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10 Best Writing Apps for Chromebook (Offline Support)

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1. Google Docs

Best Writing Apps for Chromebook 1

And if you are planning on using Google Docs in place of  apps like Microsoft Word , check out our article on  Google Docs tips and tricks  and  best Google Docs add-ons  to enhance your experience.

2. Calmly Writer

Best Writing Apps for Chromebook 2

Check Out Calmly Writer  (Free, One-time fee of $10.99)

3. Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word

And in case, you have the setup file of Microsoft Office 2007 then you can use it to  install the desktop Word  on your Chromebook using Wine. Wine is a compatibility layer that allows you to run Windows apps on your Chromebook. The whole process will require you to have a bit of Linux knowledge so if you have the understanding then go through our guide and learn how to  install the desktop version of Microsoft Office on your Chromebook .

4. iA Writer

Best Writing Apps for Chromebook 5

5. Simplenote

Simplenote is actually a note-taking app, but you can use it for writing purposes too as it allows  free-form writing with minimum clutter and intuitive UI . The app is available on the Google Play Store so you can install it on your Chromebook easily.

Best Writing Apps for Chromebook 9

6. JotterPad

Apart from that, you get many writing tools like built-in phrase search, Markdown formatting, extended keyboard, word count, typewriter scrolling and more. There is even support for customized typefaces which you can use to create a personal space of your writing style.

jotterpad

7. Writer Plus

Best Writing Apps for Chromebook 8

So, you can easily customize the content using a handful of  keyboard shortcuts . Another thing that I liked about this app is that it’s completely local and does not come with any cloud service integration. So users who want a strict offline writing app for Chromebook, Writer Plus is an excellent choice.

10 Best Writing Apps for Chromebook (Offline Support)

Check Out Writer  (Free trial for 14 days, Paid plan starts at $18 per month)

9. FocusWriter

focuswriter

10. Scrittor

scrittor

However, the app offers a large and clean window for you to put down your thoughts. So, if you want  a well-designed writing app that can also help you with reminders and checklists  then Scrittor can be a good pick.

Best Writing Apps for Chromebook: Your Pick?

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Passionate about Windows, ChromeOS, Android, security and privacy issues. Have a penchant to solve everyday computing problems.

Your article although content seems thorough, I see now from other comments made here, my be too ” loose”. Alot of these comments , seems valid for information you are not supplying. So how about ,rewriting your article and allowing hour truth to come forward , as a more Direct approach. People are needing Pros and Cons. So we can see better choice. Answer each specified action, with same intention. Maybe with each, compare the others . So we can see what’s better for us.

I need to write edit my final draft for book. Straight words no graphics. Chapter headers. Storeing document on disk or.

I am 72 no technical knowledge , will be working from home so always plugged in. Will not need internet. Thank you for help.

Marilyn Maxxwell, if you look on the list at #5 iA Writer, you will see that it has built-in dictation mode. I haven’t tried that app yet so perhaps the dictation mode is not available in the free version but I would give it a try if I were you. Just thought you may have missed it!

Thanks to Beebom for taking the time to compile such a great list of apps for all of us writers! I plan on trying each one to see which suits my needs best. Although from your thorough descriptions, I have a feeling that Jotterpad may be the app for me. I mostly write articles and poetry but have just begun research for my first novel and finding the right app for this project will make the process that much easier. Regards, Cathy H.

This article is soo ANNOYING! WHICH programs work OFFLINE??? What about iWriter??? Why can’t you do your damn job and spell it out?!?! UGH! I can’t connect to the internet, I NEED to work offline? KThxbye

hi , pls if you found the way tell it to me

Can you please let me know when Scrivener has an option to install/download Chromebooks? I really want to get the app, but it’s not available for Chromebooks–yet

Scrivener will likely never be ported to ChromeOS. They took years to get a Windows version, and have made no indication they’re working on an Android port.

I’m also wanting to know when Scrivener will be available for my Acer Chromebook please…any update received yet?

Why thank you, Beedom, is that right? I need to a writing~

Marilyn Maxxwell, I recently purchased my first Chromebook. I’ve taken it everywhere and have found it very responsive to my needs, even when there is not an internet connection. There are Cloud based Google applications such as Documents, and you can also add this app directly to your Chromebook so that you can work offline.

I did notice that Grammarly only works if you are online, so I plan on writing my content anytime, then doing my review and edits while connected to wifi.

Hope this inspires you to look further for the truth.

…Thanks for such a thorough eval of available writing software for Chrome OS. I’m offering this as simple feedback, not as questions, so you might know better what potential readers need from you.

We bought 2 Chromebooks from HSN last fall, because they were touted as fully loaded, giving immediate access to everything online, and intuitively updating themselves, only to find them totally unusable without an independent internet connection.

We’re both elderly writers, artists, & photographers who love to travel so we have need of tools we can use equally well from a roadside park to a Beverly Hills hotel! I need to be able to make Tables of Content, bibliographies, endnotes, footnotes, & revision notes as I do a lot of scripture work. My husband, not so much. (He has me!) We both need dictation capabilities.

Although you mention dark mode and markdown formatting, as an “enduser” only, I have no concept of either though I looked them up online.

Thanks again. I’m glad I found your article.

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The Write Practice

Book Writing Software (2024): Top 10 for Writers

by Joe Bunting | 20 comments

Writing a book is hard. I've written fifteen books and at some point during each one I had the thought, “There has to be a tool, a piece of book writing software, that would make it easier to reach my writing goals.”

Book Writing Software - Top 10 Pieces of Software for Writers

The good news is there  is  book writing software that can make the writing process and meeting your daily goals easier!

(The better news is that once you've found the right software, we have the best resources to help you finish your book, like this book idea worksheet , which will get you started on your book in just a few minutes. Get your free copy here. )

In this article, we will cover the ten best pieces of software for writing a book and look at the pros and cons of each. Click the links below to get our review on the best writing software.

Best Writing Software: Contents

  • Google Docs
  • Google Sheets OR Microsoft Excel
  • ProWritingAid
  • Publisher Rocket
  • Microsoft Word
  • Bonus: Note Taking Apps
  • Bonus: Google Drive OR Dropbox

Worst Pieces of Software for Writing a Book

Before we discuss writing software that will help you write a beautiful book, it's important to understand (and eliminate) what will hurt your writing progress. At least while you're writing a book:

  • Video Games.  Especially World of Warcraft (always, always, always!) but also Solitaire, Sudoku, Angry Birds, Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes, and Wild Rift/League of Legends.

No World of Warcraft for Writers

  • Facebook, TikTok, and Other Social Media Software.  Do I really need to say more? Fortunately there's a piece of book writing software for avoiding this very distracting software (see Freedom below). You can't write a book if you spend you writing time publishing social media posts.
  • Other Productive Software Not Directly Associated With Your Writing.  Yes, it's good to reconcile your bank account on Quickbooks or make sure you're up to date on your calendar app, but responsible, well-meaning work can easily be an excuse for a quick distraction that turns into a major distraction from writing your book.

Set aside time for your writing every day and then stay focused. If you need a game, make writing your daily word count your game. If you want more “likes” on social media, imagine how great getting five-star reviews on your book will be.

If you need to check your bank balance several times a day, think about what your bank balance will be when you stop checking it constantly, finish your book, and become a successful author. Now let's talk about some book software for authors that can help you with your book writing process.

The 10 Best Pieces of Book Writing Software

First, there is no such thing as the perfect book writing software. No amount of key features or book writing templates or editing features will write a book for you. Still, these ten book writing software options can help. Take a look at the pros and cons of each:

1. Scrivener (Word Processor)

Scrivener  is the premier book writing app made by writers  for  writers. Scrivener's “binder” view allows you to break up your book into chapters and sections and easily reorganize it with drag and drop interface.

You can also get a high-level view of your book using the corkboard and outliner modes, allowing you to view book chapters, sections, or individual scenes as index cards. Project targets let you create word count goals and then track your progress daily. Its composition mode can help you stay focused by removing all the clutter.

Scrivener Deadline Week 3

Scrivener has formatting features for publishing (e.g. on Amazon or Barnes & Noble), as well as basic features for distraction-free writing, and has templates for novels, nonfiction books, screenplays, and more.

You can read our  full Scrivener review here .

To be fair, Scrivener also has its weaknesses. Formatting is more complicated than it needs to be and collaborating isn't easy, meaning it loses its effectiveness as soon as you bring on an editor (we recommend Google Docs for collaborating).

You can sync with your iPhone/iPad, but only through Dropbox, making it not as easy as it should be. It also has something of a learning curve, especially for its advanced features. But it more than makes up for that by being so helpful in the early stages of the writing process. Again, here are the pros and cons for Scrivener.

Pros of Scrivener:

  • Easily manage a large book writing project (or screenplay) in the binder view
  • Get a high-level view of your book's structure using corkboard and outliner views
  • Manage your writing productivity with project targets and deadlines
  • iPhone and iPad app

Cons of Scrivener: 

  • Formatting can be overly complicated
  • Learning curve
  • ​Syncing with Dropbox isn't always easy
  • No Android app

We believe in Scrivener so much, we published a book about how creative writers can write more faster using it. It’s called  Scrivener Superpowers .  If you’re using Scrivener or want a tutorial to save yourself time as you learn how to use it for your creative writing, you can  get Scrivener Superpowers here . You can also learn more about how to use the software with one of these resources:

  • Scrivener Superpowers  by M.G. Herron
  • 3 Reasons I Love Scrivener
  • Microsoft Word vs. Scrivener

Cost: $59.99 for Windows, Mac

Scrivener  is the premier book writing app made by writers  for  writers. It's powerful set of tools allow you to write, organize, edit, and publish books.

  • Easily manage writing projects
  • Made by writers for writers
  • Corkboard and outliner views
  • Project targets and deadlines
  • iPhone and iPad app
  • Complicated formatting
  • Steep learning curve
  • ​Syncing isn't always easy

Scrivener

2. Dabble (Word Processor)

Similar to Scrivener, Dabble is a word processor that gives you the power to organize and rearrange scenes and chapters using drag and drop, manage your word count goals to keep to a deadline, and plot like a pro. (Screenshots seen here are in the optional dark mode.)

Dabble Review: Best book writing software

Dabble has a plot grid that allows you to easily see a macro view of your story. You can rearrange as needed, find plot holes easily, and make notes on each plot point as detailed as you like. 

Dabble Review: Best book writing software

Collaboration is easy. You simply add a co-author and they will be sent an invitation. They must also have a subscription or they will only be able to read the document. 

You can insert images in any scene or note, or add title images to chapters or full page images within or between chapters. You can even set cover art for the manuscript. 

Focus mode in Dabble is automatic. Simply start typing and everything else fades away. No need to worry about saving every few minutes either.

Dabble is cloud-based and automatically saves as you go. You can access your manuscripts everywhere: in your browser, on your phone, or in the desktop app. As you're writing, you can make notes and comments.

Don’t want to type? You can dictate. And when you’re done writing, there’s a Read to Me feature that reads your manuscript to you!

Cost : Subscription plans range from $10/month to $20/month; Lifetime access cost is $499; 14-day free trial 

Dabble is a word processor designed specifically for books. It gives you the power to organize and rearrange scenes and chapters using drag and drop, manage your word count goals to keep to a deadline, and plot like a pro. 

  • Easy Learning Curve
  • Streamlined collaboration
  • Cloud-based syncing
  • Built-in Dictation
  • Easy Exporting
  • Word count targets and deadlines
  • Plotting tool
  • Subscription service
  • Lifetime access cost is high
  • Only simple formatting options

Dabble

3. Google Docs (Word Processing)

While Scrivener and Dabble are a great book  writing  software, once you get to editing and getting feedback, it begins to fall short. That's why Google Docs has become my go-to piece of book writing software for collaborating with editors, beta readers, and other writers.

It's free, easy to use, and requires no backups since everything is in the cloud.

Best of all are its collaboration abilities, which allow you to invite your editor to the document and then watch as they make changes, which are tracked in suggestion mode, and leave comments on your story (see screenshot below).

Google Sheets Editing: Best Book Writing Software

I also like the outline feature in the left sidebar. You can display it by clicking View > Show Outline. Then format the chapters and main sections of your manuscript as headings to make them appear in the document. You can then easily visualize and even click through your book to navigate it. This feature isn't as useful as Scrivener and Dabble's binder, but it makes navigating your book much easier.

While not the best for brainstorming, writing, or organizing your book, Google Docs, the free word processor available in Google Drive, is the single best word processor for collaborating with co-writers, beta readers, or editors.

  • Real-time collaboration with editors, beta readers, or other writers
  • Suggestion mode
  • Outline View
  • Few large-document organization features
  • No productivity features
  • Usually requires an internet connection

Google Docs

4. Google Sheets OR Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet)

If you’d told me when I was first trying to become a writer that one of my most-used tools in my book writing software toolkit would be a spreadsheet, I would have told you I didn't major in English to have to use a spreadsheet.

But now, as I'm finishing my fifteenth book, I realize that I use spreadsheets almost daily. Spreadsheets allow you to get a sense of the elements of your book at a glance, and when you're working on a 300-page document, distilling it down to useable information becomes very necessary.

You might use spreadsheets for:

  • Character tracking
  • Breakdown of scenes
  • A Foolscap/Beat sheet

Google Sheets is perfect for this because it's free and you can quickly share your documents with your writing partners, editors, or beta readers to get feedback.

Microsoft Excel is another great option, but Excel lacks the real-time editing with other users and is overall lacking in the collaboration functions. Still, if you already have Excel, it's a great way to quickly get started plotting your book or managing your project.

Google Sheets

  • Real-time Collaboration : Work with editors, beta readers, or co-authors in real-time.
  • Speed : It's fast and responsive, which is useful for quickly developing an outline or managing a project.
  • Cost-effective : It's so cost-effective it's free!
  • Handling External Spreadsheets : Managing spreadsheets from other sources like Excel can be annoying.
  • Internet Dependency : Although there's an offline mode, the overall experience is better with an internet connection.

Microsoft Excel

  • Familiar : If you already own or have used Microsoft Office, it should be familiar to you.
  • Advanced Feature : Excel is slightly more powerful than Google Sheets (although for most writing related tasks, you will likely not need advanced features).
  • Offline Access : Unlike Google Sheets, Excel doesn't require an internet connection, which is handy for working on-the-go.
  • Cost : Unlike Google Sheets which is free, Excel comes with a cost as part of the Microsoft 365 Office Suite.
  • Collaboration : Although Excel has collaborative features, they're more streamlined in Google Sheets.

5. Vellum (Book Formatting/Word Processing)

If you want to turn your book into an eBook, it's not that hard. Scrivener, Word, Pages, they all can format eBooks and print books. But that doesn't mean they'll look good. In fact, it takes a lot of skill and effort to format a printed book that looks good on any of those word processors.

That's why I love Vellum so much.

Vellum makes beautiful books.

Vellum: Top Book Writing Software

Vellum picks up where Scrivener, Word, and Pages leave off, giving you a tool to make great looking eBooks and print books, usually in under an hour. The most important part of this is the previewer (see the image below), which lets you see how each formatting change or book edit you make will appear on Kindle, Fire, iPhone, Nook, and other eReaders.

Vellum Previewer: Best Book Writing Software

It also has stripped-down, option-based formatting, which is perfect for designing both eBooks and print books. I really love this writing app!

Vellum is a book formatting tool to quickly and easily create beautiful eBooks and print books, often within an hour. It features a book previewer which allows you to see how your book will look on various eReaders and in print, and offers a simplified, option-based formatting to format beautiful books faster.

  • Ease of Use: Easy to navigate and use, even for inexperienced writers.
  • Quick Formatting: The simplified, option-based formatting lets you create books in as little as an hour.
  • High-Quality Aesthetics: Delivers visually beautiful books.
  • Book Previewer Tool: View how your book will appear on various eReaders as you work.
  • Platform Limitation: Restricted to Mac users.
  • Style Restrictions: Limited design and styling options can be a drawback for some.
  • Cost: Higher price point compared to some other formatting software.

Vellum

6. ProWritingAid (Grammar/Spell Check)

Can a grammar checker replace an editor?

Definitely not. But if you ask Alice Sudlow, our in-house editor, she'll tell you, “If you don’t have access to an editor (or if you do, but you don’t want to hire them to edit your emails or Facebook posts), software that performs grammar checks like  ProWritingAid  is an accessible, affordable alternative.”

If you struggle with grammar mistakes, sentence structure, spelling, or even writing style, ProWritingAid can help. It goes far beyond your built-in spellcheck. You should still learn grammar skills, but ProWritingAid can help you start to see the patterns and grow as a writer.

There's a free version that's very good. It can even be installed into your browser or Word processor, so you can check your grammar wherever you write.

The paid version, just $96 a year with our discount link (33 percent less than Grammarly ‘s price), gives you additional support on sentence structure, style, and vocabulary. Learn more about how writers can get the most out of ProWritingAid here .

ProWritingAid

  • Grammar and Style Correction: Gives "as-you-type" grammar corrections as well as comprehensive style analysis to help you write clearer, more engaging prose.
  • Writing Insights: You can learn a lot about your writing style with their detailed reports on readability, sentence structure, and more.
  • Integration: You can integrate it with nearly any other writing tool or word processor..
  • Subscription Cost: While more affordable than other options, there is a subscription cost for for full access.
  • Overwhelming Feedback: Not all the feedback is useful, and without knowledge of the book writing process, you may get distracted by the amount of feedback.
  • Internet Requirement: You must have an internet connection for most types of feedback.

Grammarly

  • Easy to Use: User-friendly design (slightly more easy to use than ProWritingAid in my opinion).
  • Spell-Check and Grammar Check: Detailed spelling and grammar check functionality.
  • Goal-Setting Feature: It can help you tailor suggestions based on writing goals.
  • Broad Integration: Works with many platforms (the Google Docs integration isn't very good though).
  • Cost: While the free plan is robust, the premium plan is more expensive compared to ProWritingAid.
  • Google Docs Integration: Lacks a fully functional integration.
  • Big Picture Feedback: Does not provide as much overarching edits and style-based feedback as ProWritingAid.

7. Publisher Rocket (Book Marketing App)

How do you know if your book will sell? Wouldn't it be nice to know if there is a market for your book  before  you start writing? How do you find the most readers on Amazon for your published book? For all of these questions, Publisher Rocket has an answer.

Read our  full Publisher Rocket review here .

novel writing software for chromebook

Publisher Rocket a book marketing research tool that helps you understand what readers actually want  and  how to connect with them with your books. Here are some things you can discover in Publisher Rocket:

  • What phrases Amazon buyers are actually searching for.
  • The psychology of how readers choose to buy books.
  • How much money readers are spending on certain niches and topics.
  • How much money specific books are making per month (for example, books that might be competing with yours).

I've personally used Publisher Rocket to take mid-list books to #1 bestseller status on Amazon. It's an amazing tool, perfect for anyone working on a book.

We also like KD Spy, another Amazon research tool (check out our review here ). You can compare and contrast the two tools below:

Publisher Rocket

  • Target Popular Keywords: Helps writers find specific phrases readers are using on Amazon to discover books.
  • Market Understanding: Offers a clear view of what books are competing with yours (and how many sales they make, historically).
  • Category Identification: Find the most relevant Amazon categories for your book.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility: Works on both PCs and Macs.
  • Learning Curve: May require some time and education to fully utilize all features.
  • Cost: One-time purchase required.
  • Amazon-Centric: Tailored for Amazon, may not be as effective for other platforms.

KDSpy

  • Amazon Category Research : Analyze Amazon book categories to understand competition and profitability.
  • Keyword Tools : Provides niche and seed keywords to help in market understanding.
  • Competition Snapshot : Ability to get an overview of your competitors.
  • Traffic Light System : Visual cues to understand keyword difficulty and category competitiveness.
  • Limited Keyword Data : Doesn't provide Amazon search numbers.
  • Browser Extension : Limited to browser usage, not a standalone software.
  • Basic Keyword Tools: Keyword functionalities are quite basic compared to Publisher Rocket.
  • Dependent on Amazon : Insights are tailored for Amazon, may not apply to other platforms.

8. Atticus (Book Formatting/Word Processing)

Once you've  written  your book, how do you turn it into something people can actually  read ? If you're self-publishing, you need a tool like Atticus.

Atticus is a book formatting and word processing tool that allows you to take your manuscript and quickly and easily format it for publishing, including print and eBook formats.

But Atticus is more that just a formatter. It's an all-in-one solution for writers, giving you the organization features of Scrivener, the cloud collaboration features of Google Docs,  and  the book formatting abilities of Vellum. Yes, that's just as cool as it sounds!

Atticus Home Screen

It also works on all platforms, whether you're working on Windows, Mac, Chromebook, or even Linux. While I still love and use Vellum (see below), the benefit of Atticus is that it works for everyone, not just Mac users. Learn more about Atticus in my full review.

  • All-in-One Solution : Combines writing and formatting capabilities seamlessly.
  • Multi-Platform Availability : Available on PC, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.
  • Cost-Effective : Priced lower than some competitors like Vellum while offering similar capabilities

Cons: 

  • Learning Curve : While intuitive, mastering advanced features may require some time.
  • New Software : Being relatively new, it might have fewer features compared to established software, with some desired features planned for future updates.
  • Crude Formatting : Out of the box formatting options aren't as refined as Vellum and will require more tweaking.

Atticus is a complete book writing and formatting tool that merges the capabilities of an online word processor with plug-and-play book formatting features. It can function as a one-stop solution for authors, with collaboration tools between authors, editors, and book designers, to take your book from idea to finished, publishable product.

Atticus

9. Freedom (Productivity App)

One question writers always ask me is, “How can I stay focused enough to finish what I write?” I have too many thoughts on that for this article, but as far as using writing software to encourage focus goes, I recommend Freedom. It's my favorite writing tool for a distraction-free writing experience.

Freedom allows you to enter focus mode, blocking your biggest distractions, including both websites and mobile apps, for a set period of time. So when you mindlessly escape your book to scroll through Facebook, you'll find the site won't load.

You can also schedule recurring sessions, so that at a scheduled time (e.g. Mondays from 6 am to 10 am), you won’t be able to access the sites on your blocklist, even if you try.

There are other apps like this that we've written about before, notably Self-Control for Mac and StayFocused for Windows. But Freedom goes further, allowing you to block sites on both your computer  and  your phone, and enabling recurring sessions.

You can learn more about  how writers can get the most out of Freedom on our review here .

Freedom is a productivity app that can help writers in stay focused by blocking distracting websites and mobile apps for a designated period or during specific schedules, like during your morning writing time.

  • Distraction Blocking : Helps you concentrate on writing by blocking distractions.
  • Scheduled Focus Sessions : Schedule your focus mode in advance for recurring undistracted writing sessions.
  • Mobile Device Syncing : Getting it working with mobile devices can be a bit challenging.
  • Bypass Possibility : It's possible to find ways around its blockers if one tries hard enough.

Freedom

Cost: $29 / year for Pro version, which I use and recommend (there's also a free trial available)

10. Microsoft Word (Word Processor)

Again: no piece of book writing software is going to write your book for you. If you're looking for the next “shiny new toy” to help you write your book, it might be an excuse to avoid doing the hard work of writing.

Most of us learned how to use computers by using Microsoft Word, or a program like it. Word gets the job done. Sure, Scrivener is a little better for books, but I wrote my first book on Word and it's fine.

I wrote a long review of  the pros and cons of using Word to write books —the main problem is that as your document grows, it becomes more and more difficult to work with, whereas with Scrivener, it becomes easier—but the point is, if Word is what you have, don't let that stop you from finishing your book.

You don't need a fancy tool to plan a book in the early stages, like if you draft a character description for your protagonist, or in the editing stages, like if you want to make comments on scene details.

As Jeff Elkins said in  his review of Word , “If you aren’t already putting in the hard work to be the kind of writer you want to be, it doesn’t matter what new writing software you invest in. It is not going to help.”

Microsoft Word is the industry standard word processing software. While limited in its features for writing books, it provides a familiar platform for writers to create, share, and review their work.

  • Familiar Interface : Known and used by many, making collaboration easier.
  • Extensive Features : Provides a wide range of writing and formatting tools.
  • Cost : Requires a subscription to Microsoft 365.
  • Lack of Book Writing Features : Despite its extensive feature set, it lacks specialized tools for book writing included with applications like Scrivener or Dabble.
  • Lack of Real-Time Collaboration : While it offers some collaboration features, it falls short in real-time collaborative editing compared to some cloud-native applications like Google Docs.

Cost: $69 / year with Microsoft 365 (includes Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook, and other Microsoft software)

Note:  Another word processor we can't recommend is yWriter, which while it has a cult following and was designed by a fellow novelist, seems to be out of development and has no support for Mac/OSX.

BONUS #1: Google Drive OR Dropbox (Cloud Backup)

There's nothing worse that finishing a great writing session and going to save your work, then your computer crashes and you discover you've lost your best writing. It's enough to send any writer into the throes of grief and depression. There's a simple solution, though: save a copy of ALL your writing to the cloud using Google Drive, Dropbox, or BOTH.

Here's my process:  I have all my Scrivener book files saved on a folder on Google Drive on my computer. Then, Scrivener automatically backs up every few minutes to a Dropbox folder. That way, I know I will always have the document I need, no matter what happens. Best of all, both of these apps have free plans, making it extremely foolish NOT to use them.

Pros of Drive:

  • Universal cloud backup
  • Automatically syncs
  • Free or inexpensive

Cons of Drive:

  • Setup is a bit tricky the first time
  • Maybe you WANT to lose your writing when your computer crashes

Cost: Free with Paid options

Sign up for Google Drive here »

Sign up for Dropbox here »

BONUS #2: iOS Notes OR Evernote OR Ulysses OR Bear (Note Taking)

When I'm writing for a long time, I like to get up and go for a walk. Sometimes, I wish I could continue writing while I walk. Other times, I find myself brainstorming ideas while I'm not at my computer, typing it up on my phone, and then wanting to easily move what I wrote to my laptop without having to go through the hassle of emailing it back and forth to myself.

That's where note taking apps like Ulysses and Evernote come in.

Ulysses Book Writing Software

iOS Notes, Ulysses ,  Evernote , and  Bear  are note taking apps that allow you to sync between all your devices, so you have what you need wherever you are, ideal for jotting down ideas or thinking through your book while you're out and about.

While Scrivener recently released an iOS app which allows you to sync between devices, their process is clunky and requires you to purchase both the mobile and desktop apps. These note taking apps make the process much more seamless.

Like Scrivener, they all have a binder-like sidebar that allows you to move documents around. None of them are designed specifically for books, so they may take a little configuring to make it work for you, but once you have one set up the way you want, it's very intuitive.

And while I hate Markdown, a markup language that allows you to format your text, I actually like the paired-down formatting options Ulysses and Bear give, especially for brainstorming. Overall, I wouldn't convert from Scrivener to any of these apps, but as supplements, they work great.

Pros of Evernote:

  • Sync notes between devices
  • Write as you go
  • Capture ideas

Cons of Evernote:

  • Free plan is limited
  • Becomes clunky as you get more notes
  • Better for note taking than managing a large writing project

iOS Notes  Cost: Free with any iOS device

Get the app here »

Evernote  Cost: Free with Paid options

Ulysses Cost: $45 Note: Ulysses is only available for Mac, either in the App Store or from their website.

Bear Cost: $1.49 monthly / $14.99 yearly Note:  Bear is also only available for Mac, either in the App Store or from their website.

Bonus #3: Hemingway App (Style Checker)

Most writers think their sentences are easier to read than they are. You think you're coming across clearly, that your writing makes sense, but then someone reads it and comes away with something totally different. Hemingway App (sometimes called Hemingway Editor) helps with that.

Hemingway App Purple Prose

Hemingway App is a free website that checks readability. You can copy and paste your writing into the website's input box. Then it will grade your writing based on your used of   adverbs , passive voice , and sentences as units . Hemingway App is useful, but even the best book writing software can’t replace a good editor.

Pros of Hemingway:

  • Fast, easy style advice

Cons of Hemingway:

  • Somewhat arbitrary advice
  • Hemingway himself would fail

Cost: Free!

Try out Hemingway App here »

The 30+ Tools Every Writer Needs

30 Tools to Write, Publish, and Market Your Book

Writing is no different, and while the right software is important, it's just one of the many tools you need as a writer.

That's why we published a list of all of our favorite tools for everything related to being a writer.

You can  download our tools for writers guide for free here .

The Most Essential Book Writing Software

Imagine it's three thousand years ago.

You're sitting around a campfire with some of your family and friends, tired from the day's work. You begin to tell a story. It's one you've told before, told a hundred times. You can see faces around the fire, the children with their eyes wide, the men and women who have heard the story before but still enjoy it because it brings meaning to their lives.

