Writing Software
The best writing software is the one you actually use. That said, the right tool can make a significant difference to your workflow — especially for long-form projects like novels.
Scrivener
Top PickThe gold standard for long-form writing. Scrivener organizes your manuscript into scenes and chapters you can move like puzzle pieces, with built-in research storage, corkboard, and metadata. The learning curve is steep, but writers who master it rarely leave.
Pros
- Unmatched for novel structure
- Research storage built-in
- Corkboard / outlining
- Compile to any format
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Sync can be fiddly across devices
- Mobile app is limited
Ulysses
PaidA beautiful, distraction-free writing app with excellent iCloud sync. Ulysses uses Markdown and organizes writing into a library of sheets. It's more streamlined than Scrivener — better for writers who want a clean environment without complexity.
Pros
- Beautiful distraction-free UI
- Seamless sync across Apple devices
- Goal tracking
- Good export options
Cons
- Apple-only (no Windows)
- Subscription model
- Less powerful than Scrivener for complex projects
iA Writer
PaidThe cleanest writing environment available. iA Writer is pure distraction-free writing with a proprietary font designed for readability. It has “Focus Mode” that dims everything except your current sentence or paragraph. Perfect for drafting.
Pros
- Supremely clean interface
- Cross-platform
- Focus Mode
- One-time purchase available
Cons
- Limited organizational features
- Basic export options
- No built-in outlining
Notion
FreemiumNot designed for writing, but used by many writers for research organization, world-building wikis, character sheets, and plotting. The free tier is generous. Notion is a horizontal tool — powerful for organization but less suited to long-form prose drafting.
Pros
- Free for personal use
- Excellent for world-building and research
- All platforms
- Flexible databases
Cons
- Not designed for writing long prose
- Can become a procrastination tool
- Sync can be slow
Google Docs
FreeThe accessible default for most writers. Google Docs is free, reliable, and works everywhere. It's not built for novel-length projects (no scene management, no corkboard), but millions of novels have been written in it. Version history and real-time collaboration are genuine advantages.
Pros
- Free
- Works everywhere
- Auto-save and version history
- Easy to share with beta readers
Cons
- No scene/chapter organization
- Not designed for novels
- Formatting export can be messy
Typora
PaidA minimal Markdown editor that renders as you type — no split-pane preview. Typora is fast, clean, and inexpensive. It lacks organization features for long projects but is an excellent choice for writers who want distraction-free drafting with a one-time purchase.
Pros
- Affordable one-time purchase
- Clean live Markdown rendering
- Cross-platform
- Fast and lightweight
Cons
- No organizational features
- No sync
- Limited export formats
Essential Craft Books
The best writing teachers are writers who have written about writing. These books belong on every novelist's shelf.
On Writing
by Stephen King
Half memoir, half masterclass. The best writing book most writers ever read.
Bird by Bird
by Anne Lamott
On the process of writing and the writing life, with warmth and humor.
Story
by Robert McKee
The definitive guide to story structure, originally for screenwriters but invaluable for novelists.
The Emotional Craft of Fiction
by Donald Maass
How to create deep reader engagement through character emotion.
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel
by Jessica Brody
Blake Snyder's beat sheet adapted specifically for novelists.
The Anatomy of Story
by John Truby
A systematic approach to story structure used by professional screenwriters.
Editing & Grammar Tools
Software can't replace a human editor, but these tools catch errors and improve your prose:
- ProWritingAid — In-depth style analysis, grammar checking, and readability reports. Integrates with Scrivener and Google Docs. (See pricing →)
- Grammarly — Real-time grammar and clarity suggestions. Free tier covers basics; premium adds style suggestions.
- Hemingway App — Highlights overly complex sentences, passive voice, and adverbs. Useful for line editing. Free online; $19.99 desktop app.
- AutoCrit — Built specifically for fiction writers. Analyzes pacing, repetition, dialogue, and genre comparisons.