#writing apps

[space-writes]

why i write in obsidian.md (and why you should try it!)

hey, hi, have I mentioned my notes app? let me tell you about my notes app! I’ve been writing in obsidian for over a year now, for fanfic and original fiction/worldbuilding (and dungeons and dragons, and life organisation, and a myriad of other things) and so far I’ve gotten at least three people to also start using it, and I am in fact on an endless quest to get more people to try it.

obsidian.md how do i love thee, let me list the ways:

It’s offline. you are not beholden to the whims of wifi!

Did i mention it’s free? it’s free!

you can pay to support the devs, or to access the sync service, but honestly I just use a free file sync service to move things between my desktop/laptop.

It’s super lightweight at its core. you can (and I do) run it with a bunch of plugins and customisation, but at it’s base it’s just text, in simple files. plaintext. readable by anything. your writing is not trapped in proprietary file formats.

HOWEVER you can in fact customise every aspect of it and if you like Making Your Notes Cute I cannot recommend it enough as a Way To Procrastinate Actually Writing

Crucially, you can link your notes. This is phenomenal for not only worldbuilding, but planning, research, outlining and connecting characters and events. You just make a note, type in square brackets, and boom. linked notes. You can make yourself a little writing wikipedia with approximately 0 effort.

I have separate vaults (Instances, pretty much. Big overarching folders with separate sets of content) for my Valloroth project, my day-to-day notes/fanfic, and my D&D game. They’re aesthetically very different, which is so so so great for getting in the right headspace for the work I’m doing.

OH and we have obsidian canvas now! which is a simple mind-mapping feature where you can make and connect note cards, which can also be notes in your vault. I haven’t had a chance to do timelines with it yet, but it’ll be fun for that. I have made relationship charts with it, and it was great for that. If you like visually laying out boxes of information and connecting them into a pepe silvia board of plot, canvas is incredible

this is a pointcrawl map I made for my D&D game. Those red words in the boxes? links to the locations in the city the players were exploring. phenomenal

do you like split screen? you can have multiple notes open at once in horizontal and vertical configurations, and you can also open multiple tabs in each split window. it’s SO great for research and outlining, when you need like ten documents open at once to move between

finally, there are so many addons to COMPLETELY CUSTOMISE your Writing Setup. styling for tags. kanban boards. LINKABLE MAPS. ways to label scenes with metadata and pull just so many different tables/lists of story information. AND SO MANY MORE. I’m gonna do a whole post of my favourite writing plugins at some point so i can yell about them

the only downsides are that it’s somewhat clunky still to export things out of obsidian—I copy my fics into googledocs for my beta, and I have a plugin to make exporting to html easier to post on ao3, but it’s still kinda fiddly. Also, if you want a program that Has Everything and Just Works, this is…not that. you can build a lot of really useful writing specific features, but you do have to build them. it’s a sandbox, so if you don’t like sandbox-style programs, this may not work for you.

that being said, I do think everyone should try it and play with it and love it like I do and convince all their friends to start using it like i did. come play with obsidian with me! it’s fun! there’s a great community in the official discord that’s very active, plus an ever-growing collection of resources, particularly on youtube (highly reccommend Danny Hatcher’s videos as a jumping in point, they’re super accessible imo)

anyway, come try obsidian!

#obsidian md #obsidian.md #writeblr #writing program #writing #writing process #notes app #space has thoughts #writing apps #writing tools #writer things #writing setup #this whole blog has just been a long con to get more people to download obsidian #notes app (beloved)

[vivenecii]

Apps without AI.

I used Google Docs and Notion for years but some time ago they introduced AI (and I do not have the best relationship with it, to say it mildly). And looking for alternatives is barely possible, because no matter how I write the question in any search engine, if it's no ai or apps that do not use ai or apps without ai, search results always recommend apps with it.

Do you have any recommendations for apps that don't have it? Literally any apps, can be for writing, photo editing, poster making, whatever. Just without ai.

