Every new writer eventually asks what they should be typing into, and the honest answer is that almost anything reliable will do. The tools that matter most for finishing a book are unglamorous: something that saves your work automatically, something you can access from more than one device, and something that does not get between you and the sentence you are trying to write.
This guide walks through the main categories of writing software, what each is good at, and where the trade-offs lie, without recommending one tool as objectively best.
Are ordinary word processors good enough?
Yes, for the great majority of books. A standard word processor handles the core job of drafting perfectly well: typing, formatting basic headings, tracking word count and allowing comments or track changes when an editor is involved.
What are the trade-offs of Google Docs?
| Option | Best for | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Docs | Writers who want automatic saving and easy sharing | Free to use, autosaves continuously, easy to share with editors or beta readers, works across devices | Needs an internet connection for full functionality; limited manuscript-organisation tools for long, complex projects |
| Microsoft Word | Writers already comfortable with Word, or working with editors who use it | Familiar interface, strong track changes and formatting tools, widely used in publishing and editing workflows | Version control across devices needs a cloud service such as OneDrive; can be less convenient for quick capture on mobile |
What does Scrivener-type writing software add?
Novel-writing software in this category (Scrivener is the best known, alongside newer alternatives) organises a manuscript as a project rather than a single document: individual scenes or chapters as separate movable pieces, a corkboard view for rearranging structure, and dedicated space for research and character notes alongside the manuscript.
This suits longer, more structurally complex books, especially where reordering scenes or tracking multiple threads is a regular part of the process. It has a steeper learning curve than a plain word processor, and its own file format, so exporting cleanly for editing or publishing needs a bit more attention.
What are notes tools useful for?
Notes apps are best for quick capture on the move: an idea, a line of dialogue, a research fact. They are rarely suited to drafting a full manuscript, since most lack the formatting and length-handling that a full-length book benefits from. See How Do I Organise Ideas for a Book? for how to fit them into a wider system.
Do I need cloud storage?
Strongly recommended. Cloud storage protects against the single most common writing disaster: a lost or damaged device taking a manuscript with it. Tools built on cloud storage from the start (such as Google Docs) handle this automatically; if you write in a desktop program, saving into a synced cloud folder achieves the same protection.
How does version control matter for a manuscript?
Being able to see, or return to, earlier versions of a manuscript matters more than most new writers expect, particularly after a major structural change you later regret. Tools with built-in version history remove the need to manually save dated copies, though doing so at major milestones is a reasonable extra precaution either way.
What counts as an adequate backup?
A reasonable minimum is your working copy plus one independent backup that would survive the loss of your main device: cloud storage, an external drive kept separately, or both. Relying on a single local file with no backup is a genuine risk for a project representing months or years of work.
How does software affect working with an editor?
Most professional editing uses either Word’s track changes and comments, or the equivalent features in Google Docs, since both are widely understood and easy to review. If you draft in different software, check early what format your editor needs, so the manuscript does not need reformatting at a stage when that time could go to the actual revision.
Is formatting software different from drafting software?
Yes, and it is worth keeping the two separate in your mind. Drafting software is about writing the book; formatting the interior for print or ebook, setting trim size, margins and typesetting, is a distinct later step, often handled with different tools or by a professional. Choosing your drafting tool based on final book formatting is usually unnecessary.
Can I write a book on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Cloud-based word processors and many notes apps work well on mobile, and some writers draft substantial portions this way, particularly for capturing scenes or ideas when away from a desk. A full keyboard tends to be more comfortable for sustained drafting sessions, but it is not a requirement.
Should I use free or paid software?
Free tools such as Google Docs are genuinely capable of taking a book from first word to finished manuscript. Paid, specialist software adds organisational features that some writers find worth paying for once they know their working style needs them. There is no need to buy anything before you have written enough to know what you are missing.
What do first-time writers actually need?
In practice: one reliable place to write that saves automatically or backs up easily, and a simple system for notes and research alongside it. Everything beyond that is a convenience, not a requirement, and can be added later if the project grows to need it.
Common mistakes
- Choosing software before writing anything. Time spent researching the ideal writing app can quietly substitute for time spent drafting.
- Working with no backup beyond a single local file. This is one of the most avoidable risks to months or years of work.
- Switching tools repeatedly mid-project. Moving a long manuscript between formats can introduce formatting errors and lose time better spent writing.
- Assuming specialist software is required to be taken seriously. Published authors write in all of the tools covered here; the manuscript is what gets judged, not the software.
Frequently asked questions
Is Scrivener worth it for a first book?
It can be, especially for longer or structurally complex projects, but it is not necessary. Many first-time authors write a complete manuscript in Word or Google Docs.
What software do professional editors expect?
Most expect a Word document or a Google Doc, since both support track changes and comments. Check with your editor before submitting in another format.
Do I need special software to self-publish?
Formatting for publication is a separate step from drafting; see [How Publishing Works](/publish/how-it-works) for how manuscripts move from a draft to a published file.
Can I change writing software partway through a book?
Yes, though it is worth doing carefully, checking that formatting and any embedded notes transfer cleanly before committing to the switch.