Editor’s Note: With a new year now underway, you may feel as though you have a metaphorical blank canvas on which to plot and plan your writing projects. In that spirit, I have compiled a roundup of digital tools and platforms that may be useful to organizing your writing life. These companies have not paid to be featured here, rather, these tools are ones I have heard writers frequently wonder about, at the BIO Conference, in writer’s groups, and online. May they spark your curiosity and creativity!

Notion

Notion.so is a relatively new, cloud-based software that is free for individuals to use. It is highly customizable and flexible and can help you keep track of many moving parts as you research and write. Here is a Medium article on some of the functionality that writers may find helpful, as well as a breakdown of how one freelance writer personally uses the system. If you prefer to watch instructional videos, Ali Abdaal has several helpful tutorials on his YouTube channel.

Scrivener

Scrivener is a paid program that you must install on your computer, offered by Literature & Latte, which has been steadily gaining popularity over the last 10 years. Scrivener feels a bit more like a database and a drafting board; a number of how-to resources exist for it, including this Lifehacker article, a good place to get a sense of the program. Additionally, Michael La Ronn of Author Level Up has a free, 20-minute tutorial on YouTube. For information on a 30-day free trial of Scrivener, or to see pricing, visit the Literature & Latte site.

Evernote

With options to work both in the cloud and across local devices like cell phones and personal computers, Evernote feels like a best-of-both-worlds kind of option. Additionally, you can obtain the basic version of Evernote, which offers considerable functionality, for free, or you can pay a monthly or annual fee to access more features (pricing details can be found here). A major benefit of Evernote is its ability to convert cell phone images of documents into printer-like readouts (as PDFs). Writer Susan Orlean once counted herself as an Evernote devotee (although, spoiler alert: in 2019, she changed her opinion about the platform). It remains a popular option.

Bookflow

Not only does this cloud-based software offer a place to store your writing, it also focuses on productivity and motivation in ways that the other services do not, making it an interesting option if you are looking for support on your writing journey. La Ronn of Author Level Up offers a video overview and review of the service, and pricing information is available here.