Writing is a key activity for any researcher, but many of us have difficulty with getting words on paper or formatting what we have written. There are lots of tools and communities on the web to help with writing. Select your problem to find a solution!
Structuring and formatting
Scrivener is word processing tool that helps with the structuring and formatting of long documents, allowing you to arrange chapters on a "corkboard" using index cards that can be shuffled and restructured.
It is popular with creative writers as well as academics.
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| LaTeX is an open source document preparation system. It is a tool for the more technologically confident, requiring a small amount of coding, although it is easier than it seems and a lot of online support is available. It is particularly popular with scientists and produces high quality typeset documents with minimum effort once the original set up is done.
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Avoiding distractions
| MacFreedom is an app for Mac and PC that stops you from using the internet for a set amount of time. 10$ buys you freedom from distraction, but you can try it several times for free.
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Full screen writing environments are popular tools to help writers avoid distraction.
Try Writespace for PC or Writeroom for Mac. |
Finding Time
Write or die is a free web app that encourages you to write by introducing sanctions if you don't! Choose from gentle, normal or kamikaze modes to be sent polite reminders or intrusive warnings if you stop writing.  |
The Pomodoro Technique is a way of managing your time to get tasks done more efficiently. All you need is a kitchen timer or a pomodoro app and you're ready to start.
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