by katerha You know how I wrote earlier concerning resources for writers and improving your writing? Well, here I am again sharing with you what I've found to do just that. As a writer, most of what I think about all day is my writing. I'm sure my bosses and my husband would hate that if I revealed it, but it's true. I enjoy thinking about my writing (my fiction, blogs, articles-to-write, etc) and actually doing the writing. I don't quite understand the concept of writer's block, although I do understand the feeling that what one writes is utter garbage! (What would that be called? Writer self underestimation?)
Anyway.
So, I want to share with you a program that I hadn't come across until very recently: Pro Writing Aid Editing Software.
What is "Pro Writing Aid" ?
Pro Writing Aid is a free online software that allows writers to easily copyedit their own writing. Just think, a software that catches more than grammar. This software catches everything from overused words to vagueness!
The site does require a login, which is also how they track the "reputation points" you can earn toward a free year's license (see below). This is also how they tie the premium version to your account.
Features: Free Version
The free version is, as the name suggests, totally free. You can click on the Pro Writing Aid link to get to the web version. They also offer a Wordpress plugin and an API for programmers. The free version offers 19 different reports to improve your writing:
- Summary
- Overused Words *
- Word Cloud
- Sentence Variation
- Pronouns Report
- Grammar
- Writing Style
- Sticky Sentences*
- Cliches & Redundancies*
- Repeated Words & Phrases
- Phrases Summary
- Diction
- Vague & Abstract Words
- Complex Words
- Alliteration Analysis
- Pacing
- Consistency
- Sentiment
- Time*
- Dialog
- HomonymsPassives and Adverbs
I tried this and found it incredibly easy to use. Unfortunately, users cannot edit their text from within the editor with the free version, which is a bit annoying. The reports also have to be run separately, which is also a pain. I think that I would enjoy this more if I had the premium version. (Try it yourself and let me know what you think!)
Features: "Premium" Paid Version
As you would expect, the paid version offers even more features. For only $35/year (there are other pricing levels that are cheaper, such as paying for a few years or even a "lifetime" for $120), writers have the ability to edit within the text editor, instead of having to copy and paste text between a word processing software and the online editing tool.
Extra reports that are included with the Premium version: Overused Words Report, Cliches and Redundancies Report, Sticky Sentences Report, Passives and Adverbs Report, Time Report and the Repeated Words and Phrases Report.
Don't want to pay for Pro Writing Aid? Earn it for free!
Ways to earn "reputation points" toward a free year's license of Pro Writing Aid:
- Use the free version
- Leave comments
- Be a member
- Suggest improvements
Because users log into the site, the makers of Pro Writing Aid can track how often you use the software and they reward you for it. Just 250 "reputation points" earns you a free license. That's pretty nifty, in my opinion.
Conclusion
I will use Pro Writing Aid Writing Software from now on to improve the quality of my freelance articles, blog posts, and likely my fiction, too. I feel that this extra step will improve readability, comprehension, and overall quality. I mean, if nothing else...it's free! And even for the premium edition, it's the price of the sale of 1-2 articles on Constant Content. That's not bad, in my opinion.
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