When you’re writing a novel, especially if it’s your first, it can be easy to doubt yourself. many of us look for a plan to follow so that the book we write is the best version of itself.
One of the first questions that comes up in this process is “what kind of software should I use to write my novel?”
You are reading: Is google docs good for writing books
many writers might wonder if a free and easy to use option like google docs is the right choice. after all, there must be something wrong with that, right?
let’s see if using google docs to write novels is a good option and what other options exist.
should you write your novel using google docs?
As a quick answer, yes.
you should use google docs to write a novel if you like to use google docs to write a novel. There’s no one right way to write a novel, and if google docs is what’s most comfortable for you, go for it.
google docs is a convenient option for most writers, especially newbies who may not want to experiment with new software yet. you can simply upload one of the files saved in the cloud linked to your google account or create a new document in seconds.
The main attraction of the program is its simplicity. it has a built-in word count, backs up and saves your files regularly, and it’s free!
It’s also very easy to use, with a wysiwyg (what you see is what you get) system, which means you don’t need to mess around in the technical backend to produce what you want. just write it down!
another reason google docs is a popular choice is that it saves all versions of your file. you can view previous versions so you can undo edits, revert important changes, and go back to the version you had before your cat jumped on your keyboard.
If you use the built-in headings and titles features of google doc, you can easily navigate your document. Give your book title heading format 1 or h1, section title format h2, chapter title format h3, scene title format h4, and so on.
Properly formatting sections of your novel will make it easier to jump to a specific scene. all sections, chapters, and scenes will be nested properly and easy to access from the navigation pane on the left side of your document.
not to mention the collaborative aspect of google docs. If you’re working with another writer or editor, you can both easily access the same document file at the same time and even leave comments for each other. you can even do it on the go with the google docs mobile apps!
google documents is an excellent option as a word processor. It has everything you need to write your novel and integrates with other aspects of Google to help you plan things.
but if you’re not a fan of google docs or just want to consider other options, there are plenty of options to help you write your novel.
Other novel-writing software choices
There are many choices to make when starting your novel, including what to use to write it, and when it comes to software, there are many choices.
To help you, let’s break down some of the options to better understand them.
microsoft word
ah, microsoft word: the first program most of us use to write anything from high school essays to job applications.
microsoft word is a lot like google docs in that it’s a basic word processor that logs the keys you press and that’s about it. he has no fancy tricks to show you; it is just a simple and reliable tool for writers.
is also the industry standard, and many people in the publishing industry will expect you to submit your work in word files. (Exporting to word from other software is easy, though, so don’t worry if you don’t like using it.)
word stores all your files on your hard drive, which may seem like a drawback to some (although services like google drive, onedrive, and dropbox can keep your files in the cloud).
however, saving offline can be very useful if you suddenly find yourself without internet access but feel your writing flowing.
Much of the DNA of Microsoft Word has been replicated in Google Docs. the track changes function in word becomes the hint function in docs, and there are comments in both.
that means once you know one, you know the other, and switching between the two is a piece of cake.
Microsoft Word usually comes in a Microsoft Office package, although you can purchase it on its own if you wish. you can pay a subscription fee for office 365 or buy word for $159 aud (about $110 usd).
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if you want a piece of software that goes into more detail than a standard word processor like microsoft word or google docs, scrivener might be an option to consider. it’s perfect for giving you full control over your entire story.
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scrivener easily backs up your work and keeps track of daily word counts, which is great when you want to develop healthy writing habits.
You can easily import inspirational images or mood boards for your settings and characters so you don’t have to go back to your images folder in your file browser.
You’ll be able to jump between different tabs for characters, plot structure, setting, and just about anything else you need to include to plan your novel.
Within each tab, you can use the handy tab feature. this feature is perfect for when you just need a snapshot of what’s involved in a scene without re-reading the entire scene.
Tokens will also help you map out a scene if you haven’t written it yet, but still want to make sure certain moments in the story happen at that time.
It’s worth mentioning that while scrivener is available for both pc and mac, it was originally designed for mac; some remnants (mostly cosmetic) of the original design still exist and may annoy some writers.
it also comes with a price (although it’s one time, not a subscription) of $77 aud (about $53 usd).
Scrivener is another option that saves all your files to your hard drive instead of storing them on the cloud, so you can access them with or without internet.
you can also access them from a mobile device if you have an ios device and buy the app for $30.99 aud (about $22 usd).
If you are new to using this type of software, scrivener offers a 30-day free trial (days do not need to be in a row). It also has a very detailed tutorial to get you comfortable writing on Scrivener.
You can also take a look at our easy beginner’s guide to scrivener to help you get started with this software.
handwritten
if the price of scrivener puts you off, manuskript is a good alternative. manuskript is an open source tool for writers that helps you plan your novel.
manuskript has many similarities to scrivener. you can plan your characters, your plot, your world and your scheme. then you can head over to the editor tab and start writing your actual project.
also saves all your files to your hard drive, positive or negative, depending on your preferences.
