Writing Groups, Tools, & Software

Planning your nonfiction writing project — including drafting a purpose statement, mapping out the structure, and using proven storytelling techniques — are critical parts of the writing process.

Creating a writing group with trusted friends and authors is one way to provide accountability, moral support, and feedback – and can be a great asset as you advance your writing career.

Editing software uses powerful algorithms to compare your content with that of thousands of published authors. It finds where your writing is clunky or awkward and helps you turn your words into dynamic prose that gets readers’ attention.

Whether taking the NaNoWriMo challenge or not, we can all use pointers and reminders when it comes to increasing productivity at the keyboard. These seven writing tips can set on your way to make a plan, and stick to it!

And what writing tools do you use?

Curious how J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, and many others get the writing done? Picture your favorite author writing a new book. Where is she sitting? What is she using to write? A computer, a typewriter, pen and pad, taking notes on an iPhone? The famous authors in the infographic below (from NinjaEssays.com) are all pretty lo-tech when it comes to the composition process — which, of course, isn't a stunner when you're talking about Agatha Christie or Mark Twain. But a few of the other examples did surprise me.

Editing software can improve your creative writing, and since you're alerted to corrections and suggestions, you can also expect to learn a lot and grow as a writer.

If you've written a book synopsis, you probably built it with great scenes in mind. Now’s the time to fill them in and focus on the rhythm of your story.