Editing and Writing Tools
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As writers, we know how frustrating the writing process can be, especially after you’ve done all that work to finish your manuscript. Here we share some links to help you easily find resources to make the process easier.
Improve Your Writing:
Find the right word. Use punctuation properly. Flow. Rhythm. All are important in minimizing your editing and go a long way in improving your writing.
Words-to-Use.com – A different kind of thesaurus.
OneLook.com – One quick dictionary search tool.
Vocabulary.com – The quickest, most intelligent way to improve your vocabulary.
ZenPen.io – A minimalist writing zone where you can block out all distractions.
BibMe– fully automatic bibliography maker that auto-fills. It’s the easiest way to build a works cited page.
Story Starter-provides 1,007,240,080 creative ideas and writer prompts for writers of all ages.
Bubbl.us-create your map of ideas for your writing project.
750words.com – Write three new pages every day.
YouShouldWrite.com – Get a new writing prompt every time you visit.
WriterKata.com – Improve your writing with repetitive exercises.
FakeNameGenerator.com – Generate fake names for your characters.
Storyline.io – Collaborate on a story with others by submitting a paragraph.
How to use a semi-colon. The easiest way to prove you went to college.
When to use “that” instead of “which.” It’s not a simple explanation, but it’s good to know.
How to use an apostrophe. Hooray for plurals, possessions, and contractions.
When to use “an” instead of “a.” Use “an” in front of words that start with vowels or sound like they start with vowels.
When to use “I” instead of “me.” Learn why it is Tom and I went to the store and not Tom and me went to the store.
What compound possession is and how it works. Learn why it is Jackie and Jared’s wedding and not Jackie’s and Jared’s wedding.
When to use “whom” instead of “who.” Okay, nobody really expects you to know this one, but it is cool anyway.
How to use quotation marks. Know when the mark goes inside and outside the period.
When to use “i.e.” in a sentence. Use i.e. when making a clarification or defining something.
When to use “fewer” instead of “less.” Learn why it should be ten items or fewer.
When to use “farther” instead of “further.” Basically, you use farther when referring to physical distance.
Editing Help:
These are not meant to take the place of a real editor, but are very useful for getting through the editing stage before you send your manuscript out to beta readers. Some of these are free, some are paid, and some offer both.
ProWritingAid (we highly recommend this app. It covers almost everything and offers a human editor as well. Check our sponsors page for the discounted link we provide for the best aspects of this service.)
writecheck.com – Correct grammar and check for plagiarism.
HemingwayApp.com – Simplify your writing.
WordRake-for Microsoft Office users.
Writers Diet-tests your content to see if it’s flabby or fit.
Readability-Score.com – Get scored on your writing’s readability.
Writing Tools:
From writing programs to writing helpers, this is an assorted list of the tools and apps you can use while writing. Some are free, others are not.
Google Docs-this is the preferred writing service of Our Write Side. It’s versatile, easy to use and share, editing is simple, and research is incredibly easy to do from the document itself.
Quabel
Blind Write-if you’re easily distracted by those squiggly lines, this is the app for you.
Wridea-don’t lose an idea again!
Loosestitch
Unstuck
Are you using a tool we didn’t list? Tell us all about it!
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Stephanie Ayers
A published author with a knack for twisted tales, Stephanie Ayers is the Executive Creative Director of OWS Ink, LLC, a community for writers and readers alike. She loves a good thriller, fairies, things that go bump in the night, and sappy stories. When she is not writing, she can be found in Creative Cloud designing book covers and promotional graphics for authors.
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Robert Mayer
I guess now it is easy to improve the writing of yours if you have these helpful tools bookmarked in your browser. I want you to check also http://www.best-essays-writers.org. Good that their goal is to help students improve their academic performance or enchance their reputation in front of professors and instructors. Do not be hesitant about it!
Cate Hogan
Some great tips here, thanks! I use all the time. The lovely Leona Hinton just wrote a guest post on my blog you might find equally helpful: 10 Power Tools to Make You an Editing Wizard (http://goo.gl/6tUu5s). Thanks!