Note: Nothing in this article is sponsored by any company in any way
We writers are busy, overloaded, and most of the time, slightly disorganized people. We work part-time, full-time, and all-the-time jobs while juggling home responsibilities, and any mandatory social conventions, while attempting to write novels. We write on the go, on our phones, or even on a napkin in the middle of a busy restaurant because it’s the only free five minutes we have.
Some of us have kids to keep alive and parents to take care of. We fill our sleep-deprived bodies with caffeine and pray we get enough nutrition from that cereal bar we had six hours ago to get us through the day.
Time-saving hacks are the silver and gold treasures we hoard like greedy dragons. Anything that can push our word count over one fifty for the day is considered sacred.
So grab your notepad (or your phone that’s blinking low battery) and collect these shiny hacks.
If you are a writer, you need to be reading. There are no if, ands, or buts about it. Reading is the best, hands-on approach to learning the craft. Audiobooks are a great way to read when you are driving, cleaning, or working out, but let’s face it, they can get pretty pricey. Normally over twenty bucks a pop! Yikes! While there are well-known programs like Audible to get your audiobooks from, I have found a cheaper and more convenient option for a mood reader like me. Chirp is a pay-per-book app that has no subscription fees or contracts. They run deals all the time, and you can get your books for as low as 99c if you play your cards right. I like to save certain genres and books on my want list and wait for an email to tell me when they go on sale.
If your library is a part of the program, the Libby app has tons of FREE audiobooks and ebooks.
I am a book collector and, most of the time, I have a mountain of unread books invading my limited shelf space. That’s where another hack comes in. If you have Speechify or Natural Reader, you can take pictures of pages from books you already have and have the apps read them to you like an audiobook! This is completely free (unless you want to upgrade to better voices and settings).
Another good thing to use both these apps for is editing. When you are supposed to be reading through your manuscript, but just can’t stop editing, you can turn your manuscript into a PDF file and upload it to the app(s). They will read to you and prevent you from stopping to edit. I love these because I can be working and still polishing my manuscript in my head.
Many of us use Microsoft Word to write, but do not use all its features. Did you know that under the review tab, you can click “read aloud,” which will highlight the words and read them to you? This is perfect for some like me who gets distracted easily while editing. It keeps my eyes focused on the screen and helps me find spelling errors I normally gloss over.
Speaking of spelling errors, you should download the free version of Grammarly! It will catch many errors your word processors miss. There is also a paid version that works amazingly. Another program called ProWritingAid will give you, in the free version, an in-depth review of your grammar and voice.
Circling back to Microsoft Word, did you know there is a dictate button on the home page, and you can vocally dictate your writing as you go about your daily tasks? I love this for when I’m cooking and don’t have a free hand to type.
Another hack that really isn’t a hack but a necessity is critique groups. They will give you free feedback on your writing if you do the same for them. Also, some of them will act as beta readers and review your book as a whole to help you with pitfalls and plot holes. If you join ACFW, they have a sizeable online crit group as well as smaller genera-based groups you can join. You are given a week to review two other writers’ chapters as they review yours. Realm Makers also has critique groups you have access to if you are a paid member (they are geared towards Christian Speculative fiction). If you choose to use any one of the hacks listed here, use this one! Constructive criticism is the best thing to help you become a better writer.
Last but not least, YouTube is your friend. There are tons of free writing classes and videos on how to hone your craft and help you overcome writer’s block. Plus if you have the paid membership, you can also listen to free classes on the go!
Spending every spare second you have writing can be stressful, but so rewarding. Use these hacks and tips to free up your time. And remember, sleep and food work miracles for the mind as well.
Happy writing!
