Technology
The 5 best writing apps to help avoid distractions
So here’s the problem: you need to write, but every time you sit down at your laptop, there are endless distractions. Whether it’s a blog post, an important email, or the next great American novel, you struggle to express one word after another in a consistent manner.
The solution is an app that blocks anything not written by you, so you can focus on the task at hand. Considering how many of these programs exist, focus is something that many writers struggle with, and these are some of the best options currently available to combat writer’s block.
Odysseus
Ulysses (named after the novel) has been providing writers with a minimal, uncluttered interface for over a decade. It has built a loyal following, and it’s not hard to see why. While the front end is impressively clean and simple, it also offers some advanced back end features to keep longer projects organized and manageable.
There is markdown formatting support for your text, as well as control over colors and fonts if you want to customize the default appearance. Everything syncs seamlessly between your devices and you can choose from several file formats to export. Perhaps the only downside is that it is only available for Apple devices.
Odysseus ($5.99 per month, 7-day free trial) for macOS, iOS, and iPadOS
Quiet writer
The Calmly Writer desktop application brings a touch of serenity and peace to your writing. The interface is as simple as it gets, with your documents organized into individual tabs, browser-style. There are some simple formatting options here for headings and lists, and you can choose the font style and color that will be used as the default in the app.
Calmly Writer presents some useful statistics about your work (including reading time), and you can set a goal for each document. Another nice touch is the optional typewriter sound you can turn on, for that retro feel. The app is available for a one-time purchase price, but there are no time restrictions on the free trial.
Quiet writer ($14.99, unlimited free trial) for Windows and macOS
FocusWriter
FocusWriter is a program that sticks to the basics in terms of interface: you get a window with your text in it, and that’s about it. If you need some inspiration, you can choose from some fun alternative themes, including background images of clouds, space, and a city coastline (and you can even add your own custom themes).
Dig a little deeper into FocusWriter and you’ll find some useful features hidden away, including the option to set daily goals, that can help you stay on track with your writing. You can also apply a blur to all text except what you are currently working on. The app is free to use, but you can donate to the developer if you find it useful.
FocusWriter (free) for Windows
Hemingway
Hemingway (named after the author) not only gives you a clean and minimal space to write in, it also helps you write texts that are compact and efficient, just like the great American writer himself. You can enable highlighting for sentences that are difficult to read, as well as for words with easier alternatives, prompting you to rewrite them.
Formatting is accessible via a keyboard shortcut, and you also get simple statistics about your writing. Hemingway’s basic web functionality is free, but you can pay from $10 per month to get AI help and instant grammar improvements, as well as file import and export options. A desktop app is also available, for a one-time payment of $19.99.
Hemingway (free or $19.99 or from $10 per month) for web, Windows, and macOS
iA writer
iA Writer is another app that uses markdown for formatting, which means your screen isn’t taken up by toolbars and menus, just your text and maybe the occasional image. You can use templates to get started quickly, and links between document sections to quickly navigate through your work.
Everything is clearly laid out and easily accessible. You can use smart folders and tags to navigate through your documents: it’s a very intuitive system. You do have to pay separately for each other platform you want to use iA Writer on, but there is a 14-day free trial that you can take advantage of to see if you like it before paying.
iA writer (starting at $29.99, 14-day free trial) for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and iPadOS
Options in the app you already use
Keep in mind that in most word processors there are a number of tricks you can use to make them minimal. For example, Microsoft Word has a special focus mode: you can launch it from the View ribbon menu or from the button on the status bar at the bottom. It puts Word in full screen mode on your screen, while hiding all menus and toolbars.
You can also do something similar in Google Docs. There is no special mode like in Word, but you can choose Display And Full screen to hide the various menus and toolbars at the top of the screen. For the full effect, maximize your browser window in Windows or macOS at the same time so you don’t see anything else on the screen.