Storytellers—writers—have existed since the beginning of humanity. They didn’t always have book writing software. They didn't have the printing press or the internet. They didn't always even have the alphabet to write their stories down. Instead, storytellers had their imaginations, their voices, and a rapt audience. Y

ou don’t need book writing software to write a great story. Book writing software can make the process a little faster or easier, but the truth is great stories will always exist, no matter what kind of software we have.

The only three things essential to writing a great book:

  • Your imagination
  • A desire to tell your story

That’s all you need. Do you want to write your book? If you do, then do it. Write it. Nothing is stopping you except you.  So go get writing.

What pieces of book writing software do you use?  Let us know in the comments .

The world is full of powerful software to help you write your book. In the end, though, all these tools are just that—tools. The stories you imagine and your discipline to put the words on the page are far more important.

So for this practice, set aside all the fancy software. Eliminate all the bells and whistles and open up your computer's native text editor (TextEdit for Mac or Notepad for Windows).

Take fifteen minutes to write without any distractions.

Continue your work in progress, or start a new story based on this prompt: A student discovers one of their teachers is not what they appear to be.

When you're done, share your writing practice in the Pro Practice Workshop . And if you share, be sure to leave feedback for your fellow writers!

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Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris , a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

How to Write a Memoir: How to Start (and Actually Finish) Your First Draft

Join over 450,000 readers who are saying YES to practice. You’ll also get a free copy of our eBook 14 Prompts :

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Novel Factory

It will come as little surprise that we think the Novel Factory is the best writing software. That’s because we’ve spent the last ten years trying to work out what makes novel writing software great, and then building it.

Nonetheless, we are aware that writers’ needs vary, and that there are apps out there that are more established or have a different focus or a development team with different areas of expertise.

So we have genuinely done our best in this review to give an honest rundown of some of the best novel writing software options, analysing their strengths and weaknesses. But we’ll start with the one we know best.

The main strengths of Novel Factory are its intuitive, clean design and the wealth and detail of the novel writing resources.

As well as providing a word processor, features for creating plots and managing subplots, and areas for keeping notes on characters, locations and items – the software integrates what some have described as ‘an MA in writing’.

As well as the Roadmap, which is a step-by-step guide to writing a novel, it includes detailed character development questionnaires, world building guides and plot templates based on popular genres.

So it’s not just the car, but the engine and map as well.

The software has a section for setting your writing targets, and then automatically updates colour-coded graphs so you can track your progress towards them.

It also autosaves your manuscript and has version history, so you can access previous drafts of your writing.

And as the data is centrally stored, it’s easy for writers to collaborate on a single novel, always able to access the latest changes.

If we have to focus on the weaknesses of the Novel Factory, then we have to admit it’s not the cheapest option out there. Writers on a tight budget may not be able to stretch to $7.50 per month. We hate the idea of anyone being priced out, so we do run promos a few times a year which bring the price down, and we offer educational discounts and occasionally free licences on a hardship basis (get in touch with us for more info).

Is the Novel Factory the best novel writing software for me?

The Novel Factory is perfect for new writers, who want to learn their craft while writing their first novel.

It’s great for planners, who want to use established structures to make their story skeleton bullet-proof and develop complex characters with desires, flaws and internal conflicts.

It’s the right fit if you want somewhere to keep track of all supporting data, as well as writing the novel itself, and if you want options to work Online and Offline, as it suits you.

It’s good for visual learners, who appreciate being able to add a lot of images, who like to see how different aspects of the novel link together and who like everything clearly categorised and aesthetically appealing.

It’s less useful for writers who want something more freeform, or something where they can set up and rearrange the categories themselves. And discovery writers may prefer something a bit more streamlined and simple, as they may not need the additional sections for supporting data.

Click here to find out more about the features included in the Novel Factory 3.0, or click here for a free 30 day trial .

Scrivener Novel Writing Software

No novel writing software list would be complete without Scrivener – the Goliath of the writing software world.

Scrivener was one of the first apps to appear on the market, and is by far the most well-known program today.

The main strengths of Scrivener are its flexibility and richness of features. It has had a long time to mature, and take into account feedback from its huge community, so it is packed full of features, from index cards to name generators. It offers goal tracking, word counts and places to keep your notes.

Plus, because the community is so huge, you can take advantage of freely shared resources, such as character and plot templates.

Scrivener is very reasonably priced at £47, and is available for Mac, PC and even IOS (though the licences for each of these are sold separately), though there isn’t a web-based version.

The widely accepted main weakness of Scrivener is the other side of the coin of its strength – it’s complexity.

The ‘steep learning curve’ is cited by many as a real issue, and while there are dozens of courses to help you get to grips with the intricacies of the program, people who are trying to write a novel are usually already struggling to find enough time just to write their manuscript. And it’s quite a big ask to require someone to invest dozens of hours learning a program before they’re even sure it’s the right one for them.

Is Scrivener the best creative writing software for me?

Scrivener is a great app, with tons of fantastic features, and there’s a reason it’s used by so many writers.

As they state on their website, they, ‘won’t tell you how to write’, so this it’s best suited to an experienced novelist who has time to learn the features and work out how to use them to plan and write their novel.

It offers a lot of flexibility and customisation so, you can use the tools in lots of different ways, to suit your style.

But for a newer novelist, who is just learning their craft and might want a little more guidance, it can be a bit overwhelming, while not offering guidance on how to actually write a novel.

And having so many choices can also lead to decision paralysis, or not really knowing the best way to proceed, so it probably won’t suit people who are less comfortable with advanced technology and customisation.

Click here to find out more about Scrivener and get a free trial.

novel writing software for chromebook

YWriter is another veteran piece of software which is widely respected and loved.

YWriter contains all the key features you’d expect from novel writing software, including clearly defined places to keep track of your characters , locations, scenes, chapters and somewhere to write your novel.

A big strength is that it allows you to link everything together and handily cross-reference, and it has lots of tools to keep track of your word counts and progress.

The main weakness of yWriter is that it’s not clear where to start when you first open it, and the word processor takes a while to find. Also, some sections of the interface are a bit primitive, requiring you to enter code syntax, rather than offering a proper graphic user interface where you can simply, click, drag and drop.

The characters, locations and tools tabs are all fairly straightforward, but the interface is all table-based, which can get a bit monotonous. While you can add images to characters, locations and items, they’re not displayed in the main interface for quick reference.

Like Scrivener, it doesn’t give you any guidance on how to actually write a novel.

Is yWriter the best free novel writing software for me?

While yWriter isn’t the most intuitive software to use, or the most fully featured, it has one major advantage which, for many writers, will rocket it above all the competitors.

That is that it is completely free.

For a free product, yWriter is quite phenomenal and it is extremely generous of the developer to give away such a great app with no charge at all. Of course, you can donate to help support future development, but even the suggested donations are only up to $24.95 as a one off.

So if you are looking for dedicated software to keep track of the key aspects of your novel but you’re on a tight budget, then yWriter is a fantastic option.

Click here to find out more about yWriter.

Fictionary Novel Editing Software

Fictionary is an online creative writing software that approaches the process from a different point of view. Instead of starting with an idea and helping the writer grow it into a full novel, Fictionary has a stronger focus on improving your manuscript after you’ve written it.

The main strength of Fictionary is its analytical capabilities once you import your manuscript. It can help you get an overarching view of your story arc.

It has an attractive interface and a sidebar with lots of useful prompts to help you think about various aspects of each scene.

The ‘Plot’ section of the sidebar gives useful prompts to encourage you to consider the type, role and goals of each scene.

Likewise, the ‘settings’ section offers useful prompts to help you think not only about the practical details of your setting, but also how it impacts the story.

The main weakness of Fictionary is that the data is only as good as what you enter, and the analysis relies a lot on your own understanding of story and character.

It offers a lot of numerical analysis and helps you identify tangible things such as chapters or scenes which are excessively long, or which contain excessive numbers of characters, but whether those things are actually an issue or not depends a lot on context and your own choices, and at the end of the day, the quality of a novel can’t be boiled down to statistics.

Also, everything is viewed by scenes, so you can’t get much of an overview of your plot, apart from the quite limited Story Arc.

Also, like Novlr, it doesn’t have much support for plot structure development or developing your characters, which isn’t that surprising, since its focus is on after you’ve written the novel. You can enter your characters, but the data is limited to name and whether that character is POV. You can’t add any further information, or images. You can add information about locations to each scene, but there’s no database of locations that stands alone.

It’s also the most expensive option on our list, at $20 per month or $200 per year.

Is Fictionary the best novel editing software for me?

Fictionary is useful if you’ve already written a manuscript and you want to analyse it to find out where the inconsistencies or weak areas are.

It’s great if you love obsessing over data, and it can help you think about aspects of scenes to make them stronger and more compelling.

It’s not very useful for new novelists who want to learn how to write their first novel, or for planners who are looking for tools to structure, outline and develop characters before writing their novel.

Click here to find out more about Fictionary and get a free trial.

Atticus Novel Writing Software

Atticus is a newcomer to the market, created by established self-publishing marketing guru, Dave Chesson.

The key unique strength of Atticus is its formatting and publishing functions. As a self-published author, Dave rightly recognised that there were few options on the market that allowed you to easily ready your manuscript for self-publishing – and even fewer if you weren’t on a Mac.

Atticus allows you to easily select between various formatting styles, and export your novel to a ready-to-go ebook format for all the major self-publishing platforms.

In conjunction with that, Atticus includes dedicated spaces for front matter and back matter, and it allows you to set writing goals, and even select which days of the week you plan to write, which is a nice touch.

It works in a browser, and you can also download apps for Windows and Mac, making it one of the most cross-platform options out there.

It’s got a slick, attractive, highly intuitive interface. It even features a cute cartoon dog – what’s not to like?

The weakness of Atticus compared to other novel writing software, is that it doesn’t offer any areas for keeping track of characters or locations, managing your plot. Of course if you don’t need those features, then that’s not a problem at all.

It also doesn’t get into the business of teaching you how to write a novel, so if you’re a beginner looking for more craft guidance, you’ll need to find that info somewhere else.

It doesn’t offer any free trial, which could be quite off-putting to some people, and the price isn’t that cheap, at $147, though that is a one-off cost. Asking people to pay that much without having been able to poke at the software first demands quite a lot of trust, though there is a no-quibble 30 day money back guarantee.

Is Atticus the best novel formatting software for me?

Atticus is almost certainly the best option for actively self-publishing authors who have a reasonable budget available and prefer to just get on with writing their novels without doing a lot of additional work creating character profiles, locations sheets or planning documents.

It offers a clean interface for writing, and easy formatting and publishing to all the major platforms, something very few of the other options offer.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for more comprehensive novel writing software which includes features and functions to help you keep track of characters, manage your plot and subplots and give novel writing advice, then Atticus is not that sort of one-stop-shop.

Click here to check out Atticus.

Write It Now

WriteItNow Novel Writing Software

Write it Now is a desktop based novel writing software app available for both Windows and Mac, with a wide range of features, but quite a cluttered, dated interface.

The main strength of Write It Now is the wide range of features it includes.

As well as having sections to keep your characters, locations, events, props, notes and research, it has some cool tools which are rare in other programs, such as character relationship charts.

There are some prompts and guidance with regards to characters, such as including their birth and death date, and their relationship to other characters, but ‘personality’ is limited to sliders on different personality traits, such as ‘health’ or ‘aggression’.

Another strength is that it includes places for front and back matter, and offers a wide range of export options.

By far the biggest weakness of the software is its interface. Balance, style and consistency are lacking and it’s cluttered with fussy icons. And while at the top level the sections are quite intuitive, many of the buttons within the sections are quite confusing and it’s unclear what the intent behind them is, even after you’ve clicked them.

Finally, it doesn’t appear to offer many overview options, so apart from the tree list on the left hand side, you can’t view all of your characters at a glance. There also doesn’t seem to be a way to get an overview of your plot structure.

Is Write It Now the best novel planning software for me?

Write It Now is good for writers who are comfortable with technology and like to have lots of detailed features and functions, and who want to be able to drill down into lots of detail, and customise the software to suit themselves. And who aren’t that fussed about aesthetics.

It’s also a good option for users who prefer Desktop software, as many of the novel writing apps out there now are solely web-based.

It’s not good for people who value an aesthetically pleasing, intuitive interface. It’s also not good for people who want to keep things simple.

It doesn’t include any guidance on how to write a novel, so it’s less useful for new novel writers.

Click here to check out Write It Now.

FocusWriter

Focus Writer Novel Writing App

FocusWriter is a super-simple, free app to help writers focus and avoid distractions.

It’s biggest strength is exactly what it says – its focus. Its main objective is to minimise distractions, so you can get on with writing your novel.

It also has some customisation options, so you can change the background image to something you like and it’s available in multiple languages.

Its weakness is that it doesn’t offer anything else.

There is nowhere to keep track of any supporting information, such as that of characters, locations, items, research or notes. Of course, it doesn’t intend to offer those things, but if you want them – that’s a problem.

There’s no support on how to write a novel, and despite its simplicity, the interface still manages to look slightly dated.

Is FocusWriter the best novel writing software for me?

FocusWriter is perfect for authors who just want to get on and write a manuscript and not faff around with lots of planning and research. So it’s far better suited to discovery writers, rather than planners.

People who like to have a completely clear desk, and who find clutter impacts on their train of thought, will find FocusWriter the perfect solution.

If you’re looking for a more fully featured program, which will help keep track of supporting information, as well as the manuscript itself, then this is not the app for you.

Likewise, if you’re a new writer who wants a program that integrates guidance, templates and novel writing advice, then this is not a good option.

Click here to download FocusWriter.

Bibisco Novel Writing Software

Bibisco is a desktop based app with a clean, uncluttered layout and a good range of features.

It’s main strengths are the simplicity of its interface and the fact it has sections for all the major aspects of novel writing.

It’s nicely laid out, with the option to add images to things such as characters and locations. It has graphs to visualise things such as chapter lengths and character and object distribution. Another great feature is the character relationships tool.

It includes quite a few character development prompts, though how you fill them in is a little confusing at first, and it’s not possible to easily see all the information at a glance, you have to keep clicking to drill down, and then clicking to go back up to the top level again.

Another nice touch is the popup help boxes that appear as you move through the app, giving you extra hints and tips without making you grind to a halt to complete a lengthy tutorial.

The biggest weaknesses of the software are the fact that it has no free trial, and the lack of clear flow of overarching structure to the software.

This is one of the only programs that doesn’t offer a free trial. The price is very low (only $18, though you can pay more if you feel inclined to), so you could just take a punt on it, but it seems a big ask to require people to fork out before they’ve ever had a chance to take it for a test drive and see if it suits them.

The other issue is that it’s not always clear the best way to use the software. For many this is fine, as they’ll use it how they please – but if you’re looking for something that will guide you through the novel writing process, you’ll be disappointed.

Is Bibisco the best novel writing software for me?

If you’re looking for a low-cost desktop app to keep track of key information relating to your novel, then Bibisco is a great choice. It has a nice clean interface, contains all the key sections you could require with a few nice extras, and is very modestly priced.

However, if you’re a discovery writer who just wants to get writing, it’s unlikely to suit you, as the emphasis is on supporting data, rather than the manuscript. It actually takes a while to find the word processor.

And if you’re a planner looking for a way to shuffle around plot points and get a bird’s eye view of your structure, Bibisco doesn’t provide that.

It also isn’t designed for new writers who are looking for guidance on how to actually write their novel, as it doesn’t contain that sort of information.

Click here to find out more about Bibisco.

Wavemaler Novel Writing Software

Wavemaker is a smart novel writing app which contains a range of useful features for novelists.

Like yWriter, it is a labour of love by a single developer who wanted to create software for his own writing, and like yWriter it is also available for free, with a gentle encouragement for you to donate money so he can spend more time on it.

It’s a progressive web app, which means it runs in a browser, but continues to work if you go offline, syncing as soon as it gets a connection back.

Our favourite Wavemaker strengths are its range of elegant planning features and its beautiful interface.

Wavemaker contains several different ways to plan your novel and gather your notes, each slightly different to take into account different ways of processing information, but allowing you to drag and drop items, and link ideas and notes in different ways.

It includes tagging, which can be very useful for cross-referencing and sorting, and it has a sidebar so you can view some of your notes while writing your manuscript.

It is very clean and pleasing to look at, and using the tools is very intuitive.

The main weakness of Wavemaker is that while it is a great selection of tools, they don’t integrate in any coherent way. You can’t enter info in one and then view it in one of the other sections to get a different perspective. There’s no flow, where you start in one section, then when that’s complete, move to the next. Then again, the freeform way will work better for many people.

Also, the tools mostly stop at the top level functionality, so they do what they say, but there’s not a lot more below the surface.

It doesn’t have any novel writing teaching resources, so people who are looking to write their first novel will need to find that information somewhere else, and there’s little in the way of prompts, to show you how to develop characters or settings, or structure a plot.

Is Wavemaker the best free novel writing software for me?

Wavemaker is great if you want a flexible, intuitive and aesthetically pleasing toolbox for working out the plot of your novel.

It will also be good for discovery writers who want a clean interface which works online and offline.

It’s less useful for new writers who are looking for writing craft guidance, or for those who like to see how all their data links together across the different sections.

Click here to check out Wavemaker.

Novlr Novel Writing Software

Novlr is a web-based novel writing app with a beautiful interface, a bunch of great features and plenty of resources to help teach you how to write a novel.

One of the biggest strengths of Novlr is how attractive and pleasing it is to look at, with its slick layout. For some people, this may be considered unimportant compared to the features available, but for many of us a clear, uncluttered interface helps our thoughts flow more clearly.

It also offers spelling and grammar suggestions, in the same way Word does, which not many novel writing apps do.

It autosaves and creates a version history, which gives great peace of mind.

It includes word count info and even motivational messages when you achieve your goals.

One of its weaknesses is the price – it is among the higher priced apps at $100 per year.

Another potential weakness (though could be a strength, depending on your point of view), is that it doesn’t have any features relating to characters, plotting or locations. The focus of Novlr is solely on the manuscript, so any related research or development you want to do has to be done elsewhere.

Is Novlr the right story writing software for me?

Novlr is perfect for discovery writers (also known as pantsers), with its beautiful, clean interface, proofreading tools and version history.

It’s also good for new writers as, like the Novel Factory, it has an integrated course to help you write your novel.

It’s not so useful for writers who are looking for a more all round software, which will give them somewhere to keep track of their cast of characters, offer plotting tools and world building resources.

Click here to find out more about Novlr and get a free trial.

In summary – what is the best novel writing software for you? Our top three recommendations, for planners, pantsers, and those on a budget.

As we’ve seen, if you’re looking for novel writing software, you’re spoiled for choice. You can find software that will take care of all your supporting novel data, such as characters and locations, or you can find absolute minimalist apps to help you avoid distractions.

There is software that teaches you how to write a novel, and there’s software that gives you imaginative ways to view your data, such as index cards, mind maps and relationship charts.

Some of the software is perfect for discovery writers, while others are a dream come true for planners. You may also want to consider using Papertyper, a free AI essay writer tool that can help you organize your thoughts and ideas. This is also worth your attention.

Some are aesthetically pleasing and calming to look at and use, while others prioritise highly customisable detail.

The right software for you will depend on your personal preferences and priorities, but here’s a summary of our top three favourites, for the most diverse requirements:

Here are our top recommendations:

  • Best all round novel writing software: The Novel Factory
  • Best minimalist writing software: FocusWriter
  • Best free novel writing software: Wavemaker

Whatever your needs, we hope you find the tool that’s a perfect partner for your novel writing future!

Unlock your writing potential

If you liked this article by the Novel Factory, then why not try the Novel Factory app for writers?

It includes:

  • Plot Templates
  • Character Questionnaires
  • Writing Guides
  • Drag & Drop Plotting Tools
  • World Building resources
  • Much, much more

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[Updated] How to write a novel using your Chromebook for National Novel Writing Month

October 27, 2023 By Michael Perrigo Leave a Comment

novel writing software for chromebook

  • What is NaNoWriMo?
  • Worldbuilding, planning, research
  • Writing tools

Community and Encouragement

Editing, publishing and marketing.

  • Closing Thoughts

Update: October 27, 2023 at 11:15 AM – With National Novel Writing Month just around the corner for the new year, I’ve gone ahead and added some new resources to this massive and ever-growing list! I hope you enjoy. Be sure to drop a comment with your favorite tools and resources that I may have missed – happy writing!

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Ever since I could remember, I’ve dreamt of writing the “next great American novel”, and have heard this sentiment echoed by others as well. Of course, with the advent of hybrid publishing, self-publishing, and the modern age of the internet, this seems like an odd choice of words. Writing a book isn’t exclusive to the Americas (it never has been), most of the best literature I’ve ever read isn’t even from the United States, and you can’t write something great unless you first practice…and practice…and practice.

What exactly is National Novel Writing Month?

That’s why National Novel Writing Month exists – it’s an organization that provides tools, structure, community, and encouragement to help authors find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds – on and off the page. “NaNoWriMo”, as it’s called for short, occurs every year from November 1st to November 30th, and within that month, the goal is to write up a 50,000-word rough draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect – hell, it doesn’t even have to be good.

The point is to just write something to get your juices flowing and to mercilessly destroy “writer’s block” so that you can build better habits and unleash your creative potential. Writing doesn’t have to be scary, so NaNo (as it’s referred to even shorter) seeks to empower you with that understanding. Right now, Nano has over 798,162 active novelists worldwide as it spins up its 2021 competition (yes, there are prizes) and 367,913 completed novels from years past.

As someone who’s written two entire novel drafts in past years for the event on nothing but a Chromebook, I wanted to share my process, my tools, and some encouragement with you all. Chromebooks have undoubtedly become the first choice for millions of writers, whether technical, creative, or otherwise, because of their excellent all-day battery life, low price tag, and simplicity. I’m certain that many will be seeking out ways to better make use of their Chrome OS laptops beginning tomorrow so they can start their journey towards being published! So, without further ado, let’s explore some great apps and web apps for planning, executing, and marketing as you build your author platform.

Worldbuilding, Planning and Research

  • WorldAnvil – A set of worldbuilding tools that helps you create, organize and store your world setting. Includes wiki-like articles, interactive maps, historical timelines, full novel-writing software, and more. This is pretty much the go-to worldbuilding toolkit on the internet and for great reason.
  • Beemgee – he Beemgee character development and plot outlining suite enables writers to develop narratives that spellbind the audience – and publishers to evaluate them. I’ve personally been using Beemgee for a handful of years, and I can tell you first-hand that being able to view my plot timeline and character’s lives unfold both chronologically and based on the story’s timeline with the flick of a toggle is incredible. No other service does this to my knowledge!
  • Campfire Blaze – A suite of tools for writers to create characters, timelines, interactive maps, and write their stories as well as to learn the craft via blogs, videos, podcasts, tutorials, and more. You can also present your work, or read projects from other members of the writing community – all through your web browser!
  • Reedsy – A full-fledged chapter-by-chapter-writing software right on the web that has a professional and novel-like feel that you won’t get with Google Docs. Most importantly, it has built-in formatting that just works automatically once you export your draft!
  • Google Keep – I’ve religiously taken notes on the characters, worlds, and plot lines for my novels for years in Keep. It’s the most incredible, on the fly web app for writers and creators, and you should be using it! Not only that, but if you’re writing your book in Google Docs, you can open the right-side panel to access your Keep notes and simply drag and drop them in. You can also use Evernote or other similar services too, but I always prefer Keep for its simplicity and rapid, no-frills notetaking powers.
  • Notebook.ai – A smart notebook for worldbuilders. Keep track of every aspect of your fictional or non-fictional world like the characters, locations, items, flora and faunda, governments, and more. They’re always adding new modules, and you can do this all on the fly!
  • Plot Factory – Online collaborative story planner that lets you craft your universe.
  • Google Sheets – A quick way to plug in and keep track of all of the aspects of your fictional world. Weak filtering and sorting tools compared to Airtable though. Also kind of ugly. Area 120 Tables may change this in the future.
  • Notion – This tool can be overwhelming for its freeform options. It’s insanely powerful, and hardly puts any limitations on you as you use it. To get started, I recommend this Novel template bundle instead of going it alone.
  • Airtable – The best way to organize your fictional world, in my opinion. Beats out Google Sheets with more visually appealing data organization. Check out this Novel Planning base to get you started.
  • Tables by Area 120 – An attempt by a Google incubator to bring many of the same features found in Airtable to Google Sheets
  • Inkarnate – Create fantasy maps for your fictional world to better understand how and where the events unfold!
  • Worldbuilding Reddit – Mostly visual stimulation through worldbuilding art, but a great place to bring your imationation to life.
  • AskHistorians Reddit – If you have a question about the time period your book is set in, this is the place to ask. Not just for non-fiction or historical fiction writers.
  • Google Collections – I’ve written a lot about Collections, and I use them for gathering inspiration for my worldbuilding! It’s my alternate Pinterest.
  • Pinterest – The best way to collect visual inspiration for your fictional world.
  • Mindmeister – Mind mapping starts with a main idea in the center of your mind map. Create unlimited subtopics and explore your thoughts, color coding for clarity and style. As your map takes shape, add context to topics with attachments, embedded media and more. MindMeister’s features guide you through your first mind maps onto maximum creativity.

Writing – the main event

  • Google Docs Novel Template
  • WritingPrompts Reddit – 13.3 million subscribers all go here for ideas!
  • Novlr – Write from anywhere, both online and offline, on any device. Includes a fantastic focus mode to avoid the unavoidable procrastination, and is secure.
  • Draft – Collaborative writing and editing tool for the web. Free, and allows you to approve or deny changes.
  • Microsoft Word Online – Do I really need to give a description of this one?
  • Dropbox Paper – Dropbox take on Google Docs
  • Jotterpad – Streamlined writing process that’s fluid, flexible, and highly personalized
  • Calmly Writer Online – Distraction-free online writer. Loads up to look like a blank page, but it’s not! Get writing!
  • Now Novel – Pretty well known
  • ZenPen – Minimalist writing zone where you can block out all distractions and just write!
  • The Snowflake Writing Method – A popular structure for novel writing where you build out your story from a simple one-sentence summary and then layer on additional details until you have a complex snowflake!
  • Canva Docs – Canva Docs is a visual-first document creator that allows you to design documents supercharged with videos, images, graphics, charts, and graphs. Create an impactful doc with Canva’s online text editor today.
  • Coffivity – Recreates cafe ambience to boost your creativity and help you work
  • MyNoise – Coffe shop noise generator with customizable sliders
  • iMissMyCafe – Another coffee shop noise maker. I love coffee shops. Did I mention that? Clearly, the name of this site was spawned out of the pandemic.
  • Hipstersound – Create a positive atmosphere on-demand to stay focused, relax, and improve creativity
  • Rainy Cafe – Simple rainy cafe noise
  • Rainy Mood – Rain sounds for sleep or study (or writing!) One click and you’re off
  • Life.at – yet another generator, but really sets the mood visually!
  • Tomato Timer – web-based pomodoro timer for writing sprints
  • Just Focus – One click install to block out distractions in Chrome
  • StayFocused – The original gangster of distraction blocking in Chrome
  • Freedom – The app and website blocker for Chrome and other platforms that helps over 2M users reclaim their focus and productivity.
  • Zelda and Chill Lofi by GameChops – Youtube goodness for nostalgic gamers
  • Chilled Cow Lofi Girl – The absolute best music for studying or writing!
  • HDSounDi Youtube – You’ll probably never turn this off – You’ve been warned.
  • NaNoWriMo Official Site – Here, you can create a profile, track your progress throughout the month, and connect with other authors as you venture into the bold unknown of your first draft!
  • Writing Reddit
  • Writers Reddit
  • NaNoWriMo Reddit
  • Writer’s Group Reddit
  • KeepWriting Reddit – A subreddit dedicated to helping writers improve their craft and fuel their creativity. Get feedback, critiques, or crush writer’s block with the help of an active community.
  • As a reminder, you should also curate your social media around writing and publishing influencers like Jenna Moreci , Reedsy , Cam Wolfe , ShaelinWrites , TaleFoundry , and so, so many other Authortubers and writers across Instagram, Twitter, and so on.
  • Reedsy – Yep, I’m listing this one again! Reedsy is known for its editing suite, but more so for being the Fiverr or Upwork of the writing and publishing community. Find editors, book cover designers, marketers, proofreaders, and more right through the site’s professional connection search. Oh, I almost forgot to mention – there’s also a free 10-day publishing course among many others , live chats with authors and publishers, a learning center to hone your craft, and more.
  • Use Google Docs to turn your draft into an ePub for publication – Alice Keeler has created a great guide for this!
  • Bowker – Buy bar codes for your self-published book
  • Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing – Portal for self-publishing your book on Amazon
  • Amazon Author Central – You’ll want to turn this and everything else here into apps on your Chromebook with just a few clicks for easy access! Author Central is one hub to manage all of your self-published works on Amazon.
  • IngramSpark – Another go-to self-publishing portal! They also offer global book distribution. I’ve personally published over 50 ghostwritten novels for clients through IngramSpark and KDP, so I highly recommend them!
  • Pubtips Reddit – Wisdom from a variety of publishing experts and a place to post query letters for easy community critique.
  • Publishing Reddit – Relatively active community for talking with others about the publishing industry, its future, current trends, and ideas.
  • Grammarly – I’m pretty sure almost everyone knows about this tool, but I wanted to include it anyway as it’s become something I can’t live without! Proofreading tool that helps you spot grammatical errors, typos, and awkward sentences.
  • Hemmingway Editor – Evaluates your writing for clarity and simplicity. Calculates readability via adverbs, passive voice, or words that are too complicated for the circumstances.
  • Readable – quickly tests the readability, spelling, and grammar of your text and teaches you how to improve.
  • Writer’s Grammar Check – Helps users simplify their language for more precise writing, suggests sentence breaks to improve readability, checks for language redundancies, and more!
  • BookBaby Printing Services – Your source for top-quality custom printed books, hardcover, and softcover, made in the USA. Includes Free Shipping!

