This week in a conversation with my fellow MA students about the upcoming hellmonth of term papers and preliminary dissertation research I realized that a lot of the apps and tools and Chrome extensions I use for writing, research, and productivity aren’t necessarily common knowledge. So here, for anyone who wants it, is a collection of writer tools. Feel free to reblog and add your own.
Momentum: Chrome extension that helps organize your daily goals
Strict Workflow: Chrome extension based on the Pomodoro Technique; blocks social media to keep you focused when working online
Pacemaker: highly customizable tool which helps you form a plan of attack for various drafts, projects, rewriters, etc.
f.lux: freeware which gradually adjusts the colors on your computer screen to make working after dark easier on the eyes
Coffitivity: app and website which provides ambient background noise to fake that coffee-shop feeling and keep you focused
WriteChain: app which reminds/motivates you to write every day
Outlining & Word Processing
iMindMap: mind-mapping software
Scrivener: word processor designed for writers (who also happen to be Mac users; seriously if you’re on a PC don’t bother)
Evernote: online workspace which can be synced to your laptop and smartphone
Final Draft: script and screenwriting software that does the formatting for you
Celtx: the free version of Final Draft
LitLift: online outlinging tool and way to keep track of all your projects
AutoRealm: free mapmaking software; there’s a learning curve but it’s not rocket science
SketchUp: 3D modeling software that helps you create imaginary buildings and keep them consistent
Google Earth: great for working in real-world locations
Stellarium: lets you get a real-time look at the night sky in any location on Earth
Ambient Mixer: free tool for creating custom soundscapes; or you can listen to soundscapes other people have already made
City and Town Name Generator: a lot of great resources here for fantasy/RPG writes but this provides examples of real-world place names based on geographic data
Ever-Changing Book of Names: freeware which creates random names, also based on geographic data; geared toward fantasy but extra sets can be downloaded individually
Names by Decade: US census data of popular baby names by decade
Lit Agents & Query Letters
QueryShark: blog run by ruthless lit agent Janet Reid who will teach you how to write a query letter, and how not to
QueryTracker: online directory of lit agents and agencies
Writer’s Marketplace: the paper version of QueryTracker
#mswishlist: agents open to queries and what they’re looking for
MSWL: a more organized website which keeps track of the above hashtag
Calibre: free software which lets you create your own ebooks; a great way to read later drafts and look for errors on the go
Mendeley: a great way to organize research and resources if you don’t want to pay for Scrivener
timeanddate.com: calendars for any book you might be writing that takes place in recent history; also provides solar/lunar info
Dropbox: document storage so you don’t literally lose your shit
This is a very short list and I will probably expand it as other tools and tricks I use on a regular basis occur to me. But in the meantime, I hope this is useful to other writers (and grad students) out there.
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