Best Free Software for Writers
Burn Programs to a CD – a Useful Writer's Christmas Gift
Nov 10, 2009
The programs below are a useful mix of programs. yWriter is specifically aimed at making the task of writing a novel easier, while OpenOffice is a fully-featured office suite. PageBreeze will allow writers to build a website or create a writer's newsletter, and PhotoRazor makes the job of uploading photos a snap. The last two, Shortkeys Lite and StickerLite, help writers to organise often-used advice and to keep convenient notes on the computer.
yWriter Novel-Writing Software
yWriter (created by Simon Haynes, and now up to Version 5) is becoming more and more popular with writers. It gives the writer space to outline, plot and write a novel or non-fiction. This simple program is easy to learn and will help keep any writer's ideas and files organised. The software includes a daily word count function, a dictionary, a spell-checker and the ability to splice scenes. Not bad for zero dollars!
OpenOffice – A Complete Office Suite for Writers
Most writers seem to have Microsoft Office loaded on their computers, but for those who either have a very old version of Office, or would prefer something different, Open Office has a lot to offer. Although most writers would use only the word processor, it also comes with an integrated drawing program, spreadsheet, database, HTML editor (for website pages or e-newsletters), and a presentation program similar to PowerPoint. This complete office suite includes among other tools:
- Word processor
- Spreadsheet
- Drawing program
- Database
- HTML editor
- Multimedia presentation program
PhotoRazor (Photo Resizer)
This simple, effective program is useful for resizing photos to send to an editor for previewing before sending the larger file size. PhotoRazor is also just what is needed for reducing the file size (and physical size) of photos for the writer's website, Facebook page, or newsletter. (Of course it's useful for non-writing purposes, too!)
Page Breeze (HTML Editor)
This easy-to-use "WYSIWYG" ("What You See Is What You Get") HTML editor makes it easy for any writer to create and upload website pages. It's also useful for creating HTML newsletters for writers to send to clients or fans. This is a popular software program, so writers will easily be abel to find 'how to' videos on YouTube.
Shortkeys Lite
This program allows fifteen short-cut keys to often-used phrases or drop-in advice. Writers who wear different hats will find it useful for outlining experience relevant to the client or publisher being targeted – keep different profiles on file, available with a few keystrokes. The 'lite' version of shortkeys has no spell checker. Those who find the program useful can easily upgrade to the paid version later (which has no limitations on the number of short-cut keys or phrases.)
StickerLite – The Computer Version of Sticky Notes
How many writers have sticky notes all over their desks and computer? This computer-based version does away with the scraps of paper, but allows the user to customise the notes with different sizes and colours. The 'sticky notes' can be placed wherever the writer prefers on the computer desktop. The notes are saved automatically. Users can minimise the notes, print them, and even send them to other writers over the Internet or via email.
The above six programs are easy to download then burn to disk. A little extra time spent in preparing the surface of the CD, and the CD case it will be kept in, will result in an attractive and welcome Christmas gift for a writer.
HOL101
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