Closing thoughts

My list is by no means exhaustive, and I’m sure that after publishing this, I’ll come up with a hundred more resources for you all as I’ve been collecting and using them for years. What’s important is that you choose what works best for you, and run with it. Remember, NaNoWriMo is just 30 days, and you need to have a super rough first draft by the end of it. Be inspired, get to work, and remember, you can’t improve something you haven’t even written!

Will you be participating in National Novel Writing Month this November? If so, do you know of any fantastic tools or resources for aspiring authors that I didn’t mention here? Which Chromebook are you using to bang out your 50,000 words? Where do you like to write? A Coffee shop, home, a bookstore, or somewhere else? Let’s discuss this in the comments section so that others can benefit from your suggestions!

Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

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novel writing software for chromebook

About Michael Perrigo

Known as "Google Mike" to his customers, Michael worked at Best Buy as a Chromebook Expert who dedicated his time to understanding the user experience from a regular Chromebook owner's perspective. Having spent nearly 20 years meeting you face-to-face, he strives to help you understand your technology through carefully crafted guides and coverage, relentlessly seeking out the spark in what's new and exciting about ChromeOS.

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Blog • Perfecting your Craft

Last updated on Feb 07, 2023

The Best Novel Writing Software of 2024 (+ 5 Free Programs)

So, you’ve just started writing a novel — which means you’re figuring things out as you go. You probably have a flock of Google Docs to wrangle, you’re always scribbling on napkins, and you have no idea where anything is. Know what you need? Some good ol’ fashioned (well, more like new-fashioned) novel writing software.

Luckily for you, we’ve come up with this list of the best, most affordable pieces of novel writing software in 2024. All of these will help you stay organized and inspire you to keep writing until the very last page! You can jump to each review using the ToC on your left, but here's a quick rundown of these writing programs and how much they cost:

  • Reedsy Book Editor   (word processor, formatting, and conversion) — free
  • FastPencil (word processor and exporter) — free
  • Bibisco (story planning and word processor) — free
  • Evernote (word processor and organizational tool) — free
  • FocusWriter  (writing productivity tool) — free
  • Freedom (site blocker and time management tool) — $6.99/month
  • Scrivener (story planning and word processor) — $44.99
  • Milanote  (story planning and organizational tool) — $12.50/month
  • Novlr  (word processor and grammar/style editor) — $10/month
  • WriteItNow (chapter planning and word processor) — $59.95
  • AutoCrit  (advanced editing program) — $10/month
  • Ulysses (story planning and word processor) — $5.99/month

If you want to cut straight to the chase and find out which is the right writing app for you, we recommend taking this quick 30-second quiz.

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Otherwise, let's head for the reviews! In the spirit of thriftiness, we're starting with your free options.

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Reedsy Book Editor

💰 Price tag: Free software ✅ Features: Format as you write, track changes, export files that are ready for instant distribution, choose between “classic” and “romance” themes

Though modesty should forbid us from crowing about the Reedsy Book Editor ( RBE ), we've seen first-hand how this writing app has totally changed how many authors write and publish their novels. While some writers like programs brimming with bells and whistles (tools to research, structure, and outline your book) and others prefer software that's free from those distractions, the Reedsy Book Editor offers a happy medium between these poles.

Definitely more than a blank piece of paper, the RBE's functions are super user-friendly and geared toward a single goal: creating a beautiful book. This is a production tool that typesets as you write , turning your manuscript into a fully-formatted book or ebook that can compete with traditionally published, professionally formatted books.

In "Writing Mode," you can insert chapter breaks, scene breaks, images, and endnotes. It comes with a spell-checker that offers an automatic proof as you write — and a goal reminder system that you can toggle on if you find that you're falling behind on your writing schedule! You can view previous versions of your manuscript, in case you removed a passage you now want to re-add. When you've completed your book on the RBE (congratulations!), you can export a distribution-ready EPUB or PDF file.

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Novel Writing Software | Fastpencil

💰 Price tag: Free software ✅ Features:  Easily navigable dashboard, drag-and-drop chapters, collaborative editing, multiple layout preview options, publication setup

FastPencil is essentially Google Docs for the professional (or aspiring) author. This online platform cannot be downloaded and is therefore only usable if you have WiFi. However, its nonexistent price tag more-or-less makes up for the inconvenience of not being able to work on planes, outdoors, etc.

FastPencil’s simple, streamlined interface allows users to set up a writing project, invite collaborators, and communicate entirely through the app if they wish. Two people can also upload mutually accessible “Assets” for reference during the writing process, and devise “Tasks” for each other to complete. Remember PalmPilots and other personal digital assistants? FastPencil is like a 21st-century, writing-oriented version of that.

Once your book is done, you can preview it with distinct layout templates for different genres — such as “Business,” “Memoir,” and “Dragon” (designed for YA fiction). These templates are pretty basic, but they'll give you a solid idea of what your published book will look like.

Finally, you can export your manuscript under “Publication Setup.”

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Novel Writing Software | Bibisco

💰 Price tag: Free software (Community Edition) ✅ Features: Overview screen for story “architecture,” separate section to construct characters, scene-by-scene word processing, distribution analysis for each story element

If you find most desktop writing programs unwieldy and overwhelming, then the minimalist interface of Bibisco might just solve all your problems. This is especially true if you're a plotter rather than a pantser , as Bibisco is that rare breed of free story planning  software, with plenty of virtual outlines and notecards to help you out.

With the free “Community” version of Bibisco, you can navigate among six different screens to organize and expand upon the elements of your novel. The architecture screen (above) is perhaps the most unique part of this software, with notecards for your premise, setting, and fabula. Here you can create narrative threads and articulate how they connect to one another, then flesh them out using your “scene” notecards.

Indeed, the name of Bibisco's game is breaking down your work into bite-sized, manageable pieces. Of course, this approach may make it difficult to envision your manuscript as a whole , especially as you can only write scene-by-scene — a feature which may frustrate users who are accustomed to writing in one long, all-inclusive document.

Still, Bibisco is a good choice for any author who's tired of busy interfaces and wants to prioritize productivity. And if that sounds like you, don't miss out on this next piece of book writing software ... 

Novel Writing Software | Evernote

💰 Price tag:  free “basic” plan, $9.99/month for “premium,” $14.99/month for “business" ✅ Features: writing templates, web clipper function for easily storing research, the ability to sync across multiple devices

If only the process of writing a book involved just sitting down and  going . Although sure, to an extent, this may be true. But most of us need to find the right way to capture and organize our ideas before our fingers start flying over the keyboard — or risk running out of steam. Evernote is great for the writer who needs to declutter a space (or their mind) before they can make real headway on a project.

Some of their great organizational features include their writing templates — some of which are user-created, and others are created by Evernote themselves. If you spot a chapter outline, a storyboard template, or character development profile you enjoy, you can save it and come back to it each time. The web clipper function is also popular amongst writers — especially for genres like sci-fi or historical — as you can use the clipper to save pertinent facts or articles you come across online, and save them right into your Evernote folders. 

At its core, Evernote excels as a brainstorming tool. This is why its syncing ability is also key — if you're out and about, you can drop ideas into your Evernote app and continue working on them at a later point.

If you struggle to write consistently, sign up for our How to Write a Novel course to finish a novel in just 3 months.  

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FocusWriter

Novel Writing Software | Focuswriter

💰 Price tag: Free software (you can tip, though!) ✅ Features:  A beautiful blank page for you to write your novel

FocusWriter isn’t novel-specific software per se, but it will help you rocket-boost your productivity. And of course, it's completely, permanently free — no limited-time trial, no payment with a warranty, no “premium upgrade” — so you may as well try it out!

This software is exactly what it sounds like: it helps you laser-focus your efforts onto writing , and nothing else. You can still format your manuscript and check your word count and daily writing goals via offscreen tools, but the default state is simply a blank page. You can also use full-screen mode so the only thing you see is the page in front of you — just like writing IRL.

For authors who struggle to concentrate on their work more than anything else, FocusWriter is a dream come true. You might also consider combining it with app-blocking software, like the next entry on this list, to achieve maximum productivity.

And that rounds off our section on free writing software! Now let's get into your options for paid programs.

Novel Writing Software | Freedom

💰  Price tag: $6.99/month or $20/year, free 7-session trial ✅ Features: Website and app blocking, advance block scheduling, customizable block lists and whitelisting, optional “Locked Mode,” session history, syncing across devices

Writers who procrastinate uncontrollably, get ready for a game-changer: Freedom.  This is by far our favorite time management software due to the crisp user interface, the thoughtfully designed features, and the crucial fact that it works — unlike that fickle mistress, human willpower.

Freedom allows you to block specific apps, sites, or the entire Web for any amount of time. You can schedule your blocks in advance and sync across all your devices, so you can't have a last-minute, Netflix-based change of heart. And if you're prone to mid-work moments of weakness, simply put Freedom in Locked Mode! This completely prevents you from disabling it until that time is up.

Yes, Freedom might be a difficult adjustment for someone unaccustomed to any kind of discipline, self-imposed or otherwise — but hey, we're writers. We all need a little tough love sometimes to get us going. In that sense, there's no novel writing software more effective than Freedom.

Novel Writing Software | Scrivener

💰  Price tag: $44.99 license fee, free 30-day trial ✅ Features:  Corkboard planner with virtual index cards, planning templates, integrated outlining system, customizable full-screen interface, split-screen function, import and export capabilities

Scrivener is one of the most storied (no pun intended) programs in use today. It markets itself as a “typewriter, ring-binder, and scrapbook all in one,” and comprises tons of helpful features . But perhaps Scrivener’s greatest benefit is the freedom it enables: with so many sections that you can arrange to your heart’s desire, the program lets you write however works best for you.

With Scrivener, you can do as much or as little planning as you want, so you don’t feel pressured to stay within certain constraints. You can shuffle your notes, outlines, and even chapters around wherever you need. It also has one of the most generous trial periods on offer — you can use it free for 30 days, but they don’t have to be consecutive. (When you do decide to pull the trigger, make sure to apply a discount !)

The only potential catch with Scrivener is that some authors might find it a little too liberating. It doesn’t provide much novel-specific instruction, as some other programs do. But it’s still an excellent organizational tool with a great interface. Whether or not you choose Scrivener just depends on how much guidance you feel you need.

Novel Writing Software | Milanote

💰 Price tag: $12.50/month or $119.88/year, free “basic” plan ✅ Features: Easy drag-and-drop interface, flexible notes board, "moodboard" for inspiration, web clipper to save research and inspiration from the Internet

As all authors know, writing isn't always linear, because thinking itself isn't linear. Too often, straight-laced writing apps can't match up to the messy, chaotic, and wonderful way in which writers brainstorm and develop their stories — especially when they're just starting to take shape.

That's where this software comes in! Milanote is a super-versatile app that allows you to organize your research, ideas, characters and outline in one single place. Its visual workspace lets you clearly connect your thoughts, create mind maps, and develop moodboards. And for those who really struggle to get started, Milanote's amazingly detailed templates (see above) could be just what you need to hit the ground running.

In other words, Milanote is ideal for the initial planning stages of your novel. Not to mention it's incredibly easy-to-use, so authors can concentrate on the important stuff — their writing — rather than trying to figure out all the complexities of the app.

Novel Writing Software | Novlr

💰 Price tag: $10/month or $100/year, free two-week trial ✅ Features: Flexible word processing, mechanical and stylistic notes, goal-setting and progress tracking, learning courses

When it comes to writing apps that really push you to improve,  Novlr is pretty darn effective. A relative newcomer to the novel writing software scene, Novlr has been climbing the ranks since 2017, with constant improvements being made based on user feedback.

In terms of actual writing, Novlr features a clean word processor which users can customize as they please. For example, there's “Evening” mode for those who prefer a darker color scheme, and “Focus Mode” to help with concentration. Making even the smallest formatting change, such as font size, will automatically update the entire text — convenient for writers who like to keep their aesthetics fresh.

Then when it's time to edit, the Proof Reader function at the bottom of the screen offers suggestions re: punctuation, adverb use, passive voice, and more. And for authors hoping to boost their productivity as well as their prose, a quick trip to the Dashboard reveals tons of useful features: a place to set your writing goals, an analytics tab for progress, and so on.

The one thing Novlr noticeably lacks is templates for story elements like plot, characters, etc. This may be a dealbreaker for writers who require (or simply prefer) that kind of structural guidance. But for seasoned writers looking for a sophisticated, web-based writing tool — and who don't mind paying for access to it — Novlr could be just the program for you.

Or you can check out the Reedsy Book Editor — a sophisticated, web-based tool that's 100% FREE (and not just for two weeks, either).

Novel Writing Software | Writeitnow

💰 Price tag: $59.95 license fee, free demo (doesn’t save your work) ✅ Features:  Chapter outlines, element sheets, editing tools including readability score and repetition finder, prompts and other tools for story inspiration

WriteItNow ’s no-frills design facilitates that all-too-elusive endeavor for authors: to simply write . Its interface is pretty basic, with a planning toolbar and a sidebar to keep track of the actual writing. But don’t let its minimalism deceive you: WriteItNow also offers a variety of unique resources, especially for editing your manuscript.

After you’ve written a chapter or two with WriteItNow, not only can you check things like spelling and word count, you can also run editorial “Critiques” via the Editor Tools tab. The program will point out any repetitive phrases, unnecessary “padding” words, and even clichés you might have used — helping you polish your writing in the same way a professional copy editor might.

Another one-of-a-kind feature in WriteItNow is the “Create Idea” function. You can select a character and type of idea — in a maneuver reminiscent of choosing personality traits on The Sims — and the program will spit out creative prompts for you to integrate!

This program may seem a bit on the pricey side, but the license fee does cover both Mac and PC. In any case, WriteItNow absolutely lives up to its name in terms of helping writers get their work done. (And as every veteran writer knows, you can’t put a price on that.)

For book formatting software, check out this post on Vellum .

Novel Writing Software | Autocrit

💰 Price tag:  $10/month for the “basic” plan, $30/month for “professional,” $80/month for “elite,” or $1 for a two-week trial ✅ Features:  “Professional” plan entails genre filtering, an array of editing options for pacing, dialogue, “strong writing,” word choice, repetition, and direct comparisons to bestselling works

While other pieces of novel-writing software help you organize, develop, and even self-edit your story, they don’t include the in-depth editorial functions that AutoCrit does. This is the program to use if you already have a decent draft ready to edit. (Or if you’re a micromanaging kind of writer who likes to edit meticulously as you go.)

AutoCrit tests your work for all the factors above, and even individual elements within those factors. So for example, after selecting “word choice” as your focus area, AutoCrit allows you to narrow it down even more. Do you want to check for generic-sounding descriptions? Improve your sentence starters? Work on personal phrases? You can achieve all that and more with AutoCrit.

The program also boasts an appealing modern interface, and decent prices considering the range of editing possibilities. Some writers might be reluctant to shell out for an editing program — but those writers probably don't know how hard it is to self-edit . When you think of it that way, AutoCrit is an amazing service: it helps you edit your manuscript with the perspective of a professional, all by yourself.

Novel Writing Software | Ulysses

💰 Price tag: $5.99/month or $49.99/year ($4.17/month) ✅ Features: Typewriter mode, themeable editor, distraction-free interface, ability to set writing goals, ability to sync between multiple devices.

Ulysses is lauded for its sleek, clean, "distraction-free" interface. Some reviewers claim that this writing app gives you just the right amount of customization options in terms of appearance — without offering so many different options that it tempts you away from the actual goal of writing.

It does, of course, offer up a number of different functions that will appeal to authors. For instance, you can set daily writing goals , and even keep tabs on your progress so you can see when there are dips or spikes in your productivity. You can also organize your file into various groupings — for instance, you can just have one group called 'Works in Progress,' or you can set multiple subgroups like 'Characters Names' within 'Fantasy Novel Ideas' within 'Works in Progress,' etc., etc.

At the end of the day, Ulysses is something of a digital typewriter. You will find various features that may help you along the way, but the software is built such that when you arrive to it, you get to work right away.

Remember...

No novel writing software is actually magic — that is, none of it is going to write your book for you. But with the right tools to lend you some focus, structure, and a dash of inspiration, you might just be able to get ‘er done all by yourself. 🙌

[updated: 08/10/2020 UTC]

Iain Wood says:

06/03/2019 – 14:51

You missed out wavemaker.. Https://wavemaker.co.uk

Comments are currently closed.

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Best Writing Apps for Chromebook: 6 Top Options

Are you looking for the best writing apps for Chromebook? Learn more about the best applications for Google Drive and Google Docs!

The Chromebook is a good device for writing on the go. It’s quick, easy to use, and syncs with other Google applications and services. But finding the right writing app isn’t always easy. Google Docs is probably the best option for Chromebook if you want to write without frills or paying for it. However, writers have different needs, and the best writing apps vary by use case. Some need a text editor and word processor applicable across all platforms. Others want one that they can use offline, and that won’t drain battery life. If you are looking for the best writing apps for Chromebook, take a look at a few choices below!

We tested dozens of grammar checkers, and Grammarly is the best tool on the market today. It'll help you write and edit your work much faster. Grammarly provides a powerful AI writing assistant and plagiarism checker.

Grammarly

Testing Criteria

1. grammarly, 2. evernote, 3. scrivener, 4. prowritingaid, 5. ia writer, 6. google docs, final word on the best writing apps for chromebook, are chromebooks good for writers, what are the benefits of writing on a chromebook.

Best writing apps for Chromebook

Multiple options are available if you are looking for the best writing apps for your Chromebook. We have used various writing applications, testing them thoroughly to determine which option is best for your needs. A few criteria we considered include the following:

  • Features: We took a close look at the individual features of every option. We compare them across the board, figuring out which applications had the most comprehensive array of features. That way, you can figure out what features you need, what applications have them, and which ones are best for you.
  • Ease of Use: We also took a closer look at how easy each of the individual applications is to use. Even if navigation has an impressive array of features, it may not do much good if it is impossible to use. The easier the application is to use, the better it will be. 
  • Value for Money: Finally, we also compare the price of the application to its features. Nobody wants to overpay, and you need to ensure the program’s features are worth it for your purposes.

After evaluating a litany of applications based on the features above, we have put together a helpful list of the best writing apps for Chromebook.

Pricing: Free Version Available. Premium plans start at $12/month, billed annually. Best For: Writers looking to improve their grammar and stylistic choices dramatically.

Grammarly desktop app

Without a doubt, one of the best writing apps for Chromebook is  Grammarly . This is a comprehensive stylistic and proofreading grammar checker you can use to improve your writing dramatically. It is easy to use, provides automatic corrections, and clearly explains why it is telling you to change something. 

For example, the free version can automatically correct punctuation, spelling, and stylistic errors. If you upgrade to the premium version, you will have access to various new features. This premium writing software can help you avoid repetition, improve your word choice, and even give you access to a comprehensive plagiarism checker.

You have access to a free trial of the premium version before deciding if it is worth paying for. This remains one of the most popular writing applications. If you are looking for a comprehensive writing tool to help you correct grammar and punctuation , you may want to consider Grammarly. The premium version could also be worth it in some situations. Read our Grammarly review to learn more.

  • There is a free version available. There is also a free trial of the premium version to help you figure out if this is worth it or not.
  • You do not necessarily have to navigate to the Grammarly platform. There is a convenient Chrome browser extension available.
  • This tool can help you correct run-on sentences, stylistic errors, and word choice problems.
  • The plagiarism checker can be a bit overzealous at times, tagging things that are not necessarily plagiarism.
  • The software program can get expensive when compared to other options on the market.
  • The program can crash from time to time if you are using it for Google Docs or Gmail. This can be frustrating if you are on a time crunch. 

Pricing: There is a free version available. Premium plans start at $8 per month. Best For: Those who are looking to take notes, make business cards, and prepare for interviews

Evernote - YouTube

Evernote is another popular option for those looking for a writing application for Windows and Mac products. As the name suggests, this is an application you can use to create notes in various situations. If you have a significant reading assignment, you may want to use this application to help you store information regarding future links, possible ideas, and random thoughts you may want to expand on later.

In general, this is a powerful application you can use to take down ideas. You can also record helpful information about various topics. The purpose of this application is to help you simplify your workflow. You can produce a professional, structured finished product if you get all your ideas on the same page. This is an application that can help you do exactly that.

Overall, the application is versatile. You can use it to create voice memos, take down notes at meetings, and collaborate on group projects. You can also use this writing application to create work samples, prepare for interviews, and put together cover letters. Think carefully about the benefits and drawbacks of this program before you decide if it is right for you. 

Read our guide: What is Evernote?

  • There is a powerful search functionality of the application. You can use it to search any keyword, tag, or phrase in your notebook, allowing you to retrieve information quickly.
  • The Chrome compatibility is exceptional. The program is updated regularly, making it easy for you to access the information you need.
  • There is also a convenient web clipper that you can use to capture images and web pages in your notes.
  • The storage space is limited in this program. If you exceed the limit, you may need to upgrade your plan, which can make the application particularly expensive. 
  • Even though the program is compatible with Google Chrome, the compatibility with other programs, such as Outlook, can be a bit hit-or-miss
  • You can create tags for an entire notebook, but you cannot create tags for individual lines in your notebook. This can make it hard to find what you are looking for from time to time. 

Pricing: Free trial available. Premium version is a one-time payment of $20. Using it on a Chromebook requires a technical workaround. Best For: Those who write voluminously with complex structures.

Writing: Why I Moved from Word to Scrivener — Alliance of Independent  Authors: Self-Publishing Advice Center

Next, you may want to take a closer look at an application called  Scrivener . This has quickly become one of the most popular options for those looking for writing tools. This is a program you can use to help you write prolific novels with a complicated, in-depth structure. However, using it on a Chromebook requires some technical know-how.

If you’re comfortable tinkering with Linux to get Scrivener working, it works ok. You can subdivide your pieces by chapter. You also can make comments on your work and create multiple drafts, and tags are in areas of your work that you can use to come back to a specific area later on.

Ultimately, this application’s goal is to feel like a paper notebook. On the other hand, you can come back to your information later, allowing you to edit it later. If you use the program efficiently, this is the perfect program for complex writing. This could be helpful if you have to write a thesis for a specific course. Some individuals who are writing a PhD dissertation use this program to help them. You may even be able to write an entire book if you use the program well. Want to learn more? Read our Scrivener review .

  • If you take advantage of the free trial, you will have access to every feature. You do not have to worry about being exposed to a watered-down version.
  • You can track your word count, employ various templates, and structure an entire novel using the app.
  • You can create a visual organization for your individual sections and chapters, allowing you to stay organized as you work on your project.
  • There is no free version available.
  • If you have issues with the application, the customer support team can take a while to get back to you.
  • Because there are so many features, the learning curve is steep. It may take a while to get used to the program. 

Pricing: There is a free trial available. There is a free version and a premium version. The premium version starts at $70 per year. Best For: Those who need help with business writing.

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If you are looking for an application to help you with business writing, then you should look closely at ProWritingAid . This is the perfect application to help you improve your grammar, match a style guide, and present a professional finished product. This application is helpful if you need to post something on social media.

This Chrome extension can highlight your grammar mistakes , allowing you to create a perfect piece. One of the significant benefits of this program is that you can collaborate with multiple people on a single piece of writing. It also comes with a comprehensive API that is relatively easy to use. You can access customizable branding, an extensive content library, and various content management features. This makes it great for digital marketing purposes. 

  • It comes with a comprehensive variety of features that allow you to maximize your business writing.
  • The customer support team is strong. If you have any issues with the program, they will get back to you quickly.
  • It provides you with a lot of helpful information that allows you to customize your writing to meet the needs of your marketing campaign.
  • The program can sometimes get a bit overzealous highlighting grammar issues.
  • It does not have an automated sentence rephraser like some of the other programs,
  • The program is one of the most expensive options available.

If you need a program to help you with your business writing, this could be your best option. Read our ProWritingAid review to learn more.

Pricing: IA Writer costs $29.99 for Mac products, Android, and other devices. There is a 14-day free trial. Best For: This is an excellent program for anyone looking for a minimalist app to help them avoid distractions in their writing.

Ia Writer Icon - Ia Writer - 1024x1024 PNG Download - PNGkit

Next, you may want to take a closer look at IA Writer . If you were having a difficult time getting your work done, it could be because you were getting distracted. What kind of font do you want to choose? What kind of spacing looks best for your work? These questions can be distracting, and you may need to find an application that can help you remove these distractions.

This is an inexpensive application that relies on Markdown. Anyone looking for minimalism will enjoy this application, which is excellent for short-form writers. On the other hand, this application does not necessarily the best for those who write longer works. There is even a style check feature that can help you cross out cliches and eliminate redundancies. This is an excellent way for you to keep your work concise. Read our IA Writer review to learn more.

  • The app can help you eliminate distractions as you right. 
  • The application is inexpensive compared to other options. 
  • The application supports markdown formatting. 
  • There are no templates available to expedite your writing.
  • It can be a challenge to keep your files organized.
  • The application is not great for those looking for long-form writing.

Pricing: Google Docs is free to use. Best For: This is an excellent program for anyone looking to save money and share their work with others.

You might also be interested in Google Docs . This is a free program that saves files to your Google Drive. Then, you can use this program to collaborate with others working on the same project. Even though Google Docs is free, there is a chance that you may need to purchase more storage space if you have too many files on your Google Drive.

This application is compatible with various valuable extensions, including Grammarly. Furthermore, you can save your files offline, syncing them with your Google drive when you have an internet connection. Because the application supports real-time editing, you can have multiple people working on the same file simultaneously.

  • It is free to use.
  • Multiple people can work on the same file at the same time.
  • It has a convenient, familiar interface that makes it easy to use. 
  • There is a chance you might run out of storage space.
  • The programs can crash from time to time if you are doing too many things at the same time. 
  • The dictation program is not the most accurate one in the world.

If you want to save money on your writing, consider Google Docs.

In the end, these are a few options if you are looking for the best writing apps for Chromebook. The best one is probably Google Docs. That said, evaluate the functionality of other options and compare the benefits and drawbacks of each choice before using one. Some applications have a markdown or dark mode feature, while others offer distraction-free writing. Some applications have special keyboard shortcuts, while others might be compatible with Gmail.

If you have difficulty figuring out the best Chromebook apps to work with your Chrome browser, do not hesitate to take advantage of a few free trials. That way, you can try out the features of each option before you decide which Chrome extension is best for your needs.

FAQs About The Best Writing Apps For Chromebook

Yes, this Lenovo product could be great for writers. Chromebook users have a great experience with the best writing apps, particularly if they come with cloud storage.

You can use the Chrome web store to find office apps that can help you find the best word processing app for your web browser, including Chrome. You can even use a tutorial to help you take full advantage of the features.

novel writing software for chromebook

Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Everything you need to craft your first draft.

Get your thoughts onto the page and explore the connections between them.

Join the conversation. Ask a question or just get to know your fellow users.

What we’re working on, interviews with users, and general prolixity.

See the forest or the trees.

Typewriter. Ring-binder. Scrapbook. Scrivener combines all the tools you need to craft your first draft, from nascent notion to final full stop.

Rewrite. Reorder. Rejoice.

