Scrivener

I’ve been writing words and code for as long as I can remember. Back then, I used basic text editors for both. MS Word became my default writing tool… but it never quite clicked. Then I discovered Scrivener. Yes, there was a learning curve, but it made sense to me – the way Scrivener structures content mirrors how I approach coding. It clicked. I even created a training course (with Scrivener’s blessing), and it took off. Helping other writers was great, but what really blew me away was how much it boosted my own productivity. Thanks to Scrivener, I wrote and published three back-to-back bestselling books on Amazon. (The fourth only hit #2… close enough!) Humblebrag aside, if you’re serious about getting your ideas out of your head and into a structured, efficient workflow, Scrivener is the tool. I’d give it extra stars if I could.

If you're embarking on the monumental task of writing a full book, Scrivener is the way to go. Forget about the headache of trying to keep tens of .docx files organized. Scrivener's binder keeps all your chapters and documents tidy and easily accessible. The interface is designed to be as distraction-free as possible, and the note-taking page attached to each main document is great for chapter outlines or research notes. When you're done writing, you can choose which documents you want to compile, how to format them, and the output file type.

I love this app for two particularly useful features: 1. Word, character, and sign count, and tracking their specified quantity. You can set a goal for yourself and see how close you are to reaching it 2. You can manage and rearrange chapters and text snippets however you like - quickly and easily. I've long forgotten what it's like to simply copy, cut, and paste text elsewhere