Is Microsoft Word good for writing books?
Microsoft Word is a widely-used word processing software, but it may not be the best choice for writing a novel or book. Here are a few reasons why:
Microsoft Word has many distractions
Microsoft Word is a feature-rich software with many options and tools that can distract you from your writing. It has a spell checker, a thesaurus, and options for formatting text, inserting images and shapes, and more. While these features can be useful, they can also be distracting, especially if you are using them excessively. It can be easy to get lost in the details of formatting and lose sight of the bigger picture of your writing.
Lack of structure
Microsoft Word does not have a built-in structure for writing a book or novel. It does not have tools for organizing your ideas or for keeping track of your characters and their arcs. This can make it difficult to stay organized and on track as you write.
Inflexible formatting
Microsoft Word can be inflexible when it comes to formatting your book or novel. It is not designed specifically for this purpose and may not have the options you need to achieve the look and feel you want for your book. It can also be difficult to make global changes to your formatting, such as changing the font or the margins for your entire document.
Version control issues
If you are working on a book or novel with a team, Microsoft Word can be difficult to use for version control. It is not built for collaborative writing and can cause issues with overlapping edits and lost work. It can also be difficult to track changes and see who made them.
Limited export options
When it comes time to publish your book or novel, Microsoft Word may not have the export options you need. It does not have built-in support for ebook formats, such as EPUB, and may not produce a high-quality print version of your book.
So, what are the alternatives to Microsoft Word for writing a book or novel? Our recommendation for a book writing app is Scene One. It covers all the bases that Word misses, and is even free!
In conclusion, while Microsoft Word is a powerful word processing software, it may not be the best choice for writing a novel or book due to its distractions, lack of structure, inflexible formatting, version control issues, and limited export options. So trying a dedicated book-writing app like Scene One is your best bet.