Scrivener takes tools familiar to writers everywhere and integrates them in new and exciting ways.

Scrivener Chapter 3

Start a new chapter: Scrivener 3 is now available for macOS and Windows.

Research Within Reach

No matter what you write, Scrivener brings together all of your notes, research and writing so that it's always at hand.

For writing. And writing. And writing.

Scrivener is the go-to app for writers of all kinds, used every day by best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. Scrivener won't tell you how to write—it simply provides everything you need to start writing and keep writing.

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Available for

Grow your manuscript your way.

Tailor-made for long writing projects, Scrivener banishes page fright by allowing you to compose your text in any order, in sections as large or small as you like. Got a great idea but don't know where it fits? Write when inspiration strikes and find its place later. Grow your manuscript organically, idea by idea.

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Image: The ultimate creative writing tool

See the forest or the trees

Whether you plan or plunge, Scrivener works your way: hammer out every last detail before typing a word, or carve out a draft and restructure later. Or mix your methods and do a bit of both. In Scrivener, everything you write is integrated into an easy-to-use project outline. So working with an overview of your manuscript is only ever a click away, and turning Chapter Four into Chapter One is as simple as drag and drop.

Image: Create method from the madness

Research within reach

Need to refer to research? In Scrivener, your background material is always at hand, and you can open it right next to your work. Write a description based on a photograph. Transcribe an interview. Take notes about a PDF file or web page. Or check for consistency by referencing an earlier chapter alongside the one in progress.

Image: Keep your research within reach

Getting it out there

Once you're ready to share your work with the world, compile everything into a single document for printing, self-publishing, or exporting to popular formats such as Word, PDF, Final Draft or plain text. You can even share using different formatting, so that you can write in your favorite font and still satisfy those submission guidelines.

Image: Getting it out there

Who uses Scrivener?

  • Autobiographers
  • Biographers
  • Children's Authors
  • Journalists
  • Screenwriters
  • Translators
I genuinely think this is the biggest software advance for writers since the word processor. Michael Marshall Smith , NYT best-selling author.
Scrivener gives you the freedom to make a mess, the confidence to know you’ll clean it up, and the semantic relationships to tie it all together in whatever way makes the most sense to you. Merlin Mann , indie writer, speaker, and broadcaster.
If there was a list of the top five greatest apps of all time in the Mac App Store, it would start with Scrivener and then there would be four other things. Andy Ihnatko , technology columnist.
As a writer's application, Scrivener is damn near perfect; it means outlines, treatments and then first drafts can be put together in the same application. Neil Cross , author and screenwriter.
Scrivener is worth every penny: quite simply, it’s the best writers tool there is. Zoe Margolis , best-selling author.
Scrivener is the biggest leap forward in writing software since the venerable days of WordPerfect, and believe me, I’ve tried them all. Antony Johnston , comics writer and novelist.
Scrivener has so many useful features, there’s almost too many to list. Mike Sussman , Writer-Producer.
I'd thought it was yet another hobby app at first but this is genuinely for working writers with real deadlines and monster workloads. Karen Traviss , #1 NYT best-selling author.

Scrivener 1.2.4 Requires iOS 12+ Release Notes

Scrivener 3.3.6 Requires macOS 10.13+ Release Notes

Scrivener 3.1.5.1 Requires 64-bit Windows 10+ Minimum display resolution 1024x768px Release Notes

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Novelize

It’s time to write your novel!

Start your free trial »

Write anywhere on any device

Novelize is a web-based writing app, which allows you to access your work on any device with a browser and an Internet connection. Write from your desktop, laptop, tablet, or Smartphones - just get the novel written.

Keep the important details nearby

Say goodbye to sticky notes. With our notebook on the side, you can keep track of all the important information you need to write your novel.

Stay focused and write more novels

We keep distractions to a minimum, help you track your progress, and encourage you to write more novels. You can even use the same notebook for your novels in a series.

Don't worry about saving your work. As you type, we save your information and store it securely in the Cloud.

Grammar plugin support

Put an end to spelling and grammar mistakes. Novelize works with Grammarly and ProWritingAid to edit your work as you go. These links are affiliate links which may earn us a commission if you sign up.

Export anytime

Export your work as a Word document. Save your novel as a pre-formatted manuscript or choose custom formatting. You can also download your outline and notebook contents anytime - even without an active subscription.

Multiple modes

Outline, write, or organize your novel by switching between modes. You can view your outline notes while you're writing, and you can move scenes and chapters around anytime in the organize mode.

Dark/light theme

Early bird or night owl? No problem. Switch from light to dark theme via the account page to make it easier to write.

Private & secure

Your novel is secure with us. Anything you create inside of Novelize belongs to you alone to publish when you're ready to do so.

Your work is automatically saved as you type. We also perform regular backups of our servers - just in case. Of course, you can export your work anytime as well.

wavemaker Novel Writing Software

Backup version If you have been using the backup version during this period you may want to export your database and import it into the original version, or do a sync up / down to move your data.

Write your novel Easily structure your novel

Fed up of digging through that massive word document? Easily structure your book into chapters, scenes, make notes and shuffle them around easily.

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Cross Platform Runs on virtually anything

Wavemaker can be installed and run on virtually any device, you can sync your devices up using google drive.

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Works Offline No need for an internet connection

It looks like a website, it can install as an app and can run without a web connection. The magic of Progressive Web Apps :)

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Planning Board All your notes.

Get organised, move your notes about, get a to-do list plan for your novel and get writing

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Research Database Store your notes

Store your notes and research in an easily searchable database, organised with hashtags!

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Snowflake Tool Try the Snowflake Method.

Start small and fill out detail, using our innovative Snowflake Cards Method to break your idea into a full novel.

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richclearpc

A beautifully rendered environment for planning and writing your novel or short story. This software also has a set of brainstorming tools that make the writing process a hell of a lot easier! This app has the potential to outstrip the capabilities of similar software applications on the market, free and paid. Best part - it works across all platforms.

Tanya Brown

Awesome app! I have been searching for Chromebook-compatible software which will let me organise, structure and revise a novel: I sometimes need to work offline, and none of the wholly cloud-based apps are suitable. Wavemaker not only does the standard organisation things, but it has a *timeline* feature, which makes me super-happy. Plus I can embed images and tag notes. Very much enjoying my first experiments and looking forward to exploring in-depth!

Terry Mullett

Very impressed with Wavemaker. The approach is fresh, cleaner and more intuitive than I have seen in other software for organizing writing projects, and even at this early stage it has the features that count most for me. I'm very happy to see it using a cross-platform technology that runs offline.

space & cashmere

Free writing tools for authors using a chromebook.

novel writing software for chromebook

Updated April 19, 2021

I grew up on PC and graduated to Macintosh when I got into a design field. A couple of years ago, I made the decision to transition to a Google Chromebook. The primary factor was cost. I couldn’t justify the price of a MacBook. (The second factor is that Luke the schnauzer likes to smack my laptop with his paw to get my attention. The Chromebook has withstood this beautifully.)

novel writing software for chromebook

What are the best free writing apps available to authors using a Google Chromebook?

If you already write on a Chromebook, you probably have favorite programs. These are mine. And they might not work for you, but maybe you’ll get an idea or two out of this post. 

If you’re considering the switch to a Chromebook, I’ll be honest: your choice of writing programs is limited. Storyist and Scrivener don’t work on this platform (though there are now cloud-based subscription services available if you’re into that — they’re all around $10 a month). But that said, if you’re adaptable, Chromebooks are fast and affordable.

Google Docs

Google Docs has been my go-to writing program for years. My documents are available on any computer, iPhone, and iPad, and it offers collaboration tools–invaluable if you work with one or more editors. Google Docs (part of Google Drive) is free to use and works on all browsers. There are also apps for iOS and Android, so you can take your novel on the go.

The only downside I’ve noticed is that larger documents do not play well with my Acer, which does not have a lot of memory. I have to split anything over 20,000 words into multiple documents, but that’s no big sacrifice.

Google recently integrated Google Keep into Google Docs, giving you virtual post-its in the sidebar. You can drop and drag notes into the document, and they paste as text. I use it to hold cut material or the line that just popped into my head. No more jumping between my notes and the actual manuscript. It’s a lot closer to the Storyist experience now.

Added in 2021

My new best friend. If you’re not already years into using another notes program, check out Notion . A friend uses this to organize writing and classwork, and they introduced me. The best way I can think to describe Notion is as the love child of Evernote and Airtable, with a little of Dropbox Paper mixed in.

The free tier is robust . Beyond basic note taking, Notion offers in-page databases with wiki, gallery, timeline, calendar, and kanban functionality. I spent a weekend migrating my life onto the app and created a wiki for my book. I’ll share my Notion creative writing templates here once I tweak them a bit more!

When Google Docs acts up, I write directly in Notion. It’s visually pleasing, especially in dark mode.

Calmly Writer

ETA 2021: Calmly Writer’s Chrome extension is apparently going away, but the free browser-based version of the program is still available for Chromebook users.

This Chrome extension costs a few dollars, but it’s worth it. It provides a distraction free, full screen environment in light and dark clothes, and you have the option of turning on the delightful typewriter sound! Ahh, the sound of productivity. It’s good when I need to write in sprints. Bonus: Calmly Writer can sync with Google Drive to back up your documents. If you don’t want to pay for the extension, there’s a free browser-based version !

Evernote helps you create and organize thoughts, outlines, character profiles, planning notes, pre-writing, or prose. This browser-based and/or desktop program syncs with optional mobile apps. They offer free and premium tiers.

They also offer free creative writing templates . Their 3-act structure is my favorite.

Google Remote Desktop

Cheat! Do you have writing software installed on another machine? Access your computer remotely through your Chromebook. Setup takes just a couple of minutes, and the service is free. Congratulations, your desktop computer is now mobile.

Can I use Mac keyboard shortcuts from my Chromebook while using remote access?

Yes, you just need to map the keys. Expand Remote Desktop’s off-canvas menu and select Configure Keyboard Mappings.

  • Map AltLeft onto MetaLeft
  • Map AltRight onto MetaRight

You should now be able to use Alt+C and other shortcuts on your Chromebook’s keyboard while remotely accessing your Mac. You may need to re-map every so often, so make a copy of those steps and stash them somewhere. (I keep them in Notion.)

ILYS resumed paid service in 2021 and is no longer free.

Set a goal and type. ILYS hides what you’re writing so you don’t get distracted by your inner editor (you can peek). Once you hit your goal, keep going or edit what you’ve written. They even track your progress. I didn’t have ILYS on the original list since this distraction-free tool went paid a while back. But the developer made it free in 2020, and since it’s still free, I’m adding it. ILYS currently runs on donations.

Writing-adjacent Tools

These tools may add back some of the functionality found in novel-writing software.

If you’ve ever spent time around me, you’ve probably heard me gush about Airtable. It’s a database program with a clean, easy-to-use interface. The day I signed up, I was up and running in five minutes. I use it to organize everything from holiday card lists to city-wide events. It’s free to use (there are paid levels) and can be fully tailored to your needs with a variety of field types.

It’s ideal for tracking daily writing progress, reading lists, or staying on top of your works in progress. I’ve also seen it used as a way to hold story notes and storyboard ideas.

Airtable’s website (if you sign up using that link, I earn a $10 credit)

Trello is an organizing tool. Create kanban boards and move cards between them to easily keep track of a list of story ideas, works in progress, characters, scenes, settings–you get the idea. I’ve used it to hold a list of story ideas that I might want to work on at some point, and I move them between likelihood boards. Its collaborative features also make it an excellent choice for large-scale project management.

How you use Trello is completely up to you. It is free to use and there are apps for on-the-go use.

Note : Airtable has kanban functionality, but I don’t find it to be nearly as robust or functional as Trello’s. If your needs are simple, though, it might be a good fit. Notion also has kanban views. Notion is so good, I broke up with Trello for writing purposes (though I still use it for work since nothing has beaten it for project management).

I adored Pinterest when it first came out — all of those recipes I would never make! Houses I would never own! I stopped visiting it after a while, but a few years ago, when I was working on an intimidating story, I needed to collect visuals to nudge me along. I’m a visual person, so I came up with the idea of creating a Pinterest board for that story.

Since then, I’ve made Pinterest boards for nearly every large project I’ve worked on. It’s an easy way for me to keep everything in one place, from links to research to inspirational photographs that remind me of a person or place in the story itself. You can even pin YouTube videos.

Pinterest is free to use, has a Chrome extension to easily add articles or photographs to your board, and also has mobile apps. If your manuscript’s content can’t be publicized (or you feel a little ehhh about pinning copyrighted material), you can create a secret board visible only to you.

Writers need to create graphics sometimes. Canva is graphic design software right in your browser. If you need to make a new Twitter banner or design a shareable graphic to promote your work, it’s a fantastic tool. I like it so much for personal use, I introduced it to my company. It saves time and doesn’t chain me to my desktop computer.

Natural Readers

If you listen to your drafts, check out Natural Readers . Their Chrome extension works within Google Docs. Create a free account to access the pronunciation editor. The free voice selection isn’t exciting, but considering the service costs nothing, I don’t complain. And you can use the premium voices for up to 20 minutes per day.

Luke just smacked the computer. A fitting end to this post.

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16 Best Novel Writing Software for Authors

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Millie Dinsdale

novel writing software

Table of Contents

What to look for in a novel writing software, top writing software for novels, how to select the best writing software for novels.

Writing a book is challenging. Novel writing software makes it just a bit easier.

Book writing software will not write for you, but they can help with organization, tracking, ideation, planning, concentrating, editing, and proofreading.

But they all have unique features and are designed for different kinds of authors. So, how do you select the best one for you?

We’re here to help you along the way. This is a list of our top 16 favorite novel writing software options. For each tool, we have looked at the price, usability, customizability, features, and integrations.

The type of novel writing program you need will depend on what type of creative writer you are. Are you a planner, a pantser, or somewhere in between? Do you write fiction or nonfiction? Do you want a tool that can generate content or not?

Let’s look at each of these questions in more detail.

Planners vs Pantsers

Planners outline their entire novel before writing. Pantsers jump into writing with little to no plan. Plantsers are somewhere in between, planning some sections but not others.

Planners will benefit from independent outlining graphs, character plotting, world-building planning maps, and more. If you’re more of a pantser, you may want plotting features that are integrated into the writing process rather than separate from them.

Fiction vs Nonfiction

Although many of the features that fiction novel writers and nonfiction writers need are similar, there are a few differences.

Fiction writers may benefit from pronoun checkers, world-building features, dialogue suggestions, and name and place generators.

Whereas nonfiction writers may use fact and consistency checkers, timelines, tables, the ability to add diagrams, and more.

Content Generation

Content generation is a polarizing topic in the writing community. Some love it, and others would rather not use it.

Before choosing a software, it’s useful to decide whether you would like rephrasing options and help with idea generation, or if you would prefer a sleek word processor with minimal AI features.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid is a novel writing software that can help take your manuscript from draft to publish-ready.

The tool offers 20+ reports you can use to help your writing shine. The Repeats report keeps your writing engaging. The Readability report provides suggestions to cut vague words, replace clichés, and remove sticky sentences. Plus, there is a thesaurus, consistency checker, and much more.

In addition to this, you can also see in-tool articles, videos, and quizzes so you can learn and improve as you go.

With a Premium Pro license, you also get access to Sparks, which is an AI generative tool that provides more options than almost any other software on the market. With Sparks, you can improve fluency, summarize text, add sensory descriptions, expand from notes, make present or past tense, add dialogue, quotes, emphasis, counterarguments, and so much more.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, MS Word (Windows & Mac), Google Docs, Scrivener, Final Draft, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Price : ProWritingAid has three pricing options: Free, Premium, and Premium Pro. The free version allows users to access 20+ reports with a 500-word limit. The Premium plan has an unlimited word count, and it costs just $10 a month. The Premium Pro plan comes with 50 rephrases a day and costs $12 a month.

Conclusion : ProWritingAid is a brilliant all-around writing tool for novelists that helps with the drafting, editing, and proofing stages. Try it for free today .

The Novel Factory

The Novel Factory is a novel writing software that helps writers from outlining to writing.

It has features that help with outlining, plotting, character creation, world-building, writing, and word count tracking. It also has a variety of templates in different genres to help writers plan their novels.

One of the most useful elements of the tool is the organization. Keep all your notes on characters, plots, and the world in one place, making it easy to search through later.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, Android, iPads, and iPhones.

Price : There are three plans: Basic, Standard, and Premium. The Basic plan allows you to write one novel a year and costs $75. The Premium plan is designed for writers who publish multiple books a year, and it costs $600.

Conclusion : The Novel Factory is a useful tool for writers of general fiction. However, if you are a nonfiction author, or if you need advanced world-building help, there are more suitable writing apps out there.

Scrivener is a software that helps authors write books, and many authors swear by it. It’s designed for fiction and nonfiction authors and screenwriters.

It offers features like book bibles, character management, plot tracking, formatting and exporting options, and more.

One of the most popular features on offer is the goals and tracking, which are both especially useful during NanoWriMo. You can set overall writing targets, or targets for a particular session, and there is a handy bar available to track your progress.

Integrations : MacOS, Windows, and iOS.

Price : There are two licenses available: a standard license and an educational license. Each license is for a lifetime, and they both cost under $50 each. The licenses are specific to MacOS or Windows, so if you would like both, you will need to purchase two licenses.

Conclusion : As long as you are okay with a steep learning curve and minimal learning resources, then Scrivener is a brilliant piece of software with some innovative features and an excellent price.

Fictionary is an editing software that is specifically focused on developmental (or story) editing.

The tool has 15 different insights including blurb and synopsis, story arc, word count per scene, characters, and story map.

One of the best parts of Fictionary is the onboarding. There are tutorials and articles to help you use every single feature, so you will get the most out of your purchase from day one.

Integrations : Microsoft Word, Safari, and Chrome.

Price : There are three subscriptions: StoryTeller, StoryTeller Premium, and StoryCoach. Each subscription is available to purchase on a yearly or monthly basis. The cheapest plan allows you to edit three manuscripts at a time and costs $19 a month. The most expensive plan is $396 a year and is designed for professional editors.

Conclusion : Fictionary is an excellent tool in a writer’s arsenal, especially if you are a visual learner, but it is not a stand-alone software. You will also need a tool like ProWritingAid to help you with the line editing and proofreading.

Novlr is a writing software created by writers.

The features on offer include a basic writing interface, organizational features, statistics tracking, the ability to set motivational goals, style help, and export options.

There are also free courses and guides available that help writers to improve their craft.

Integrations : Online only.

Price : There are three basic plans available: Starter, Plus, and Pro. Starter is free and gives you access to five projects. Plus costs $5 a month and gives you unlimited projects, plus the ability to comment. Pro offers some additional features that are powered by ProWritingAid, including a proofreader, thesaurus, and advanced grammar and style checks.

Conclusion : Novlr is a lightweight tool with a clean, easy-to-use interface, which is a great option for writers looking for a lighter-touch tool that gives you full autonomy.

Atticus is writing software created by Kindlepreneur. It works online and offline and helps with writing and formatting.

The writing feature is a word processor with a few novel specific features, such as chapters and covers.

The formatting feature is where Atticus really shines. There are templates and a custom theme builder you can use to format your book, and then you can publish on Amazon, Apple Books, and more.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.

Price : There is only one plan available, and it is a lifetime plan. It costs $147 to format an unlimited number of e-books and books for print.

Conclusion : Atticus is one of those tools that is good already but will clearly be great in the future. It’s an affordable way to format your book, but for now, you will still need some complimentary writing tools in order to give your story the best chance.

Bibisco is a book writing software designed for authors.

It allows you to create a novel structure, use mind maps to track relationships, organize your world-building, visualize your story timeline, and analyze chapter lengths and the points of view throughout.

You can also set writing goals, include words per day and words overall, and track your progress in the app.

The tool is available in 15 languages, including English, French, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, and more.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Price : There are two plans: Community and Supporters. The Community plan is free and allows you to create unlimited projects. The Supporters edition is a one-time payment that also includes mind maps, dark theme, distraction free mode, and more.

Conclusion : This is a great option for writers with a limited budget who are just getting started on their writing journey. 

Ulysses is a writing app designed specifically for Apple users. There isn’t currently a Windows integration.

It has a clean UI for distraction-free writing. The tool also offers dark mode and full-screen writing mode, so you can customize your experience.

It also has brilliant features for organization, including filters, which allow you to find content quickly. Keywords allow you to categorize work, and groups allow you to collate work, for example, different levels of draft for the same project.

Integrations : Mac, iPad, and iPhone.

Price : There are two plans: Personal and Business. The Personal plan can be shared with up to five family members, and it costs $39.99 per year. The Business plan is priced per user and offers the same features as the personal plan.

Conclusion : Although the features are useful, similar ones are available for free in other tools. But if you struggle with organization and like to keep everything in one place, it may be worth trialing.

Vellum is a book formatting desktop software available on Mac only.

It offers import capabilities, different book styles, book set creation, previews, layout and design options, e-book generation, and print generation.

The most popular features in Vellum are the eight book styles. All you need to do is select a style, and the software will change the headings, quotations, paragraph breaks, body text, headers, footers, and more.

Integrations : Mac.

Price : There are two plans: Press and Ebooks. With the Ebook plan, you can format e-books, and with the Press plan, you can format e-books and paperbacks. Both plans are one-time purchases.

Conclusion : Although it is an intuitive software, there are now other tools that offer more for less.

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word is an often-indispensable word processor designed for everyone who writes.

It offers a sleek UI, text formatting, styles and themes, grammar, punctuation, spelling corrections, templates, and customizable page layouts and designs.

One of the most popular features is the ability to collaborate. You can track changes, which is useful for editors, add comments, compare and merge documents, view version histories, and collaborate in real time.

Integrations : iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows, and Android.

Price : The price for Microsoft Word as a stand-alone application is $159.99. Alternatively, you can pay for Microsoft 365, which includes Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneDrive.

Conclusion : For what it is, it’s expensive, but the almost universal adoption means that it’s still a popular option. Although, we recommend you use a more advanced content editor with writing reports alongside Microsoft Word.

ChatGPT is an online chatbot that can answer questions conversationally. It was built on ChatGPT-3.5, an AI model that was developed by OpenAI.

It uses a natural language processing technology (NLP) to understand messages, make inferences, and generate replies. The program uses information that is publicly available on the internet, information from licensed third parties, and information from users and human trainers.

It has a few limitations. For example, it’s only trained on information up to September 2021, the tool generates responses that can be biased, and it does not check grammar comprehensively.

The interface is simple. You simply add a prompt and ask ChatGPT to generate content. You can then edit the prompt and regenerate responses.

Integrations : Online and Android, iPhone, and iPad apps.

Price : Free.

Conclusion : Despite its limitations, ChatGPT is a great free online tool that can generate ideas, names for people and places, and more.

LanguageTool

LanguageTool is a paraphraser, text editor, and grammar checker.

It can fix punctuation mistakes, help with formatting, and allow you to set up your own style guide. Premium users also have access to unlimited rephrasing, while free users are limited to five per day.

Additionally, LanguageTool works in over 25 languages, including English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Although it doesn’t offer the option to translate any text.

Integrations : Chrome, Edge, Google Docs, Firefox, and more.

Price : There are three plans: Free, Premium, and Teams. The Free plan offers basic features, with the advanced features behind a paywall. The Premium plan offers four payment intervals, with the cheapest being the two-year plan, and the most expensive being the monthly. The Teams plan is priced per number of users and offers additional features like team style guide and dictionary.

Conclusion : LanguageTool’s price is on the lower end, and it offers a fair selection of features. However, the lack of a plagiarism checker, tone checker, and structural reports means that creative writers may need to carry out additional edits.

Like ProWritingAid, Grammarly is an AI writing tool that checks grammatical errors in your writing in real time. It’s designed to streamline the writing process and reduce writing errors.

It’s available for multiple different English dialects, including British English, American English, Canadian English, and Australian English.

Some of its most popular features are spell check, engagement ratings, citation generator, grammar check, synonym checker, readability score, writing style suggestions, plagiarism detection, tone adjustments, and writing assistant.

Another popular feature is the paraphraser, which allows you to reword sentences, emails, articles, academic work, and more.

Integrations : Windows, Mac, MS Word (Windows & Mac), Google Docs, Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Price : Grammarly offers four different subscriptions: Free, Premium, Business, and Enterprise. The Free plan is simple and corrects written mistakes. The Premium plan includes rewrites, plagiarism checks, and more. The Business and Enterprise plans are designed for teams and organizations, and they include enhanced security and customized integrations.

Conclusion : This is a generalized tool that is suitable for most types of writers. However, if you are looking for a targeted tool that offers customized writing options for creative writers, other tools may be better suited.

QuillBot is a writing tool that is designed for students and working professionals.

QuillBot offers seven features: paraphraser, grammar checker, co-writer, plagiarism checker, summarizer, translator, and citation generator. The best known of these features is paraphrase, which has a variety of modes, including standard, fluency, and creative.

The tool is available in over 20 languages, including English, Spanish, German, and French.

Integrations : Chrome, Google Docs, Microsoft Word, and more.

Price : There are two plans available: Free and Premium. The Free plan is limited and gives users an idea of what the tool can do. The Premium plan includes all the features and is available in three different payment plans: annual, semi-annual, and monthly. The annual plan costs $99.95 a year, and the monthly plan totals to $239.40 a year.

Conclusion : QuillBot is a popular tool for students and business writers, but the features aren’t optimized for creative writers.

Ginger is an AI-powered writing assistant and proofreading tool designed for all types of writers.

The tool offers basic grammar and spell-checking, which you can accept and correct in bulk, a translator, a rephraser, text-to-speech, and more.

The translator is the feature that sets Ginger apart. It allows you to translate into 50 languages, plus it can proofread text in those languages, too.

Integrations : Microsoft Office, Gmail, Chrome, Safari, Edge, desktop and mobile apps, and more.

Price : There are six plans: Free, Monthly, Quarterly, Annual, 2-year, and Teams. The monthly plan is $19.99, and the 2-year plan is $120 overall. The Teams plan is $4.99 per month per member. Each paid plan offers the same features.

Conclusion : It’s a top choice for English second language (ESL) creative writers because of the translator, but for native English speakers, it doesn’t have as many advanced features as some of the other writing tools on this list.

Google Bard

Google Bard is a conversational AI tool that is available in over 40 languages to the public in 230 countries and territories.

It has three different generative options: understand, create, and explore. Understand provides specific details and information to help users understand a topic. Create generates text based on a user’s prompt. Explore is for general requests and exploration.

The tool also offers voice commands, translation in over 100 languages, and a share feature, which allows you to continue and refine responses with others.

It can be used to ideate before planning your novel or give you fresh ideas when you hit a blocker during the writing stage.

Integrations : Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Safari, and Edgium.

Price : Free to everyone aged 18 and older.

Conclusion : It’s useful for providing information for general use, and it can be useful to spark ideas. But, as it’s artificial intelligence, it isn’t very creative, so you can’t rely on it.

As writers, we know each writer has different requirements, and there is software out there for everyone. To find the right software for you, consider the price, features, integrations, and ease of use.

Price : Novel writing software ranges in price from $0 to $500+ per month. Before falling in love with a tool, decide what your budget is.

Features : What are the top features that you do or don’t want? With thousands of tools on the market, you are bound to find one that fits your needs.

Integrations : Where do you write now, and does your new tool need to be compatible with your current tools? Integrations can speed up onboarding and reduce the learning curve of a new tool.

Ease of use: Do you prefer a tool that you can start using right away, or are you okay with a learning curve? If your chosen tool is complex, double-check it has the resources and support you need to get up to speed.

And that’s a wrap. Our top 16 favorite novel writing software and a few tips for choosing the perfect tool for you.

If you’re looking for a tool that can help you with every aspect of the novel writing process, from ideation, to drafting, to editing, to proofing, then why not give ProWritingAid a try ?

Not only do we offer a 14-day money-back guarantee for our yearly and lifetime memberships, but we also offer a free plan that will allow you to test our 20+ reports on up to 500 words of your text.

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Millie is ProWritingAid's Content Manager. A recent English Literature graduate, she loves all things books and writing. When she isn't working, Millie enjoys gardening, re-reading books by Agatha Christie, and running.

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The 15 Best Book Writing Software Tools

The 15 Best Novel Writing Software For Authors (2023 Update)

POSTED ON Aug 18, 2023

P.J McNulty

Written by P.J McNulty

Do you really need novel writing software?  That answer depends on who you ask, of course…but ask any seasoned, career novelist and they’ll tell you: Efficient novel writing software is an integral part of any fiction author’s writing routine. 

At first glance, the idea of novel writing software might seem a little superfluous. Can’t you just use a standard word processor?

