13 free and easy tools for writers
Obscure dictionaries, free writing workshops, and super-secure online journaling.
You’re reading Soft Hobbies, a weekly newsletter for artists in all mediums, with a special focus on writers. Here you’ll find resources to nurture your creativity, advice to overcome perfectionism, and inspiration to make time for art. I’m Auzin, a Seattle-based fiction and poetry writer. Feel free to visit my author website or check out my socials.
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This series is a Soft Hobbies classic at this point, so I’ll let you get right to it. Please restack or share with your friends if you find this post helpful. There are no sponsorships or referral codes in this post.
Don’t forget to check out all the previous lists of free resources I’ve pulled together for you!
Free writing groups and community offerings by Corporeal Writing
Corporeal Writing is shutting down at the end of this year, so I recommend jumping on these resources while they’re easily accessible. There are virtual writing hours five days a week, recordings of past classes, and a free mini-course in their specific approach to writing. Check it out!
Fund your creative work with Buy Me A Coffee
Very similar to Ko-fi and Patreon! Get tips, start a membership, use it as a website or a storefront.
Describe stuff better with Describing Words
I feel like I’ll be using this one a lot — so simple to use and sure to mix up your vocabulary. Could be very fun to have around for revisions. Just type in any noun.
Get a new writing prompt every day
Language is a virus is dedicated to busting your writer’s block. They have prompts, games, advice from master writers, and more. And no AI here, thank god!
The Phrontistery: for budding linguists and fantasy writers
This is a website that compiles the most niche and obscure words in the English language. You can also piss off anyone you’re playing Scrabble with by using the words on this page. I would love to delve more into The Phrontistery in the future; it’s truly unique. I think it would be great for writers who are crafting fantasy or speculative worlds.
Catalogue all your media for easy reference
I first learned about Libib from this video where someone catalogues her entire movie collection, and it really intrigued me. If you’re a Type-A person who wants to quickly reference what you own—maybe so you don’t overbuy?—definitely check it out. The basic plan should cover most personal collections.
A free monthly writing workshop with a published author
Flash Fiction Magazine runs this workshop, which has a new instructor each month. They cover “Instructor-led writing exercises to get your creative muscles working on the spot, plus any writing or publishing questions you bring.” Plus, they record the meeting if you can’t make it! The next one is on June 20; maybe I’ll see you there?
Private online journaling at 750 Words
A website inspired by the morning pages habit from The Artist’s Way. Your writing remains secure, password-protected, and auto-saved as you work towards the 750-word/three-page goal each day. There are even stats that help you learn about yourself from your journaling habit. Take a look.
Search through every dictionary in a few seconds
Why use one dictionary when you can cross-reference a word across 805 of them? Use it to find definitions, related words, quotes, names, lyrics, colors, and more. Make sure to check out the easy “How to search” guide for the best results.
Save and organize whatever you want with Are.na
Are.na is super interesting, although I don’t think I have the patience to use it. They describe themselves as “online software for saving and organizing the content that is important to you” and “a toolkit for assembling new worlds from the scraps of the old.” Take a look and go down some rabbit holes.
Another option to create your own database
Obsidian is free software with an emphasis on privacy and flexibility. “From personal notes to journaling, knowledge bases, and project management, Obsidian gives you the tools to come up with ideas and organize them.” You can use visualization tools, experiment with thousands of plugins, and sync your notes across any device.
Get more free stuff from Chill Subs
Is this series not enough for you? That’s fine, because Chill Subs has their own monthly newsletter of cool free things for writers! Sign up to learn about contests, events, courses, lectures, etc.
I hope some of these resources can help you in your writing journey. Once again, make sure to check out the previous lists. And if you know of something that should be featured in an upcoming roundup, leave a comment or DM me!
Services reminder: Want professional feedback on your writing? I offer editing services at $40/hr and can provide a free quote based on the length and genre of your work. Just email me at auzin1994@gmail.com or reply to this email in your inbox.
Coming soon to Soft Hobbies: how to write a cover letter for submissions, how to get “enough” validation as an artist, and where to get your independent journalism. My birthday is this Sunday, May 31st, so I’m not sure if I’ll have time to write a post for next week :) but I hope to see you soon!
Save the date: My next in-person arts & crafts event is on August 30th in Seattle! More info to come.
Softly yours,
Auzin
you have my highest respect for including obsidian in here, with the right plugins & configurations you can use it for basically anything that's writing related in any way shape or form!! and you won't be forced to use any ai BS, if you're one of *those* people you'll actually have to dig for it (unlike a certain well-loved writing platform that i dare not name lest their users come for me with pitchforks)
These are some of my favorite posts, thank you for always sending out these links!