These word processors for Macs provide the creative control and process-oriented interface that authors crave, without the hassles of Microsoft Word.

Microsoft Word’s grip on the world of text editing is slipping, and many creative writers think it’s good news. Why? A number of the new programs that are chipping away at the Microsoft empire are geared towards writers and creative thinkers.

It’s no surprise that these programs are frequently compatible with Mac platforms. Apple is known for its de-cluttered, right brain-friendly approach to computing. All of these programs save your work automatically and provide the option of a simplified, full-screen mode. So if you’re a Mac owner with a creative flair, check out these Word alternatives:

Scrivener

Scrivener is a process-oriented program for large or multi-document writing projects. In Microsoft Word, users save their work is a single, linear document. In Scrivener, users save their work as a “project”. A project can include multiple word documents for backup-versions, chapter divisions, research, notes, etc. It is easy to navigate between the various documents in the project.

Scrivener is chock-full of everything to love about a Mac: a simple interface, fun icons, all the necessary tools, and room for inspiration. For instance, if there is a photo or QuickTime file that is an inspiration for your novella, you can include it in your project files and keep it open beside your writing. There is also an outliner to help with organization and a cork board to store notes and reminders.

Trial Version: Free for 30 days

Purchase Price: $39.95

CopyWrite

CopyWrite has the same basic features as Scrivener but is organized a bit differently. In CopyWrite, users can organize their ideas into Chapters, Characters, Places, Elements, Ideas, and Premise, or they can create their own groupings. It is also easy to create and compare multiple versions of a document. This setup is ideal for novel authors.

Writers can view their document next to a number of control panels. This may provide more information, but the control panels are reminiscent of Word’s appearance and (occasional) superfluity.

Trial Version: Free, with project size limited and exporting disabled

Purchase Price: $24.99

Jer’s Novel Writer

Jer’s Novel Writer was created by a writer to organize his own novel-writing process, so it includes quite a few useful features. Like CopyWrite, Jer’s Novel Writer helps organize and keep track of your novel’s elements in sections labeled Person, Place, Thing, Writer. You can customize your own sections.

While Scrivener and CopyWrite both have note sections, Jer’s Novel Writer includes a notes margin parallel to the main text and allows you to link a note the the specific place in the text that it refers to. There is a separate section for general notes.

Trial Version: Free

WriteRoom

With WriteRoom, you may feel like you’re on the cutting edge of word processing. You may feel like you’ve gone back to DOS. Maybe both.

This program takes away all the bells and whistles of traditional text editing programs and leaves nothing but a writer, a full, black screen, and a blinking green cursor (you can change the text color). WriteRoom is the ultimate concentration tool - as long as you can stop playing with the text color wheel.

Trial Version: Free for 30 Days

Purchase Price: $24.95

Reference: Heffernan, Virginia. “An Interface of One’s Own”. New York Times Magazine, January 6th, 2008.