Write a Novel in Minutes: How Google Docs Surpassed Fancy Writing Apps
The Struggle is Real: Writing and the Tools of the Trade
When comedian Brennan Lee Mulligan channels George R.R. Martin, he claims that writing is the "saddest, hardest, worst thing in the world." While I appreciate his comedic chops, I have to respectfully disagree. While writing can be a challenging and arduous process, I’ve found it to be a wonderful and terrible experience, whether I’m writing about tech company mishaps or working on personal projects.
A New Milestone: Completing the First Draft
This year, I achieved a personal victory by finishing the first draft of my novel, which has become quite the epic at close to 110,000 words. Now, it’s time to enter the editing phase, which is where things can get really tough. Let me tell you, editing your own work? That’s a whole different beast.
Why I Chose Google Docs
As it turns out, writing my novel was an escape during some tough times, and the satisfaction of completing it is well-earned. I wrote the entire thing using Google Docs on my laptop, without any fancy software or techniques. When it comes to writing, your options are limited to Microsoft Word or Google Docs. While I’m not here to bash Word, I opted for Google Docs because it’s free and user-friendly.
Specialized Writing Apps
If you’re working on a long-form creative piece, you’ve likely encountered specialized apps like Scrivener, Atticus, and Dabble. These apps often come with a price tag, whether it’s a one-time purchase or a monthly subscription. While they can be incredibly useful, I’ve found that Google Docs is all I need.
The Verdict on Scrivener
I did try Scrivener, hoping it would give me the boost I needed to start and complete my novel. It’s a powerful tool with many useful features, but it can also be overwhelming, especially for those who want minimal distractions while writing. While I appreciate its ability to organize chapters and set aside research materials, I found it too cluttered for my taste. The numerous online courses teaching how to use Scrivener only added to my frustration.
Why Google Docs Wins the Day
In contrast, Google Docs is beautiful in its simplicity. As someone who prefers minimal distractions, I appreciate the ability to strip away most of the interface with a quick keyboard shortcut, leaving me with only what I need. The crucial features are still present, including grammar and spelling checks, formatting options, and bookmarking. Plus, it’s available on Android and iOS, allowing me to access my work anywhere, anytime, through Google Drive.
The Bottom Line
While I won’t judge anyone who uses a more complex tool to shape their creative writing projects, I’ll be sticking with Google Docs from now on. As the old adage goes, "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it."
