Novel writing software and word processors are faster, fancier, and more feature-filled than your old typewriter. However, are they any better than your old word processor for getting jobs done? Here’s a look at various writing software, what they cost, and how they work.

Scrivener

Scrivener gets rave reviews, and it’s a favourite of bestselling thriller author Deon Meyer. Scrivener costs $19.99 to $49 depending on your operating system. Features include the ability to create a “flip-file” style database for characters, plot twists, or changes. There’s a separate section for outlines (Outliner), and a Corkboard for notes. Surprisingly, Scrivener doesn’t use artificial intelligence. Novlr is similar, but it is freeware and cloud-based.

NovelWriter: Free

NovelWriter is a freeware novel writer software. Notes can be displayed alongside your main document, and users can keep track of “story elements” with a notes and storyboarding feature. Writers can make a “decision tree”-style representation of their work on one page. It’s described as a “multi-document plain text editor” that’s particularly handing for referencing one file (e.g. notes) with another two actively open.

Fade-In Pro

Fade-In Pro is designed as a powerful screenwriting processor. At the cost of $79.95, it is beneficial above word processors with its ability to keep track of stories and plots. A “Navigator” organizes your screenplay’s content, while you have control over sheets, tags, notes, color-coded sentences, and scenes. Styles, layout, and appearance changes take one keystroke or click. It’s meant for professional-style speed. There’s no AI assistant, but it uses “autocomplete typing”. As a benefit, it’s linked to a mobile app.

Celtx, Trelby, and Fountain are three open source, free screenwriting programs that make strong competitors for paid, professional software.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is a widely popular word processor, and it’s grown since the nineties. MS Word is paid for via Microsoft Services, which also gives you access to a custom cloud storage space.

MS Word has built-in power for authors, with beefed up capacities for design (eliminating the need for tools like Publisher). However, it lacks the more specific features authors or screenwriters might want like outlines, collaboration, and sticky notes.

Can you write a manuscript (or format an ebook) using MS Word? Yes, but there are easier ways. By the way, Microsoft comes with added Artificial Intelligence, but you can disable it manually.

Google Docs

Google Docs is part of the Google productivity suite, which also includes Sheets and Presentations. It’s a word processor with online capabilities, useful when you’re working in a group or sharing multiple changes over the same document.

However, there’s an unseen drawback: users have to opt out from using documents for AI training. That’s right: documents stored on your Google Drive(s) can be used to train artificial intelligence models.

Toned Down

Word processors can also be “distraction free,” or deliberately include less features than fancier, larger programs. Distraction free processors are great for making notes and writing first-drafts, and they can be superior for security reasons since there’s usually no cloud.

FocusWriter is a favourite of mine, a simple typing terminal with zero bells – and a “dark mode” lighter on the eyes. Picture The Matrix.

There’s also FreeOffice, often cited as one of the best free office suites. It’s great, though lacks .docx capabilities. Apache OpenOffice is another free, useful office suite; however, I’ve found it lags.

The above word processors also create “backup files” in case of resets and power outages which can be a lifesaver.

From simple to message board connected to the cloud, there’s a word processor suitable for your writing style.
About the Author: Alex J. Coyne is a journalist, author, and proofreader. He has written for a variety of publications and websites, with a radar calibrated for gothic, gonzo, and the weird. Sometimes he co-writes with others.