I'll go first. Obsidian, app for writing, can be as simple or as advanced as you like (community plugins are a blessing). It saves files locally, though I believe there are plugins that allow for cloud sync (but I just copy it back and forth with USB cable, I'm this tired of technology).

#no ai #I can't even beging to describe how passionately I dislike it #without ai #zero #nul #fucking ai-free-zone #let me also add some more tags because I need this post to be seen because I need recommendations #wga strike #writers on tumblr #writing #writing apps #anti ai #artists on tumblr #fuck ai #anti ai writing #sag aftra strike #tools without ai #anti ai art #writer's strike #writerscommunity #ai should be banished #I honestly want to make a crusade against it

[novlr]

Can you recommend some programs, apps, software, etc. that we can use to write?

I mean, obviously, we're biased, but you could try...us! We are a writer-owned creative writing platform designed to keep your writing space distraction-free and help you achieve your goals. We are built by writers, run by writers, and co-owned by our writers.

Novlr is free to use for up to five projects. We wanted to make a web app that was accessible to as many writers as possible, so you don't have to pay a cent to use Novlr as a writing platform.

Included, you'll find features like full-screen focus mode for a distraction-free writing environment, automatic cloud backups that let you access and edit your work from any device with an internet connection at any time, and the ability to set and track your own goals.

We're a small team, but one that is focused on continuous development and improvement. We welcome all feedback and criticism, and are always around here, via email, through our in-app chat, and in our Discord to chat about writing or Novlr as a platform.

We'd love to welcome you to our writing community!

#writers #creative writing #writing #writing community #writers of tumblr #creative writers #writers corner #writers community #let's write #writing app #writing software #writing program #writing tool #writing tools #writing tip #writing tips #writing goals #software for writers #apps for writers #writing apps

[minu-moni]

Looking for possible alternatives for Google Docs

Considering the state of the world currently and especially regarding AI, I wanted to get a hold on possible alternatives for Google Docs, but nothing I’ve seen so far has appealed to me

I’m looking for apps that might be used for writing with these features:

1. Mobile portability

I write primarily using my phone, but to post stuff on ao3 I need to use the computer because the interface is awful on mobile, so it has to be an app I could use both on my phone and on my computer.

2. Offline usage

I don’t always have internet and don’t want to lose all progress I might have done offline.

3. Free or cheap (preferably free)

I’m Brazilian. Everything that costs a dollar will cost FIVE TIMES the price to me, so I’m not doing the bullshit that Scrivener does that would force me to pay for TWO licenses, which would unironically cost HALF the money I make in a month. It’s either free or under 100 reais (about 20 dollars, but the number might go down if the dollar gets more expensive).

4. Simple and ORGANIZED interface

I’m a slow learner and frankly don’t care about fancy writing stuff that I’m never gonna use. Please, I don’t want those apps that have a shit ton of stuff splashed on the screen, they’ll just confuse me more than anything and I’ll never use any of that trash. Just give me a word counter and I’ll be happy.

— —

For now I’m sticking with Google docs, it’s the best option to me even if it starts lagging after about 40k words. It seems better than every other option I’ve come across.

But if anyone knows of a better app I could use, please let me know! 🙏🙏🙏

#writblr #writing #writing apps #Google docs #suggestions #alternatives #writing struggles

[writingdotcoffee]

New Homepage for Writing Analytics 👀

I released a slew of changes to the Writing Analytics homepage today. The app has evolved significantly since I first launched it — the update was long overdue!

Here’s the link: www.writinganalytics.co

If you’ve got a minute to check it out, I’d love to hear your thoughts 🙏.

#writing #writers #write #writing apps #writing analytics #writeblr

[maxkirin]

I've used nearly every writing app out there and after years of trying things out I've come to a simple conclusion:

the best writing app is the one that let's you start writing as soon as possible. the faster you can go from "I want to write" to actually writing, the better ✍️💕

#writing tip #writing apps

[ladytwilla]

Tumblr writers! I need your help please. ♡

What are some good apps that you use to write with? I had Grammarly for a while but that costs money. I've heard of most people using google docs to write with and I've recently started using it write with as well.

