19 Digital Tools for

Writing and Research

A collection of software to assist your writing workflow

Writing Tools

1) Freemind
A free mind mapping tool. Throw down your thoughts
and ideas and discover the connections between them.
A great way to make sense of a writing idea before you
start to generate text. This is where I start a new
writing project.

http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/
Main_Page

Cost: Free

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 2) Scrivener
A word processor and so much more. Set daily goals,
work within your projects structure, make digital cork-
boards. There is so much to like about Scrivener!

https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener.php

Cost: $45 / 33

3) TextEdit
BLOG POST ON A very simple and basic word processor that is baked-
TEXT EDIT HERE in to OSX. I write my outlines in this. No distractions.
Just write the words and get text on the page.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TextEdit

Cost: Free

4) LibreOce
A free, full oce suite. I like to export my Scrivener
drafts into a traditional word processor before final
editing. The change of working environment helps me
spot things I might otherwise miss.

http://www.libreoce.org

Cost: Free

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 Research Tools

5) Devonthink
BLOG POST ON Database software. I store all the files relating to a
DEVONTHINK project in a database, and use tags extensively to
HERE organise material. Devonthink can suggest
connections between project data that you might not
have considered.

http://www.devontechnologies.com/products/
devonthink/overview.html

Cost: $149.95 / 117.80

6) Zotero
An open source citation management software. Good
to keep track of all your sources. Plays well with
LibreOce with a handy citation/bibliography
extension.

https://www.zotero.org

Cost: Free

7) Evernote
Evernote doesnt feature heavily in my workflow, but I
do use it to digitise and store scanned documents via
the Evernote App Scannable.

https://evernote.com

Cost: Free / 19.99 per year

8) AeonTimeline
Timeline software for the visual thinker. You create a
chronology for your writing project so you dont lose
track of when things happen within your writing
project.
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 http://www.scribblecode.com

Cost: $40 / 28

Reading Tools

9) Skim
An open source pdf reader. Make notes and highlight,
and export them when youre done. When I read pdfs
on my computer, I use this!

http://skim-app.sourceforge.net

Cost: Free

10) Goodreader
BLOG POST ON PDF reader for iOS. I use a stylus to mark-up
GOODREADER documents. Syncs with Dropbox so youre always
HERE reading the most up-to-date version.

http://www.goodreader.com

Cost: $4.99 / 3.99

11) Pocket
The best read-it-later service. Collect things to read,
then look at them in your own time. Pocket strips out
all the distracting ads. It can stop you being sucked
into the internet worm-hole of distraction!
BLOG POST
ON READING ON https://getpocket.com
THE INTERNET
Cost: Free
HERE

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 Organization & Productivity Tools

12) Dropbox
Vital software. Stores your files in the cloud and allows
you to sync between all your devices. Relegates a USB
key to the ash-heap of history.

https://www.dropbox.com

Cost: Free

13) BlazeBack
Full hard drive back up in the cloud. You can never be
too careful

https://www.backblaze.com

Cost: $50 per year

14) Things
My favourite to-do list software. Mac and iOS versions
and syncs between them.

https://culturedcode.com/things/

Cost: $49.99 / 39.99

15) Sunrise
Calendar software that syncs seamlessly across devices
and accounts.

https://calendar.sunrise.am

Cost: Free

16) TextExpander
Stop typing the same things over and over.
TextExpander allows you to set up short codes that

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expand to become longer text strings. A real time-
saver.

https://smilesoftware.com/TextExpander/index.html

Cost: $44.95 / 36

17) SelfControl
Procrastinator? Then block the internet. Theres no
way to disable SelfControl - when its started, the
internet is gone until the timer ends. Now. Do. Work.

https://selfcontrolapp.com

Cost: Free

18) RescueTime
Time tracking software. Where does your time go?
Shame yourself into avoiding the social media time-
suck. Sends weekly progress reports to keep you on
your toes.

https://www.rescuetime.com/

Cost: Free

19) 1Password
Secure database for your passwords. Stop wasting time
reseting your passwords when you forget them.
Generate secure passwords and use 1Password to input
them automatically for you. Syncs across OS X and
iOS.

https://agilebits.com/onepassword

Cost: $34.99

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 Thanks for reading this guide
of writing tools!
Visit the blog for more posts
and resources to help you write
more, and better.

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