Best Novel Writing Software
Over the years I’ve attended numerous workshops and writers’ group meetings. Often the subject of software comes up, especially when we share material for critique. After listening to other writers and experimenting with different applications, here are my conclusions regarding the best novel writing software.
Novel Writing Software Requirements
Before exploring the options, we ought to understand what tasks we expect novel writing software to perform. Here are my personal requirements:
- Record the words I type
- Edit (make corrections and changes)
- Organize (scenes and chapters)
- Reorganize (move sections around)
- Format (eventually you will need to properly format your manuscript)
- Save in a format that can be shared
- Support tracking changes (needed to receive comments and corrections)
Text Editors
The goal of any writer is to get the words out of your head and onto the page. For this, the most basic text editors will do. If you use Windows, Notepad will work. OSX comes with TextEdit. Linux users can write in vi or even nano. I’ve used all the above, but I don’t recommend these because there are other considerations.
Formatting on text editors is limited or nonexistent. One of the big reasons not to use a text editor is that you will insert extra carriage returns to separate your paragraphs. Those will need to be removed later. Most text editors won’t let you insert page breaks for new chapters and don’t support bold, underlined or italicized characters.
And novels get big, generally somewhere between 50,000 and 100,000 words (War and Peace has over half a million), which quickly becomes a nightmare on a text editor.
So, for many reasons, text editors are out.
Word Processors
Word processors are designed to handle large documents like novels. Any good word processor will support the first five requirements. They all support writing, editing, organizing and formatting. It’s the last two requirements that eliminate most word processing programs from my list.
Microsoft Word’s file format has become a de facto standard. If you take part in critique groups (in person or online), the group will most likely specify files to be submitted in MS-Word format (.docx or perhaps .doc). At some point, you will need the assistance of an editor. Every editor I have met insists on receiving manuscripts in MS-Word format.
When editors review your work, they will enable MS-Word’s Track Changes feature. This will record and display their additions, deletions and changes. Plus it allows them to insert comments. Most fellow writers who critique your work will do the same.
Recommended Word Processors
The following word processors meet all of the above requirements:
Microsoft Word
LibreOffice Writer
While both of these applications will perform all of the required tasks. My personal preference is MS-Word. Why? The user interface is cleaner. I find LibreOffice Writer a bit clunky.
Word Processors Not Recommended
There are several others that come close to meeting the requirements. However, I don’t recommend them for the reasons detailed below.
Pages: Apple recently added a Track Changes feature to Pages that they advertise as compatible with MS-Word. However, comments are not supported, which is so important that it renders the feature useless. I’m sure Apple will fix this issue in a later release. However, I also don’t recommend Pages due to the poor ratings in the App Store. As of this writing, 49% of the users gave it a one-star rating and the customer reviews are filled with complaints from unhappy buyers.
Google Docs: Google has also added a Suggested Changes feature that is compatible with MS-Word. The reason I don’t recommend Google Docs is that when I open any of my manuscripts in Google Docs the formatting gets hosed. Page numbers are lost. Every first line on a new page is indented, even if it is in the middle of a sentence. Right justified headers end up left justified. Another issue is the inability to navigate. There is no document map or navigation pane and no simple way to jump to a specific page. Every file opens on page one and then you have to scroll down to where you left off.
Zoho Writer: This online application can used with files stored in Zoho’s cloud or on Google Drive. It has an MS-Word compatible Track Changes feature. But like Google Docs, it does not display my manuscripts properly. Pages are not numbered correctly. Page breaks are lost. Headers are not right.
Creative Writing Software
Writing a novel is a complicated affair. Plots need to be engineered. Settings need to be imagined and detailed. Characters need to be developed complete with physical features, emotional scars and back stories. And much more…
There is a plethora of software available to assist novelists. I have not used any of these, so I’m not qualified to review them. Novel-writing-help.com has an excellent article on this subject. Literature and Latte covers the subject along with other topics in their Links for Writers page.
Scrivener gets mentioned a lot as a tool for novel-writing, with features to assist writers in nearly every aspect of composing a long story. In a workshop I recently attended, one participant told the group he had been recruited to teach a class on how to use Scrivener and he was struggling to master the software well enough to teach. Several other writers indicated they owned a copy but none of them actively used it. When I asked why not, some had given up before figuring out how to use it, while others had stopped using it because of the complexity. One of the writers recommended watching a set of tutorial videos that covered the details of how to access different features. After listening to the discussion, I concluded that my time would be better spent writing instead of learning to use software.
Other Software I Use in Developing My Novels
Rather that use one piece of software to develop my novels, I use several different applications, for the reasons detailed below.
Plot Planning
Before I start a novel, I develop the plot using PowerPoint. (I used to be a Pantser, but now I’m a Plotter.)
Each scene gets it’s own slide and is sketched out using bullet points. I use the slide sorter to shuffle scenes. When I am happy with the results, I switch to Outline Mode. Then I cut and copy my outline into my manuscript.
You can read more about my process here.
Character Development, Notes and Ideas
I use Evernote for building character profiles and recording notes and new ideas, Why?
