The Only Writing Tools I Actually Use

What I Use Every Day

I’ve tried a lot of apps and tools for writing. Most don’t stick. The ones that do are simple, reliable, and get out of the way. Right now, I use Google Docs for drafting and Notion for storing ideas and outlines. For publishing, I go straight to my site—no fancy workflow needed. Grammarly catches most mistakes before anything goes live. That’s about it.

Tools I Tried (and Dropped)

There are plenty of shiny tools that promise more focus, more output, or better organization. I’ve tried them—Scrivener, Ulysses, Roam, a half-dozen markdown editors. They all seemed great for a week, but I always ended up back in Google Docs and Notion. Simpler works better for me. I don’t need features I’ll never use.

How to Pick Tools That Work for You

Don’t chase what’s trending. Pick tools that make you want to write. If you find yourself fiddling with settings more than drafting words, drop it. Stick with what you’ll actually open every day. Don’t be afraid to quit a tool when it stops helping. Writing is about getting words down. The right tool is the one you’ll use.