| Writing is just getting pen and paper and then | | | | a retro feel because of the green text on black |
| jotting down your thoughts. No, not really. In a | | | | background. This software can be downloaded |
| perfect world, maybe that would be acceptable. | | | | from the internet for $25. |
| But the thing is there's a lot more to writing. Many | | | | 9. Dark Room: This is basically the Windows |
| people would probably like to come up with the | | | | version of the WriteRoom. Just like the |
| best journal entries, articles, books, etc. In fact, | | | | WriteRoom it has green text over black |
| even as students, each of us have the burden of | | | | background. However, with WriteRoom you can |
| writing the best essay, book report, term paper, | | | | change the background. But the good thing about |
| research paper, etc. In earlier years, in addition to | | | | Dark Room is that you can get it for free. |
| enrolling in writing classes, you have to go to the | | | | 10. JaLingo: If English is not your native language |
| library to do research if you want to come up | | | | or if you are not that good with its correct usage, |
| with a written masterpiece. | | | | this software can help you with your grammar |
| Today, thanks to computers and the internet, | | | | and writing style. Spelling and grammar checks in |
| anybody can go online and avail of a wide array | | | | word processors do not really help the user. This |
| of tools to help improve their writing skills. | | | | program will give you a dictionary on your |
| Following are just some computer software | | | | desktop where you can confirm spelling of words |
| available that can help all writers in polishing their | | | | and you can check the definitions of the words. |
| skill: | | | | This software is OS independent, making it work |
| | | | smoothly on most computers. Best of all, it's free. |
| 1. Google Docs: Most of the time, writers need to | | | | 11. WhiteSmoke: "WhiteSmoke performs |
| share documents with other people. They need to | | | | advanced and context-based English grammar, |
| do this because they need feedback or they | | | | spelling, and punctuation checking, as well as text |
| want these people to edit the documents and/or | | | | enrichment to enhance your writing." This |
| add to them. With Google Docs you can add | | | | software is good for the more advanced writing |
| tables, images, comments, formulas, etc. It | | | | such as business and executive writing. The |
| accepts most popular file formats including DOC, | | | | "General" version costs $79.99; the "Business" |
| XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, etc. The best | | | | version is $99.99 and the Executive writing |
| thing about this software is that it's free. | | | | version costs $250. |
| 2. Writeboard: Just like Google Docs, Whiteboards | | | | 12. StyleWriter: This software comes with a |
| are web-based text documents that you can | | | | "Software for writers" CD and retails at $160. It |
| share online. You can edit and compare changes | | | | was developed by editors, journalists and business |
| easily. This software is also free. | | | | writing tutors. By simply clicking the StyleWriter |
| 3. Microsoft Word: Microsoft Office Standard 2007 | | | | button in the Microsoft Word toolbar or the |
| has the core Microsoft Office applications but it | | | | WordPerfect toolbar or any other clipboard text, |
| has been updated, enabling it to produce faster | | | | you will launch a check for several faults and bad |
| and better results. It is comprised of Word, Excel, | | | | habits that are usually found in writing. This |
| PowerPoint and Outlook. You can create | | | | program will give you the skills of a good editor. |
| documents, spreadsheets and presentations of | | | | 13. Kaz-Type: It's not all about the writing style, |
| excellent quality. It also enables you to manage | | | | typing speed, believe it or not is a big factor in |
| your email, calendar and contacts with ease. | | | | bringing you success as a writer. Kaz-Type will |
| Microsoft Office 2007 Standard version can be | | | | help you learn to type and master your keyboard |
| bought for $324.99 while the student version | | | | fast. You won't have to go through repetitive |
| costs $109.99. | | | | typing drills and games because this is an |
| 4. Word Viewer: This is also free software from | | | | interactive multimedia tutor software. Kaz-Type |
| Microsoft. It allows the user to "view, print and | | | | has been tested and proven with more than 1 |
| copy word documents, even if you don't have | | | | million users. You can download the software for |
| Word installed." | | | | $19.95 or you can buy the CD for $34.95. |
| 5. Open Office: This software can be used as an | | | | 14. Miracle Type: This software costs $19.99. It is |
| alternative to Microsoft Office. It is also a whole | | | | said that "Miracle Type will teach you to Touch |
| office suite so it is can replace other programs | | | | Type faster than any other typing software. It |
| like Excel and PowerPoint. It "is the leading | | | | uses a unique learning method to dramatically |
| open-source office software suite for word | | | | reduce your learning time to just ONE HOUR!" |
| processing, spreadsheets, presentations, graphics, | | | | This software is good for users who have given |
| databases and more." Open Office is available in | | | | up on being able to type fast. |
| several languages and it works on common | | | | 15. Q10: Q10 is a free alternative for WriteRoom |
| computers. It can also be downloaded from the | | | | and Dark Room. It gives you a full screen word |
| internet, free of charge. | | | | processor without the distractions that regular |
| 6. AbiWord: Abiword is a famous open source | | | | word processors have. You focus only on your |
| word processor that is perfect for the writer | | | | writing. Compared to WriteRoom and Dark Room |
| who is looking for a light and compact software. | | | | however, it has added features like paragraph |
| This free software has all the basic features of | | | | styling and live statistics about your articles. |
| any word processor and it supports that different | | | | 16. Scripped: Scripped is a free online service that |
| languages and operating systems. | | | | you can use to work on your scripts from |
| 7. Wordpad: Some people find the sounds coming | | | | different locations and from different computers. |
| from a full word processor too distracting. | | | | It allows you to write, edit and print your scripts |
| Wordpad is easier to use compared to Word. It | | | | right there on their website. |
| also allows formatting. This software comes free | | | | These are just some of the available software |
| with your computer if you are running Windows. | | | | that writers can avail to help improve their writing |
| 8. WriteRoom: This software was developed for | | | | skills. Just do the research, study everything, find |
| Mac and iPhone users who want to write without | | | | what works for you. Just like anything that you |
| distractions. WriteRoom is a full screen writing | | | | want to accomplish, as long as you focus and |
| environment. Some people feel that word | | | | work on it, nothing will stop you from being a |
| processors are just too cluttered. WriteRoom lets | | | | good writer. |
| you focus only on your writing. This program has | | | | |