Open Source Tools for Writers
LibreOffice Writer
LibreOffice Writer [7] may seem like an obvious choice, considering that it is a full-featured office suite. However, among those tools are several that are especially useful for professionals.
Admittedly, few editors accept manuscripts in LibreOffice's default Open Document Format (ODT). However, formatting for manuscripts is simple enough that exporting files to MS Word format is no trouble. Moreover, Writer also exports to PDF (Figure 7), with enough options to give you full control over the process. The last few releases have even started to support exports to ePub, the leading free ebook format. Although the support for ePub within Writer is still limited, ODF files can be imported to the Calibre ebook manager and then converted with acceptable quality to ePub, Kindle's MOBI, or any other popular ebook format.

In addition, Writer supports comments and tracking changes, two features that enable collaboration of exactly the kind that happens between writers and editors or critiquing readers. Using these tools, writers can accept or reject revisions and easily access revisions from within their manuscripts.
For those who are writing very long books, Writer has Master Documents, which are documents that consist of multiple files. These files can be edited separately, which reduces memory requirements and allows writers to work on different parts of the complete document at the same time.
Likewise, professionals may find features like AutoText and personal dictionaries for spell checking and hyphenation useful. Should you want to self-publish, either online or to hard copy, Writer also has the tools for professional layout and design unmatched by other word processors. With this array of tools, Writer is indispensable for serious writing.
What's Missing
This list of applications is what I consider the best of the best. For example, there are countless text editors and word processors that I might mention. However some are free to use, but do not have free licenses. Neither have I mentioned any online tools, for the simple reason that when you are a writer with deadlines, the risk of Internet connection problems is too great, even though this only occasionally happens. Local apps are simply more reliable.
Also, I have left out most so-called writers' applications. Some, like FocusWriter, promise a distraction-free writing environment that I can get more conveniently in Bluefish or Vim, or even LibreOffice by using styles and templates – and at the expense of extra time spent reformatting for submission.
Another category I have left out are databases for fiction like bibisco. Such tools claim to help writers by peppering them with questions about characters, settings, unnecessary links, and organization. I remain deeply skeptical about such tools, because I have yet to hear of a professionally published writer who uses them. Just as importantly, they take much of the joy from writing for me, reducing the experience to something more akin to filling out a seemingly endless survey.
In the end, writing is about writing – or, failing that, streamlining necessary research so that you can return to writing as soon as possible. Properly used, the applications mentioned here should help you do just that.
Infos
- BrainDump: https://packages.debian.org/stretch/braindump
- Zim: http://zim-wiki.org/
- Artha: http://artha.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Home
- Klipper: https://userbase.kde.org/Klipper
- Diction: https://www.gnu.org/software/diction/
- Calibre: https://calibre-ebook.com/
- LibreOffice Writer: https://www.libreoffice.org/discover/writer/
« Previous 1 2 3
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Direct Download
Read full article as PDF:
Price $2.95
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
CarbonOS: A New Linux Distro with a Focus on User Experience
CarbonOS is a brand new, built-from-scratch Linux distribution that uses the Gnome desktop and has a special feature that makes it appealing to all types of users.
-
Kubuntu Focus Announces XE Gen 2 Linux Laptop
Another Kubuntu-based laptop has arrived to be your next ultra-portable powerhouse with a Linux heart.
-
MNT Seeks Financial Backing for New Seven-Inch Linux Laptop
MNT Pocket Reform is a tiny laptop that is modular, upgradable, recyclable, reusable, and ships with Debian Linux.
-
Ubuntu Flatpak Remix Adds Flatpak Support Preinstalled
If you're looking for a version of Ubuntu that includes Flatpak support out of the box, there's one clear option.
-
Gnome 44 Release Candidate Now Available
The Gnome 44 release candidate has officially arrived and adds a few changes into the mix.
-
Flathub Vying to Become the Standard Linux App Store
If the Flathub team has any say in the matter, their product will become the default tool for installing Linux apps in 2023.
-
Debian 12 to Ship with KDE Plasma 5.27
The Debian development team has shifted to the latest version of KDE for their testing branch.
-
Planet Computers Launches ARM-based Linux Desktop PCs
The firm that originally released a line of mobile keyboards has taken a different direction and has developed a new line of out-of-the-box mini Linux desktop computers.
-
Ubuntu No Longer Shipping with Flatpak
In a move that probably won’t come as a shock to many, Ubuntu and all of its official spins will no longer ship with Flatpak installed.
-
openSUSE Leap 15.5 Beta Now Available
The final version of the Leap 15 series of openSUSE is available for beta testing and offers only new software versions.