While it's possible to learn how to write a novel using standard software, it might not be the best approach. A novel intended for self-publishing is a complex project, requiring drafting and redrafting, as well as collaboration with others. Specialist novel writing software can make the production process much smoother. 

To make your life a little easier, we've produced a guide to the best novel writing software out there.

Here is a rundown of your main novel writing software options, along with which operating systems each works with, the associated price, and the pros and cons of each tool.

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This Guide to the Best Novel Writing Software Covers:

1. autocrit.

AutoCrit is an automated editing tool aimed at fiction authors.

The software works by analyzing real bestselling novels of different genres to come up with guidelines on aspects such as pacing, the number of adverbs, and if your word choices are cliche or not. 

Autocrit Novel Writing Software

On top of providing feedback on the style of your prose and its technical competence, AutoCrit acts as a word processing environment and basic grammar and spellcheck. 

How much does AutoCrit cost?

AutoCrit is available at three different price points:

  • Free . Basic access to the word processing, spellcheck, and grammar check features of AutoCrit. 
  • $30 per month . Access to the basic capabilities in the free plan plus the full suite of editing reports that are the main feature of AutoCrit.
  • $144 per year . The same access to the editing reports found in the $30 per month plan as well as access to two free courses on varied writing and improved dialogue.  

Which platforms is AutoCrit available for?

AutoCrit is available in the cloud. To use it, you need a machine capable of logging in online. There is no app to download, so no requirements in that area. 

What are the pros and cons of using AutoCrit?

So what are the advantages and disadvantages of using AutoCrit as your novel writing software?

Pros of AutoCrit:

AutoCrit takes its data from real novels. If you’re interested in comparing your work to some of the titans of the genre you write in (see our list of book genres here), AutoCrit is a good choice.

Many AutoCrit users have reported that the software’s suggestions match up well with those made by human readers. 

Cons of AutoCrit:

One common criticism of AutoCrit is that its suggestions sometimes lack context. For example, it might criticize you for repetition, even if that repetition was a stylistic choice.

Bibisco is a small novel writing software made by an Italian author. 

Its major selling point is the ability to plan your novel with different narrative strands and that it allows you to add in-depth notes and planning cards for different scenes.

Bibisco Software

Bibisco is attractive as the best writing software for novels. The free version offers a lot of functionality while the paid option is available on a pay-what-you-want basis. 

Bibisco is a good choice of novel writing software for authors who want to make notes on their novel without being weighed down by a complex interface. 

How much does Bibisco cost?

In terms of value for money, Bibisco is superb. It's a passion project from its creator, and that's reflected in its pricing.

The Community Edition of Bibisco is available for free . This is a fairly functional version of Bibisco, but lacks some important options, such as the ability to export to epub. 

If you want the full edition, go for the Supporter’s Edition of Bibisco. This is available on a pay-what-you-want basis . It includes features such as timelines and writing goals as well as the ability to export your novel to epub. 

Which platforms is Bibisco available for?

At this time, Bibisco is available for users of:

  • MacOS Mojave

What are the pros and cons of using Bibisco?

So what are some reasons to consider using Bibisco, as well as some signs that this novel writing software might not be the right choice for your needs?

Pros of Bibisco:

On the plus side, Bibisco has an intuitive and easy-to-understand design. This isn't one of those novel writing software options that require you to put hours and hours in to learn how it functions. It's also great to see a value-for-money passion project produced by the author community. 

Cons of Bibisco:

In terms of its drawbacks, some users of Bibisco have reported that they find writing scene by scene to be a little frustrating , at least at first. Also, compared to some of the more powerful book writing software options on this list, Bibisco doesn’t offer full editing feedback and capabilities. 

Bibisco is worth a look if you want an intuitive novel writing assistant, made by an author with the author community in mind.

3. Dramatica

Of all the apps on this list claiming to help you write a better novel, Dramatica is arguably the one with the loftiest aims.

Rather than presenting itself as a novel writing software product, Dramatica claims to have a unique philosophy on the concept of story itself. 

Software For Writing Novels

Dramatica is a tool providing an in-depth look at story structure and character motivation .

To get a feel for the lens through which Dramatica sees stories, check out how it breaks down the indie film classic Donnie Darko . 

How much does Dramatica cost?

If you want to try out Dramatica, you have both free and paid options. There are also different editions for Windows and Mac, as follows: 

  • There is a free demo of Dramatica available for both Windows and Mac.
  • The paid version of Dramatica for Mac, Dramatica Story Expert 5, costs $199.95.
  • The paid version of Dramatica for Windows, Dramatica Pro, costs $119.95. 

Which platforms is Dramatica available for?

Dramatica is available for Mac and Windows , but each platform has a different version.

Dramatica Story Expert is the version for Mac, offering a greater level of functionality than the Windows version.

Dramatica Pro is available for Windows and is similar to the Mac version but a little less powerful. 

What are the pros and cons of using Dramatica?

So what are the strongest and weakest aspects of Dramatica?

Pros of Dramatica:

While a lot of the novel writing software in this guide offer similar levels of functionality, Dramatica brings something different to the table. The way it analyzes story and character is truly unique and like nothing else out there. A lot of major fiction and screenplay writers have thrown their support and praise behind Dramatica. 

Cons of Dramatica:

If you're looking for novel writing software that helps you with structure and grammar, Dramatica might be more powerful than you need it to be. Not everyone will agree with (or want) to learn the theory and philosophy underpinning Dramatica. Those who do will find there is a learning curve involved in understanding its take on story.

Dramatica is one of the most interesting and unique products in this novel writing software guide. While it won’t be right for every aspiring novelist, if you like the sound of its philosophy of story and character, it will give you a unique insight into your writing. 

4. FastPencil/Opyrus

For years, FastPencil was a standalone writing and collaboration platform available in the cloud.

Now, it’s part of a larger self-publishing services package that has been rebranded as Opyrus.

The novel writing software is still known as FastPencil, so we will refer to it by that name for the rest of the review.

Fastpencil Software

How much does FastPencil cost?

FastPencil is no longer available as a standalone product. Instead, it's available as part of an Opyrus package, available at three different price points:

  • Free. Access to only basic features.
  • Personal. $45.67 annual billing or $4.95 per month. 
  • Professional. $138 annually or $14.95 per month. 

Which platforms is FastPencil available for?

If you want to use FastPencil, you simply need any computer capable of logging into the cloud. 

What are the pros and cons of using FastPencil?

So what are some advantages and disadvantages of opting for FastPencil as your choice of novel writing software?

Pros of FastPencil:

Unlike some of the other novel writing software out there, FastPencil has been going a long time. There are two decades of experience behind the product. 

Cons of FastPencil:

While FastPencil is good at what it does, it doesn't bring anything unique to the table. You can get a lot of the same functionality elsewhere at a lower price point .

Also, now that FastPencil is part of the wider Opyrus system, many authors will find that they don't need everything they are paying for. 

By all means, see if you like the way that FastPencil helps you craft a novel, but we feel the majority of authors are better off looking elsewhere for their novel writing software. 

5. FocusWriter

At this point in our guide, you’ll notice that some novel writing software options aim to offer almost every function you could think of, while others try and do one thing well. 

FocusWriter is very much an example of the latter. This isn't a tool that aims to pack itself full of bells and whistles.

Instead, FocusWriter aims to solve a common pain point for novelists – the ability to drill down into your work, get into a creative flow state, and make progress on your word count target.

FocusWriter does this by offering a very minimalist writing environment, with some degree of customization . You can set timers and goals to help you write.

Focuswriter

Ultimately, FocusWriter doesn’t offer everything you need to produce a novel. However, for times when you’re distracted, it might just help to improve focus . 

How much does FocusWriter cost?

FocusWriter is available for free on every platform, but if you’re a fan of the tool, you have the option to leave a tip and support its creator. 

Which platforms is FocusWriter available for?

At this time, FocusWriter is compatible with:

What are the pros and cons of using FocusWriter?

So what are the best and worst things about using FocusWriter as your novel writing software?

Pros of FocusWriter:

FocusWriter is a great choice if you’re finding it hard to make progress with your writing. You can create a minimalist, distraction-free environment that is customized to your needs. 

Cons of FocusWriter:

The major downside to using FocusWriter is it doesn’t offer the functionality you need to produce a novel. It will help you break through periods of writer’s block , but you’ll need different novel writing software for planning, editing, and exporting your work.

FocusWriter is a great choice to get you out of a sticky situation where you're struggling with your word count. For every other stage of the novel writing process, it probably isn't the smartest choice. 

6. Milanote

Milanote is a tool that allows you to gather together ideas and inspiration and store them in mood boards and mindmaps. 

Milanote

One specific application of Milanote featured on its website is its use as a novel planning tool. You can create book outlines , make character information cards, and more. 

There’s no denying that Milanote is a stylish-looking novel writing software option. But how much will it set you back, and is it right for your next book?

How much does Milanote cost?

You can try out Milanote for free, but the paid option has a lot more functionality.

  • Free – Store 100 notes, images, and links without the ability to search.
  • $12.50 per month or $119.98 annually – Allows for unlimited notes, images, and links and full search functionality.

Which platforms is Milanote available for?

If you want to give Milanote a go for yourself, you can get it for:

What are the pros and cons of using Milanote?

So which kind of novelist might find Milanote a good choice of novel writing software?

Pros of Milanote:

Milanote is very stylish and easy to use. If you are prone to moments of inspiration on the move and want to ensure they aren't lost, Milanote is a great way to capture them and use them as creative fuel for a novel. 

Cons of Milanote:

Perhaps the major drawback to Milanote is its cost. You need to be comfortable with paying for a research and planning tool, albeit a really good one.

Ultimately, if you're looking for an all-in-one novel writing software, Milanote isn't it. If you are comfortable using a separate tool for research and planning, consider checking out Milanote. 

7. Novellus

Novellus is an affordable solution for novelists that offers some advantages over a standard Word Processor app.

Unlike a standard word processor document that quickly becomes cluttered and unwieldy, Novellus allows you to better organize a lengthy project into different scenes and sections. 

Novellus Writing Software

Novellus also offers some functionality as a proofreading aid. While this will never take the place of a human editor, it will help you send your editor cleaner text to work with.

How much does Novellus cost?

Novellus is available for a one-off cost of $29.99 . This is an advantage if you don’t like signing up to a subscription plan. 

Which platforms is Novellus available for?

At this time, Novellus is available only for MacOS . 

What are the pros and cons of using Novellus?

How should you weigh up if Novellus is the right novel writing software for you?

Pros of Novellus:

Novellus is preferable to using a standard word processor. Its functionality will make planning and keeping track of your novel far easier. 

Cons of Novellus:

Unless you have MacOS, you won’t be able to use this novel writing software. Also, for a slightly higher investment, you can purchase a more powerful solution.

Although Novellus isn’t the best choice for the majority of self-published authors, if you’re using MacOS and want an affordable upgrade over a standard word processor, Novellus may work well for you. 

Novlr is a stylish, specialist writing tool intended just for novelists. 

Novlr Writing Tool

When you use Novlr, you enjoy better planning and organization capabilities than those offered by a standard word processor.

There is also upcoming support for features such as the ability to connect with designers and editors directly through Novlr. In addition, Novlr is now writer-owned!

How much does Novlr cost?

Novlr has multiple price options, including:

  • Starter – FREE
  • Plus – $5 a month or $48 a year
  • Pro – $18 a month or $168 a year

You can even pay $499 for lifetime membership and co-ownership of this novel writing software!

Which platforms is Novlr available for?

Novlr is available on any device capable of logging into the cloud, which makes it one of the best writing apps for Android or iOS.

What are the pros and cons of using Novlr?

So, why should or shouldn’t you choose Novlr as your novel writing software?

Pros of Novlr:

Novlr is a stylish novel writing software that will help you create a comfortable virtual writing environment . It also offers productivity and tracking advantages over more standardized solutions. Plus, you can even invest in being a co-owner of the software!

Cons of Novlr:

There aren't many downsides to Novlr if you like using it! Overall, Novlr is an attractive place to write your next novel.

9. Scrivener

Scrivener has a cult following among the writing community. It’s a novel writing software option famed for both its power and complexity.

If you ask around about Scrivener, many writers will admit that they find it a bit intimidating to learn. What many writers don't know is that the latest version of Scrivener is a lot easier to use than earlier editions.

Scrivener Novel Writing

In terms of planning, writing, and even exporting your novel, Scrivener offers a level of power not found elsewhere. 

If you’re willing to learn how to use it, Scrivener is the only novel writing software you’ll ever need. 

How much does Scrivener cost?

Scrivener has one of the best free trials in the whole industry, and is available at an affordable price point to buy as a one-off software:

  • 30-day free trial , even use on non-consecutive days
  • $49 macOS standard license
  • $49 Windows standard license
  • $19.99 for the iOS version of Scrivener 

Which platforms is Scrivener available for?

At this time, Scrivener is available for:

What are the pros and cons of using Scrivener?

So how can you decide if Scrivener is the best choice of novel writing software for your book?

Pros of Scrivener:

In terms of sheer functionality, Scrivener is unmatched. It does anything and everything you could dream of when writing a novel. It’s also available at a one-off price point , so you avoid being tied into an expensive monthly or annual subscription. 

Cons of Scrivener:

The major downside to using Scrivener is its learning curve . However, since the release of Scrivener 3, the software is a lot easier to learn and use than older versions were. 

10. Storyist

If you’re looking to produce a novel or screenplay, and you happen to use Apple products, Storyist is one option available to you.

Storyist Software

As well as full word processing capabilities, Storyist has outlining and story development functions that you won't find in Microsoft Word. You can also easily create and track info on your characters to avoid any errors or gaps. 

How much does Storyist cost?

Storyist is available at two price points, depending on if you choose the mobile or desktop version:

  • Storyist for iOS $19.00

Which platforms is Storyist available for?

If you’re a Windows or Linux user, Storyist isn’t available to you. 

It’s currently only available for:

What are the pros and cons of using Storyist?

Should you use Storyist to write your next novel?

Pros of Storyist:

Storyist is a good choice for screenwriters. Its functionality is also useful for novelists, but it seems that screenwriting is Storyist’s prime concern.

As a one-off purchase, it’s more affordable than the majority of subscription novel writing software options. 

Cons of Storyist:

Most novelists will find software intended for novelists only, rather than screenwriters and novelists, to be a better fit. Windows users are out of luck here.

11. The Novel Factory

The Novel Factory is available as both a downloadable app and a cloud login platform.

It aims to give novelists a specialist environment to work on their book, full of features not found in standard writing applications. 

The Novel Factory

Some of the features created with novelists in mind include the ability to store information on and track your characters, access detailed notes about the different locations your novel takes place in, manage version control for different drafts, and to set targets and writing goals .

How much does The Novel Factory cost?

To get started with The Novel Factory, you have three options:

  • Basic – One novel and 50MB of storage for $75 a year
  • Standard – Unlimited novels and 500MB of storage for $198 a year
  • Premium – Unlimited novels and 5GB of storage for $600 a year

Which platforms is The Novel Factory available for?

The Novel Factory can currently be used in two ways:

  • Downloaded app. Available only for Windows.
  • Cloud login. Available for any device capable of logging into the Cloud. 

What are the pros and cons of using The Novel Factory?

So what are the good and bad points of using The Novel Factory as your novel writing software?

Pros of The Novel Factory:

The Novel Factory is very simple and easy to use. There’s no chance you’ll be confused by its interface. It also offers better functionality in terms of tracking your characters and locations than a standard word processor. 

Cons of The Novel Factory:

If you opt for the online version, you need to have an active internet connection to work on your novel. This is a drawback if you want to work on a plane or disconnect to focus better. The Novel Factory can also be very expensive depending on the amount of space you are looking for.

If you want a very easy-to-use novel writing software, and are comfortable with having to be online to use it, give The Novel Factory's free trial a spin to see if it's a good fit for your writing style. 

12. Ulysses

Broadly speaking, specialist novel writing software usually falls into one of two categories – fully-featured and complicated, or minimalist and easy to use.

Ulysses is an example of the minimalist school of thought. But how can it help novelists?

Ulysses

Ulysses is known for its minimalist writing interface and how it syncs between desktop and mobile. It also supports writing markups, and allows you to publish directly from the app to blogs. 

How much does Ulysses cost?

Ulysses is available at three price points:

  • Free trial. 
  • Monthly subscription for $5.99
  • Annual subscription for $39.99

Which platforms is Ulysses available for?

Like many writing tools, Ulysses is only available for Apple users. You can get it for:

  • MacOS 

What are the pros and cons of using Ulysses?

So what are the major pros and cons of using Ulysses as your novel writing software?

Pros of Ulysses:

Ulysses is a stylish, focused place to write. It’s easy to access your notes and images and use them for inspiration while you work. 

Cons of Ulysses:

As is often the case, Windows users aren't able to enjoy Ulysses. Also, while Ulysses supports markup and publishing directly to WordPress or Ghost, these are features more suited to blogging than novel writing. 

Ulysses is a great writing app for Apple users who blog , but novelists might want to seek another solution. 

13. WriteItNow

Unlike some of the other tools featured in this guide, WriteItNow is intended just for novelists.

Writeitnow Software

Some of the functionality offered by WriteItNow includes support for chapters and scenes, the inclusion of research and background notes, the option to view your novel as a storyboard, and the setting of writing targets and goals to help you stay on schedule. 

How much does WriteItNow cost?

So how much does it cost to get started with WriteItNow?

  • Free trial. Fully-featured but doesn't allow for saving. 
  • $59.95. One-off purchase price

Which platforms is WriteItNow available for?

At this time, WriteItNow is available for:

What are the pros and cons of using WriteItNow?

Here are some things to consider before choosing WriteItNow as your novel writing software:

Pros of WriteItNow:

WriteItNow offers some great features that will make writing your next novel far easier than using a standard writing app. It's also available at an affordable price point that doesn't tie you into a subscription.

Cons of WriteItNow:

If you’re looking for a mobile novel writing software, or one which supports Cloud functionality, WriteItNow isn’t the right option for you.

14. Writer’s Blocks

Do you struggle to plan and organize your thoughts? If so, Writer’s Blocks is intended for writers just like you!

Writer's Blocks is aimed at both screenwriters and novelists. In addition to full word processing capabilities, the software organizes your writing into blocks. These can be color-coded, dragged and dropped, and rearranged. 

Novel Software Writers Blocks

While the organizational abilities of Writer's Blocks are useful, it doesn't offer the level of functionality seen in some other options on this list. 

How much does Writer’s Blocks cost?

Writer's Blocks costs $149 as a one-off payment.

Which platforms is Writer’s Blocks available for?

Writer’s Blocks is only available for Windows . 

What are the pros and cons of using Writer’s Blocks?

What do you need to know about using Writer’s Blocks?

Pros of Writer's Blocks:

If you struggle with organizing your writing and planning , Writer’s Blocks makes life a lot easier in comparison to most word processors. 

Cons of Writer's Blocks:

In our opinion, Writer’s Blocks offers a lower level of functionality than some other software. It also costs more . 

Unless you’ve tried out Writer’s Blocks and prefer the way it works, we’d suggest looking at Scrivener or WriteItNow instead of this. 

15. yWriter 

yWriter has gained an appreciative fanbase in the author community. It was made by an author who also happens to be a programmer. 

Ywriter

yWriter also has a long history of being updated and offering improvements.

Best of all? yWriter is free. It offers a lot of power and functionality for a free tool. Because it was made by a novelist with novelists in mind, it allows you to track info related to your characters, settings , and even objects. 

It’s a great choice for detail-rich novels. 

How much does yWriter cost?

yWriter is free across all versions and platforms. 

Which platforms is yWriter available for?

yWriter’s primary platform is Windows, but you can find it on:

  • Full version available for Windows 
  • Mac Alpha version (the creator of yWriter suggests using Scrivener for Mac instead of yWriter

What are the pros and cons of using yWriter?

Is yWriter the right choice of software for your novel?

Pros of yWriter:

If you’re a novelist working on Windows, you can’t do better than yWriter as a free tool . It offers a lot of the functionality of paid tools without the need to spend a single cent. 

Cons of yWriter:

If you work on a Mac or iOS device , yWriter isn't the best choice for you. Consider software such as Scrivener instead or one of the specialist Mac-only novel writing apps found in this guide. 

Final Verdict: What is the Best Novel Writing Software?

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Thank you for checking out our guide to specialist novel writing software available for authors.

At this point, you know you have a lot of options! But which one is the best writing software for novels?

Ultimately, there’s no substitute for trying out software for yourself and seeing if you enjoy the experience of using it. 

The best writing software for novels is an entirely personal choice, and will come down to the following factors:

  • Functionality. Which features are available in one software but not another? Which features do you need, and which are you unlikely to make use of when working on a novel?
  • Price. How much are you willing to invest? Would you prefer a one-off payment cost or a monthly or annual subscription?
  • Compatibility. Is the novel writing software you're considering compatible with your operating system? Is it still being updated and likely to remain compatible in the future?

If you’re looking for somewhere to start, we suggest taking advantage of the free trial edition of Scrivener.

As Scrivener offers almost everything out there in terms of functionality, by using it, you’ll soon get a feel for the features you do and don’t need. 

By the time your 30 days of Scrivener are over, you can make the choice to either stick with the full version or opt for something a little less complex.

If you’ve used any of the novel writing software in this guide, please feel free to leave a comment!

Now that you're equipped with the right tools to start writing your book, it's a good time to also think about what happens after you have your manuscript. Book writing software will help you make sure your book is polished and ready to publish.

What is your favorite novel writing software?

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Scrivener For Chromebook

If you are a writer who owns a Chromebook, it’s natural that you’d want to use Scrivener on your machine.

After all, once you’ve mastered the Scrivener learning curve, and familiarized yourself with the software’s way of getting things done, it’s unlikely that you’d want to return to a more basic writing app.

Chromebooks are often used as portable second machines by desktop owners, and are also very popular with students due to their relative affordability in comparison with other laptops. Both user groups, not to mention countless other types of Chromebook fan, are prime candidates for Scrivener use.

Finding reliable information related to Scrivener and Chromebook is often a tedious process requiring the browsing of forums and blogs, hoping that the information found is reliable and contemporary.

Instead, your friends here at Scrivenerville would like to offer you something different. We are making this page the go-to resource for questions related to using Scrivener on Chromebook. We’ll strive to keep this information current. Please feel free to comment with any question you’d like answering and we’ll do our best to help out.

Is there an official version of Scrivener for Chromebook?

There is no official release of Scrivener for Chromebook. Currently, Scrivener is offered officially for users of MacOS, Windows, and iOS.

The creators of Scrivener, Literature and Latte, have begun to tease details about Scrivener 3, which is scheduled to release for Mac before the end of 2017 and for Windows sometime in 2018. However, there has been no mention of an official way of using Scrivener on Chromebook as of yet.

Is there an unofficial way of using Scrivener on my Chromebook?

We Scrivener fans are an independent group of people by nature. After all, to use Scrivener involves rejecting the most popular mainstream word processors in favor of something that is better but also less intuitive. It therefore follows that Scrivener fans are the type to find innovative ways of accessing our favorite writing tool, even on our Chromebooks.

There are numerous unofficial ways of accessing Scrivener via Chromebook. Some are easier than others and each comes with its own advantages and drawbacks.

We’ll now consider two of the most popular ways of accessing Scrivener on Chromebook, and also look at some of the lesser known methods.

Using Linux To Access Scrivener On Chromebook

Is there a way of using linux to work with scrivener on my chromebook.

If you’re reading this and consider yourself to be fairly comfortable with tech, you might want to consider using Linux to access Scrivener on your Chromebook. This definitely isn’t the right option for everyone. However, if you like Linux and feel comfortable with it, it’s a viable way of accessing Scrivener.

How do I access Scrivener using Linux and my Chromebook?

There are lots of different methods available online, but one of the most popular comes from Joe Warnimont . The basic steps are outlined below, but please read Joe’s guide for more detailed info.

  • Check your Chromebook’s processor is Intel based to get the maximum compatibility between Scrivener and Linux
  • Backup all your data
  • Enter Developer Mode (wipes your data, hence the need to backup first)
  • Download and run Crouton, which lets you run Linux and Chrome OS together
  • Install Ubuntu Linux from Crouton
  • Download the current beta version of Scrivener from Literature and Latte (there is no official release, only a beta)
  • Run Scrivener for Linux beta on your Chromebook

As you can see, the above process requires a fair degree of comfort with making modifications to your Chromebook. However, if you’re comfortable with Linux in general, you shouldn’t find the above steps too difficult.

It should be emphasized that the above process only gives you access to the Linux Beta version of Scrivener. This will be fine for some writers, but be sure to check the current info on the beta to make sure it offers the level of functionality and stability you require.

What are the advantages of using Linux to access Scrivener on my Chromebook?

The main advantages to installing Scrivener via Linux are –

  • Scrivener is stored on your Chromebook, unlike other methods. This can lead to a more stable performance and sidesteps any problems stemming from remote connections.
  • You support the Linux beta of Scrivener which is a community effort.

What are the disadvantages of using Linux to access Scrivener on my Chromebook?

  • Some writers won’t be comfortable wiping their Chromebook, entering developer mode and installing Linux.
  • The Linux beta version of Scrivener isn’t as stable as the Scrivener you are probably used to, and doesn’t have the same level of functionality.

If I am uncomfortable installing Linux on my Chromebook, is there an easier method I can use to access Scrivener?

Yes! Thankfully, there is no need to run Linux. In fact, there is a semi-secret method built into every Chromebook to access your full version of Scrivener. We’ll now explore it in depth.

Using Chrome Remote Desktop To Access Scrivener

What is chrome remote desktop for chromebook.

Like many of the coolest things made by Google, Chrome remote desktop is somewhat unknown. Every single version of Chrome (whether on Windows, Mac, or even mobile) has the Chrome Remote Desktop capability. It’s basically a way of controlling your desktop machine from your Chrome browser, no matter where you are.

What do I need in order to access Scrivener using Chrome Remote Desktop?

Thankfully, you only need a few things to be in place to use Scrivener on your Chromebook with Chrome Remote Desktop. They are –

  • A Mac or Windows machine with Scrivener and Chrome installed on it
  • Chrome Remote Desktop configured correctly on the target machine (this will be covered in a minute).
  • A stable internet connection for both your Chromebook and your desktop machine

If you have the above three things in place, you can use the following method to work with Scrivener on your Chromebook.

  • Install Chrome Remote Desktop on your home machine containing Scrivener (it can be found here)
  • Ensure that your PC or Mac is set to stay active. If the machine goes to sleep, you will lose your access to Scrivener until it is back online!
  • Setup Chrome Remote Desktop on both your Chromebook and your home machine in order to get the special codes needed for access
  • Test Chrome Remote Desktop on your Chromebook while at home to ensure you’ve set everything up the right way
  • You can now access Scrivener anywhere you have your Chromebook and an internet connection

What are the advantages of using Chrome Remote Desktop to access Scrivener on my Chromebook?

The above method has the following benefits –

  • Far easier than installing Linux. Even tech averse writers have reported finding this method easy
  • Access to the full version of Scrivener. The experience will be the exact same as when you use your home machine, which isn’t the case with the Linux beta.
  • No need to modify your Chromebook as Chrome Remote Desktop is already installed.

What are the disadvantages of using Chrome Remote Desktop to access Scrivener on my Chromebook?

No method is perfect, so some of the potential drawbacks to using this method include –

  • Relies on a stable internet connection between your home machine and Chromebook
  • If your desktop machine shuts down for whatever reason, you lose your ability to access Scrivener
  • Chrome Remote Desktop uses a lot of data, so you should restrict your use to wifi, unless you have an unlimited plan

Alternative Ways Of Combining Chromebook and Scrivener

As things stand, the Linux method and Chrome Remote Desktop method outlined above are two of the most reliable and proven ways to access Scrivener on your Chromebook. We therefore suggest most users choose from them.

However, in the interest of providing the most complete info possible, we’ll now touch upon any other methods, either proven or rumored, present or future, by which you can access Scrivener on your Chromebook.

Can CrossOver be used to access Scrivener for Chromebook?

Crossover is an app which allows Windows software to run on Mac, and a version is being developed for ChromeOS.

In theory, CrossOver will allow you to run your Windows version of Scrivener on Chromebook. However, it’s currently badly supported by the developer, and there are no reports of users accessing Scrivener on Chromebook this way. It’s theoretically possible though.

Scrivener Alternatives For Chromebook

Obviously, this site is dedicated to Scrivener. However, there may be times where you choose to use a different writing tool on your Chromebook which you then combine with either your home or iOS version of Scrivener.

