Think about your favorite authors—the ones whose books have deeply impacted your life. Do you know what they all had in common?

None of them used special book-writing software to write their books.

Yet, many aspiring authors fall into the trap of believing they need the perfect writing software before they can begin. They spend countless hours researching and testing different programs, hoping to find a tool that will magically make their writing better.

Let me save you time and money: software is not what makes a great book.

In fact, most writing software adds unnecessary complexity without offering real value.

The Real Reason You’re Searching for Writing Software

We all know someone who decided to take up a new hobby—whether it’s golf, yoga, or photography—and immediately spent weeks researching and buying the best gear. They got all the right equipment, showed it off to friends, posted about it on social media… and then barely used it.

Why? Because obsessing over tools is often a way to avoid doing the hard work.

For writers, endlessly searching for the “perfect” writing software can be a way of avoiding the actual process of writing. And that’s completely understandable—writing a book is hard, and it can bring up a lot of fears. Fear of failure. Fear of criticism. Fear that your book won’t be good enough.

But the only way to write a book is to actually sit down and write.

Before you invest in another tool, ask yourself: Is this search truly necessary, or am I using it as a distraction?

If you genuinely need a tool to make the process smoother, here’s a breakdown of the only ones worth considering.

The Only Writing Tools You Need

1. A Word Processor

Every word processor does the same basic job. The key is to use one you’re comfortable with so you can focus on writing, not figuring out software features.

• Google Docs: Great for simplicity and easy collaboration.
• Microsoft Word: A solid, widely used option.
• Apple Pages: Perfect for Mac users.

No one writing software will make you a better writer—so just pick the one that feels right and start writing.

2. Grammarly (Optional)

If you want help catching typos and improving clarity, Grammarly is a free tool that integrates with Google Docs and Microsoft Word. The free version is plenty for writing a book, though there’s a paid option for more advanced editing.

3. Hemingway Editor (Optional)

Hemingway Editor helps simplify your writing by highlighting passive voice, excessive adverbs, and complex sentences. It also assigns a readability score—Hemingway’s own writing scored at a 5th-grade level, proving that simple, clear writing is often the best.

4. Distraction-Free Writing Software (If You Need It)

If distractions are a problem for you, tools like Freedom (which blocks websites across all your devices) or FocalFilter (a free site blocker) might help. But ultimately, no software can stop you from picking up your phone—so self-discipline is still key.

Stop Searching, Start Writing

You don’t need fancy software to write a great book. You already have everything you need—now it’s time to sit down and start writing.

Want more guidance on writing and publishing your book? Read The Scribe Method for free online here or grab a hard copy here.