As a writer, I am often asked: “Are you a plotter or a pantser?” or, if the person asking me is a fan of George R. Martin: “Are you an architect or a gardener?” And just like many other writers, I find it hard to answer that question. See, I’m …
writing life
Free Writing Tools, Part 4: Calibre
This fourth (and probably last, at least for now) installment of the free writing tools series is mostly relevant if you want to self-publish and therefore need to format your manuscript into an EPUB ebook. (On the other hand, even if you plan to publish traditionally, the EPUB format might …
Free Writing Tools, Part 2: Focus Writer
FocusWriter is a simple, completely distraction free word processor that hides everything away. All you can see is the dreaded blank page. Maybe that sounds scary to you. Maybe it sounds like something you don’t need. But I urge you to try it out. .
Free Writing Tools, Part 1: TiddlyWiki
Tools are fun and can make your writing life easier, but they can also cost you in both time and money. At least the latter does not have to happen, though. There are plenty of excellent free writing tools available, either as open source or as free introductory levels for commercial programs. Today we’ll take a look at my favorite way to organize my project notes: TiddlyWiki.
The Power of Music
Some writers like to write with as little audible distraction as possible, preferably in total silence. Others like the ambient sound of a café, or even the noise of their children playing around them. I swear by music. I start pretty much every project by generating a playlist. That might …