4 Free Must-Have Writing Apps

By Laurence MacNaughton, @LMacNaughton

Part of The Writer's Life Series

JH: Finding the right software for the right job isn't easy, but what we write with can make a difference in how productive we are. Laurence MacNaughton shares four great (and free) writing apps every writer needs.

Writers can't afford to mess around with software unless it actually helps you write better and faster. As a writer, my livelihood depends on producing results on a daily basis. With that in mind, I've put together a short list of apps that every writer desperately needs.

Shockingly, Google Docs, Evernote, and Grammarly didn't make it onto my list. But some surprising ones did.

The apps below are the real deal. I use them every day. They are either free, or offer a generous free trial period. That way, you don't have to spend a dime to start becoming a faster, better, and happier writer, starting today.

3 Best Productivity Apps to Write Faster

By Laurence MacNaughton, @LMacNaughton

Part of The Writer's Life Series

JH: Getting more done in less time is something pretty much everyone wants to do these days (and not just writers). Laurence MacNaughton shares three apps that can help you achieve that goal.

When New York Times best-selling author David Weber suffered a terrible accident and broke his wrist into 57 pieces, it might have ended his writing career forever. But instead, he adapted by using software that ended up helping him write faster than ever before.

How is this possible?

Sometimes, changing how you do things can make you more productive than you ever dreamed. There’s a lesson in there for all of us.

Probably every writer alive wants to be faster and more prolific. The sooner you can finish your book, the better. If you want to be a professional writer (or heck, even if you just want to finish your novel this year), you need the right tools for the job.

Here are three free or low-cost productivity apps that can help you write faster and finish sooner.