#free writing programs

[melyzard]

In my ongoing quest to own the tech that I buy AND make life easier for me and my less-tech-literate friends and family (I love you, please stop calling me at midnight to fix your latest virus you got from Temu), I have a couple more links for programs you should use on a Windows machine that 1) do not have ads embedded in them, 2) do not use AI or AI scrapers, and 3) are free and super easy to download and use. That last one is important when you are The Tech Person in your social sphere.

1. Don't use Notepad, it has AI and Discovery bullshit embedded in it. (Link is to Microsoft's website describing these new "features," date Oct 2025).

Alternative I like: Notepad++ (essentially, old school Notepad preserved for modern use, open source program).

2. Don't use Microsoft Word/Office (and most of us will be forced out of it soon anyway to Microsoft 365 CoPilot, which is full of AI, AI scrapers, ads, and other malware these days. Seriously, they call it "vibe working" and if you read between the upbeat corporate speak, its awful. (Links are to ZDNET, GeekWire, and Ars Technica, and also it's plastered all over Microsoft's Office homepage).

Alternative I like: LibreOffice - pretty much feels like old-school Microsoft Office without...all that.

Bonus: Office Watch has a list of free alts. Choose your fighter.

Anyway. Just some things to do after you have debloated Windows.

And yes, Linux Nation, I know we could all just get Linux. We could all be doing crossfit, too. My elderly parents are not going to do crossfit, and they are not going to get Linux. But maybe, just maybe, I can get them to scrape off some of the ad-bloated AI-scraping malware from the computer where they access their bank. Little by little, we fight back.

[icy-writes]

So, that’s one of the programs I used to use while writing, yWriter. There’s nothing wrong with it (it’s a lot like Scrivener and is actually FREE), I just haven’t been using it for any of my recent stories.

As you can see, you can add characters, settings/locations, items, etc. Right now, all of my scenes are organized by character. Later when I get the chance to organizing the scenes by chapter, it’s very simple. It’s not shown, but all is have to do is double click the scene I want, go I’ve rone tab and swap out chapters.

After that’s finished, I can export the entire story, copy and paste it, and then post online (after editing, of course).

If you’re looking for a free writing program, I suggest trying out yWriter if you haven’t. Version 6 is pretty good, from what I’ve been able to tell so far.

Music: “The Louvre” by Lorde

[agenttexsflippedshit]

OKAY WRITERS LISTEN UP, I'M ABOUT TO LAY SOMETHIN DOWN ON YOU SO CHECK IT OUT.

THIS SITE RIGHT HERE IS GREAT IF YOU'VE GOT SEVERAL WRITING PIECES GOING AT ONCE.  YOU CAN PLAN OUT CHARACTERS (AND EVEN LABEL THEM MAJOR/MINOR CHARACTERS), YOU CAN WRITE OUT SCENES REAL FAST, JOT DOWN WHO HAS WHAT ITEM (BECAUSE FUCK IF WE KNOW WHO HAD THE GUN LAST, RIGHT?) AND EVEN POST SOME OF THAT WRITING IN THE SITE'S LIBRARY FOR PEOPLE TO CHECK OUT AND CRITIQUE.

AND GUESS WHAT?

IT'S FREE.