8 Things Every Writer Needs

The earliest writers created masterpieces with rustic paper and a supply of quill pens. Lucky for you, the modern writer can save time and avoid those pesky ink spots by using a few electronic tools to make the writing process a little bit easier. If you’re missing even one of these useful items, you might as well be writing by candlelight!

1. Copyscape

No writer who’s worth their fountain pen wants to copy another person’s work, even if it is by accident. Copyscape prevents accidental plagiarism by scanning the Internet for similar pieces of text. In addition to preventing duplication, it’s a great way to keep your voice fresh.

2. OpenOffice

This is a great open source code product that offers the same word processing features as the expensive Microsoft Office Word program. As an added bonus, OpenOffice is completely free and includes spreadsheet and presentation tools, too!

3. Dim Dim

Cut down on travel time and mailing expenses by using Dim Dim. This product creates an easy and inexpensive way to share documents and URL’s with clients or interview subjects. You’ll be amazed at how much easier your writing life becomes with this useful service.

4. Dragon Naturally Speaking

This tool teaches your computer to listen to you! Instead of typing, the writer speaks as the computer takes dictation. Not only will your written word flow more naturally, it will save time and spare your fingers. Anyone with a carpal tunnel diagnosis can definitely benefit from Dragon Naturally Speaking!

5. Mobile WiFi Device

Whether you choose a laptop, a netbook, or the popular iPad, take your work on the road with a mobile device. A change of scenery can be a great way to relieve that irritating writer’s block, and you can now find WiFi almost anywhere including public libraries, coffee shops, and fast-food joints.

6. Lyx

For those formal papers like a thesis or any other academic writing, a good job involves the proper format in addition to interesting content. If you’re working on a paper that has to meet formal acceptance requirements, Lyx can take care of the structuring issues for you. It includes templates, a mathematical formula editor, and more.

7. Scribus

Whether you are putting together a presentation, a newsletter, or the next best-selling novel, this award-winning publishing program can assist you with designing cover pages, managing content placement, inserting images, or creating page layouts. It’s the next best thing to having a complete publishing team at your disposal.

8. Skype

While phone calls and email can be a great way to communicate, they do have a few limitations. Both lack face-to-face interaction, and domestic and international phone calls can get expensive.

With Skype, you can stay in touch with your best customers regardless of their location through both audio and visual communication using the power of the Internet. It’s kind of like those cool video phones that we first saw on The Jetsons! If you’re on a tight budget, choose the free version.

Once you try a few of these tools, your productivity will skyrocket!

Jessy is a traveling freelancer and entrepreneur. She blogs for Dobovo, the best resource of Kiev apartments (in case you ar planning a trip to Europe).

Related articles

• Writer’s Block (tirelessthoughts.wordpress.com)
• I’m a writer again! (melismaticwriting.wordpress.com)
• Writing A Novel (smearedtype.com)

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