I only began writing fiction when the fiction-workshop channel was added to the Minnow Support Project's Discord server, PALnet. I enjoy technology and I like to use any tools that can help me in the writing process. Here I will look at four I have used.

Grammarly

 
I began, like most do, with Word. When typing, I often stumble over my keys and spelling mistakes are inevitable. Therefore, the first tool I got was Grammarly: it picks up on my spelling and grammar mistakes and, with the full subscription service, you have the option to check for plagiarism - this has been useful in my job as moderator. It has plugins for Chrome, Firefox and Safari, so I can type my post into Steemit and have it checked as I type. There is also a plugin for Word, and a separate Windows app. Click HERE to claim 1 week free premium.

Grammarly plugin for Word

Scrivener

 
I recently began collaborating with @RhondaK and @bex-dk on a writing project. It is to be a fantasy story, with many characters, creatures, locations etc. As we discussed the world building needed for the stories to take place in, we needed some way to collate everything for us to share. At first I looked at Scrivener, as it is recommended by many writers.

Scrivener example

Scrivener is basically a word processor with project management tools. You can create lists of characters including photographs, background, motivation etc. and the same for locations. You begin structuring your work with a brief synopsis, expand on it, write acts and create chapters from them. From there you write your drafts. You can create research lists containing links, photos and notes. You even have a snazzy looking cork board onto which you can arrange cards to get a broader look at your writing project.

I had the idea to save the project into a shared Dropbox folder for us all to access.

I tried the demo - which you can get HERE and quickly became overwhelmed with all the options. No doubt it is powerful, but as a new writer, I wanted something a little easier to use and which, incidentally, looks better in my opinion.

The Novel Factory

The Novel Factory works much like Scrivener, except this walks you through the writing process. You start from a one line premise, flesh it out into an extended synopsis, plot out your story into acts to develop your arc along a story skeleton, with helpful tips along the way - just click the little question marks and all becomes clear. Again, you can create character lists, cards with a photograph to help visualise your character. Locations can also be listed, with useful information you may want to add like sights, sounds, tastes, sounds and sensations used to describe a place.

Locations

I downloaded a 14 day trial from HERE and was immediately comfortable using it. I started plotting out the world building we had previously discussed, adding characters, locations and links to our 3 stories we have already put on Steemit. Within the hour I bought The Novel Factory.

Again, I chose to save the project in a shared Dropbox folder so all 3 of us have access when writing our stories.

Trello

 
The only problem with software is that we would all three have to buy it. I was, in my capacity as moderator at PALnet, asked to investigate Trello for our moderator management. I immediately saw the potential to use this for our project. https://trello.com/ is obviously a website, but they also have free iOS and Android apps. This means we all have access and don't need to spend a penny.

Start of our world building board

Trello allows you to make lists and then populate them with cards. Each card can have attachments like images, links and files, and each member can comment under each card. The cards can be moved around the different lists if needs be. As you can see I started plotting out the characters, locations, resources and links to previous stories set in this world. We all have access to check up on details so our stories fit in with each other. We could also add links to Google Docs with drafts and story ideas to discuss. I must admit, I am pretty smitten with Trello.

So, there you go. Several tools I have investigated that you may find useful. Will they make you a better writer? No, but they will make you a better organized writer.

What tools are in your writing arsenal?

Image 1, 2, 3, 4

---

Proud member and supporter of the #minnowsupportproject - brought to you by @aggroed, @ausbitbank, @teamsteem, and @canadian-coconut
Click HERE to learn more

---