Free software for writers

Extract from Write it! - How to write your book in 30 hours or less

 

 

Ten free tools to get your writing done

Word-processing/office software – the two to mention here are OpenOffice -http://www.openoffice.org/, and LibreOffice- http://www.libreoffice.org/. Both offer a suite of office programmes including a word-processor, spreadsheet, presentation software and more.

Voice to text – Dragon Dictation is a free App that enables you to dictate your text using your mobile phone and then email it, usually to yourself, enabling you to copy this directly into your book.

Mind-mapping – Edraw is a freeware product, a paid for version is available, that can be used when generating ideas and planning your book.

Convert for Kindle – Mobipocket Creator - http://www.mobipocket.com/ - to convert books prior to uploading to Kindle. It is not essential but enables you to preview your books on a Kindle or Kindle App and see any formatting errors

Online storage – Dropbox -https://www.dropbox.com/ - not only offers you free online storage space but provides you with the tools to synchronise your work across more than one computer. If you work on a laptop and desktop computer, save your work into your Dropbox folder and your work will be saved to your hard drive, online and also synchronise to your other computers.

Graphics software – Gimp - http://www.gimp.org/ - provides you with all the tools you need to create and edit images and photos; great for creating those book covers or illustrating your work.

Dictionary – Cambridge Dictionaries Online - http://dictionary.cambridge.org/ - this is one of many excellent online dictionaries available to you online.

Encyclopaedia - http://www.encyclopedia.com/ - again this is one of many. A word of caution with all online resources, check your facts as some online resources may include errors (often typing errors), a good resource will include the source so often you can check this.

Learn to touch type - http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ - aimed at kids but this is an excellent resource that will have your typing speed up in no time.

Writing prompts generator – If you need to kick-start the ideas generation process or want to practise with a writing exercise then Write Sparks - http://writesparks.com/ - will provide you with enough prompts, first lines and words to get you started every day for quite some time. There are paid for versions also available.

Happy writing.