Here’s a peek at the tools I personally use for my writing projects. In the past, I’ve tried to use one app for everything, but over time, I’ve determined that I usually end up less annoyed and frustrated when I use specialty tools designed for specific purposes, rather than trying to make generalist tools do everything I want.
Frequent Use
Obsidian – I write shorter projects directly in Obsidian. It can also be used as a personal wiki, digital bullet journal, note-taking app, or mind map, and I sometimes use these features for writing projects as well, especially in the planning and brainstorming stages of larger projects. Learn more about how I use Obsidian as a writer.
Google Docs – I use Google Docs to write business letters and other documents that I’ll need to print or convert to PDF.
Paper & Pen – You can’t go wrong with the classics! Something about the act of physically writing words onto paper often helps me get through blocks, even if the resulting draft is a mess of crossed-out words and additions crammed into the margins. I like Pilot G-2 0.7 mm gel roller pens for the combination of easy writing and affordability (or Ticonderoga #2 pencils when I need an eraser), and Mead 5 Star college-ruled spiral notebooks, because they’re cheap, widely available, and lay flat for easy writing. I am always browsing covetously through the beautiful bound notebooks in stationary stores, but I have discovered that the prettier they are, the more intimidated I feel about filling them, so that’s why I stick with spiral notebooks for most purposes. I will sometimes get a nice Moleskine when I need a keepsake, such as journalling a special trip.
TickTick – I’ve been using the free version of TickTick for years and recommend it to anyone looking for a simple to-do list app to keep track of tasks and appointments. It also offers focus timers and habit tracking.
Less Frequent Use
Scrivener – For large projects such as writing a novel, Scrivener can’t be beat. Written by and for writers, it’s one of the most thoughtfully designed and comprehensive writing tools around.
Notion – Notion is an extremely flexible note-taking, database, and productivity tool. It’s one of my most frequently used apps and it’s very rare that a day goes by when I don’t open it at least once (usually multiple times). However, I’ve ended up using it more often in my personal life than my writing life. For example, I use it to store recipes my family likes, and to keep a database of local restaurants I have tried or want to try. As a writer, I use it most often in the early stages of my projects, as a place to brainstorm ideas and organize links to resources I’ll need for research. The ability to drag and drop blocks of content is very helpful for this kind of early-stage planning. I also use it to save writing tips that I’ve found helpful, among other uses.
4thewords.com – I’ve had mixed success with trying to gamify my writing productivity, but it’s fun to pop over to 4thewords.com every now and then to defeat a few monsters by doing word sprints.
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