If you want to write in a different app on your Chromebook, consider the following options –

  • Using Google Docs with the Concordance add-on. Allows you to quickly and easily create and arrange content which can then be imported back into Scrivener.
  • Penflip. Has some similar functionality to Scrivener, but requires a monthly subscription for full featured access.
  • Novlr. Allows full-screen composition, project stats and writing targets just like Scrivener, but requires a monthly subscription.

Scrivener For Chromebook Final Thoughts

You now know the various ways you can access Scrivener on your Chromebook, the advantages and disadvantages of each, and some alternative options for writing on your Chromebook.

To summarize –

  • There is no official version of Scrivener for Chromebook.
  • You can install Linux on your Chromebook to access the Scrivener for Linux beta
  • Chrome Remote Desktop can be used to access your full home version of Scrivener for either Mac or Windows
  • Other native Chromebook writing tools can be used in conjunction with Scrivener

As stated at the start of this article, updates will be made over time, and this page will serve as an ongoing resource for Chromebook Scrivener users.

If there’s anything you’d like to know, or any experiences you’d like to share, please let us know in the comments!

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Atticus

Write and Format Stunning Books

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Choose the look and feel of your book

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Keith Robinson | sci-fi and fantasy author

  • Using a Chromebook for novel writing and editing

Posted on March 11, 2016 ( Subscribe to Blog )

Updated on March 31st, 2022.

Now that I've finished Unicorn Hunters and worked through comments and corrections, I'm reminded again how useful Google Docs is. So this post is for those who write or are in any way interested in my methods.

It's worth mentioning that I started AND finished the first draft of Unicorn Hunters in January 2016, and here we are midway through March and it's just about to publish. This is a huge achievement for me, yet it didn't seem to be as much effort as previous books have been. I'm not sure if it's because I enjoyed it so much or because I disciplined myself into writing a bit every morning and night and getting 2000 words a day completed. Maybe both. Either way, two months total for one complete novel? That's a record, and I know I can do it again.

Something else that helped enormously is what I wrote it on. I used to write in Word. Then I would transfer the novel to Google Docs so that my author buddy Brian Clopper could do a first-sweep beta-read and leave comments throughout. I then adjusted and produced a Kindle version, and I typically read that "fast" to see if anything else jumped out.

These days it's different. Last year I bought myself a Chromebook , which is an inexpensive laptop with a Google OS (not Windows) that is centered around apps from the Google app store. Google's Chrome browser is of course already installed, as is Google Docs, which is like a cut-down online version of Word, completely free.

novel writing software for chromebook

My Chromebook is small and lightweight with around 8 hours of battery life and a super-fast "wake up" like a tablet. It's ideal for writing and editing on the go. Of course it works better when connected to the internet, but Google Drive works offline too; it just continues as normal until you get back online, and then it re-syncs with the cloud.

That's the thing about Google Docs. It saves to the cloud as you type, and so if you have to quit suddenly or the battery happens to die, you don't lose a thing. I can write half a sentence on the Chromebook, shut it down, open the document on my tablet or phone, and type the rest of the sentence. (Of course, while editing and commenting is easy on small devices, writing is obviously much better done on a laptop with a proper keyboard.)

Anyway, the point is that my writing productivity has increased quite a bit. The 11.6" Chromebook is more portable than my 17" work laptop, and its battery lasts eight times longer. I can much more easily read and edit in the living room instead of making a decision to go to my office (which oftentimes means I don't bother). And I can very easily sit in the van and write for two hours while my daughter is at basketball practice.

So, once the book is written -- and I usually separate it into two or three chunks just because it can get a tad sluggish when you're up above 30,000 words -- I share it with Brian. I just set the permissions for the document (I choose from three options: Edit, Comment, and View) and allow him to comment. This means he can highlight bits and write comments in the margin. But also, there's a fantastic "suggestion" mode that allows him to actually "edit" the document text; his suggestion is in pale grey, and it's saved as a comment that I can either accept or deny. Very cool.

I can't say enough good things about Google Docs. I'm sure other people have their preferred methods, but nothing comes close to this for sharing. When we're both online at the same time, I can see his comments appearing on the side, and I can reply instantly like it's some kind of chat tool.

Anyway, just thought I'd share in case anyone is interested!

Update (July 2018) -- It's now over 2 years later, and I'm still using the same Chromebook and enjoying it as much as the day I bought it. No problems with it whatsoever. Battery life is still fantastic.

Over 22,000 people have read this article, and I still get separate emails in addition to the comments below. A common question is, "Which Chromebook did you buy?" Well, I bought the Acer Chromebook CB3-111 , and at the time of writing this is still available even though it's been discontinued. A newer but basically the same version is available these days, the Acer Chromebook CB3-131 . Both have amazing reviews. (And there's an even newer version here !)

A friend of mine bought a different brand Chromebook the other week, and he loves his too, but I found it much heavier than mine. His screen is more glossy and vibrant, but my less-glossy and less-vibrant screen is part of why the battery lasts so long and the laptop is lighter. For writing, I don't need glossy and vibrant, thank you very much. :-)

And regarding Google Docs -- Today, I use it 100% for my novel writing. The phone app is now much better than ever, so I can proofread my book as though I'm reading it on Kindle... except I can make edits directly whenever I come across something. That's awesome, a huge time-saver.

Update (March 2022) -- My old Chromebook is STILL going strong, and the battery life is still fantastic.

novel writing software for chromebook

Published your book yet?

If you're on Amazon, you should seriously consider advertising on AMS (Amazon Marketing Services) to get your book seen. It's a "pay to play" game these days. If you don't play, you'll be lost among the masses of other books. Take a look at my post, How to find the best keywords for Amazon (AMS) sponsored ads , on this subject.

Thanks for the post, I just recently bought a new Chromebook after my laptop crashed, I write mystery short stories and want to branch out into the kindle market, do you have any suggestions to go from google drive to a text formatted for kindle publishing?

Since I'm a website designer by day, I built my own ebook tool that makes it very easy for me to import my book and convert it. You're welcome to try it, but if you want any images within the pages, then it's no good to you. It's a text-only tool (complete with cover, of course). Go to https://www.unearthlytales.com/epub. So, here's the thing. I normally download my Google Doc as a Word .docx file, then open it in Word and save it as an .html file. I then import the .html file into my tool, and it instantly splits it into chapters and works perfectly... at least for me! Then I have an .epub file, which can be imported into Amazon's Kindle Previewer tool to generate a .mobi file (and the .epub file can also be uploaded directly to KDP). But you're using a Chromebook only, so I guess you'd have to take your Google Doc and save it directly as an .html file. This makes more sense, right? Except that for some reason Google does an even worse job of creating an .html file than Word does, and I found it often ran into problems and generated errors during validation. Still, you can try and see what happens. Basically, if you use my epub tool, you can either copy-paste each chapter manually, or you can import the whole shebang — but I can't guarantee it won't run into problems. That's why I don't advertise it. Too many gnarly issues. It works 100% perfectly for me, but that's because I programmed it with me in mind. :-) Generally speaking, though, if you have the word "Chapter..." between each section of text, that's how the document will be split during import.

I used Word 2013 on my PC and laptop with MS 365 account to do much the same thing. The only difference was I preferred syncing it to the Word app rather than work in the Web version.

Thanks for sharing this article! I am so with you in your opinion of Google Docs! I find that there is no better tool in the way of writing. Some people use Dropbox, and that's... decent, I guess. But Docs is something else... You might not have tried this yet, but some versions of Google Docs supply the ability to create spreadsheets, slides, graphs, and more! Wow, I just realized just how much like a TV advertisment I sound like. Oops. Well, you get the idea; I love Google Docs. Anyway, thanks for sharing, and keep up the good work!

Brian, I never tried the syncing-with-Word thing. But how does that work when sharing with another reader for proofing and critiquing? Or maybe you just have another method. Wondering Wanderer... Google has Slides and Sheets in addition to Docs, so technically speaking, they're not PART of Docs but separate components of an office suite similar to Powerpoint, Excel, and Word (only free). Oh, and I use Dropbox too, but not for writing. It has its uses though!

Keith, I don't collaborate with anyone when writing/editing. In 365, you can share the document by inviting them, to read or edit, and it tells you if they are editing in real time -highlighting the words they are typing etc. However, I don't think the chat collaboration functionality is as good as Google's (yet).

Great article! Thanks for sharing!

I am brand new at this little Chromebook which I just bought with intentions of becoming a writer. All my life everyone has constantly told me that I should become a writer because I've had such an exciting life and told such great stories. Can you tell e which writer's program would be the best and most simple for me to begin my novel writing and short stories? Also, once I have written these stories, how do I then send these novels to companies from Writer's Digest or whatever (send it by mail or on the computer from the computer, and do I need to copyright all these stories first? I was told if I enclosed them in an envelope and mailed it to myself unopened, it serves the same purpose. My only selfish dream for myself is to be published before this cancer gives me my exit visa from this earth. Oh, that was my last question. What about self-publishing and selling directly from the internet? I figure I can put out at least a story every two weeks as i'm pretty fast at typing. Can you answer these questions for me and help my dreams to come true? I have 3 children's stories , a western, 1 religious story, and 2 autobiographies to do. I had 35 stories but someone whom I trusted took my old computer to backup all my books and data and she stole the entire hard drive and memory. I learned a very hard lesson and I want to get this done before I have nothing to leave my granchildren to be proud of. Please, can you help me?

Vicki, I tried emailing you, but both addresses you supplied failed. I'll post my reply here instead: >>> Can you tell e which writer's program would be the best and most simple for me to begin my novel writing and short stories? Since you have a Chromebook, I would go ahead and use Google Docs. There's a Google Drive app on your computer, a sort of online hard drive that opens in your Chrome browser. It gives you plenty of space for your work, and if you click to create the red "NEW" button and create a new Google Doc, you'll find it's a full (simple) word processor. It saves as you type, which is great. >>> Also, once I have written these stories, how do I then send these novels to companies from Writer's Digest or whatever (send it by mail or on the computer from the computer) You'd have to check with each company and see how they want the story delivered. Many will say "send by email," but they'll also say "no unsolicited stories," which means you'll have to write a submission query and maybe attach part of the story, and if they're interested, they'll ask for more. But every company/publisher is different. >>> do I need to copyright all these stories first? I was told if I enclosed them in an envelope and mailed it to myself unopened, it serves the same purpose. Yes and no. To be clear, ALL written work is automatically copyrighted by American law (assuming you're in America) the moment you write it. The problem is proving it. So actually what you're seeking to do it REGISTER your already copyrighted work. The best and most official way is via http://www.copyright.gov . It takes a while, and it's not free, but apparently it's the only sure-fire of proving your copyright. I registered my first few books, but honestly I got tired of the process. Still, I have plenty of online presence and history nowadays to prove my case. You might want to check out this article I wrote years ago about a case of copyright infringement for short stories: https://www.unearthlytales.com/author-copyright.html >>> What about self-publishing and selling directly from the internet? Use Amazon's KDP service: https://kdp.amazon.com There's so much involved in this whole process that one email isn't going to help much. I would recommend you do a lot of reading, but you can start with my own blog here. At the bottom of the page, click where it says "show/hide all previous posts" and have a browse through. I've talked about CreateSpace quite a lot (where you can print your books for almost no cost) and Amazon KDP for Kindle ebooks, among other things. Good luck!

Thanks for the post, I found it useful to read when I was considering buying a Chromebook. I purchased one in the end, and this blog helped to decide- so thanks again! Also, if anyone is interested, I wrote a similar article on my blog about Google Chromebooks.

Thanks for the very helpful article. I'm an author of non-fiction and currently have ten books on Amazon Books. The first five were written in Word 2003 and 2010 then I switched to Atlantis Word Processor for the next five. Now I am working on two more books using LibreOffice Writer and like it very much. I do all this on an older HP desktop with Windows 7. My Dell laptop sits idle except when I am teaching a class. But I am currently looking at Chromebooks on Amazon and plan to buy one soon. Since I would be using Google Docs on it I wanted to get started familiarizing myself with it so I downloaded it to my Win7 machine and have started a book there. I have found that doing a project in any given software is the best way to learn it. Now I am working some of the time in LO Writer and some in GD. This latter will prepare me to make the switch later to the Chromebook.

Honestly, I cannot thank you enough for this!! I've been skeptical about using this Chromebook (I just bought it) because I wouldn't be able to download proper writing software and I didn't really like using Google docs when I was in school. Then I found your article and decided to give Google docs another try. I have two other people who edit my stuff as well and my gosh, all I can say is I love Google even more! It really does help especially with editing and it's super easy to transfer to Word afterwards. Thank you!

Love the article. Question how hard is it to move chapters around,etc for editing. I found Microsoft Word to be a headache. I used Scrivener in the past and way easy to move things around.

Glad this post has been of use, guys! :-) Eimilee, moving text around in Google Docs, as in Word, is basically done by copy-paste. Honestly, though, I find it strange how many authors look for a function to easily move text around. When I write a novel, it stays pretty much in the order I write it. I find it odd that the chapters of a novel could even be considered "moveable." I might move a scene or two, but I certainly don't need all those re-arranging and indexing options that Scrivener provides. Each to our own, I guess!

I am a chromebook owner/user and have been for over a year! I love my chromebook and will not go back to using a Windows OS anytime soon. I still do not feel as though I got a definitive answer here about how to perfectly write an ebook on docs and submit it to Amazon's KDP for proper formatting, however, I did watch a youtube video today that was created by an author with books in Amazon KDP and he said with certainty that kdp can take your book from word, docs, even pdf and reformat it so I am going to check further into that claim before settling for writing my book in docs and hoping for the best!

I will be looking at several chromebooks today but my main concern is printing. Can I connect chromebook to my wireless HP printer to print from Google Docs, Excel?

I don't see why not, Autumn, but that's really a question to ask the manufacturer or store. I'm pretty sure I've printed from mine to my wireless printer in the past.

If I write & print offline without ever connecting to web - does Cloud make copy? Also, which Chromebook has writer-friendly keyboard?

This article came up on my search to discover if writing novels on Chromebook would be feasible / advantageous / relatively simple. You've helped a great deal. My husband's laptop died a couple of days ago - we have identical ones. Since I'm the writing one, we've decided I get new and he will have my old (less than 3 years but that's how it goes). I'd already been researching Chromebook in its more modern version - not just a glorified search engine in a posh case. I'm about 75% certain now and not entirely certain about the other 25% - what's holding me back? Perhaps it is tradition? Scepticism? My age! What I do know is this - writing on my smartphone has to cease soon! Thanks for the information. Now I'll check out the rest of your site.

Will, your Chromebook will save a copy locally (on your computer) until you connect to the web, but almost everything works the same regardless. As for keyboards, I think they're all writer friendly! Glad my article helped you, Shirley. Chromebook or not, I use Google Docs exclusively now. Seamless writing and editing between devices. I write on my PC and Chromebook, and I read and edit on both plus my phone.

Keith Robinson: Thank you for this. I found it via a search on my Hewlett-Packard/Google/Chrome/Chromebook [whichever - there you have it] laptop computer. My browser question was: does chrome have a manuscript editing service I will be subscribing to your blog.

Thanks, Barbara! I don't think Chrome has a novel editing service, but I do! Check at the top of this website for Novel Proofreading. Maybe I can help?

Thank you for the interesting post, I was about to purchase a normal Windows laptop until I read your post then I did some research on Chromebooks, I went to our local Pc world and spoke to a Google expert who explained everything about them to me, I bought one of them instead of a Windows laptop and I am glad I did. Still trying to find my way around it but it's so fast and easy to use, I have already started to write the synopsis for my very first book.

Yes, hello. I have to admit I'm not published but aspiring and a few years ago I found Write Way software and it's amazing. Wondering if any similar software is available for Chromebooks.

Thanks for the info! I found it to be very helpful in my search to see if a chromebook would be suitable for writing a book. Please, if you don't mind, what chromebook do you use? I can forward my email address if you prefer to answer me privately. Thanks~ Khaja

Khaja, I bought the Acer Chromebook CB3-111 a few years ago. The battery is amazing, the laptop is very light and fast to boot, and it's always done its job nicely. It's perfect for Google Docs, especially when I had to take my girl to softball practice; I could sit in the van and write comfortably and easy for hours. The only "bad" things I can say is that sometimes it crashes if you have a few videos open (or one of those "news" websites with a ton of adverts down the side). Typically, it plays YouTube videos without a problem, but struggles with sites that embed videos, just because those sites often have a lot of other things going on. Also, software is limited, or was when I first got it; I haven't checked what's available lately. It's not much good for my website work, nor with graphic editing, just because I can't use the software I'm used to. But for a lightweight typing machine? It's great. You don't even have to save the document. Just shut the lid and go, re-open it later and keep typing (with or without internet).

Hi, I really am dependent on Word - Is the Word/app adequate for me to use on a Chromebook? (Vs. writing in a Google doc and then converting it later?) thanks all!

Marcy, test it by using the Chrome browser on your Windows computer. The Chrome browser is the same no matter what. If it works the way you want it, then you'll know how it'll work on a Chromebook.

Hello! I have been using Google docs and a Chromebook for a few years now, but it's my first time attempting to write an entire manuscript using it. I am nervous there's a chance something goofy will happen and I may lose my work once I get started. Do you trust the cloud completely, or do you back up your work on a flash drive? Thank you!

Robin, Google Docs has frozen up a few times, which it's always worrying, but I've never lost a word after reloading it. It saves pretty much every few seconds. Still, I tend to download a hard copy once in a while just in case. Never had to use those hard copies though. :-)

Thanks for the article. My main problem is not the underestimated versatility of the chromebook for word formats, but lack of knowledge about layout with this software. I used Apache Open Office, and from that enforced leap (2 notebooks 'died' in december 2017, but my income had no raises...) Good luck for your book-sales!

I love my HP Chromebook. I bought it when the laptop was on the fritz so I could keep working on my novel. I found it pretty easy to learn how to use Google Docs rather than Word. The only thing that worries me is that with my work now going into the Cloud, do I still have guarantee that my copyrighted material won't be stolen? It feels kind of scary putting my personal work into the Cloud. Isn't it more open to theft?

Stirling, the Cloud is always going to be "more" open to theft, but then again, having everything on your laptop and accidentally leaving it on the train is worse. Or having an accident where the laptop ends up damaged. So in that sense the Cloud is great. I'm really not worried about theft from the Cloud, though. You're far more likely to have your book stolen after it's published and available online. Pretty much all my books have shown up on one pirate website or another. You can drive yourself nuts worrying about it. So far, so good — nothing stolen, nothing lost. (Apart from pointless pirate sites, I mean. Really, who would ever buy or download a book from such a scummy place? And if someone wants stuff for free that bad, then they wouldn't ever buy it from Amazon anyway, so they're not a paying customer either way.) I did lose a lot of text one time before the Cloud came along. It was an old desktop computer. These days, with the Cloud and the fact that my Chromebook saves everything to the hard drive as well... well, it's just better.

Thanks for your thoughts, Keith. I feel much more reassured. I always back up everything I write on multiple devices. And I have a little box of flash drives with my novels in a fireproof box that I can grab in an emergency. So I know what you mean about not wanting to lose hard work! Anyway, I just worked on my novel today on the Chromebook and was confused as to why there were so many delays in saving the document. I'd type a few words and then it would freeze. Granted, it's a long file - 150 pages - but I couldn't quite figure out what the delay was. Maybe my Wifi isn't stable. Anyway, as you said in another comment, eventually the changes were reflected and saved, so nothing but inconvenience. I'll keep trying. Thanks again.

Hey Stirling — yes, 150 pages might be making it work a little hard. I usually limit my work to about 30,000 words, either two or three documents. Once in a while I have to refresh, which makes all the difference! But mostly it's pretty stable. And no, never lost a word. :-)

Can you please explain how you break up your work in chunks to avoid the sluggish speed? I've heard of that before and don't want to deal with that frustration. Thanks.

Eric, I just write until I get to about 30,000 words, and then I start a new document and so on. Each doc might be 8 chapters or whatever. I name the docs "Pt 1 - [Book Title]" so I can identify them easily. I find that my early beta readers like this too. It's just better to load smaller docs like this — especially when using the Google Docs phone or tablet app!

Okay, then in sequence; you copy and paste in a single doc after?

Yes. Actually, I leave it as three parts in Docs, but I copy-paste all three parts into Word so I can do the final layout with page numbers, front matter, and so on. I use Word ONLY for this. I export it from there as a PDF, and that's where my relationship with Word ends (unless I need to make a change later). You can also export directly from Docs to PDF, in which case you'd combined the three parts first... but I haven't tried that, and I don't know how it works with page numbers. (Must investigate that!) EDIT: Okay, just quickly investigated that, and it looks great! I never used Docs pagination before, but I need to give that a go. Very simple and clear. I could probably bypass Word from now on. :-)

Too cool! Thank you very much for your help. This solidifies my decision to get a Chromebook for my writing. Thanks again!

Have no idea how much your comments help me. It was noble of you to share your experience with us. god bless you and live long so you can keep it up for those less knowledgeable in this matter. keep it, Bless.

I downloaded google docs on my iPad just to test drive it before getting a Chromebook but can’t find how to save an article. I’m used to seeing file, save etc on a top bar. I’m really pretty smart but this has stumped me. :). Can you help please?

Good to hear, Eric and Felix! Rhonda, the document is already saved — it auto-saves as you type. But I understand, and if you want to manually save it to your hard drive, go to File > Download As... along the top. And if you don't see "File" at all, then your menu is probably hidden, so use CTRL + Shift + F to show it. ;-)

Thank you so much. Like most on here, I'm planning on writing a book, and I found your article very helpful. Wish me luck.

Good luck, Donna!

Hi If you're still on the chromebook you may want to try out Wavemaker Novel Writing Software - Offline and in the Chrome Web Store, Just search for "Wavemaker" you should find it

Thank you so much for the tip. Google Docs. I would have never thought of writing my stories there. But great idea. Thanks Again. Dar

Thanks for doing the research on these extensions and presenting them so clearly. I'm not a fan of Chrome, but Wikiwand and Dark Reader could be useful for me. By the way, do you have any recommendations on how to save comments from YouTube that extend more than a screen? From recipes to DIY to politics, I occasionally would like to save a long comment. I've been making do with the scroll capture feature on my Samsung phone but would like the comment as text, not an image. Do you know of any Android app that would provide this functionality? Thanks. Regards Alisha Ross

For the computer adventurous... you can use Crouton to install a LInux distro like Ubuntu on to your Chromebook. With that option, you lose some security of the Chromebook(reverts to your general laptop security level, basically), but you gain the advantages of Ubuntu. If you favor software like OpenOffice (mentioned here) and the like, you now have that door open to you. I use an Acer R11. It's been great to travel with compared to my ThinkPad and even my AirBook. I join the chorus in saying, Thanks, for this article!

Thank you for your insightful article. I too am an author and have completed one novel "GOTCHA!!!"; a 300* page book that is being published by the Putnam County Library System. Have you had any problem submitting your work anywhere due to computer 'language difference barriers? Thanks again. Regards, spence

Spence – no, I can't say I have! But I only write in English... and in centaur, ogre, elfish, dragon, and numerous other dialects. :-)

Thank you Keith for all the information you have provided. My question is does Google own my writing?

No, of course they don't own your writing. Google is powerful, but even they have limits. :-D

I'm finding your Blog chock full of great info. I'm glad I found it💜

Hi thank you for this post. I'm was just looking at a chromebook today and I wasn't sure if this would be a good purchase for me. You helped me to decide. I will start my writing. Thank you!

Good luck, Anonymous! I was sitting in an internet-less environment earlier today with my trusty Chromebook. Just opened it up and carried on writing. This thing runs exactly the same as it always has — not a single problem except maybe the plastic casing around the hinges is starting to loosen (though the actual hinges are as tight as ever). Love this thing.

Great article, very helpful to me as I just purchased my first chromebook. I'm trying WaveMaker on the chromebook, while i have Scriveners for Windows on my desktop. Have not tried importing anything from WaveMaker yet, or using some sort of remote access from Chrome to my desktop to use Scriveners. Thanks again - glad I found your article.

Thanks Dave — and good luck with your writing!

Great article and just the info I needed! I went into my local Best Buy the other day and asked the "computer expert" in that dept about using Word on a Chromebook, and he told me that Word won't work on a Chromebook. He looked for the app for a minute, but when he couldn't get to the Google Playstore to even find the app to show me, I left and felt like I was going to have to drop more money on a Windows supported laptop than I had planned. Color me confused!! Question: I read that you can't run the Word app on a screen bigger than 10.1 inches. I have an Office online account that I pay for every month, so am I wrong to assume that if I buy a Chromebook with a larger screen than this, the online version will work as usual? And I also read that a Chromebook won't post directly to a blog, but can't I just create a Google doc and copy and paste to where I want it? I've already written an entire first draft of a novel in word and wondering also how difficult it will be to convert it to a Google doc. Thanks for the awesome info. Looks like I'll be a Google docs fan very soon!

NeNe, it's true that the downloadable Word won't work on a Chromebook (Windows products don't work), but I don't see why the online version wouldn't — I haven't tried, but I will later. As for screen size... First, anything that's dependent on screen size is usually to do with the size of the browser window, not the screen itself. So if "screen size" is an issue, you could reduce the browser window a little. Also, yes, you can export a Google doc — into Word format if you like. In fact, importing a Word doc into Chrome is very easy too. Either open it and press the convert button, or just copy-paste it in.

I just wanted to add my AMEN! I've written my entire body of works on a Chromebook in Google Docs, and I love it! It is great for crowdsourcing feedback. And I love that I can even edit on my phone when I want to. Love the versatility of switching devices. I do backup my work occasionally, but that's more just paranoia. I've never had any problems with lost data. It's also cool that Docs saves every keystroke. So if you want, you can basically playback your entire novel from the first day you started writing. Great post. Glad to know I'm not the only one crazy enough to do this, ha ha. : )

Haha, great to hear from you, J Washburn — and no, you're not the only crazy one to do this. Well, you might be crazy, I don't know. I certainly am. But that's neither here nor there. :-) I back up occasionally as well. This is not so much fear that Google loses it, more to do with the idea that one of my cats might sit on my keyboard and methodically (and sleepily) delete everything with the backspace.

Hey! I just got a Chromebook yesterday and your article helped guide me in buying one. You have great points here, so thanks for doing this writeup! I bought the cheapest one we have here in my area, so spent around $200 CAD which is probably $150 USD. Great little thing so far. I am excited to write more on it and already spent quite a bit of time writing last night. Even with this cheap laptop I am able to access android programs and so I can download office apps if I need to, but I am loving Google docs. Another bonus was that I could download a music composing app that I usually use on my android phone, that I can now easily use on my computer. Anyways my point is, thanks for writing this great post!

Hi. Just found your comments etc. By accident and firstly they are ace. I have had my first Chromebook nearly a year and for the first time writing my third book on it. Just one major question, how do I get my text to align on the right like in a printed book. As heck as like can I find out after countless searches and posts. Kindly help an aspiring author from England.

Amy, glad the article helped!! :-) Patrick, just highlight your text and press the justified button in the toolbar (other options are left align, right align, and center, but you want justified for left AND right align).

Keith, thank you for your prompt reply. I will do as you advise when I finish editing my book. Also I like the idea of your proofreader. Will do an automatic word count when finished. Thank you.

Can a chromebook be used to create a document without any internet access at all?

Anonymous — yes.

Wanted to say a bit regarding going from WORD to Google Docs. I had only used PCs before, but the process was fairly simple. When I got my Chromebook, about two years ago, all my writing was in WORD. Not knowing what to do, I just went ahead and tried accessing the documents I had uploaded to the Microsoft cloud from my Chromebook and downloaded them. The FILES app on the Chromebook then advised me through dialogue windows about compatibility issues and directed me to the proper app to convert the WORD documents to Google doc. It was something like: "What app do you want to use to open this file?" The process was the same for other documents that were saved on flash drives. Honestly, at this moment I forget if it was an app already on my Chromebook or through a process in the Google Docs itself, it was easy enough though. I am not a professional writer or an IT tech type of person, but getting the final result was simple. Automatic assistance that comes up in much the same way as on a Smart Phone or Tablet, when the OS will direct you to Apps in the play store to do what you want. I very much like the ease of access between my Chromebook, Tablet, and Smartphone. Oh, and I want to be sure to say thank you, Keith Robinson, for this article.

Looking to transition from an almost 8 pound Windows laptop + MSWord habits to a hopefully light-as-a-cloud setup, literally on the day HP releases their newest 11 inch barebones chromebook, this article is a huge relief! I now know that I'm going to make the switch for sure. I'm hoping that issue of 30k+ words making the doc lag is a thing of the past, but your workaround is simple enought ot not worry about it for now. :) Thank you!

