Best Non-Writing Tools for Writers

By Robert Morris

With the right tools, any craftsman can be more effective. This holds true for writers as well, and there are a plethora of writing tools out there to help us do our jobs better. But what about the non-writing tools? Robert Morris visits the lecture hall to day to share some non-writing tools that can help writers with their writing.

Robert is a freelance writer from New York working in his first YA novel. Circle him on Google+.

Take it away Robert...

Contemporary authors can make their jobs much easier by relying on tools, programs, and gadgets that help them develop a plot and start working without distractions. In addition to the great selection of writing tools available for today’s writers, there are many non-writing tools that every author should know about. Start exploring the tools listed below and you will soon reach an entirely new level of productivity.

Streak for Gmail

Every writer knows that being organized is a key to success. You may know your way around the mess of pages and books on your desk, but you certainly don’t like having a messy inbox. Streak is an app for Gmail that was initially intended for people working in sales, but it has been proven to be efficient for all users. If you are sending emails to press, agents, editors, and other collaborators, you will appreciate the ability to create a separate box for every contact and easily track the responses. You can also use Streak for scheduling emails to be sent later.

Ninja Essays

Like many writers, getting your inspiration out on paper is what you love doing, but when it comes to editing and getting rid of parts of the story you are attached to, things can get difficult. Hiring an expensive editor is out of the question for most aspiring authors, but Ninja Essays is an effective and affordable replacement. At this website, you can hire actual editors for a cheap price and get your piece improved with the speed of light.

Another way to use Ninja Essays is by hiring an expert from the field of study associated with your new project. For example, if your story is situated in the Second Sudanese Civil War, you can get the help of an expert with a PhD in history.

Gliffy

Drawing diagrams and flowcharts in a notebook is an outdated strategy. Now you can use a cool app that will help you do the same thing in a cleaner, cooler and more efficient environment, and plan your plot much more easily. With the help of this nifty tool, you will be able to visualize your ideas and think of a logical way to get from one point to another.

Pinterest

Have you ever looked upon Pinterest as one of the coolest tools for writers? You’re in for a big surprise, because this platform has helped many writers to get inspired by quotes, images, online articles and other types of content. When you are working on a new novel and need to collect a lot of information about the characters and surroundings, creating a new pinboard is a great way to keep them organized.

Sticky Notes 

When you are focused on writing a new novel, you forget about having regular meals and hardly look at the fridge. This means that you have to find a new spot for your notes. Sticky Notes for Windows is the best replacement of your usual Post-it notes. You can format the text, change the color and size, and easily flip through the important notes to find what you need.

LastPass 

Are you changing your passwords frequently? You wouldn’t like to lose important work because you forgot the last password you created in a paranoid moment. LastPass is a useful app that will safely save all your passwords. That’s much more secure than writing all your passwords in a notebook or saving them in an e-mail draft.
Resort to the best non-writing tools to achieve your full potential!

You have surely started using some of the most popular writing tools that make your work easier, but have you explored the non-writing tools that can also make you more effective? Modern technology has a lot to offer, so give a new tool a try.