That’s why checking your work for plagiarism before publishing it is essential. Copyscape is a simple tool that allows you to enter a URL or piece of text, and it will search the web for any instances of that text.
Copyscape will provide links to those sources if it finds any instances of plagiarism. This way, you can ensure that your work is original and avoid any potential problems down the road. Overall, Copyscape is an essential online writing tool for any author who wants to protect their work.
14. FocusWriter
FocusWriter is a simple online writing tool that can be very helpful for authors. It’s designed to help you focus on your writing by hiding all distractions around you. When you open FocusWriter, all you see is a blank screen. You can customize the background and text color to suit your needs and set a timer to keep yourself from getting too distracted.
FocusWriter also has several features that can help you stay on track with your writing. For example, you can set goals for yourself, and FocusWriter will keep track of your progress. You can also use it to create an outline of your work, so you always know what needs to be written next. Overall, FocusWriter is an excellent online writing tool for anyone who wants to focus on their writing.
15. Google Drive
Google Drive is an online writing tool that allows authors to store their work online. It’s an excellent choice for authors because it’s free to use and easy to access from anywhere. You can create a document in Google Drive and share it with others. This way, you can collaborate on your writing project with ease.
In addition, Google Drive also offers a wide range of features that can be helpful for authors. For example, you can add comments and track changes in your documents. You can also use Google Drive to create templates for your documents, so you don’t have to start from scratch every time. Overall, every author should take advantage of Google Drive as an excellent online writing tool.
Five common mistakes when using online writing tools
Online writing tools can be beneficial for authors, but if they’re not used correctly, they can do more harm than good. Here are five common mistakes that people make when using online writing tools.
1. Not understanding the limitations of online tools
While online writing tools can be enormously helpful, it’s essential to understand their rules. One common mistake is to assume that these tools will catch all errors and result in a perfect final draft. In reality, online writing tools are only as good as the user.
They can help identify potential errors, but they can’t catch everything. For example, they might not pick up on words spelled correctly but used in the wrong context. As a result, it’s essential to proofread your work carefully, even if you’ve used an online writing tool. Otherwise, you could end up with a document full of errors.
2. Taking every suggestion to heart
When you use an online writing tool, you’ll likely get many suggestions for improving your work. For example, the tool might suggest changing a word or adding a comma. While these suggestions can be helpful, it’s important to use your own judgment when deciding whether or not to take them.
Just because a suggestion is made doesn’t mean it’s always the best choice. In some cases, following the suggestion could actually make your writing worse. As a result, it’s important to evaluate each suggestion carefully before making any changes.
3. Ignoring your own style
Every author has their own unique style. When using online writing tools, it’s important to keep your style in mind. Otherwise, you might end up with a document that sounds like it was written by someone else.
For example, if you typically write in a more casual style, the online writing tool might suggest using formal language. However, this could make your work sound unnatural and stilted. As a result, it’s important to stick with the style of writing you’re comfortable with, even when using online tools.
4. Forgetting to proofread
One of the most common mistakes people make when using online writing tools is forgetting to proofread. With so many distractions online, it’s easy to click “publish” or “send” without taking the time to double-check your work. However, this can lead to embarrassing mistakes that could have been easily avoided. Fortunately, you can take a few simple steps to avoid this mistake. First, set aside time to proofread your work before publishing or sending it.
This will help you catch any errors that you may have missed earlier. Second, read your work aloud or have someone else read it. This will help you catch any errors that you might otherwise miss. Finally, don’t be afraid to use spell check and Grammarly or other online writing tools. These tools can help you spot errors that you might otherwise overlook.
5. Using the wrong tool for your needs
There are a variety of online writing tools available, and it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. For example, if you’re writing a novel, you’ll need a different tool than if you’re writing a blog post. Make sure to do your research and choose a tool that will meet your specific needs.
Frequently asked questions
Here are answers to some of your questions about online writing tools!
Can I earn money by writing stories online?
Yes, you can! There are a number of websites that will pay you to write stories online. For example, you can sign up to be a contributor on sites like Wattpad or Figment. Alternatively, you can submit your stories to online magazines or contests.
How can I improve my writing skills?
There are a number of ways to improve your writing skills. One way is to read as much as you can. This will help to expand your vocabulary and give you a better understanding of grammar rules. Another way is to practice writing as often as you can. This will help you to become more comfortable with the writing process and improve your overall skills. Finally, consider taking a class or workshop. This can provide valuable feedback and help you learn from more experienced writers.
How can I sell my books online?
There are a number of ways to sell your books online. One way is to create an account on a website like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. This will allow you to list your book for sale on Amazon. Another way is to create a website for your book and sell it directly to readers. Finally, you can also submit your book to online bookstores or online retailers.
How can a beginner author make money?
There are a number of ways for beginner authors to make money. One way is to sell your books online. Another way is to submit your work to online magazines or contests. You can also give readings or workshops to earn income. Finally, you can apply for grants or fellowships to help support your writing career.
Conclusion
Online writing tools can be a great way to improve your writing skills and get your work published. However, it’s important to use these tools correctly to avoid common mistakes. With a little practice, you’ll be able to use online writing tools like a pro!