IWSG: Tools of the Trade

I LOVE things that make my life easier. Microwaves, packaged meals, the TV viewer . . . anything that I can depend upon to get the job done without a lot of fuss and supervision. But I’m also very set in my ways. As far as writing, I thought my excitement had peaked with the discovery of the electric typewriter and erasable bond paper! Silly me. Now, there’s no end to the “helpers” out there designed to make our author life simpler . . . or cumbersome and cluttered. Which leads me to our monthly question:
The IWSG July 3rd question: What are your favorite writing processing (e.g. Word, Scrivener, yWriter, Dabble), writing apps, software, and tools? Why do you recommend them? And which one is your all-time favorite that you cannot live without and use daily or at least whenever you write?
I don’t go for gimmicks or the app of the week. I like to find something I can trust to do the job I want it to do. And once I find it, I’ll use it until it goes the way of the dinosaur. Probably why I wrote my first dozen or so books long hand, typed them up, then took them to a copy store to make packets to go out in the mail to publishers/reviewers. (Yes, I’m that old!). I have a wonderful Virtual Assistant who now does many of the tasks that took up my creative time. She understands how I work and maneuvers around my OCD/ADD eccentricities. I have the luxury of leaving the formatting and many of the initial PR tasks in her capable hands, though I am an ogre about approving everything that goes out with my name on it.
The nitty gritty: I use Word and the basic helpful goodies that come with it to clean up my writing. I even tried the read aloud app but its verbal errors (not to mention its want to change things without letting you know!) distracted me from the actual editing. As with Scrivener, I know you can “train” programs but that takes up time I’d rather spend doing actual edits.
The other joy I take in my profession is doing my own PR graphics and creating covers with technical help from my VA. I LOVE doing promo – picking excerpts, finding stock photos, pulling quotes, using Canva or Deposit Photo to create visuals or lead-ins for blogs/articles (though searching through ‘bare male torso’ pix for hours at a time can dull the appreciation somewhat!) and I always have a folder dedicated to each book/series for continuity. Since I do self-pub as well as publishing house, there are different demands for each, but I always try to sneak in as much of my own input as possible.
I can’t wait to start fussing with MIDNIGHT TEMPTATION, from my 90’s vampire romance series reissue that’s on SALE for only $0.99 from July 16-31.
Can’t wait to find out how YOU handle these tasks.
Happy Summertime!!

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the July 3rd posting of the IWSG will be are JS Pailly, Rebecca Douglass, Pat Garcia, Louise-Fundy Blue, and Natalie Aguirre!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
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