Character development
16. Persona
Character development software that enables you to explore the psychology of your characters and determine how your characters interact and fit together in your story. Includes archetypal themes for creating believable characters.
Cost: $39.95 to $99.95
Best for: Writers who want help creating complex and realistic characters.
marinersoftware.com
Academic
17. Ref-n-Write
Academic writing software that includes academic phrases and templates, reference material import, imitative learning, and text recycling from your previous documents.
Cost: $37.50
Best for: Academic writers, professors, or students.
ref-n-write.com/trial
Journaling
18. MacJournal & WinJournal
Journaling software that allows for easy export and sync between devices in addition to the capability to add images, recordings, and video to entries. Note: WinJournal only available through third-party sellers.
Cost: $39.95 to $99.95
Best for: Writers and bloggers who want to journal on multiple devices and include sounds, images, and videos.
marinersoftware.com
19. JournalLife
Journaling software that includes optional writer-specific add-ons to provide focus and inspiration for your writing. Users can customize their journal to reflect their life and needs. Available online or as a Windows download.
Cost: $49.95 for Windows download and $27 per year for the online version
Best for: Writers and bloggers who want to easily journal thoughts while having access to writing prompts, tips, and inspiration.
https://journallife.me/
Organization
20. Scapple
A system to organize notes and thought processes. Allows notes to be moved, arranged, stacked, and connected.
Cost: $14.99
Best for: Writers who want more efficiency in keeping and organizing notes, especially those who have complex characters and/or plot.
literatureandlatte.com/scapple.php
21. Inspiration 9.0
Creates “mind maps” of ideas, organizes notes, transforms diagrams, and provides structure for your writing. Facilitates communication of concepts and knowledge, and includes a “Presentation Manager,” which easily exports existing ideas and images into professional presentations.
Cost: $39.95
Best for: Writers who want to effectively organize their ideas and prepare refined presentations for conferences or workshops.
inspiration.com
22. PaperPort
Software for organizing paperwork, such as bills, invoices, expenses, and other related documents.
Cost: $22.97 (on Amazon) to $69.99 (through Nuance.com)
Best for: Freelancers who want to digitally organize financial documents for their writing business.
nuance.com
Marketing
23. StoryBase
Software that helps writers create relevant content to boost internet exposure. Provides analytics of readers and markets to allow for narrowed focus.
Cost: $19 to $29 per month, or $69 to download
Best for: Fiction authors and screenwriters who want to better target their audiences and market accordingly.
storybase.com
Editing
24. SmartEdit
An editing tool for creative writers to use after the first draft has been completed. Will help identify a list of issues for review, such as repeated and redundant words and phrases, suspect punctuation list, misused words, and even profanity usage. Can be purchased as an insert for Microsoft Word or as a standalone version.
Cost: $67 stand-alone; $77 for use with Word
Best for: Writers who want to perform a first-pass edit of their draft.
smart-edit.com
