Whether you’re a seasoned writer with years of experience behind you or a total newbie trying to make a name for yourself, writing and composing aren’t always easy processes. Creativity doesn’t always just flow the way we want it to, and it can require a lot of patience, hard work, and effort to come up with new ideas and write them down, especially in the modern world, where it’s so easy to get distracted. Fortunately, the modern world has also given us countless tools to use to make parts of our daily lives, including writing and composing, a lot easier. Here are some of the very best tools for effective composing.
1. Trello
One thing that many writers and composers struggle with is staying organized and keeping all of their ideas and thoughts in one place. Often, you can walk into the studio or study of any composer and see dozens of little Post-its littering the room. Trello helps to consolidate all of those individual notes into simple, easy to manage, online lists. It’s really easy to use and highly efficient for people who want to get organized.
2. Swipe File
A swipe file can make such a big difference to your creative output. Highly popular with creative people and professionals all over the world, a swipe file is essentially a digital pin board where you keep all of the images, sounds, texts, and ideas that interest you. Did you see some interesting artwork online? Add it to the swipe file. Read an inspiring statement while browsing through Twitter? Add it to the swipe file. Over time, your file will grow and expand with all kinds of creative triggers.
3. Help Me Write
Help Me Write is a fun little tool and a wonderful example of people working together and helping each other out. Sometimes, we all need to ask for a little help and we shouldn’t be afraid to do so. Thanks to the internet, we have access to a global community, and Help Me Write lets you engage with that community. You can share your own ideas and thoughts into the network and then see what ideas people come back with. It’s great for inspiration.
4. Google Docs
There are lots of different word processing software options out there, but Google Docs is arguably the very best, offering a lot of useful tools and options, as well as fun features to actually help you become a better writer. It features a research tool, for example, to help you learn more about your writing subjects, and is also easy to share with other Google users, so you can work together on a project with your friends or family.
5. Turn To The Pros
There are times when your creative muscles just aren’t working at full capacity and you need a little help. During these moments, you can seek out the help of professional writers and editors. Various online services exist proposing proofreading and editing services, as well as full text creation.
6. Typatone
At first, Typatone simply seems like a fun little gimmick to pass some time, but the more you play around with it, the deeper its potential seems to become. It essentially just lets you type out words or letters and ‘translate’ them into sounds or musical notes. You can play around with different instruments, and it’s fascinating to see what kinds of effects it can have on your imagination over time.
7. 750 Words
Do you ever wish you had a little more motivation to write? If so, 750 Words can help. This smart site essentially turns writing into a fun little game, tracking your words typed per minute and challenging you to hit a target of 750 words in total. You get points for the words you type and get more points for hitting your targets, or surpassing them. You’ll also be given cool graphs, charts, and stats tables for how you’ve been writing.
8. Oblique Strategies
A fascinating online tool that’s definitely worth checking out for any curious minds in search of fresh ideas and out of the boxing thinking, Oblique Strategies was developed by experimental musician Brian Eno. It essentially gives you a series of short statements and ideas, designed to stimulate creativity and inspire your imagination to look at problems from totally new angles.
9. Audio Tool
Specifically designed for music-makers, Audio Tools is essentially a digital music studio. Opening up this software really feels like stepping into your own studio, complete with all the buttons, switches, and dials you could possibly imagine, ready and waiting to be experimented with. You can actually use this tool to work with digitalized versions of real-life production equipment and can fully customize the set-up however you like.
Conclusion
Writing and composing are skills that take patience and hard work to improve, but if you’re willing to put the effort in, take time to study, learn more, expand your knowledge, and think critically about your own work, you can get a lot better. These tools, along with the dozens of others available both online and in the real world, can help you do just that. So, the next time you find yourself wishing for a helping hand, simply turn to one or more of these tools for effective composing and see how helpful they can be.
