List of free apps and tools to boost a writer’s creativity
Writers have always been enthusiastic about trying new technologies. When desktop computers were introduced, writers were quick to adopt them. When search engines were introduced, again, writers were first in line. Today, with developments in web-based applications like Teamviewer, writers are still keen to try new technology.
Seeing this demand, some web developers have created apps, specifically designed to help writers. These writing tools can help check writing styles, readability of the articles, and yes, even boost creativity.
Are you a writer suffering from writer’s block? Or just need to get back in sync with the creative flow? Here’s what you need to know.
Tools You Can Use to Boost Your Creativity
When we think of creativity in writing, we tend to limit its use to things like screenwriting, or novels or poems. But it so much more than that. Yes, those pieces are creative, but so is every article you read in the news. The hugely successful Lord of the Rings series, or even something as small as changing the word ‘creative’ to ‘imaginative’. It’s all about creativity.
Creativity is difficult to comprehend, even for a person who is accustomed to using it. There-in lies the biggest challenge for writers. What do you when you can’t be creative. Writer’s block is a commonly misinterpreted concept. It is a deeply personal problem for a writer. It can be observed as procrastination, incoherent writing or in other ways.
Here is a list of tools designed to help writers boost creativity:
1. Brainstorming
Brainstorming tools are designed to help writers collaborate and build on ideas. They are used as a group activity or by a single person to help with thought formulation. Here is a list of brainstorming tools to help with the flow of creativity:
- Bubbl.us: It is a mind-mapping tool. It lets your formulate and structure your ideas in a clean and cohesive manner. If you want to, you can also share your plan with colleagues and receive feedback.
- Stormboard: A handy tool, where you can add sticky notes, photos, and videos to a shared wall. This can help writers collaborate on ideas and formulate structure.
- Writing Challenge: A game based app, which gives you prompts. You are meant to use them to generate ideas, create storylines, build characters and dialogues. These exercises are used to ignite a writer’s creative flair.
- Plot Generator: It is a web-based versatile tool that writers can use. It includes multiple generators for many kinds of writing styles and projects.
2. Writing
Writing tools are designed to allow writers to freely formulate ideas and thoughts to words. They use simplistic layout and design and have some interesting features built-in to offer fewer distractions for writers. Here is a list of some of the most common writing apps:
- My Writing Spot: is a versatile writing app offers a built-in dictionary, autosave capability, word counter. It allows you to document groups for collaboration or organization.
- Writeapp: a free online app to save and protect all your drafts and notes. It allows you remote access your data anywhere.
- FocusWriter: is a great organizational tool for writers. It features daily goals with timers and alarms and much more.
- Ilys: offers a unique writing experience. You set your word limit when you begin. Once you start writing, the app does not allow you to go back, edit or delete anything you write; until you have reached your word goal. It is an excellent writing exercise and extremely demanding.
- oTranscribe: is a tool which makes it easier for you to transcribe interviews and voice memos. The app integrates word processing with audio playing so that users don’t have to keep switching between the two apps
3. Editing
Editing apps have made it easier and quicker for writers to proofread their work. Hugely lessening the margin for human error in things like detecting grammatical mistakes. There is a range of editing applications available for writers to use. Here is a list of some:
- Hemingway: is a very useful tool for writers. It makes proofreading for sentence construction and grammatical mistakes, a breeze. It also offers in-app editing with a user-friendly interface.
- Cliché Finder: can detect clichés used in the text. It is a useful editing tool, which is gaining in popularity.
- Grammarly: is an online, copy-and-paste tool, which is efficient in finding grammatical and spelling errors in the text. It is capable of detecting more errors than word processors. In addition to offering a user-friendly interface, it also allows for in-app corrections.
If you were wondering why some apps, like the TeamViewer Remote Management app, were not included in the lists, it’s simple. There are many similar apps available and it would be fruitless to list all of them. Writer aides, especially cloud-based ones make it easy for writers to collaborate with colleagues and share ideas.
They are a good place to start if you are facing creativity issues. There is no alternative to teamwork when it comes to jumpstarting the flow of ideas.