Aurcoe, I'd love to know how you get on with your new Chromebook in terms of performance with a 70K+ doc. I'm sure the new ones have improved a LOT with memory, etc!

OMG...I just got rid of my 5 day migraine from researching what the hell to buy!! I've had advice from every writer I know and an editor friend literally said, " get a chromebook and get your s#$& out there already!" You, sir, have just made up my mind. Thanks to COVID, money is tight and I hate my 300lb Lenovo with 2 hrs battery life. I'm secluded at home and have numerous short stories to submit and deciding which novel ( 4 1/2 written..one YA complete) to get on with. Writing isn't the problem, but I handwrite in journals so putting it all on a device...holy hell! I'm not a techie, just a writer who is tired of everyone telling me how skilled I am..get it out there...as I procrastinate and worry. Thank you so very much...I'm worried still, but only 1/2 as much. No clue what Google Docs is, I've probably used it, but everything is word. Most submissions are electronic so I was concerned a Chromebook couldn't do that! I do believe I'm finally going to be published again..been a long time...typewriter- mail-in -manuscript long. You saved the day and made Corona useful.

Thank you to all published and budding writers who taken time away from their projects to help those if us preparing to leave the pencil to it's own devices, grab the outline, and, with the help of modern technology in the form of a Chromebook, begin! Does anyone use a flashdrive instead of the Cloud? Also, I prefer to use a wireless keyboard and mouse at my regular computer,but not sure if a USB hub would work with a Chromebook? Got to go...a room full of characters are trying to get my attention! Thanks

Thanks for this! I realize that this article is old but, it's still helping people like me! I have been putting off my writing until I get a laptop but, that's just something I'd been using as another excuse. My Chromebook which I'm using to type this response works JUST FINE! I love Google Docs. I just need to reorganize all of the crap that I have a scattered all around in various emails, OneNote and other files so that I am better able to access them. I should have imported them to my Google drive ages ago. Now I will! Good luck with your future endeavors! You will be getting a shout out in mine! <3

thank you so much for your generous heart in sharing with others. I have never wanted to write a book;but after 15 years of running from it I started about a year ago on and off. I could be traveling or talking to anyone in the world and people would say to me you should write a book . mainly because I've had a lot of weird experiences happen to me. I've spent at least 4 hours surfing trying to get answers to questions reguarding chrome book when I came across you. you've simplified my life. Thanks again !

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  • Warp Giants (Sleep Writer Book 4) is published!
  • A book is finished, and a new one starts!
  • Con Nooga... and reactions to my book selling techniques
  • Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018
  • Tails of a Shapeshifter is published!
  • Sleep Writer series has a brand new set of covers
  • Constructing, websiting, and writing all at once
  • Haunted Fortress (Island of Fog Legacies #4) is published!
  • Completed book, forthcoming books, audiobooks, book sales, book covers, and... darkness!
  • Book 4 of the Island of Fog Legacies just about finished
  • Cover art, movie theaters, lazy writing, clunky first chapters, and being incredibly successful
  • Novel proofreading service
  • Gargoyle Scourge (Island of Fog Legacies #3) is published!
  • Gargoyle Scourge available from bookstores on March 1st, 2017
  • Island of Fog translated into Spanish!
  • Gargoyle Scourge is ready for beta reading
  • Happy holidays, massive downloads, foggy plans, black comedies, and daft ideas
  • Gargoyles, a classroom in Australia, book reviews, and my kitchen floor
  • Working on a new book cover for Sleep Writer
  • When is it okay to give away major plot details?
  • Latest book, website changes, marketing, and freebies!
  • What's a self-published indie novel really worth?
  • Sinister Roots (Island of Fog Legacies #2) is published!
  • Sinister Roots launches in 9 days... and Unicorn Hunters is on sale!
  • Plotting the next book
  • Sinister Roots is finished!
  • Back from vacation, and hardly a word written!
  • Writer's block, stalling, and just plain old procrastination
  • How do most readers find good new books to read?
  • On the lookout for repeated words in manuscripts
  • Free short story The Silver Wand (Part 4 of 4) now available
  • Introducing the next book in the Island of Fog Legacies series
  • Answers to a few niggles
  • Unicorn Hunters (Island of Fog Legacies #1) is published and available everywhere!
  • Free short story The Silver Wand (Part 3 of 4) now available
  • Early reviews for Unicorn Hunters
  • Pre-order Unicorn Hunters and get it on March 15th 2016
  • Free short story The Silver Wand (Part 2 of 4) now available
  • Unicorn Hunters first draft finished!
  • Free short story The Silver Wand (Part 1 of 4) now available
  • Sleep Writer series now available in paperback!
  • New cover for new book in new Island of Fog series!
  • Just over a million words
  • Free short story Be Good for Belsnickel now available
  • My name is Keith Robinson and I'm a writer
  • Free short story The Soothsayer now available
  • Mountain of Whispers Audiobook now available!
  • Help make a book permafree... and then get it for free!
  • Caleb's World (Sleep Writer Book 3) is published
  • Another book just about ready to publish
  • Free short story Trading Magic now available
  • Free short story Unicorn Poachers now available
  • Caleb's World undergoing final edits
  • Free short story Robbie and the Ogres now available
  • Monsters in the Fog is published!
  • The second Island of Fog Chronicles book due for release on August 1st
  • Free short story Riding the Serpent now available
  • Robot Blood (Sleep Writer Book 2) is published
  • Labyrinth of Fire Audiobook now available!
  • Robot Blood is finished!
  • Free short story Darcy the Dryad now available
  • Robot Blood nearing completion and on schedule for June release
  • Free short story Bird-Girl and the Shaggy Beast now available
  • The price of Island of Fog novellas
  • Free short story Night of the Centaur now available
  • Free short story Nameless Monster is available today
  • Island of Fog Audiobook published!
  • Plans to continue the Island of Fog series
  • Get a free cartoon of your child or other small person as a superhero monster!
  • Eye of the Manticore and Wings of a Faerie are published!
  • Countdown to February 15th
  • Unearthed (Fractured Book 2) is published!
  • Lots of fog planned for 2015
  • Eye of the Manticore is finished and in final editing stage
  • Island of Fog audiobook planned for release in the spring
  • Island of Fog as an audiobook?
  • A Very Merry Shapeshifting Christmas
  • What's happening over Christmas and into the New Year
  • Unearthed (Fractured Book 2) is ready for beta readers
  • Island of Fog Chronicles coming in the New Year
  • Island of Fog Omnibus Edition (Books 1-3)
  • Fractured Book 2 is full steam ahead
  • Sleep Writer (Book 1) is published!
  • New series about to be launched
  • Castle of Spells (Island of Fog, Book 9) is published!
  • Possible reworking of Island of Fog
  • Prison of Despair (Island of Fog, Book 8) is published!
  • Castle of Spells on the horizon
  • Prison of Despair beta readers!
  • Last day of April
  • Coming up in 2014
  • The timeline in a long-running series
  • What future Island of Fog tales would YOU like to see?
  • My new writing regime
  • Island of Fog Book 9: Castle of Spells
  • Island of Fog Book 8: Prison of Despair
  • Quincy's Curse is published!
  • What's going on (and not)
  • Valley of Monsters (Island of Fog, Book 7) is published!
  • How to provide a reader with recaps of previous books in a series
  • Valley of Monsters is now out to beta readers
  • Are you interested in beta-reading Valley of Monsters?
  • A series of Unearthly Tales starting in 2014
  • Quincy's Curse out for beta reading
  • FRACTURED is published and available!
  • Progress on Valley of Monsters and beyond
  • Books I'll be publishing in the next few months
  • Island of Fog Book 7: Valley of Monsters
  • Advertising and promoting an ebook with BookBub
  • Sci-fi and fantasy novel Fractured is ready for beta reading
  • Going perma-free on Amazon
  • All books in the Island of Fog fantasy series now available at Amazon, Kobo, iBookstore, and Barnes & Noble
  • Finding beta readers and proofreaders for your self-published indie novel
  • Writing and editing a sci-fi/fantasy novel with another author
  • Island of Fog is a B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree
  • Ned Firebreak by Brian Clopper
  • The cost of shipping books internationally
  • Chamber of Ghosts is published
  • Island of Fog Book 7 - including prequel!
  • Pre-order Chamber of Ghosts
  • Movie adaptation of Island of Fog for release in 2015 (April Fool's)
  • Island of Fog featured as Book of the Month
  • Letters and artwork from a classroom in North Carolina
  • Calling for Chamber of Ghosts beta readers
  • Late edits to Chamber of Ghosts
  • Website overhaul
  • The ISLAND OF FOG fantasy series
  • Collaborative novel writing
  • Fractured - a free sci-fi and fantasy novel
  • First draft of Chamber of Ghosts is finished
  • Dragon book series
  • Four FREE Kindle books for Christmas
  • Piers Anthony reviews Roads of Madness
  • Writing schedule
  • How to design a book cover
  • Island of Fog Book 6 - Chamber of Ghosts
  • Free Kindle books for Halloween
  • Island of Fog Book 6
  • KDP Select aftermath
  • In the works for 2012 and 2013
  • Searching for young-adult and middle-grade fantasy books on Kindle
  • Roads of Madness is available in print
  • Does KDP Select work?
  • Roads of Madness is available on Kindle
  • Island of Fog is FREE for Kindle on August 29th-30th
  • Brand new Island of Fog web page
  • New book cover for Island of Fog
  • Advanced reader copies of Roads of Madness nearly ready
  • Flight of Blue
  • Irving Wishbutton and the Questing Academy
  • Get an advance copy of Roads of Madness
  • Roads of Madness preview and launch date
  • Ideas to reboot the Island of Fog series
  • Price change for Kindle and Nook ebooks
  • Letters and artwork from fifth-grade students
  • Summer Reading Kick-off - winner of Island of Fog series
  • The power of a printed book
  • Author Keith Robinson's Fantasy Novels Make Front Page With Chickamauga Library Book Signing
  • How NOT to promote your self-published novel
  • Book signing at Chickamauga Library on April 10th
  • Roads of Madness on Twitter and Facebook
  • Do you like cliffhangers in novels?
  • Island of Fog Book 5: Roads of Madness
  • Brian Clopper: writer, teacher and foot soldier
  • Quincy's Curse and Caleb's World
  • What does 2012 have in store?
  • On the subject of Santa Claus
  • Lake of Spirits review by Piers Anthony
  • Stop typing for a second, please!
  • Where did Miss Simone come from?
  • Are prologues necessary?
  • Lake of Spirits now available in print
  • Dragon*Con 2011
  • Lake of Spirits available on Kindle and Nook
  • Third Writers' Platform-Building Campaign
  • Lake of Spirits proofreading and editing is finished!
  • Reviews and featured spots for Island of Fog series
  • Why I write a chapter summary for the next book
  • What blog posts do you like and dislike?
  • Creepy and not great for impressionable children
  • Lake of Spirits is being proofread
  • Thinking about Island of Fog: Book 5
  • On the search for a literary agent
  • How many self-published books sold to date
  • Lake of Spirits first draft is FINISHED!
  • The second trilogy
  • Progress in the lake
  • The benefits of self-publishing and ebooks
  • Millions of books sold at Barnes & Noble
  • Book signing at Barnes & Noble, Chattanooga, TN
  • Letters from Jones Dairy Elementary School Part II
  • The science of fantasy creatures
  • The phoenix arises
  • Island of Fog Book IV: Lake of Spirits
  • The Impossible World
  • Preparing for the storm
  • A new year and a new novel
  • Question Time: Part 2
  • NaNoWriMo 2010 Winner
  • Publisher says no
  • NaNoWriMo update
  • NaNoWriMo 2010
  • Books Never-Ending
  • On the shelf at Barnes & Noble
  • School blog
  • Question Time: Part 1
  • Dragon*Con in Atlanta, Georgia
  • On TV again... or was I?
  • Author copyright
  • Busy day at the office
  • Mountain of Whispers is PUBLISHED!
  • Mountain of Whispers is FINISHED!
  • Minichapters
  • Mountain of Whispers final book cover!
  • Mountain of Whispers cover update
  • Books can be ordered at Barnes & Noble
  • You can't rush a genius...
  • Look, I can't help being British
  • Cherokee Regional Summer Reading Kickoff 2010
  • Readability test
  • Review by Publishers Weekly
  • Mountain of Whispers first draft completed
  • Farewell to ABNA
  • Naga mythology... and Medusa
  • Abigail doesn't sing!
  • ABNA expert reviewers
  • The ABNA quarterfinalist results are in!
  • Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards
  • Letters from Jones Dairy Elementary School
  • ABNA first round winning pitch
  • A third of the way through Mountain of Whispers
  • New shipping rates
  • Piers Anthony and Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
  • Book Talk at Rossville Library
  • Quality control at CreateSpace
  • Mountain of Whispers
  • Book III: The plot thickens
  • Expanded Distribution at CreateSpace
  • Self-publishing
  • Book delivery... and new book trailer
  • Replacement order, watery events, and ideas for book title
  • Box of books missing... or lost?
  • Book Nook in Dalton
  • Book review winner... and Happy Thanksgiving!
  • Book signings and events galore
  • Labyrinth of Fire available for pre-order
  • Grammar, and other pointless trivia
  • Library visit, events, agents, editing, and reviews!
  • Teen Read Week at Chickamauga Library
  • Georgia Literary Festival 2009
  • Book cover comparison
  • New dragonized book cover
  • Win a copy of Labyrinth of Fire by reviewing Island of Fog
  • Final chapters of Labyrinth of Fire
  • Lava tubes and dragons
  • Male harpies
  • Impromptu talk and book signing at Rossville Middle School
  • Three library book talks finished
  • Treatments and manuscripts
  • Ray Atkins book talk and signing
  • The Bookshelf interview on UCTV-3
  • TV and film agent for Island of Fog
  • TV interview and appearances
  • Island of Fog now on Kindle
  • Tweeting and writing
  • Gumberoos and squonks
  • Labyrinth of Fire
  • First public speaking
  • Thumbs up from Piers Anthony
  • Down Home Days
  • First delivery of books
  • Island of Fog now published and available to buy!
  • PDF download now available
  • Proof book has arrived
  • Island of Fog is published!
  • Final, final, FINAL edit
  • The manuscript is back!
  • Sending Island of Fog to an editor
  • Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
  • Writing, writing, writing
  • Feeling an urge to write

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Best Chromebook For Writers: Buyer’s Guide And What To Look For

If you're a writer, then you know that having the right equipment is essential to your work. And if you're in the market for a new Chromebook, then you'll want to read this buyer's guide!

We'll be discussing what to look for in a Chromebook specifically designed for writers, as well as some of the best models on the market. So if you're ready to find your new writing partner, then let's get started!

Best Chromebook For Writers: Buyer’S Guide And What To Look For

At A Glance

Google pixelbook go 13.3" chromebook: best overall, lenovo chromebook duet: best budget pick, lenovo chromebook flex 5: best convertible pick, asus chromebook flip c434, buyer's guide.

These are my top picks at a glance. Read on to see my reasoning for each one!

  • Google Pixelbook Go: Best Overall
  • Acer Chromebook Flex: Best Convertible Pick
  • ASUS Chromebook Flip C434: Best (Premium But Affordable) Pick

Google Pixelbook Go 13.3&Quot; - Lightweight - Up To 12 Hours -Battery Life - Touch Screen Chromebook - Just Black

  • Lightweight
  • Up to 12 Hours Battery Life
  • Touch Screen

The Google Pixelbook Go is my top pick for the best Chromebook for writers. It's lightweight and portable, making it perfect for writers who need to take their work with them on the go.

Plus, the battery life is excellent, so you won't have to worry about your Chromebook dying in the middle of a writing session.

And, if you need to do any research while you're writing, the touch screen makes it easy to switch between tabs and look things up quickly.

When it comes to storage and speed, you have four standard options to choose from:

  • Intel Core i5 | 16 GB RAM | 128 GB
  • Intel Core i5 | 8 GB RAM | 128 GB
  • Intel Core i7 | 16 GB RAM | 256 GB
  • Intel Core m3 | 8 GB RAM | 64 GB

With the top-spec being the Intel Core i7 | 16 GB RAM | 256 GB option.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet, 2-In-1, 10.1&Quot; Wuxga (1920 X 1200) Display, Mediatek Helio P60T, 4Gb Lpddr4X Ram, 128Gb Emcp Ssd, Integrated Arm G72 Mp3 Graphics, Chrome Os, Za6F0031Us, Ice Blue + Iron Grey

  • 10.1" WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Display
  • Touchscreen
  • 4GB LPDDR4X RAM
  • 64GB eMCP SSD
  • Integrated ARM G72 MP3 Graphics

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is my pick for the best budget Chromebook for writers. It's a great option if you're looking for a Chromebook that's affordable, but still has all the features you need to get your writing done.

Plus, the detachable keyboard makes it easy to switch between writing and research mode, so you can get the best of both worlds.

And, the battery life is impressive for a budget Chromebook, so you won't have to worry about your Chromebook dying in the middle of a writing session.

When it comes to storage and speed, you have two standard options to choose from:

32GB eMMC | MediaTek MTK Helio P60T

64GB eMMC | MediaTek MTK Helio P60T

With the top-spec being the 64GB eMMC | MediaTek MTK Helio P60T option.

The main downside to this is the size of the screen. At only ten inches, it's one of the smaller Chromebooks on this list. But if you're looking for a budget-friendly option that's still large enough to get your writing done, then the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a great choice.

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 13&Quot; Laptop, Fhd Touch Display, Intel Core I3-10110U, 4Gb Ram, 64Gb Storage, Chrome Os

  • 13" Laptop
  • FHD Touch Display
  • Intel Core i3-10110U
  • 64GB Storage

The Lenovo Chromebook Flex is a powerful little device that's perfect for writers. It has a full HD touch display, so you can easily research while you're writing. Plus, the convertible design means you can use it as a laptop or tablet, depending on your needs.

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 13&Quot; Laptop, Fhd Touch Display, Intel Core I3-10110U, 4Gb Ram, 64Gb Storage, Chrome Os

And, the Intel Core i3 processor and ample storage space make this Chromebook fast and responsive, so you won't be waiting around for things to load.

The only downside is the battery life. It's not terrible, but it's not as good as some of the other Chromebooks on this list. But if you're looking for a convertible Chromebook that's fast and powerful, then the Lenovo Chromebook Flex is a great choice.

Asus Chromebook Flip C434 2-In-1 Laptop, 14&Quot; Full Hd Touchscreen 4-Way Nanoedge, Intel Core M3-8100Y Processor, 4Gb Ram, 64Gb Emmc Storage, All-Metal Body, Backlit Kb, Chrome Os- C434Ta-Dsm4T, Silver

  • 2-In-1 Laptop
  • 14" Full HD
  • 4-Way NanoEdge
  • Intel Core M3-8100Y Processor
  • 64GB eMMC Storage
  • All-Metal Body
  • Backlit keyboard

The ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 is a great pick for those who are looking for a premium, but affordable Chromebook. It has a beautiful all-metal body and a large 14" Full HD touchscreen display. Plus, the Intel Core M processor is fast and responsive.

And, the backlit keyboard makes it easy to write in low-light conditions.

Reviewers say the battery life is excellent and the build quality makes this Chromebook feel like a high-end laptop.

One of the most important things to consider when shopping for a Chromebook for writers is the keyboard. After all, you'll be spending a lot of time typing on it! Look for a keyboard that is comfortable to use and has good key travel.

You might also want to consider a Chromebook with a backlit keyboard, so you can work in any lighting conditions. Like many writers, I find myself writing at night more often than during the day, so this is a must-have feature for me.

Battery Life

Since you'll likely be spending a lot of time writing on your Chromebook away from a power source, battery life is important. You want a model that can last at least eight hours on a single charge.

This will give you plenty of time to get some work done without having to worry about finding an outlet.

Another important consideration for writers is the display. After all, you'll be staring at it for hours on end! Look for a display that is bright and clear with good color reproduction. A higher resolution will also be helpful if you plan on doing any editing or proofreading on your Chromebook.

Similarly, if you will be editing your book covers in Canva or formatting book illustrations in Photoshop, you will want a Chromebook with a large-enough display and resolution.

Screen Size

While we're on the topic of displays, it's also important to consider screen size. If you plan on using your Chromebook for writing only, then a smaller screen might be fine.

But if you also want to use it for research, graphics or other tasks, then a larger screen will be more convenient. Just keep in mind that a larger screen also means a heavier Chromebook, so it's a trade-off.

When it comes to storage, writers need two things: space for all of their writing files and software and quick access to those files.

Chromebooks typically come with either 32GB or 64GB of storage, which is plenty of space for most writers as text documents don't tend to weigh much! However, if you are working with a lot of large image files or videos, you may want to consider opting for the 64GB model or buying additional cloud storage.

As for speed, Chromebooks come with solid-state drives (SSDs), which are much faster than traditional hard drives. This means that your Chromebook will boot up quickly and files will open almost instantly - trust me, if you have used an SSD external hard drive and a standard SATA hard drive, you will notice the difference!

We hope this buyer's guide has been helpful in your search for the best Chromebook for writers! Remember to consider the keyboard, battery life, and display when making your decision.

And don't forget to check out our top picks at a glance. With any of these models, you're in good hands!

These are some common questions writers have when buying a Chromebook for their writing;

Are Chromebooks Good for Writers?

Yes. Chromebooks are a very popular choice for writers. While you can use any sort of laptop for writing, most writers prefer to use something lightweight that allows you to move it easily from room to room, or to that special place they like to write.

Typically something with a large enough screen but equally, not bulky or heavy as it needs to fit in a backpack or handbag easily.

What Laptop Do Most Writers Use?

There is no one size fits all. When it comes to writing on a laptop, this is a very basic task that does not require any superior processing power, and as such - most people will continue to use their everyday laptop for writing purposes.

However, many writers prefer to buy a Chromebook as their second laptop - something more lightweight and easier to move around with them, that they can use primarily for writing.

Can I Write Stories on A Chromebook?

Yes, you can write stories on a Chromebook. There are a number of apps and programs that you can use to do so, including Google Docs and Evernote. You can also find many online resources that will help you get started with writing stories on your Chromebook.

Can I Run Scrivener on Chromebook?

Yes, you can run Scrivener on a Chromebook. You can follow this detailed guide here.

What Are the Disadvantages of A Chromebook?

The main disadvantage of a Chromebook is that it cannot run Windows or Mac programs. This means that if you are using specific software for your writing, such as Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop , you will not be able to use it on a Chromebook without first running some sort of virtual machine or remote desktop application.

Another disadvantage of Chromebooks is that Chromebooks tend to have less storage than traditional laptops, so if you are working with large files or a lot of media, you may need additional cloud storage or an external SSd like this one.

Do Chromebooks Have Word and Excel?

Microsoft has discontinued the Chromebook apps for Word and Excel , however, you can still access and edit Word, Excel and all of the other programs in Office via the web app.

Likewise, Google Docs and Google Sheets are great resources that are free and compatible with Chromebooks.

Can You Write Word Documents on A Chromebook?

Yes, as mentioned above - you have two options for using Word on a Chromebook. You can access the Word web app, or you can use Google Docs and then save the file as a docx file.

Both are great resources for writing Word documents on a Chromebook.

Does Apple Pen Work on Chromebook?

No, the Apple Pen does not work on Chromebooks. The best alternative would be to use a stylus that is compatible with Chromebooks, such as the Andana USI Stylus Pen or the Penoval USI Stylus Pen .

How Do I Enable Google Handwriting on A Chromebook?

You can enable Google handwriting on a Chromebook by going to Settings > Advanced > Enable Handwriting. This will allow you to use your trackpad or mouse to draw characters, which will then be converted into text.

Alternatively, you can use an external stylus and drawing tablet to handwrite on a Chromebook.

Last update on 2022-09-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Arielle Phoenix

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Novel Writing Software for Chromebook: Write Your Bestseller

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My name is Debbie, and I am passionate about developing a love for the written word and planting a seed that will grow into a powerful voice that can inspire many.

Novel Writing Software for Chromebook: Write Your Bestseller

Are you an aspiring novelist, equipped with a Chromebook as your trusty writing companion? If so, we’ve got news that will make your creative engine rev! Introducing novel writing software for Chromebook – the perfect tool to turn your literary dreams into reality. Whether you’re crafting a heart-wrenching romance or an epic fantasy, this powerful software has got your back, providing an intuitive and seamless writing experience tailored exclusively for your Chromebook. So, grab your imagination and prepare to embark on a literary journey that could lead you straight to the bestseller list. In this article, we’ll explore the features of this remarkable software and how it can turn your Chromebook into a novelist’s secret weapon. Get ready to unleash your writing potential like never before!

Features and Benefits of Novel Writing Software for Chromebook

– streamline your writing process with user-friendly interface, – comprehensive writing tools for plot development and characterization, – organize your ideas effectively with outlining and note-taking features, – seamless collaboration and backup options for co-authors or editors, – enhance your writing skills with grammar and style suggestions, – take your writing anywhere with cloud storage and offline access, – stay focused and productive with distraction-free writing mode, – customize your writing experience to suit your preferences, frequently asked questions, concluding remarks.

Looking for the perfect writing software for your Chromebook? Look no further than our novel writing software designed specifically for Chromebook users. With our software, you’ll gain access to a wide range of features and benefits that will enhance your writing experience like never before!

One of the standout features of our novel writing software is its seamless integration with your Chromebook. Our software is fully optimized for Chromebook devices, ensuring smooth and effortless performance. Whether you’re working on your next masterpiece or simply jotting down ideas, our software will provide a user-friendly and intuitive experience. Plus, you can easily access your projects from any Chromebook, making it convenient for writers on the go.

  • Advanced writing tools: Our software offers a comprehensive set of writing tools, including spell check, grammar correction, and word count. These tools will help you polish your writing and produce error-free content .
  • Organization made easy: Stay organized with our novel writing software’s sleek interface and intuitive project management features. Easily create chapters, sections, and subheadings, and move them around effortlessly.
  • Collaboration and sharing: Share your work with others and receive feedback using our software’s built-in collaboration tools. You can work together with fellow writers, editors, and beta readers to perfect your novel.

With our novel writing software for Chromebook, the possibilities are endless. Say goodbye to clunky word processors and embrace a seamless and efficient writing experience. Try our software today and unlock your full writing potential!

For writers seeking a seamless and efficient writing experience, look no further than our user-friendly interface. Designed with simplicity in mind, our interface eliminates the hassle of navigating through complicated menus or overwhelming options. With just a few clicks, you can dive right into your writing and let your creativity flow.

The intuitive layout of our interface allows you to focus solely on your thoughts and ideas, without any distractions. Its clean and clutter-free design provides a calming and visually appealing environment, ensuring that your writing process remains a joyful and engaging experience. And if you ever need a little extra inspiration, our interface offers a variety of beautiful themes to customize your writing space, allowing you to find the perfect ambiance that suits your style and enhances your creativity.

- Comprehensive Writing Tools for Plot Development and Characterization

When it comes to writing a compelling and well-developed story, having the right tools can make all the difference. Fortunately, there are a plethora of comprehensive writing tools available that can help you with plot development and characterization, taking your storytelling skills to new heights.

One indispensable tool for plot development is the plot diagram . This visual representation allows you to outline your story’s structure, helping you identify the key elements such as the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. By using a plot diagram, you can ensure that your story follows a coherent and engaging trajectory, keeping readers hooked from start to finish.

  • Character profiles are another essential tool for writers. These profiles allow you to delve deeply into the backgrounds, motivations, and personalities of your characters. By creating detailed profiles, you can ensure that your characters are well-rounded, consistent, and relatable. This tool also helps you maintain overall consistency and avoid contradicting character traits throughout your story.
  • Writing prompts provide an excellent way to spark your creativity and develop your plot and characters further. With a wide variety of prompts available, you can overcome writer’s block and explore different scenarios or perspectives, helping you add depth and complexity to your story.
  • Word cloud generators can be useful in visualizing the themes, emotions, and attributes associated with your characters or settings. By creating word clouds, you can gain insights into the overall tone and atmosphere of your story, ensuring that you capture the desired mood and convey it effectively to your readers.

With access to these comprehensive writing tools for plot development and characterization, your writing journey will become smoother and your stories more captivating than ever before. So, don’t miss out on these invaluable resources and watch your storytelling skills flourish!

