Three Vital Apps for the Writer

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As a writer, I have quite a toolbox of apps I use regularly as a writer/blogger. The three vital apps I return to are ProWritingAid, Scrivener, and Vellum.

When I begin a writing project, I start in Scrivener because it is the ultimate organizational tool to keep everything you need in one place. Here’s one delicious advantage of Scrivener. In researching for any of my books, I can add the URL of a favorite website into the program and keep it there. When I need, it opens up right there in Scrivener—no hunting or spending countless hours searching for a page I need.

Here’s another Scrivener feature I love! Last year when I was revising Just Another Square Dance Caller, we were traveling, and I bought the iOS version of Scrivener and worked on the document on my iPad on the flights going and coming. It synced perfectly with the desktop version.

Before I send it to the editor, I run each chapter through ProWritingAid (which is an app and a website) to catch any grammar and syntax mistakes. Usually, this handy tool finds those hideous errors I do repeatedly and can’t see! At first, the summary overwhelmed me, but now I focus on the Realtime errors identified.

When my manuscript is back from my editor, I then import it into Vellum for final print book and e-book layout. I add pictures and graphics and send it out to be printed. When I started publishing in 2014, I didn’t have Vellum, so I formatted my first couple books in Microsoft Word in templates provided by createspace.com (now KDP.com)—that was difficult.

So, when I found Vellum, I imported my first self-published books into the program and republished them. I love the final product Vellum produces. I love the ease of use as well.

Here are in-depth looks at each program.

ProWritingAid Website and AppThe Essential Editing Tool for Every WriterOnline & Desktop Editing Tool—interface the sameGREEN AREA Menu (Drop down menu): (FILE: New, Save, Save As, Upload, Export), EDIT: (Use Curly Quotes, Convert to Straight Quotes, Convert to Curly Quotes), REPORT: (Print, Email), TOOLS: (Word Explorer), YOU: (Documents, Profile, Settings, Edit My Dictionary, Edit My Snippets, Support, Plugins), OTHER: (Old Editor), LOGOUT.PURCHASED ONLINE ACCESS & APP: Features on the Menu: Core (Realtime, Summary, Style, Grammar, Thesaurus, Overused, Combo, All Repeats), Repeats (Echoes, Structure), Structure (Length, Transition, Readability), Readability (Sticky, Cliches), More Reports (Diction, Pronoun, Alliteration, Homonym, Consistency, Acronym, Pacing, Sensory, House, Plagiarism)LEFT MENU:Writing Style: (General, Academic, Business, Technical, Creative, Casual, Web) and Language: English General, English UK, and English US.GOALS FOR DIFFERENT GENRES:The Summary can be printed, emailed, or opened in a new window. Note Key Actions Cost: $20 – Monthly $79 – 1 year, $399 – lifetime.FREE VERSION: Summary Report of Key Issues,19 Writing Reports (Does not have Acronym or Dialogue), Edit 500 words at a time, Use online onlyHelpful Feature of website: Blog with articles. 5 Categories: The Writing Process, Blogging and Content Writing, Grammar Rules, Writing Apps, and How to Use ProWritingAid

How to Use

Go to website: https://prowritingaid.comSign up for free & identify what type of writer you are.Click on “Start Web Editor.” They offer a two-minute tour video.Copy and paste document in windowSave – CAN NOT SAVE in Free Version, soWork your way across the Menu and make appropriate changes

Resources:

ProWritingAid Road-Tested: What You Need to Know & 25% off coupon – https://www.standoutbooks.com/prowritingaid-review/ProWritingAid: The Complete Editing Tool For Writing Better Content – https://www.shoutmeloud.com/prowritingaid-review.htmlProWritingAid Blog – https://prowritingaid.com/en/Blog/Categories Scrivener 3.2.2 Writing organization appMac or PC – $45 – Free TrialTailor-made for long writing projectsHas Project Templates for Blank, Fiction (Novel, Novel with Parts, and Short Story),Non-Fiction (Essay – Chicago Style, General Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction with Sub-heads, Paper – APA, Paper – MLA, Research Proposal, Undergraduate Humanities Essay), Scriptwriting (BBC Radio Scene Style, BBC Taped Dramas, Comic Script, Documentary Script, Screenplay, Stage Play (UK), Poetry & Lyrics and Miscellaneous (Persuasive Lecture and Recipe Collection). It has an Interactive Tutorial, User Manual and Video Tutorials.Scrivener costs $49 for Mac OS & Windows and $19.99 for iOS

How to Navigate

Download app – have Free Trial – and install.Open App and select TemplateGives General Suggestions on GenreLEFT COLUMN MENU: Collections & Binder Info – Different for each genreTOP MENU: File, Edit, Insert, View, Navigate, Project, Documents, Format, Window, HelpMENU ACROSS THE TOP OF OPEN WINDO: View: Binder & Collections Hide or Show, Search, Add: New Text or New Folder or Import, Trash, Insert, QuickRef, Quick Search, View, Compile, Bookmarks, Compose, InspectorINSPECTOR – RIGHT COLUMN—Synopsis, Bookmark, (General Metadata, Custom Metadata & Keywords), Snapshots, Comments & FootnotesBackups when you save and quit–QUIT APP EACH DAY TO CREATE BACKUP!

Resources:

Basic Help – https://scrivener.tenderapp.com/help/kbForums – Literature & Latte – https://www.literatureandlatte.com/forum/index.php8 Ways Scrivener Will Help You Become A Proficient Writer Overnight – https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2014/03/25/scrivener-proficient-writer/ VellumCreate Print Interiors & Beautiful Ebooks Only on Mac – MacOS 11 or newer PRICESCOSTVellum Press – Created Unlimited Ebooks + Paperbacks – $249.99Vellum Ebooks – Create Unlimited Ebooks – $199.99

How to

Download Vellum & install.Open – Immediately you have the choice to “Import Word File,” so click and import document.MENU IN OPEN WINDOW: Navigator and PreviewLEFT MENU: Contents & StylesContents – Places your document into chapters.Styles – Choices for Heading, First Paragraph, Paragraph After Break, Ornamental Break, Block Quotation, Verse, Photograph, Portrait, Caption, Header and Footer, & BodyIN CONTENT, MENU ACROSS BODY (LEFT SIDE): Asterisk Pull-down Menu (Subhead, Ornamental Break, Image, Alignment Block, List, Block Quotation, Verse, Web Link, Store Link & Internet Link–PUT ALL TEXT WITHIN ONE OF THESE FOR FORMATTING).Bold, Italics and Underline text. Pull-down Arrow for Font Choices: Small Caps, Sans Serif, Monospace, Superscript Up, Superscript Down, Strike through. Right Margin Word Count: In Book, In Bodymatter, In Chapter, In Chapter/BookMENU ACROSS PREVIEW (RIGHT SIDE): Ebook Formats or Print, Move Forward or Back in Document, Generate ButtonTOP MENU: File, Edit, Chapter, Text, View, Window, and HelpSAVE OFTEN

Resources:

Official Web Site – https://vellum.pubReview – https://thewritelife.com/vellum-review/How to Format Your Ebook and Print book with Vellum – https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2018/02/21/how-to-format-your-ebook-and-print-bo- ok-with-vellum/

Finally, do you want to write a book? Start with these three apps and you’re on your way!

Would you be interested in an online workshop on these apps, other writing apps and websites to produce a book or blog? Let me know!

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