WRITERS HELPING WRITERS®

Helping writers become bestselling authors

Random Acts of Kindness Day 4: More Great Gifts!

by

More Random Acts of Kindness are in store here at The Bookshelf Muse! Once again, Scrivener gives the Writing Community a virtual hug with their software giveaways, and AutoCrit Editing Software is stopping in also, helping to celebrate writers.

Today let’s forget about the hitches and bumps on the writer’s road and instead enjoy the great relationships we’ve built. A bit of kindness goes a long way, so we encourage you to use this as a reason to give the nod to your blog followers for visiting, your betas for reading, and thank any published authors who have offered you encouragement and counsel when you need it. If you would like to steal our badge and surprise someone with a RAOK yourself, please add your blog to our link list at the bottom of this post!

Today and the rest of the week, Industry partners are showing their appreciation for writers. They know how hard you work and appreciate your dedication to the written word. Read on to see what gifts they are offering today, and maybe win something that will make your writing path a bit easier!

Today, you have 3 chances to win, so read on!

RAOK Gift #1: TWO Scrivener Software packages (1 PC, 1 Mac)

Scrivener is billed as ‘your complete writing studio’ and it really is. This software, developed by a writer for writers, is the complete package. How many notebooks do you fill up as you research, brainstorm, outline, create character sketches and finally draft and revise your novel? Well, flipping through that stack of paper or set of binders is a thing of the past with Scrivener. Organize, storyboard, make notes and research all in the same place, and best of all, access it all as you write. The index card and cork board system is nothing short of brilliant.

Simply put, Scrivener is a writer’s best friend. I love how they evolve to serve writers in this new world of publishing, like using the compile feature to export manuscripts to Kindle or epub formats! You can even download a free trial to see if this tool fits your working style!

More good news: David and the crew at Scrivener loved the idea of RAOK for writers so much they are giving out software packages every day this week!

RAOK Gift # 2: a Professional AutoCrit Editing Wizard Membership (1 year)

AutoCrit Editing Wizard is an apt name, because in my mind, the scope it covers as a editing tool is nothing short of pure wizardry. The creator of AutoCrit, Nina Davies, is a writer herself (we knew one another at Critique Circle!) who also happens to be a Computer Whisperer. Marrying her two passions, she created AutoCrit, a program that flags potential wording problems in your manuscript. The free version of this is amazing. Not only will it catch those pesky passives, weak or overused words and clichés that gremlins sneak into your writing (because it isn’t you, right?), it also highlights them so there’s nowhere they can hide. Her program also examines sentence length and flags any potential run-ons.

With a Professional Membership, your analysis is ever deeper! Autocrit will tell you that you have 80 ‘said’, 30 ‘exclaimed’ and 12 ‘declared’ in your manuscript, and it will look at pacing, repeated phrasing, and more, like ‘two word phrasing’. This one will be handy if you overuse gestures like ‘he smiled’ or ‘she nodded’.

Autocrit can’t take the place of a flesh and blood critique partner, but it does catch what eyes miss! This Professional Membership will definitely improve your manuscript no matter how much you’ve worked it. They have a great resource page, too.

Want to win these wonderful RAOK Gifts? Of course you do! Consider spreading a bit of kindness in the Writing Community. A small gesture can mean so much.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  6. Riv Re says

    Thanks so much! This is absolutely amazing!
    Angela, Becca, I’ve got a little present over on my blog for you today, and it would make my day if you’d spare thirty seconds to take a look. =D

    ~Riv Re
    Riv Reads

  7. Elissa Cruz says

    Another resource I’ve never heard of, but are glad you shared. Autocrit sounds great!

    And also thanks for spreading the random acts of kindness, too. You guys rock!

  11. cleemckenzie says

    I tried the AutoCrit on one of my scenes. It was fantastic and I rewrote that scene, so it’s much more interesting.

    If I don’t win this wonderful prize, I’ll scape together the funds for the program.

    I’ll definitely pass on the news to other writers I know.

  12. Angela Ackerman says

    Nina we are thrilled to have you–thank you so much for donating your wonderful software. You and Scrivener are like the dream team of writing tools!

    Angela

  16. Karen Lange says

    It’s been a fun week. This is such a clever idea! I’ve gotten all sorts of positive feedback about it. Have a friend who is going to post about RAOK in the coming weeks. She asked if there was any deadline; I said no! 🙂

  17. Alannah Lynne says

    I love Autocrit!! I let my subscription exire and have really missed using it – it’s a great program!!

    Thanks for another fantastic opportunity to win!!

    Hugs!

  19. Dee says

    What a great thing you’re doing! I already love Scrivener and was excited to learn about Auto Crit.

  21. J Q Rose says

    Auto Crit is an interesting concept. I tried the free version. It looks like a very helpful tool for writers. Enjoying this RAOK blitz. Feelin’ the love.