- Organize Your Ideas Effectively with Outlining and Note-taking Features

In order to efficiently organize your thoughts and enhance your productivity, our app offers a range of outlining and note-taking features that are designed to simplify your workflow. Our outlining feature allows you to create a hierarchical structure for your ideas, helping you to visualize the overall framework of your work. With just a few clicks, you can create main headings, subheadings, and even sub-subheadings to capture the various layers of your thoughts. This feature proves to be particularly useful when you are working on projects that require a logical flow or when you need to break down complex concepts into bite-sized chunks for easy understanding.

To further aid your organization process, our note-taking feature allows you to jot down your ideas, observations, or even random thoughts effortlessly. You can format your notes using different font styles, sizes, and colors, enabling you to emphasize important points or highlight key takeaways. Additionally, our app supports the creation of bulleted and numbered lists, making it convenient for you to create to-do lists, action plans, or any other type of structured information. The ability to format and customize your notes ensures that you can quickly scan through them and easily identify the information you need, saving you valuable time and effort. With our outlining and note-taking features, you can streamline your thought process, maintain better focus, and elevate your productivity to new heights!

In today’s digital age, seamless collaboration and effective backup options are paramount for co-authors or editors working on projects together. Gone are the days of tedious email exchanges and version control issues. Thanks to innovative technology, there are now numerous tools and platforms designed to enhance collaboration and provide secure backups for your valuable work.

One popular choice among professionals is cloud-based solutions. These versatile platforms, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, allow collaborators to work on the same document simultaneously, without the need for constant file sharing. Real-time updates are instantly visible to all parties involved, enabling a smooth and efficient collaboration process. Additionally, these platforms automatically save revisions and changes, ensuring that no progress is ever lost. With the ability to access files across various devices, you can seamlessly switch between your computer, tablet, or smartphone, making collaboration on the go a breeze.

Another noteworthy option to explore is dedicated writing and editing software. Tools like Microsoft Word or Grammarly provide advanced collaboration features tailored specifically for co-authors or editors. These platforms offer features like track changes and comments, allowing all participants to leave suggestions, edits, or feedback directly within the document. This eliminates the need for lengthy email threads or confusion about who made what changes. Furthermore, these software options typically offer automatic backup functionalities, keeping your work safe and accessible at all times. With the added benefit of features like grammar and spell-check, these tools become invaluable aids for producing high-quality content collaboratively.

- Enhance Your Writing Skills with Grammar and Style Suggestions

Are you looking to take your writing skills to the next level? Look no further! Our Grammar and Style Suggestions feature is here to lend a helping hand. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or someone who just loves to write, this tool is designed to enhance your writing and make it shine.

With our advanced algorithms, we analyze your text and provide you with real-time suggestions for grammar and style improvements. Say goodbye to embarrassing typos and confusing sentence structures. We’ve got you covered! From correcting punctuation errors to offering alternative word choices, our suggestions are tailored to elevate your writing to a whole new level of professionalism and clarity. Plus, with our in-depth explanations and examples, you’ll not only improve your writing skills, but also understand the reasoning behind each suggestion. It’s like having a personal writing coach by your side, available 24/7. So why wait? Start using our Grammar and Style Suggestions feature today and unleash your full writing potential!

– Make your writing more concise by eliminating unnecessary words or phrases. – Polish your writing style by ensuring your sentences flow smoothly and coherently. – Improve your grammar by catching common mistakes like subject-verb agreement issues or misplaced modifiers. – Enhance your vocabulary by swapping overused words for more vibrant and varied choices. – Strengthen your writing by incorporating rhetorical devices such as metaphors, similes, and analogies to add depth and flair. – Gain a better understanding of grammatical concepts and rules by learning from the suggestions provided.

- Take Your Writing Anywhere with Cloud Storage and Offline Access

Writing on the go has never been easier with the power of cloud storage and offline access. With this seamless integration, you can conveniently create, edit, and save your documents from anywhere in the world. No longer bound to a specific device or location, you have the freedom to write whenever inspiration strikes.

Cloud storage empowers you to access your files from multiple devices, be it your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Simply log in to your cloud storage account and all your documents are right at your fingertips. You no longer have to worry about losing a document or forgetting to bring it with you. With everything stored securely in the cloud, your work is always accessible with just a few clicks.

Offline access takes your writing experience to the next level by allowing you to work on your documents even without an internet connection. Whether you’re on a long flight or in a remote area with limited connectivity, you can keep writing without any interruption. With offline access, your changes are automatically synced once you’re back online, ensuring that you never lose any progress. Say goodbye to wasted hours and hello to uninterrupted creativity.

With the convenience of cloud storage and the flexibility of offline access, you have the freedom to take your writing anywhere. Remove the boundaries and focus solely on your ideas and words. Embrace the power of cloud storage and offline access and elevate your writing experience today.

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be challenging to stay focused and productive, especially when writing. Introducing our innovative Distraction-Free Writing Mode, designed to help you eliminate any external distractions and unleash your creativity. With this powerful feature, you can immerse yourself in your writing without any interruptions, ultimately enhancing your productivity and delivering high-quality content .

- Customize Your Writing Experience to Suit Your Preferences

In order to enhance your writing experience and make it truly personalized, our platform offers a wide range of customization options that will suit your unique preferences. With our user-friendly interface, you can easily modify various aspects of your writing environment to create a workspace that feels just right for you.

First and foremost, you can customize the theme of your writing platform. Choose from a variety of visually appealing and calming themes that will create a soothing and inspiring atmosphere while you write. Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a more vibrant and energetic backdrop, we have the perfect theme to match your style. Moreover, you can adjust the font style and size to ensure optimal readability and comfort as you type. Experiment with different fonts to find the one that speaks to you, and make it bold or italicized for added emphasis when needed.

When it comes to organizing your thoughts, our platform allows you to customize your writing layout. Take advantage of our flexible layout options such as single-column, double-column, or even a distraction-free fullscreen mode. These options enable you to focus solely on your writing or create a multi-panel layout for simultaneous reference. Additionally, you can tailor the toolbars to display the features you frequently utilize, placing them within easy reach for seamless access. Embrace the option to position the toolbar on the top, bottom, or either side of the screen, allowing for a more intuitive and efficient workflow.

Furthermore, our platform empowers you to control the soundscape of your writing environment. Choose from a range of ambient background noises, such as calming ocean waves or the gentle rustling of leaves, to create a relaxing auditory backdrop. If you prefer silence, you can easily deactivate all sounds and enjoy the tranquility of a noise-free writing zone. The option to customize your writing experience also extends to the keyboard shortcuts, enabling you to define your own shortcuts for frequently used commands. This way, you can streamline your writing process and exert more control over your composition.

In conclusion, personalizing your writing experience has never been easier. By customizing the visual, organizational, auditory, and functional aspects of your writing platform, you can create a workspace that not only caters to your preferences but also enhances your creativity and productivity. Let your imagination run wild, and make the most of our extensive customization options to truly make writing an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

Q: What is novel writing software for Chromebook? A: Novel writing software for Chromebook is a specialized application designed to assist writers in creating and organizing their work on a Chromebook laptop. It offers various features and tools required to write a novel efficiently and effectively.

Q: Why would I need novel writing software for my Chromebook? A: Novel writing software can greatly enhance your writing process by providing a dedicated platform to plan, organize, and write your story. It offers features like outlining tools, character and plot development, distraction-free writing space , and manuscript formatting options, which can help streamline your workflow and boost your productivity.

Q: What are some popular novel writing software options available for Chromebook? A: Some popular options for novel writing software on Chromebook include:

1. Scrivener: A feature-rich and widely used tool known for its powerful organization and productivity features. 2. Novelize: A cloud-based application specifically designed for writers, offering a user-friendly interface and collaborative features. 3. Hemingway Editor: A unique application that focuses on improving your writing style and ensures clarity and readability. 4. Google Docs: Although not specifically designed for novel writing, it offers a convenient and accessible platform with collaboration features.

Q: Can I import/export my work from novel writing software on Chromebook? A: Yes, most novel writing software on Chromebook allows easy importing and exporting of your work. This allows you to seamlessly transfer your manuscript between different devices or software if needed.

Q: Are novel writing software programs compatible with popular file formats like .docx or .pdf? A: Yes, novel writing software usually supports popular file formats like .docx and .pdf, ensuring compatibility with other word processors or publishing platforms. This allows easy sharing and publishing of your work once it’s completed.

Q: Can I access my novel writing software on Chromebook offline? A: It depends on the software you choose. Some novel writing applications offer offline capabilities, allowing you to work on your novel even when you don’t have an internet connection. However, it’s important to verify this feature before deciding on a specific software.

Q: How much do novel writing software programs for Chromebook cost? A: The cost of novel writing software varies depending on the chosen application and its features. Some software offers free versions with limited functionality, while others may require a one-time purchase or a subscription fee. It’s recommended to research and compare different options based on your specific needs and budget.

Q: Can I use novel writing software for Chromebook on my other devices? A: Many novel writing software options offer cross-platform compatibility, allowing you to access and sync your work across multiple devices. This means you can start writing on your Chromebook and seamlessly continue on your smartphone or tablet using the same software, ensuring flexibility and continuity in your writing process.

Q: Is novel writing software suitable for both experienced and beginner writers? A: Absolutely! Novel writing software can benefit writers at all skill levels. For beginners, it provides helpful tools for story structuring, character development, and overall organization. Experienced writers can use these applications to streamline their workflow and enhance their productivity, making the novel-writing journey more efficient.

Q: Should I try a free trial version before purchasing novel writing software for Chromebook? A: Trying a free trial version is always recommended. It allows you to get familiar with the software’s interface, features, and usability, giving you a better understanding of how it aligns with your writing needs. Additionally, it helps you assess if the application runs smoothly and seamlessly on your Chromebook.

In conclusion, novel writing software for Chromebook is a valuable tool to help authors write and organize their bestsellers efficiently.

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5 scriptwriting apps that work on a Chromebook

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More people are creating video than ever before, which means that scripted video production is no longer solely the domain of television or film studios. Advertising agencies, marketers, teachers, corporate trainers, conference hosts and video gaming companies all create scripted videos. These days, you don’t need a Mac or Windows system to create a script—you can craft your script on a Chromebook .

Specialized apps seek to streamline the process of scriptwriting. Unlike a general purpose word processor, these apps format typed text in industry-standard ways to differentiate dialogue, action and scenes. In part, this means centered all-caps character names followed by indented dialogue, left-aligned all-caps scene standards (e.g., INT. for interior, EXT. for exterior), among many other formatting conventions—all displayed in 12-point Courier font on a page with 1-inch top, bottom, and right margins and a 1-½ inch left margin (to leave sufficient space for left-side fasteners when printed).

Four of the most important scriptwriting content formats are .fdx, .fountain, .pdf and print. The last two (.pdf and print) are best thought of as output formats for when a script is ready for review or production. The first format, .fdx, is the file format used by Final Draft—the most widely used scriptwriting app. The .fountain format is a plain text format, which means you can really write in fountain anywhere you edit text, as long as you observe guidelines detailed at Fountain.io . If you’re familiar with Markdown, think of .fountain as a markup format for scriptwriting, much as Markdown is a markup format for web writing.

The following apps all let you write your script on a Chromebook. They also all let you work with .fdx and .fountain files. The first three apps also support collaboration, which may be useful when you work with co-writers or other people who need or want to provide active input on your work.

SEE: How to become a Google Docs power user (free PDF) (TechRepublic)

Arc Studio Pro

Arc Studio Pro provides a cloud-based app that works well on a Chromebook ( Figure A ). The company offers installable versions for macOS, Windows and iOS, too. Changes you make sync when you’re connected to the internet. Arc Studio Pro is built for multi-person collaboration and can backup your files in .fdx format to Google Drive automatically. You can try a version of the app with limited features and watermarked PDF output for free. An upgrade to the Pro version costs $99 per year—although, it’s currently reduced to $69 per year.

novel writing software for chromebook

It might be best to think of Celtx as aimed at people who not only need scriptwriting software, but also want to collaborate on and manage other production tasks, such as budgets, shot lists, shooting schedules, call sheets and more ( Figure B ). The pricing reflects their target market; the scriptwriting component that works well on the web is available for $180 per year (with discounts to get started), while their full featured Celtx Pro for several users intended for a production house starts at $2,499 per year. (If you plan to also write on Android or iOS, as well, the Celtx mobile scriptwriting apps seem neglected. The last update on Android was almost a year prior and the most recent update on iOS more than three years ago.)

novel writing software for chromebook

WriterDuet/WriterSolo

WriterDuet is a cloud-based app that also offers Android and iOS mobile apps, too. You can create three scripts for free, although you’ll need to upgrade ($60 per year and up) to gain access to additional features, such as an online-offline desktop app, analytics, multi-column templates and more ( Figure C ). The app includes the ability to collaborate between paid subscribers and people who use the app for free. The company also offers WriterSolo , a free option intended for people who just want a scriptwriting app but don’t need the cloud collaboration capabilities.

novel writing software for chromebook

DubScript Screenplay Writer

If your Chromebook supports Android apps (as most do in 2021), DubScript Screenplay Writer lets you write your script in plain text Fountain format ( Figure D ). The app displays your text in one of two modes:

  • A write screen where you type your script.
  • A read screen that takes your text and formats it properly.

A roughly $10 per year subscription removes both ads and a DubScript identifier on printed output.

novel writing software for chromebook

‘Afterwriting

The ‘Afterwriting web app provides a set of basic tools you can use to experiment, learn and type in Fountain format ( Figure E ). You can open .fdx and .fountain files from your system, Dropbox or Google Drive, as well as create, edit and save new fountain files. The app also includes a basic Facts page that calculates action, dialogue and speaking time. Even better: it’s all free.

novel writing software for chromebook

Other options

Of course, there are many more options. You could use pretty much any Android plain text Markdown editor, such as IA Writer , on a Chromebook to write your script in the Fountain format. Free web-based apps, such as FountainLoader or Screenplain let you upload your text then display it with appropriate formatting ( Figure F ).

novel writing software for chromebook

Similarly, you could write in Google Docs and use an Add-on such as Fountainize to format your text ( Figure G ). Screenwriters who use platforms other than a Chromebook can consider apps such as FadeIn , Final Draft , Highland 2 , Movie Magic Screenwriter , Slugline or Trelby .

novel writing software for chromebook

Your thoughts

If you use a Chromebook, what scriptwriting app do you use? Why? Are there other options that work on Chromebook that you recommend either for a student writer or for a scriptwriting professional? Let me know which scriptwriting apps you like and use, either in the comments below or on Twitter ( @awolber ).

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Samsung Galaxy Book 4 AI-Accelerated Laptops Available Now Starting at $1,450

The new laptops and two-in-ones keep 2023's attractive designs but have boosted performance from Intel's Ultra chips and Microsoft's Copilot AI assistant.

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  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra looks the same as Galaxy Book 3 Ultra (pictured).&nbsp;

Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Ultra 16-inch laptop on a gray wood table.

The Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Ultra looks the same as Galaxy Book 3 Ultra (pictured). 

Samsung introduced its next-gen Galaxy Book 4 laptops and two-in-ones in December; if you blinked, you probably missed it. The updated lineup is now available to purchase. Samsung announced the availability in the midst of a stream of other mobile device news from MWC 2024 and likely kept the rollout low-key because the designs are the same as the 2023 models. It's mainly a processor update. 

At the top of the line is the Galaxy Book 4 Ultra, a 16-inch 16:10 laptop with a wonderful 3K-resolution (2,880x1,800 pixels) AMOLED touchscreen. It's the most powerful Galaxy Book with an Intel Core Ultra 7 or 9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 or 4070 graphics, 16GB or 32GB of memory and a 1TB solid-state drive. The 2023 version was one of the best Windows laptops we reviewed last year (especially for users of other Galaxy devices), and I would expect the same for 2024 since so little has changed. The price is the same as last year's, too: $2,400 . 

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Like Samsung's Galaxy phones and tablets, the step-down model from the Ultra is the Galaxy Book 4 Pro. Available as a 14- or 16-inch laptop or 16-inch convertible two-in-one (the Pro 360), the display and designs are similar to the Ultra, but there's only one processor option, the Intel Core Ultra 7, and there's no discrete GPU, only Intel's new integrated Arc graphics. The 14-inch model starts at $1,450 , the 16-inch at $1,750 and $1,900 for the Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360 . 

Samsung will also have two models below the Pro models, the Galaxy Book 4 360 and Galaxy Book 4. Each is built around a 16:9 1080p AMOLED display and, instead of the Intel Ultra processors capable of accelerating AI tasks, these base models use a new 14th-gen Intel Core 7 processor and integrated graphics. The Galaxy Book 4 360 two-in-one starts at $1,100 and is available now, while the clamshell version will start at $900 when it's available at the end of March. 

Motorola's concept phone bracelet is one of the most intriguing concepts we've seen at MWC 2024 so far.

It looks like an ordinary phone when flat. But it curls around your wrist, turning it into a smartwatch-smartphone hybrid.&nbsp;

The phone attaches to a band around your wrist, which secures it in place.&nbsp;

The back of the phone is soft, making it more comfortable to wear around your wrist.&nbsp;

The Coolest Phones at MWC 2024 From Samsung, Honor, Motorola and More

 width=

One last thing: Samsung will give you up to $800 toward the purchase of a Galaxy Book 4 if you trade in a laptop, phone or tablet on Samsung.com by April 1. Regardless of a trade-in, though, you'll get a Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield with 2TB of storage and 30% off Samsung Care Plus device protection.

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Android Police

What to do when your chromebook won't charge.

Chromebook not charging? Here's what to do

Chromebooks are simple and affordable laptops that work well for most tasks. Chromebooks range from budget devices to premium devices with a plethora of features. One benefit of Chromebooks is that they're relatively simple and they work. That doesn't mean they're free of problems. One issue you may run into is that your device stops charging. Here are steps to solve the problem.

Make sure the charging cable works properly

It may sound obvious, but check that the charging cable is plugged in properly. Make sure the cable is plugged into the wall, that both pieces of your charging cable are plugged into each other, and that the outlet you're plugged into works. If any of these are off, it may stop your Chromebook from charging. If everything is plugged in and working correctly, unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.

A Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook on a wooden floor with it's charger in front of it

Also, use the charger that came with your Chromebook. Even though third-party device makers have devices with better specs than the charger that comes with your device, it may not work correctly. If you're using the original charger and have another one around, swap them out.

Lastly, leave your Chromebook plugged in for half an hour. Sometimes, a device may have such a low charge that it takes some time for it to have enough power to turn on again.

Check the charging indicator light

Most laptops come with a light to indicate the charging status of the device. Chromebooks are no different. This indicator light is often located next to the charging port but can be located in other spots on the device.

When you plug in your Chromebook, the indicator lights up orange until the device is charged and then turns white or green. If a Chromebook has a battery issue, a red light may appear. If you plug in your charger and don't see a light, wait 30 minutes to make sure your device has enough juice.

A Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook (Gen 8) sitting closed on a wooden table outdoors

Restart your Chromebook

Sometimes, computers have glitches. Your Chromebook not charging could be a glitch, which could be solved with a simple restart. To restart your device:

  • Tap the time in the lower-right corner.
  • Tap the power icon in the quick settings menu.

A screenshot of a Chromebook with the quick settings power menu open

  • After your device shuts down, unplug it.
  • Wait at least five minutes and turn your Chromebook back on.
  • After your device turns on, plug the charger back in.

At this point, the indicator light turns on or a lightning bolt symbol appears on the battery icon on your screen if your device is charging.

Do a hard reset

If nothing worked, it may be time to reset your Chromebook hardware. Chromebooks allow users to do a hardware reset, which resets all hardware and may delete files in your Downloads folder. Back up your device before you do a hard reset to avoid losing data or files.

  • Shut down your Chromebook.
  • Hold the refresh button and tap the power button.
  • After the Chromebook restarts, release the refresh button. If you have a Chromebook tablet, press and hold the power and volume up buttons for about 10 seconds and release them.

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus Flex 5i's keyboard in full light as the laptop is tent mode

Use the Diagnostics app to check your battery

Chromebooks have a handy Diagnostics app built into the operating system. This app checks the health of the components in your Chromebook, including the battery. Checking the battery this way can determine if the battery is the issue.

  • Tap the search/launcher button and search for Diagnostics .

Searching on a Chromebook for the Diagnostics app.

If the test's result is a fail, this could signify an issue with your battery.

Factory reset your Chromebook

If all else fails, it's time to reset your Chromebook. Resetting a Chromebook is also known as Powerwashing it. This process deletes all data and files on your device. It's a good idea to back up your device before resetting it so that you don't lose important data.

  • Open the Settings app.

The main page of the Chromebook Settings app

After your device restarts and finishes erasing the data, set it up again and plug in the charger.

Get recharged

While Chromebooks don't often have issues, you may run into an issue with charging. If the tips above don't solve your issue, it may be time to contact your Chromebook's manufacturer . If you run into other issues, we have fixes for the common Chromebook errors to get your Chromebook back in good working order.

IMAGES

  1. A Novel Writing Program for Your Chromebook

    novel writing software for chromebook

  2. 15 Best Novel Writing Software For Authors (2023 Update)

    novel writing software for chromebook

  3. The Best Novel Writing Software of 2024 (+ 5 Free Programs)

    novel writing software for chromebook

  4. [Updated] How to write a novel using your Chromebook for National Novel

    novel writing software for chromebook

  5. 10 Best Novel Writing Software Online in 2020

    novel writing software for chromebook

  6. The Best Novel Writing Software in 2023 (Reviewed by a Novelist)

    novel writing software for chromebook

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COMMENTS

  1. 10 Best Writing Apps for Chromebook (Offline Support)

    Yes, Google Docs which comes pre-installed with Chrome OS is the best writing tool you can have on your Chromebook. I know what you are thinking: it does not have an offline mode and there are tons of formatting options that you don't want. However, there are easy ways to make Google Docs the perfect writing app and here I am going to show you how.

  2. Writing a novel on your Chromebook, laptop, or tablet

    Writing a novel on your chromebook, laptop, or tablet — Novelize Online writing programs, like Novelize, are browser-based. This means you can write on your laptop, your phone, or your tablet, and of course, your Chromebook. Your work is backed up and stored safely in the Cloud.

  3. Book Writing Software (2024): Top 10 for Writers

    Scrivener Google Docs Dabble Google Sheets OR Microsoft Excel Vellum ProWritingAid Publisher Rocket Atticus Freedom Microsoft Word Bonus: Note Taking Apps Bonus: Google Drive OR Dropbox Worst Pieces of Software for Writing a Book

  4. Best Novel Writing Software for Chromebook: Write Your Masterpiece

    Contents The Best Novel Writing Software for Chromebook: Write Your Masterpiece Choosing the Right Novel Writing Software: Key Factors to Consider Key Factors to Consider when Choosing Novel Writing Software 1. Compatibility and Functionality: Ensure a Seamless Writing Experience 2. Ease of Use: Streamlined Tools for Effortless Writing 3.

  5. The Best Novel Writing Software in 2024 (Reviewed by a Novelist)

    The Best Novel Writing Software in 2024 (Reviewed by a Novelist) The Best Novel Writing Software in 2024: A Comparison of Ten of the Most Popular Apps There are many ways to write a novel - and I'm not talking planners and pantsers right now.

  6. [Updated] How to write a novel using your Chromebook for National Novel

    "NaNoWriMo", as it's called for short, occurs every year from November 1st to November 30th, and within that month, the goal is to write up a 50,000-word rough draft. It doesn't have to be perfect...

  7. The Best Novel Writing Software of 2024 (+ 5 Free Programs)

    Scrivener (story planning and word processor) — $44.99 Milanote (story planning and organizational tool) — $12.50/month Novlr (word processor and grammar/style editor) — $10/month WriteItNow (chapter planning and word processor) — $59.95 AutoCrit (advanced editing program) — $10/month Ulysses (story planning and word processor) — $5.99/month

  8. Best Writing Apps for Chromebook: 6 Top Options

    1. Grammarly 2. Evernote 3. Scrivener 4. ProWritingAid 5. IA Writer 6. Google Docs Final Word On The Best Writing Apps For Chromebook

  9. Scrivener

    And writing. And writing. Scrivener is the go-to app for writers of all kinds, used every day by best-selling novelists, screenwriters, non-fiction writers, students, academics, lawyers, journalists, translators and more. Scrivener won't tell you how to write—it simply provides everything you need to start writing and keep writing.

  10. Features

    What does Novelize have to offer? With our novel writing software, you can write anywhere anytime. Sign up to get all the features you need to write your novel!

  11. Wavemaker, Cross Platform Novel Planning and Writing Software

    Awesome app! I have been searching for Chromebook-compatible software which will let me organise, structure and revise a novel: I sometimes need to work offline, and none of the wholly cloud-based apps are suitable. Wavemaker not only does the standard organisation things, but it has a *timeline* feature, which makes me super-happy.

  12. Free writing tools for authors using a Chromebook

    Google Docs Google Docs has been my go-to writing program for years. My documents are available on any computer, iPhone, and iPad, and it offers collaboration tools-invaluable if you work with one or more editors. Google Docs (part of Google Drive) is free to use and works on all browsers.

  13. 16 Best Novel Writing Software For Authors

    Ginger How to Select the Best Writing Software for Novels Writing a book is challenging. Novel writing software makes it just a bit easier. Book writing software will not write for you, but they can help with organization, tracking, ideation, planning, concentrating, editing, and proofreading.

  14. 15 Best Novel Writing Software For Authors (2023 Update)

    2. Bibisco. Bibisco is a small novel writing software made by an Italian author. Its major selling point is the ability to plan your novel with different narrative strands and that it allows you to add in-depth notes and planning cards for different scenes. Bibisco is attractive as the best writing software for novels.

  15. Scrivener For Chromebook

    Scrivener For Chromebook. If you are a writer who owns a Chromebook, it's natural that you'd want to use Scrivener on your machine. After all, once you've mastered the Scrivener learning curve, and familiarized yourself with the software's way of getting things done, it's unlikely that you'd want to return to a more basic writing app.

  16. Novlr: the creative writing workspace designed with your writing goals

    Find fellow Novlr writers on Discord. Join them to thrash out ideas, share your struggles, get advice, or just hang out with a likeminded community. With Novlr, you can achieve your writing goals. Built by writers and owned by its writing community, Novlr helps you progress along every stage of your writing journey.

  17. Atticus

    Create professional print books and eBooks easily with the all-in-one book writing software. Works on all platforms: Windows; Mac; Linux; Chrome book; ... Finished writing your book on another program, or want to start formatting previous works? ... Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook. Exporting Options. EPUB, MOBI, PDF. EPUB, PDF, DOCX. Importing ...

  18. Using a Chromebook for novel writing and editing

    About. Children's author Keith Robinson writes various fantasy, sci-fi, and spooky paranormal books. He is best known for the popular Island of Fog series and the follow-up Island of Fog Legacies series, but also for Sleep Writer, Darkhill Scary Stories, Fractured, and Quincy's Curse. He publishes three books a year.

  19. Best writing apps of 2020/219 : r/selfpublish

    Read aloud: It is simple to set up Word to read up to 2000 characters aloud to you. Its a great way to hear if what you just wrote reads well. Integration with dictation software: If your fingers give out and you want to dictate your books, Dragon Dictate's product is very well integrated with Word.

  20. Best Chromebook For Writers: Buyer's Guide And What To Look For

    4GB RAM. 64GB Storage. The Lenovo Chromebook Flex is a powerful little device that's perfect for writers. It has a full HD touch display, so you can easily research while you're writing. Plus, the convertible design means you can use it as a laptop or tablet, depending on your needs.

  21. 9 Best Chromebook For Writers

    The best brand of Chromebook to get depends on your preferences and needs. Some popular brands of Chromebooks include Acer, Asus, HP, Lenovo, and Samsung. When choosing a Chromebook, consider factors like screen size, battery life, processing power, and price to find the best fit for your needs.

  22. Novel Writing Software for Chromebook: Write Your Bestseller

    A: Novel writing software for Chromebook is a specialized application designed to assist writers in creating and organizing their work on a Chromebook laptop. It offers various features and tools required to write a novel efficiently and effectively.

  23. 5 scriptwriting apps that work on a Chromebook

    What's hot at TechRepublic. Four of the most important scriptwriting content formats are .fdx, .fountain, .pdf and print. The last two (.pdf and print) are best thought of as output formats for ...

  24. Samsung Galaxy Book 4 AI-Accelerated Laptops Available Now ...

    The 14-inch model starts at $1,450, the 16-inch at $1,750 and $1,900 for the Galaxy Book 4 Pro 360. Samsung will also have two models below the Pro models, the Galaxy Book 4 360 and Galaxy Book 4.

  25. Chromebook not charging? Here's what to do

    You'll usually find him writing how-to guides, but you may see him dabble in other content areas from time to time. Zach loves unique and fun hardware and software features as well as products ...