Did you know that there are hundreds of options for book writing software? Finding the best one for you can be challenging, like finding the perfect writing partner for your next novel.
The most common mistake people make when trying to find the best book writing software is downloading the first one they find. Unfortunately, this may not be the best approach.
It would be best if you considered many factors for a book writing software to be perfect for you. Unfortunately, there are so many options that it’s hard to decide which programs to choose, and it’s hard to know what makes one program better than another.
In this article, let’s explore the different options for book writing software and provide a review so you have something to base your decision on.
Find a program that’s easy to use.
The first step is to find out what software is available.
Some programs are designed specifically for fiction writers, while others are geared towards non-fiction writers.
If you’re writing a novel, you may want to look for a program that allows you to create characters and plotlines easily.
If your book is more educational, you’ll want to find something that caters to this writing style.
Whether you’re new to writing, or even an experienced author, the book writing software you choose must be easy to use.
It should also have all the features you need, like spell check and grammar checker, and other formatting options like font size and style.
You don’t want to spend hours figuring out how things work; instead, look for programs that offer intuitive interfaces and clear instructions.
You want something that allows you to get right into writing without thinking about how you will do it first.
In addition, you also want something easy on the eyes so that it doesn’t strain your eyesight or cause headaches from reading too much text on the screen.
Get one that saves automatically.
Without auto-save features, it’s too easy to lose work hours by accidentally closing or shutting down the application without saving first.
This is especially important if you’re working on multiple projects at once.
It can also be a problem if you’re working on an important task and don’t want to lose your work.
It’s worth noting that some programs will save your work periodically, but others will not. So when searching for book writing software, don’t immediately expect that what you choose will have this feature.
Look for a distraction-free writing environment.
You want to create an environment where you can concentrate on your work without getting distracted by anything else around you.
You can’t write if you have to worry about family members or friends entering the room while working on your manuscript. Get a lock for your door so no one can enter without knocking first. If you’re in a shared office space, go to the library or find another place where you can work without interruption.
Next, ensure your computer has everything it needs to run smoothly and quickly. You don’t want to be distracted by slow-loading pages or crashing programs while trying to concentrate on writing.
Find a place with no cell phone service so you do not get distracted by emails or text messages while working on your book.
Search for a program designed for writers
Most programs that help you write books have lots of bells and whistles, but they aren’t necessarily designed for writers.
They’re often for people who want to create ebooks, blogs, and other documents.
Here are some things to look out for:
1. Word processor functions
A word processor should allow you to edit your text, design your pages, insert photos and create tables of contents and indexes.
It should also allow you to format your work as an ebook or print book by adjusting the font size, margins, indentations, etc.
2. Research tools
Good research tools include dictionaries and encyclopedias and access to online databases such as Google Scholar or JSTOR (which allows users to read academic journals).
You may also want access to online libraries such as Wikipedia or Project Gutenberg (which allows users to download free ebooks).
3. Collaboration tools
These features allow multiple people to work on the same document simultaneously and save their changes, so no one overwrites anyone else’s work. This is especially useful if you’re working on a collaborative project with other people from around the world.
Find a program you can afford.
There are many different kinds of programs, each with its price tag.
You can find free and paid ones that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Generally, the price of a piece of software can vary greatly depending on what features it offers and how many people use it. Free options like Google Docs or LibreOffice Writer should work fine if you only need essential word processing functions.
However, if you plan on doing a lot of formatting or proofreading as part of your book writing process, you might want to invest in one of the more expensive options.
The best thing to do is look at what’s available and see what fits your budget.
Get a program with platform support
Finally, if you’re writing on your computer or laptop, you must ensure that your chosen software is compatible with your platform. You can use most book writing software on Windows and Mac computers, but some are only available for one or the other.
If you have an Apple device, you will need a Mac computer and a macOS operating system. It is best to get Windows-based software if you have a Windows machine.
Some platforms also require additional software or plugins, which you’ll need to factor in. In addition, if you’re using a tablet or smartphone, make sure the app is available for those devices.
If you’re writing a book that’s going to be read on mobile devices, then you’ll want to choose a book writing software compatible with Android and iOS devices.
For example, if you publish your book on Amazon Kindle, you’ll want a desktop version of the software compatible with the Kindle app. This way, you can easily upload your document to Kindle without worrying about compatibility issues.
The other thing to remember is that some platforms support more than one language.
For example, your book writing software should also support English if you are writing in English.
Final Thoughts
The best book writing software is the book writing software that works for you.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are some that will work better than others, depending on your purposes.
You deserve reliable book writing software, but you also want it to preserve your privacy and make it easy for you to customize how your book is written.
Pick one of the nine options above that best fits your needs as an author and start turning your book ideas into reality.
