Support apps for writing a book are any apps that are not strictly for word processing but can be helpful in solving other problems that come with using a word processor.
To be sure, the problems we’re talking about are not problems with the word processing programs but with the fact that they are on a computer. That means everything that is designed to get your attention on your computer will be competing with your writing time.
You can find my picks for the best book writing programs here. Read on for my favorite support apps.
Best support apps for focus
Windows 10
No, seriously, hear me out. My OS legit helps me write. Specifically, the focus assist feature. It’s a built-in productivity tool that hides your notifications. You can set it to priority notifications only or to alarms only (calendar events). You can also tell it to turn on whenever you go to full-screen mode in an app.
The main limitation is that you have to manually turn it off unless you want to set a daily schedule, but if you’re already using Windows 10, this is a simple, free support app for writing of any kind.
White Noise
Occasionally, I will listen to Spotify or Pandora while I write, depending on whether I want to listen on my computer or my TV. I prefer instrumental to vocal music, though; I get too distracted by lyrics.
Sometimes you just need to be enveloped by some comforting white noise. Enter the white noise generator, your new favorite book writing support app. There are tons of these apps and sites out there, and I don’t have strong opinions about which one is best, frankly; I use White Noise because it got good ratings in the Windows Store.
I do like that you can create mixes of multiple noises and then change lots of specific settings. I have a similar one I like for my Pixel, similarly called White Noise Generator.
These all seem pretty much the same except for superficial things. I recommend you don’t waste more than two minutes choosing one.
As for my favorite white noise mix:
- About 50% brown noise (yes, there are other colors!)
- Ocean waves—set to 35–40% speed
- Rain storm
Best support app for research
Microsoft OneNote
I have no special affection for Microsoft, but game recognizes game. Microsoft has the most feature-rich office tools out there, so when it comes to powerful support apps for doing book research, they’re still the main game in town. Plus, OneNote comes with my Office 365 subscription, which I wanted for Word, anyway.
Here’s why I prefer OneNote to Evernote: organization.
I use both tools a lot. Generally, I use Evernote for one-off notes on trainings or lists of things or ideas I want to remember, especially if I’m on my phone. I research books on my laptop, and then I prefer OneNote because I feel I can keep everything more organized.
This may not be a problem for some people. After all, both apps allow you to create notebooks and put notes in them. However, OneNote’s more hierarchical approach just helps me keep things straight when I have to deal with a lot of information.
For ghostwriting projects, I’ll generally take notes directly in OneNote while I’m interviewing the author. I could do this in Word, I suppose, but then I’d have to do the organization at the level of file names so I could tell what I was looking at in File Explorer. OneNote lets me label and order things very easily, by comparison.
For personal book writing projects, I do sometimes use Scrivener (see “What is the best book writing program?“). This is more true for fiction than nonfiction, and often I’m doing work on character and plot rather than research per se.
Best support apps for productivity
RescueTime
Okay, so I don’t only use Windows 10. I also have RescueTime, a productivity tracker that helps me see what I’m actually spending time on during the day. You download a thing to your computer and phone, tell it what activities, apps, and sites are considered productive or not, and set goals.
The value, here, is that something is holding you accountable for the work you’re not doing. You can’t get to the end of the day and say, “Where’d the time go?” You literally have a record of where it went.
RescueTime also has a FocusTime feature that you can set to block notifications for a period of time. This can be a good way to remind yourself to take breaks.
Pro tip: To use RescueTime together with Windows 10’s Focus assist, you have to go to the Focus assist settings and add RescueTime to the list of apps that have priority.
WriteTrack
This is a new one for me, but I think I’m going to like it. I have not explored all its functionality because the core reason I want it is to keep me accountable to a goal—and that is what this was built for.
WriteTrack allows you to set a word count and a deadline, then it shows you how many words you need to write each day to reach your goal. Enter your actual word count and the calendar recalculates. The progress bar at the top shows you how well you’re doing compared to your to-date goals.
WriteTrack works similar to “don’t break the chain” apps except instead of focusing on daily input it’s interested in your end goal. I find I’m more motivated to write when I know that, say, 1,200 words a day for forty days will be enough to get me to my final word count.
If you have a favorite support app, let me know in the comments. If you’d like help getting your book written, contact me to see how I can help with writing and editing services.
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels
