Write Better, Faster: The Best Writing Tools for Fiction Writers [2025]
If you’re a fiction writer, you know that writing well is essential to your success. Good writing tools can make the process easier and more productive – which is why I’ve compiled a list of the best writing tools for fiction writers.
When I first started writing, my options were limited to basic word processing software, such as MS Word, or old-fashioned pen and paper.
I love that as a novelist and screenwriter, I have so many programs to choose from, ranging from being oriented to specific functions, such as editing or grammar, to overall writing and all it entails.
Here’s a list of the best writing tools for fiction writers to help make your job easier. From outlining and plotting to drafting and editing, I’ve got you covered!
I’ve tried all of these tools, and I’m confident that they will make your writing process smoother and more efficient so you can focus on what’s important – creating great fiction. Use these writing tools to take your writing skills to the next level!
Check out our list of the best writing tools for fiction writers and start using them to help you create your next novel, short story, audiobook, or screenplay today!
Neil Chase Film is supported by its readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for your support!
What are the Best Tools for Fiction Writers?
We’re going to start with AI tools for creative writers, then go on to book formatting and editing tools and productivity tools. Let’s start with the fun stuff that uses AI!
Best AI Story Generator Tools
1. Sudowrite
Sudowrite
Sudowrite is the easiest AI writing tool for fiction writers, perfect for beginners or anyone struggling with writer’s block.
Its Story Engine helps plan plots and structure your novel, while tools like "Describe" and "Rewrite" improve your writing.
This family-friendly tool does not allow NSFW content, but it’s great for mainstream fiction, fantasy, and sci-fi writers looking for a creative AI partner.
Sudowrite is an AI-assisted writing tool built for fiction writers who want some help with storytelling, rewriting, and brainstorming.
It comes with features like “Describe” to add depth to scenes, “Rewrite” to improve sentence flow, and “Story Engine” to create well-structured plots.
This tool is best for beginners who struggle with story structure and intermediate writers looking to refine their work.
However, it’s not suited for NSFW or dark fiction writers since Sudowrite has content restrictions.
Sudowrite is very beginner-friendly, with an intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate.
Sudowrite does not require external API setup, which makes it hassle-free for new users.
While it does require a monthly subscription, it provides great writing assistance, story organization, and creative inspiration that lots of writers love!
2. Novelcrafter
Novelcrafter
For writers who want full creative freedom, NovelCrafter is an AI-powered writing tool that tracks details across multiple books, keeps your world-building organized, and lets you customize your AI experience.
It’s not as beginner-friendly as Sudowrite (you'll need your own API keys to use it), but if you’re writing a long series or need AI memory, Novelcrafter is perfect.
Novelcrafter allows NSFW content, making it a great option for all types of fiction, including dark, adult, or experimental stories.
NovelCrafter is a flexible AI writing tool built for serious fiction writers who want full control over their storytelling.
Unlike Sudowrite, it lets writers choose their own AI models through OpenRouter, offering more customization and flexibility.
The Codex feature helps organize characters, locations, and world-building details, which makes it a great choice for long-form fiction and multi-book series.
This tool is best for experienced writers who need an AI assistant that tracks details across multiple books. It works well for fantasy, sci-fi, historical fiction, and other world-building genres.
NovelCrafter allows NSFW content, giving authors the freedom to write dark, mature, or experimental fiction.
NovelCrafter is more complex than beginner-friendly AI tools like Sudowrite. The setup requires an external API key, but this also helps keep costs lower than subscription-based alternatives.
3. Raptor Write
Raptor Write
Raptor Write is a completely free AI-assisted writing tool that focuses on flexibility, project organization, and AI-powered brainstorming. It does not have as many organizational or world-building tools as other AI software (like Novelcrafter or Plotdrive).
It was developed by the Future Fiction Academy, and they also offer tons of free and paid courses to help writers learn to use AI for fiction writing.
Its big claim-to-fame is that you can use it for spicy and other NSFW content (not safe for work), which is something that many other AI creative writing software tools don't allow.
Raptor Write is a free AI creative writing tool designed for fiction writers who want flexibility and control.
It lets writers choose their own AI models through OpenRouter, giving them more customization options. The system includes an AI chat for brainstorming, multi-document support, and adjustable AI settings.
This tool is best for fiction writers who need an AI tool without restrictions. It allows NSFW content, making it a strong option for authors who write dark fiction, erotic stories, or other mature themes.
While Raptor Write does not have built-in outlining or structured planning tools, it works well for writers who already have a story idea and want AI support to expand it.
Raptor Write requires an external API key, which adds a small learning curve, but it also keeps costs low by allowing writers to pay only for what they use. Since it is completely free to access, it’s a great alternative for writers who want AI-powered assistance without monthly fees.
Best Book Formating Software Tools
1. Atticus
Atticus
Atticus is an all-in-one writing and book formatting tool that helps authors create professional-quality ebooks and print books.
It’s a one-time purchase software that works on Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks, making it a great choice for self-published writers who want full control over their book’s layout and design.
Atticus is a book writing and formatting software that helps authors create professional-looking books for print and digital publishing.
It combines a word processor with powerful book design tools, and lets you format your work with custom themes, adjustable margins, and pre-made templates. The instant preview feature ensures that every chapter looks perfect before publishing.
This tool is ideal for self-published authors who want full control over their book’s formatting. It’s great for both fiction and non-fiction and supports various book sizes and styles.
Unlike some formatting tools, Atticus is a one-time purchase, meaning you don’t have to worry about ongoing subscription fees. It’s also one of the few book formatting programs that works on Windows, Mac, and Chromebooks.
2. Vellum
Vellum
Vellum is a premium book formatting software designed for authors who want to create beautifully styled ebooks and print books.
You'll get professional-quality templates, automatic chapter formatting, and instant previews - so you can see your designs instantly!
Vellum is available for Mac users only and requires a one-time purchase. It's a great choice for self-published authors who want high-quality book design with minimal effort.
Vellum is a powerful book formatting software that helps indie authors create professional-quality ebooks and print books. It features built-in templates and automatic styling of fonts, margins and headings, so you can format your book without technical knowledge.
This tool is perfect for self-published authors who want high-quality formatting without hiring a professional designer. It works well for fiction, non-fiction, and multi-book series, since it allows writers to create uniform layouts.
Vellum is Mac-only software, which means Windows users will need a workaround, such as using a cloud-based Mac service.
Vellum has a one-time purchase model, making it more affordable in the long run than subscription-based tools. It’s easy to use and affordable – perfect for indie authors!
3. Reedsy Book Editor
Reedsy Studio
Reedsy Studio is a free, web-based book writing and formatting tool designed for self-published authors.
It's easy to use and gives you automatic chapter organization, real-time collaboration, and clean EPUB and PDF exports.
While it lacks advanced customization options, it’s a great free program for anyone who just wants a simple way to format their book.
Reedsy Book Editor is a free online tool that helps writers format their books for both digital and print publishing.
You’ll get a distraction-free writing space and professional formatting options, all within a clean, web-based platform. Writers can use it to create ebooks and print-ready PDFs without worrying about complex design settings.
This tool is ideal for self-published authors who need a free, high-quality formatting solution. It’s great for writers who want to collaborate with editors, since it includes commenting and editing tools for real-time feedback.
While it doesn’t offer custom templates or design flexibility like Vellum or Atticus, it provides a solid, professional-looking output without extra costs.
Because it’s cloud-based, Reedsy Book Editor works on any device with an internet connection. The platform is beginner-friendly, but it may not have enough design customization options for writers who want a really beautifully designed layout.
Best Book Editing Software Tools
1. ProWritingAid
ProWriting Aid
ProWritingAid is the best editing and grammar-checking software for creative writers!
It checks for all the usual grammar and spelling errors, and it can also help you re-write your text to adjust for tone of voice or style, and can look for overused words in your writing (and will suggest alternatives!).
It also gives you one AI critique of a chapter or text each day (Beta mode).
ProWritingAid is a powerful AI editing tool that helps fiction writers refine their grammar, style, and story flow.
It offers real-time suggestions and in-depth reports on everything from sentence length variation to pacing issues, making it much more than just a simple spell-checker. It will help you eliminate weak words, improve readability, and strengthen your storytelling by giving you insights into your dialogue and pacing.
ProWritingAid works with Google Docs, Microsoft Word, Scrivener, and even web browsers, allowing writers to edit seamlessly across multiple platforms.
While the free version offers basic grammar and style suggestions, the premium version provides unlimited access to AI-powered editing tools and writing reports. I’ve got the premium version, and I love it!
2. Scrivener
Scrivener
Scrivener is a great software for writers who need some assistance with organizing their characters and plot.
It's an affordable program that is designed to be a word processor for book,novel, and screenplay writers. I like that it allows you to easily keep track of your characters, plot points, and worldbuilding facts all in one place.
It's great for writers who are writing multiple novels in a series, as it allows you to easily go back and check your facts from previous stories.
Scrivener is a writing software built for long-form projects. It gives writers full control over how they organize, edit, and structure their work.
The software also includes tools like a corkboard for visual outlining, goal tracking, and a distraction-free writing mode to keep writers focused.
This tool is ideal for fiction writers, academics, and screenwriters who need a way to manage large projects efficiently. Scrivener is different from standard word processors because it lets you view your entire manuscript at a glance.
However, because of its many features, it takes time to learn, making it better suited for writers willing to invest time into mastering it.
Unlike many writing tools, Scrivener is a one-time purchase rather than a monthly subscription, making it a great long-term investment. It works on Mac, Windows, and iOS, allowing writers to sync their work across multiple devices.
3. Hemingway App
Hemingway
Hemingway App makes your writing clearer and more readable by pointing out long sentences, weak words, and passive voice.
It highlights problem areas of your writing with color-coded suggestions - and, it gives you a readability score so you know what level your writing is at.
You can use it for free online or buy the desktop version.
Hemingway App is an editing tool that helps writers create clear and concise writing by identifying complex sentences, passive voice, and unnecessary words.
It uses color-coded highlights to show areas that need improvement, making it easy to simplify and strengthen your writing. The app also provides a readability score, which is really helpful for knowing how easy your work is to read.
This tool is best for writers who want to improve clarity and readability in their work. It’s especially useful for fiction writers, journalists, and bloggers who want their writing to be sharp, direct, and engaging.
Unlike grammar checkers like ProWritingAid, Hemingway doesn’t focus on grammar mistakes but instead helps writers create stronger, more readable sentences.
Hemingway App is available as a free online editor, while the desktop version requires a one-time purchase and includes extra features like offline editing and direct publishing to WordPress and Medium.
4. Grammarly
For writers, grammar is essential. It is the foundation of your work and can make or break a piece. There are many grammar checker tools, but Grammarly is one of the best. It is an AI-powered writing assistant that can help you with everything from catching typos to fixing complex grammatical errors and passive voice sentences.
Grammarly is available as a Chrome extension, desktop program, and mobile app, so you can use it wherever you write. And because it uses AI, this grammar checker gets smarter the more you use it. So whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting out, Grammarly is a great online writing tool to help you hit the ground running.
Best Screenwriting Software Tools
1. Celtx
Celtx
Celtx is my top choice for the best screenwriting software.
It has a great free plan, makes your scripts look professional, and allows you to go from storyboard to script to call sheets and production management in one software program!
Celtx is one of the best screenwriting software tools for screenwriters. It offers many features to help you plan, write, and format your screenplay, script synopsis, and script treatment.
With Celtx, you can create characters, locations, and scenes. You can also track changes to your script, so you can always go back and make revisions. Celtx also allows you to share your screenplay with others and collaborate on projects.
2. Arc Studio Pro
Arc Studio Pro
Arc Studio Pro is my favorite screenwriting software program if you are on a strict budget but want to write a well-formatted script.
It has a forever-free version (which I love!), or you can pay a small fee for more features.
Arc Studio Pro is my favorite free screenwriting software. It’s great for beginners and anyone who’s just getting started with screenwriting!
3. StudioBinder
StudioBinder
StudioBinder is a professional software for filmmakers. Screenwriters are a bit of an afterthought - the software is functional for screenwriting, but it doesn't have a lot of the features that you might want to have.
It's a great option if you are planning on producing movies, but if it's just screenwriting software that you need, go with one of the options above!
If you’re looking for a powerful and versatile tool that can help you with everything from brainstorming to outputting final drafts, then StudioBinder is an excellent option to consider.
This software is designed to help screenwriters at all experience levels, from beginners to professionals. It offers many features, including storyboarding, scriptwriting, and collaboration tools.
One thing that sets StudioBinder apart from other screenwriting software is its focus on visual storytelling. It’s easy to drag and drop images into your script, and you can even add video clips if you want. This can be a great way to bring your script to life and give yourself a better sense of what the finished product will look like.
Best Productivity Tools for Writers
1. Ulysses
Ulysses
Ulysses is a simple and distraction-free writing app that helps you stay focused and organized.
It has goal tracking, project management, and cloud syncing so you can work on your writing anywhere.
It's perfect for writers who want a clutter-free space to improve their productivity and who use macOS!
Ulysses is a writing and productivity app designed to help writers stay focused and organized.
It has a clean, distraction-free interface that removes clutter, allowing you to concentrate on your writing. The app includes goal tracking, project management, and seamless cloud syncing, making it easy to work across multiple Apple devices.
Unlike standard word processors, Ulysses uses Markdown formatting, which lets you focus on writing instead of worrying about fonts and layouts. You can also organize your work into folders, add notes, and track progress with built-in writing goals.
Ulysses is available as a subscription-based app, which gives you access to all features, regular updates, and cross-device syncing. It works on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
2. Focus Writer
FocusWriter
Focus Writer is a bare-bones program that will block out distractions on your computer.
It's perfect for writers who just want a clean, simple space in which to write!
FocusWriter is a distraction-free writing app designed to help writers stay focused and productive.
It provides a full-screen, minimal interface that hides menus and toolbars, letting you concentrate on your words. The app includes basic features like daily goals, timers, and typewriter sounds.
FocusWriter is free to use and works on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Best Organizational Tools for Writers
1. Evernote
Like most writers, you probably have a love-hate relationship with organization and order. On the one hand, it’s essential for keeping your ideas straight and preventing your work from devolving into chaos. On the other hand, it can be a drag to keep track of everything in a rigid, step-by-step fashion. Enter Evernote, the best organizational tool for writers I’ve ever seen.
Evernote is an electronic notebook that you can use to store all your ideas, research, and notes in one place. But what makes it powerful is its flexibility. You can create simple text notes or complex multimedia notes with images, web links, and file attachments. You can also tag and search your notes so you can always find what you’re looking for.
Best of all, Evernote syncs across your devices, so you can access your notes anywhere, anytime. If you’re looking for an easy way to boost your productivity and get your work organized, Evernote is the perfect solution.
2. Plottr
Plottr
Plottr is a visual story planning tool designed to help writers organize plots, characters, and timelines.
It’s perfect for fiction writers who want to outline their stories visually, with tools like drag-and-drop timelines, character profiles, and pre-built templates.
Plottr is a visual story planning tool that helps writers organize their plots, characters, and timelines in an intuitive way.
The software includes pre-built templates for different storytelling structures, making it easy to plan a novel, screenplay, or series.
This tool is perfect for fiction writers, screenwriters, and anyone who prefers a visual approach to outlining. Writers can create detailed character bios, track subplots, and structure their stories.
Unlike word processors that mix writing and organizing, Plottr focuses solely on story structure, making it a great companion to writing tools like Scrivener or Word.
Plottr is available as a one-time purchase or subscription, and it works on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
In addition, To Doist integrates with other productivity apps such as Evernote and Slack, making it a powerful tool for every writer who wants to be organized and efficient. It also has a fantastic free version, which is likely all that most writers will need.
To Doist is an excellent option for writers seeking an easy-to-use free productivity app to help them get more done.
Best Laptops for Writers
1. Apple Macbook Air
- Fantastic battery life
- Comes safely packaged
- The keyboard is backlit
- Speaker sound is high-quality
- Great Apple quality and features
- Expensive (buy the 2020 version for a great deal!)
2. Asus VivoBook Go15
- Very affordable for all of its features
- The keyboard is backlit (great for writers!)
- Windows-based (not a Chromebook)
- Very light and portable
- The camera is pretty good for the cost
- Doesn't have much RAM as other laptops - may need to add more
- Battery life could be better
3. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
- It's a great lightweight Chromebook!
- Can stand upright and be a screen, or be a laptop
- Good battery life
- Has a touchscreen
- The keyboard is backlit
- Only 4 GB of RAM memory
Best Keyboards for Writers
1. 7KEYS Retro Typewriter Keyboard
- Has custom-colored backlit letters!
- Retro typewriter style
- 'Clicky' blue-switch mechanical keys
- Wireless connection to most devices
- Has hidden volume knob on the side
- Needs wired connection to a desktop PC
- 'Clicky' sounds can be loud in meetings!
2. Logitech MX Keys Advanced Wireless Illuminated Keyboard
- Nicely dished keys - very comfortable
- The keys are backlit and easy to see in the dark!
- One charge lasts up to 10 days (with lighting on)
- It is a larger keyboard
- Connects to three devices
- No legs for height adjustments
3. Logitech K380 Pebble Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard
- Super budget-friendly!
- Many different color choices
- Has a long-lasting battery
- Light and easily portable
- Connects to multiple devices using Bluetooth
- Keyboard is not backlit
- Buttons are not as strong as more expensive ones
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, having the proper writing tools can make your writing process easier and more productive.
In this article, I’ve shared some of our favorite writing tools and editing tools for new writers and fiction authors. These writing tools will help you stay organized, productive, and creative as you write your next masterpiece. I hope you find them helpful in your own writing journey!
Looking for more tools for writers? Check out these other helpful articles!
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Just visiting from Writers Helping Writers – have you looked into One Stop for Writers? https://onestopforwriters.com/