Words on a page

As you may or may not know from reading this space, I generally advocate using wiki, Google Docs, or Writeboard when collaborating on a writing project. When you need to work on something at same time with one or more collaborators, tools like that aren’t always best options. Wikis and Writeboard don’t let two or more people work on a document at the same time. Google Docs does, but it can take a while to update what everyone is seeing. That slows the process of writing down.

As you can see, collaborating in real time. That can be a tricky proposition. But an online tool called EtherPad can help you make it less tricky.

EtherPad is described as a web-based word processor that allows people to work together in really real-time. And it does a really good job to boot.

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I generally don’t put a lot of stock in grammar or style checkers. In my experience, they’ve tended to be a bit too wedded to strict rules. These kinds of checkers don’t take into account personal writing quirks and attempts at trying to make your writing a bit more original and fresh. Two aspects of writing that I think set you apart, and make your writing more interesting and readable, if done properly.

That said, I know more than a couple of people who do rely on grammar and style checkers. A few of them are, in fact, professional writers. Lately, I’ve been recommending After the Deadline to some people.

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Information. It’s the stock and trade of the professional writer. Notes. Facts. Quotes. Sundry bits and pieces that help us when it comes time to write.

One problem that writers face is keeping all the information that we collect in one easy-to-access location. That can be hard because we’re often never in one place at all times. Take me, for example. My main computer is the laptop on my desk at home. When I’m running around, I often carry a netbook. Often, but not always. Sometimes I only have my BlackBerry with me. Sometimes not even that.

So, how can you easily organize that information? Read on for a few suggestions.

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While I use and advocate using a wiki as an online tool for collaborating on writing projects, I realize that not everyone is comfortable with using one. And not everyone is willing to move outside of their comfort zone in order learn the joys of using a wiki.

A number of writers I know (myself included) use Google Docs for writing and collaborating online. When you’re collaborating on a writing project, you sometimes run into a situation where you’re working on a portion of that project in your own Google Docs space. Not just that, you might want to move (not just copy) one or more documents to a central Google Docs account. Or, like me, you either upload a document to, or start working one, in your own account when it should be in your company’s Google Docs space. I do that all the time.

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I talk a lot about creating outlines. They’re a useful tool for any writer. In fact, I don’t think anyone should start a writing project without an outline. One of the best ways that I’ve found to create an outline is to use outlining software. Sure, I could use paper but have you ever seen my handwriting?

Over the years, I’ve used a number of desktop outliners. Some were quite good, others weren’t. When I started using my netbook outside the house (instead of carrying my laptop computer everywhere), I ran into a small problem: keeping my outlines in sync between the two computers. There was no easy way to do this, and to be honest I didn’t relish the thought of copying or emailing outline files between my computers.

So, I turned to the Web. After looking at a couple of Web-based outliners, I settled on LooseStitch.

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