Tools & Resources for Writers Who Want to Finish (and Publish) Their Work
Welcome to the Creative Mind Habits toolbox, a curated list of tools I actually use and recommend. Whether you’re writing your first draft, self-publishing on Kindle, or just trying to stay consistent without losing your mind… this is for you.
Writing & Drafting Tools
- Google Docs – Simple, free, and cloud-based. Great for first drafts and collaboration.
- Scrivener – A powerful writing tool built for long-form projects like novels, nonfiction, and scripts.
- Hemingway Editor – Clean up your writing by making it bold and clear.
- Grammarly – For catching grammar slip-ups, tone issues, and weird passive voice moments.
Creativity & Idea Capture
- Notion – My brain-dump HQ. I use it to organize blog ideas, book outlines, and creative routines.
- Obsidian – A markdown-based app for networked thinking. Great for connecting ideas like a Zettelkasten nerd.
- Google Keep – Quick, visual note-taking on the go. Good for when a great sentence hits mid-walk.
Self-Publishing Tools
- Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – The go-to platform to publish your ebook or paperback on Amazon.
- Canva – For DIY book covers, Instagram posts, and blog graphics. Beautiful and beginner-friendly.
- Atticus – A newer tool for formatting ebooks and print books. Worth checking out if you want Scrivener + Vellum vibes.
Productivity & Habit Support
- Pomofocus – A free Pomodoro timer that helps you write in focused 25-minute bursts.
- Todoist – Manage your writing tasks and life admin without chaos.
- Forest App – Grow cute trees by not touching your phone. (Yes, really. It works.)
Newsletters & Learning
The Writer’s Code – My free weekly email for writers who want to stay creative, consistent, and actually finish their books
→ Subscribe here- David Perell’s “Write of Passage” – If you want to go deep into digital writing and building an audience.
- Reedsy Learning – Free, bite-sized email courses on everything from plotting to publishing.
Some of these links may be affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I actually use and love — and that I think will help you write better, faster, and with less drama.