Are there any websites or apps that help out with grammar, plotting, chapter outlines, character organization, summaries, and all that good stuff?

I've heard of Scrivener but I'm almost positive that costs money as well...

Any ideas?

#tumblr writers #fanfiction writers #writeblr #creative writing #fanfiction #writing help #writing apps #writing websites #writeblr help #fanfiction help #plotting #outlining #writing tips #writing advice #AO3 help #AO3 writers #fanfic writers #fanfic writing #reblog plz #i need heeeeeellllpppppp #twilla speaks

[leng-m]

Hey writer friends, do you have any recommendations for grammar/spelling checker apps that support Canadian English and don't use deep AI analyses, let alone generative AI?

All I'm looking for is something really simple that will flag whether I've misspelled signalled with signaled, or put a comma in the wrong place. (I don't need functionalities that tell me whether my pacing is off or whether my prose sounds like another author's or try to complete my sentences for me.)

#writing #writing apps #writeblr

[sphnyspinspin]

Okay I might just be a tiny bit embarrassed to ask this but…does anyone know any good writing apps? Like the kind I can use on my phone, iPad, and computer. And I’m getting pretty fed up with using notes. Looking forward to some suggestions.

#transformers #maccadam #maccadams #rescue bots academy #rescue bots #writing tips #writing apps #help???

[klywrites]

one of my pals showed me campfire app / https://www.campfirewriting.com

does anyone have experience with it? any red flags to watch out for? 

#writeblr #writing apps

[space-writes]

Obsidian Resources Masterpost

This is a masterpost of all the useful resources I’ve collected for using Obsidian. Hopefully some of them will also be useful to you, and I’ll try to keep this post updated whenever I find new and exciting stuff!

[ID - purple decorative divider]

General Obsidian

Download and install Obsidian

Obsidian Help

Obsidian Glossary

Beginners Guide to Obsidian

How to get started with Obsidian: a guide for Autistics & ADHDers

Youtube

My personal playlist of Obsidian-related videos

Danny Talks Tech

Nicole van der Hoeven

FromSergio

Jonathan Pritchard Obsidian Tutorials

Josh Plunkett Obsidian for TTRPG Videos

Vault Showcases & Use Examples

The best way to get an idea of what you can do in Obsidian is to look at what other people have done. This is a collection of articles, videos, and Obsidian Publish Vaults showing various setups and processes so you can get inspired!

Writing a novel in Markdown - PD Workman

(2024) Obsidian For TTRPG - Template Vault | Campaign Manager

How I Plan and Write Fiction in Obsidian – Vanessa Glau

SlRvb - Obsidian Publish

Obsidian TTRPG Tutorials

SoRobby/ObsidianStarterVault: Organize your Universe

How I structure my Obsidian vault (Obsidian tour 2023) - Nicole va der Hoeven

Obsidian - 2024 Intro for TTRPG and Worldbuilders

Form, Function, & Fun! - My Obsidian Vault Tour [2024] - CyanVoxel

Markdown

Obsidian uses markdown to format text, so these are some resources to help you out with that.

Markdown Syntax - Obsidian Hub

Basic Syntax | Markdown Guide

Markdown Reference

Basic formatting syntax - Obsidian Help

CSS & Styling

You can just use Obsidian as-is, but it’s so much fun to customise it and waste all the time you should be doing work on making it look pretty. These resources cover various plugins and ways of prettifying your vault, as well as some CSS resources, since Obsidian uses CSS for styling.

How to Style Obsidian

Default Obsidian Theme Colors

CSS reference

CSS Tutorial

CSS-Tricks

CSS Gradient — Generator, Maker, and Background

MarkSheet: a free HTML and CSS tutorial

ITS Theme: Image Adjustment Snippets + ITS Theme - SlRvb's Documentation

Banners: add banners to your notes

colored tags: Colorizes tags in different colors.