You will quickly learn that tags can be very useful. you can tag the section you’re working on with the point of view (point of view), setting, status (pending, first draft, etc.), and tag (idea, scene, notes, chapter, research). all of these tags can be edited to help you work better.
You can easily keep track of the plots in your novel, which can be useful for books and series with multiple plots.
This could be the overall plot of the series, the main plot of this book, the subplots for each part of the book, the romance plot, the murder plot, etc.
If you’ve never written all the details of the world your story takes place in (even if it’s this world), the manuskript world tab gives you the space to do so.
All of these tools can help writers who have no experience planning a novel develop the skills to do so.
manuskript doesn’t start with a software tutorial, but it’s not hard to learn. Playing around with it gives you a good idea of how to get the most out of it, and there’s an online community that probably has the answers to any of your questions.
It’s worth noting that manuskript is still under development, so it won’t be perfect, and there may be changes and updates in the future, though that’s to be expected when the software becomes completely free.
November
novlr is a bit of a best of both worlds situation. It’s a standard word processor like Google Docs or Microsoft Word, with a few extras to help you write the best novel you can.
The software has a simple and neat interface that shows you your chapters, subchapters or scenes, and your notes.
Focus mode helps you keep your eyes on the page where they’re supposed to be, and day (white background), evening (dark background), and night (black background) settings make typing easier. easy on your eyes.
The thing that really sets Novlr apart is the built-in grammar and spelling guidance.
many word processors will be able to offer basic help, such as the spell check function in word and docs. novlr goes further with the expert guide feature.
Spell check, grammar improvements, and writing style suggestions are just the beginning.
novlr also gives users access to quick (10 minute) writing courses in the app. And if that’s not enough, you can also access their expert guidance and support system which gives you access to free and paid guidance from proofreaders, designers, editors, and editors.
however, this feature is still under development and may not meet all expectations.
to get to know you better, novlr tracks your stats and more than just word count. you can access analytics that include when your most productive writing time is throughout the day.
However, all of that is not free. While you can get a free trial for two weeks, after that pricing starts at $10 USD per month (about $14 USD) or $100 USD ($144 USD) per year if you pay once a year.
novlr can be a great tool, but if you expect your project to take a long time to write, you may be better off with a different software that has a one-time purchase rather than a subscription model.
however, if you type fairly quickly and prefer a subscription model, novlr may be perfect for you.
bibisco
bibisco compares writing a novel to building a house: you need a blueprint.
bibisco software is similar to many other writing programs, though with its own unique elements that make it preferable for some writers.
the creator of bibisco, andrea feccomandi (a writer from bologna, italy), wanted to focus on the characters. Some may argue that a plot-driven novel is superior to a character-driven novel, but feccomandi disagrees.
bibisco is designed to help you learn (or create) all aspects of your characters, from how they look to how they think. the software distinguishes itself by this by using interview-style prompts to elicit information from you about all of your characters.
(At the moment, however, all prompts include “he/she” binary language, which can be limiting and uncomfortable for some authors and characters.)
The basic version of bibisco also allows you to play with what they call the “architecture” of the novel. this is where you put all your information about your premise, fable (plot), setting (general world), and your notes.
The location tab allows you to zoom in and take notes on each setting in which your story unfolds. the analysis tab gives you the data of your novel (for example, if your main character has less time on the page than your secondary characters). ).
The premium version of bibisco gives you access to the objects tab, where you can write notes about important objects that appear in your novel.
The paid version also allows you to use the timeline tab and the relationships tab, where you can track how people feel about each other, where they live, and how they interact with the world.
basic bisco is completely free to use, and the premium version is a pay-what-you-want design, with a minimum of €15 (about $25 aud or $17 usd).
So what should you use to write a novel?
This list of writing tools is not exhaustive. there are many more options available if you search.
However, the answer to the question “which software is best for writing a novel?” it’s simple: the one you like best and integrates well with your unique approach to writing.
You may have noticed that there are many similarities between all of the above options. basic word processors are very similar, and full-featured writing packages have many similar features.
You can try each option or follow your heart. you may choose an option because it feels good in a way you can’t quite articulate.
you may prefer one for purely aesthetic reasons, which is fine. your eyes should be comfortable while you write.
The right software to write your novel is the one that is most comfortable for you. There is no “right” answer, just as there is no “right” answer to many questions about writing a novel.
writing is an inherently personal experience full of personal details that make our stories unique. each story reflects the writer and no writer can write another’s story.
Choosing the right writing software is just one of the options that make your story yours. It’s time to start experimenting! Try the free trials to see which software complements your writing style.
Keep in mind what is important to you. Do you prefer to save in the cloud or on the hard drive? Do you like all the tools and functionality, or do you need a plain and simple word processor?
Then ask yourself if all this questioning about which writing software is best is just another method of putting off writing your novel.
try one and start typing!
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