- It’s easy to use and easy to keep my notes organized.
- You can mix all types of content in one note: text, images, documents, PDFs; emails. It even supports audio notes and talk-to-text.
- I can access Evernote on my desktop, laptop, tablet and smartphone — and it keeps everything sync’d. So I can easily capture an idea no matter where I am.
Field Research
There are times when I visit a site that where a scene in my novel will take place. I snap photos and record videos on my smartphone to capture the images and my thoughts. I have my photos and videos automatically backed up to Dropbox and/or Google Drive where they are handy when I sit down to write.
Summary
If you are serious about novel-writing, I recommend Microsoft Word to properly format your manuscript and to receive editorial feedback. If cost is an issue for you, then download LibreOffice. It’s free.
These are my thoughts. I welcome yours in the comments below.
I used Final Draft for 5 years for my scripts. It took a few hours of learning to get the basic hand of it. After that, I was sold! Now that I have began writing novels, I did lots of research, realizing the benefit of software, and chose Scrivener for Mac. After about four hours of tutorials, along with this website, I am confidently on my way. Even if it took seven days to learn a program like final draft or scrivener, it will, as it has myself, saved me months on my writing. I won’t go into detail, but highly recommend Final Draft for scripts and Scrivener for novels
June,
Regarding Final Draft, I hear good things about from other screenwriters, but since this article relates to novels, I’ll hold further comments.
Thank you for the feedback on Scrivner. The tool has many supporters. I’m glad to hear it serves your needs.
Can you describe the specific Scrivner features that you like best? That would help those who are considering making a purchase.
The problem with word processors like Microsoft Word is that, though they have hundreds of features, they’re not built for writing books; they’re built for writing anything and everything. So when it comes to formatting or typesetting, it’s a pain.
I recommend taking a look at our Reedsy Book Editor, since it combines a simple, Medium-like writing interface with powerful formatting and typesetting, allowing you to export a flawless ePub and a print-ready PDF for free: https://reedsy.com/write-a-book
Ricardo,
Thank you for visiting and commenting. I am honored to have one of Reedsy’s co-founders taking time to participate in the First Manuscript community.
I will take your word that Reedsy Book Editor is a fine writing tool. However, as stated in the article above, one on my requirements is that others be able to mark up manuscripts with recommended changes. Reedsy’s web page says your collaborative editing feature is coming soon.
With the Reedsy community having editors and book designers who are familiar with your Book Editor application, this sounds attractive to novelists planning to use your services. However, I am not convinced that is has broader application for other writers.
I’d welcome commentary from writers who have used the product.
For me it is Scrivener and Aeon Timeline. I use Scrivener for any content writing and even planning my year, it is very well written software by writers for writers. I store it on Dropbox and can synch between my Mac and PC even.
Scrivener has a lot of power for the low price that it is.
Rebecca,
I also use Dropbox to sync between my desktop and laptop.
I’m intrigued by Scrivener, but I’ve never had another writer articulate the benefits. Can you enlighten me? What features of Scrivener do you find most helpful?
I definitely recommend Scrivener. You process of using PowerPoint to flush out/arrange scenes is supported in Scrivener using the 3×5, 4×6 cards. Your process of using evernote to store research, character bios, pictures, is easily accomplished in Scrivener as well.
I use Scriverner in conjunction with DropBox and Google Storage and have never looked back.
While I agree it may have a learning curve if you are out to use all of the features out of the box, the product and process are worth the time invested in learning it.
OpenOffice is free.
One issue I have found with MS Word. Leave off the changes tracking until you absolutely have to use it. I am using One Drive and sharing my document between a PC and a Tablet. With tracking turned on I encountered all sorts of problems opening the document on the tablet and the file size blew out considerably. Save versions and back up frequently.
Very helpful and encouraging. I’ve been working on a Novel for over ten years, never getting it right, but the biggest challenge I have is formatting. Being “very ” old school, with the old royal typewriter, I had no idea what a header or gutter was, let alone the slug note. Still not real sure about that. My young computer savvy daughter suggested MS Word and I questioned it as having an awful lot of technical tabs and hoopla, but…after reading your suggestions I have a different view of it. Thanks much. Would hope to one day meet you.
Google Docs is hard to beat for the sharing of the editing task. Real time view of edits by others, comments and notes all there while the two or three of you read through a manuscript is a dream.
Formatting? That’s easy, using the Styles which you can set anyway you want and apply at will. You can make your styles the default for all docs. Use the headings for organization, and the doc outline to navigate.
The dictionary lacks though. Words you’d think should be there are not. But you can easily add them to your personal dictionary (as all editors can do).
You can insert drawings, photos and sheets from your other google docs folder (WebClipboard).
I’d like to see away to provide a post-build mechanism — select 10 docs and combine them… but maybe someday.
But the sharing is simply the best. View only, Comment/suggest, and Edit combined with the FULL history of all edits.
Hard to beat for free!
Ulysses is by far the best tool for novel writing from my experience. Mac only.