MySnippets Plugin: adds a status bar menu allowing the user to quickly manage their snippets within the comfort of their workspace

style settings: A dynamic user interface for adjusting theme, plugin, and snippet CSS variables

Plugins

A highly opinionated collection of plugins—all of these are ones I either currently use or have used. Organised loosely from simple to complex. Links go to the github pages, which have install instructions, but the easiest way is to install them directly from the plugins manager inside Obsidian.

smart typography: Converts quotes to curly quotes, dashes to em dashes, and periods to ellipses

url into selection: Paste URLs into selected text

better word count: Counts the words of selected text in the editor.

short links: plugin to display short internal links.

editing toolbar

omnisearch: A search engine that "just works" for Obsidian. Supports OCR and PDF indexing.

outliner: Work with your lists like in Workflowy or RoamResearch

Advanced tables: Improved table navigation, formatting, and manipulation

longform: A plugin that helps you write and edit novels, screenplays, and other long projects.

periodic notes: Create/manage your daily, weekly, and monthly notes in Obsidian

workspaces plus: Quickly switch and manage Obsidian workspaces

hover editor: Transform the Page Preview hover into a working editor instance

advanced uri: Advanced modes for Obsidian URI

dataview: A high-performance data index and query language over Markdown files + Dataview

Commander | Add Commands to every part of Obsidian's user interface

QuickAdd for Obsidian + Getting Started | QuickAdd

[ID - purple decorative divider]

check out my obsidian tag for more posts / got questions? want to say hi?

#obsidian.md #obsidian resources #obsidian md #writing #writing apps #resources masterpost #writing resources #notes app #writing tools #behold! a collection of links! #anyway i hope this is useful to at least one person

[miyanotes]

Just tested the Word Sprint plugin on Obsidian, and I am loving it!

#writeblr #obsidian #obsidian.md #writing sprint #miyamiwu.txt #miyamiwu.src #writing apps #writing software

[thepedanticbohemian]

I use Apache OpenOffice, but I'm switching to Scrivener for BLACK & BLUE. I purchased it this past week and can't wait to take a high dive into it!

#writerscommunity #writer things #writerslife #writing community #writers and readers #writing tips #writers on tumblr #writers #writing #novel writing #Writing apps #Scrivener #Google Docs

[writingdotcoffee]

New Feature: Change the Font in Writing Analytics

I'm launching another exciting Writing Analytics feature this week. You can now customise the font in the editor!

I resisted doing this for a long time because different fonts have slightly different character alignment, which can make things look terrible. But I finally found the right way to do it.

You can choose from

three font faces: sans, serif and monospace

three sizes: small, medium and large

three colour options: warm, cold and monochrome

My personal favourite is the serif option — the font used by The New Yorker. It makes the app feel completely different!

Everything else still works the same, including highlights and Markdown.

To change font, click on the main menu icon in the top-left corner and choose Settings.

Happy writing!

#writing #writers #write #amwriting #writing tools #writing analytics #writing apps #writeblr

[sun-e-chips]

Hello guys I need some advice

So my New Years resolution was to write every day and I had installed this app called “writing space” and I was going organize them by having each chapter be a day. Well turns out after 5 chapters I would have to pay in order to make more.

I would really like to have a writing app that allows me to write with no limits and having it on my phone gives me access to write anywhere which is really convenient.

Any suggestions?

#please #writing #writing apps #writing advice

[aalactaotao]

My Favorite Writing Apps

1. Scrivener (for my literary works)

2. Notion (as a journal, "brain dump", and where I input the vocabulary I'm learning)

3. Celtx (for writing screen and theater plays)

4. Save The Cat (for plotting my literary projects)

5. GoodNotes (for PDF files and other research)

6. Apple or Samsung Notes (for random notes and ideas)

7. Google Docs (a place where I store my written work so I have access to it on all devices)

8. Mila Notes (for mind mapping and plotting my stories and essays)

#writing #creative writing #writing tools #writing apps