In the wise words of Brennan Lee Mulligan channeling George R.R. Martin, “Have you ever tried to write? It’s the saddest, hardest, worst thing in the world.” While Mulligan may see writing in a different light, I, on the other hand, find it to be a rollercoaster of emotions – from sheer joy to utter frustration. Whether I’m crafting criticisms or pouring my soul into personal projects, writing always seems to be a mix of heaven and hell.
This year marked a personal triumph for me as I finally completed the initial draft of a novel I’ve been toiling over for over three years. With nearly 110,000 words penned, it has evolved into a literary epic that now requires the daunting task of merciless editing. Surprisingly, editing feels even more dreadful than the act of writing itself. However, the journey of writing this novel was a form of solace during difficult times, and the gratification that follows the completion of such a monumental task is truly rewarding.
Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t rely on fancy writing software or elaborate techniques to craft my novel. The entire story was meticulously birthed within the virtual confines of a humble Google Doc on my trusty laptop.
In the realm of writing tools, authors are often faced with the choice between Microsoft Word and Google Docs as their go-to platforms. While Word may offer a comprehensive suite alongside Excel and PowerPoint, Google Docs remains a more streamlined and cost-effective alternative. As someone scarred by a past cloud mishap that wiped my projects from existence, the free and reliable nature of Google Docs had me hooked.
For those deep in the trenches of novel-writing, apps like Scrivener, Atticus, and Dabble offer specialized features tailored to the craft. While Scrivener boasts a plethora of tools catered specifically for novelists, the sheer complexity of the app can be overwhelming. Despite being a powerful aid for organizing chapters and conducting research, Scrivener’s steep learning curve and cluttered interface may be a turn-off for some writers.
On the flip side, Google Docs embodies simplicity at its finest. With a minimalist design and distraction-free environment, it provides essential tools like spelling and grammar checks, basic formatting options, and seamless cross-device accessibility via Google Drive. The ability to focus solely on writing without any unnecessary frills makes Google Docs my preferred choice for creative endeavors.
In a world where the writing tools are aplenty, I’ve found solace in the simplicity of Google Docs. While some may crave the complexity and robust features of other writing apps, I’ll stick to what works best for me. After all, why fix something that’s not broken?
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