Two writing programs I use to keep mistakes at a minimum and improve my writing style are Grammarly and the Hemingway Editor. Between the two of them, I won’t use one word because I forgot the spelling of another.
What do you use?
Two writing programs I use to keep mistakes at a minimum and improve my writing style are Grammarly and the Hemingway Editor. Between the two of them, I won’t use one word because I forgot the spelling of another.
What do you use?
Fictionista 
I have finally started using G a couple of months ago, because it seemed like everyone who is semi-successful and wants to progress uses it. I want to be taken seriously and improve my craft, too.
Do I like it? I don’t hate it. But, I don’t see it as anything special, either. It helps, because sometimes I do not proofread my posts. With the use of G I see if I repeated a word, or made a typo.
Like some of the other people have said – I like MY style, so I do not listen to those programs 100% of the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes. They are to be used sparingly. The Hemingway app almost bullies you to change sentences. As we have stated, use…but don’t lose your writing voice.🤗
LikeLiked by 1 person
I use ProWritingAid, I struggled with Grammarly, although I can’t remember why now. ProWritingAid is nice and clear, but I was getting frustrated with the style comments. Then I tried putting passages from some of my favourite authors in and they got similar criticisms (for using too many rambling words, for long sentences, clarity etc) so I stopped worrying so much. It’s definitely useful for spotting repeated phrases and words, which is something i do too much. I’ve never used the Hemingway one, what does it have that Grammarly doesn’t?
LikeLike
The Hemingway editor highlights your work into 4 groups. It lists how many adverbs to cut, passive lines, hard to read sentences, and alternative phrases. I use it to change a passive voice and limit the use of adverbs. A lot of things l stop changing, because the writing wasn’t my voice anymore. Use with a grain of salt.😎
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t like the idea of 100% perfect writing,I think while may look great have the proper grammar,I also think it renders the finished sterile and without heart.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s another good reason to use them sparingly. I want nice grammar but keep my writing style.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds similar to the Writing aid one. Yes, grain of salt definitely needed! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have the Hemingway app. I use it from time to time. I’m not a fan or not a fan. It isn’t what I expected. I tend to just use the spell check and grammar check in Word. But since I am breaking the rules on purpose so many times, I ignore an awful lot. Lol
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s okay because you know the rules, which makes breaking them much more fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is very funny, Darnell 😍
LikeLike
I thought so too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve heard of Grammarly but haven’t actually used either. I don’t use anything, but perhaps I should as my spelling and grammier aint not so good this dayz 😆
I really like the quote about synonyms, that made me chuckle.xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
This seems to be a hot topic for and against. Glad to have your input. As for the quote, if I can find them, I’ll post them 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
very interesting, English is a complicated language no grammar check can be perfect
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree 😊. Thanks for the comment Shantanu
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure
LikeLike
I have serious reservations about the utility of grammar checkers in general, and the Hemingway app in particular. You may enjoy reading a post I blogged on this topic:
https://wp.me/p30cCH-oz
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the input 👍 I will take a look 😊
LikeLike
Enjoyed your post on the Hemingway app. I think grammar apps help me until they change my writing voice. When that happens, I leave the sentence (s) as I originally wrote it. If nothing else, grammar apps help with spelling errors.😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s interesting. I only rely on my memory, which has luckily been honed in that area due to the work that I do in closed captioning. I’m so used to catching same words spelled differently, homonyms, typos, etc., while proofing other people’s work that the same attention to detail follows me to my writing, happily!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Memory? You are so blessed🤗 And the job you do I would think really helps in your creative process. Would love to know more about it in a post one day. Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your interest, Darnell. My job definitely helps with the technical part of the process, but not the creativity, unfortunately. We caption so much CRAP we have to take care that our brain cells don’t die on a daily basis, lol !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLike
Darnell you’ve hit the nail on the head so to speak, yes these grammar correction apps improve the writers style but at what point in editing does a piece of writing stop being your own? Writing style good or poor is who you are and not suggested algorithms written by professional writers at grammarly………….. Great post but I have issues.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You make a great case for and against grammar apps. For me, I will NOT make the correction if it doesn’t sound like my voice or writing style. Cindy just commented that words and their spelling are peculiar things made up by people. I want my writing style at it’s best, but still my own. Thank you for adding to the discussion 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Darnell 🙂 I have a feeling I’ll respond to your thoughts in my own post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a plan! 😎 I look forward to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I used to use the ABC spellcheck where the “bold, italics, special characters” options are. Then one day…it mysteriously disappeared, and I can’t figure out how to get it back. 🥴
LikeLike
Looks like it’s free online. Try downloading it again? Grammerly has a free version. Give it a shot.🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is no downloading. It’s built-in. At the top of the page when you’re adding a new post, all those icons are there. That’s where the ABC used to be. I know WP disabled the underscore some time back. I guess now they’ve disabled the spell check. What a crock!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Words and their spelling are peculiar things. Both are all made up by people. And you have met many people. What do you think of people, in general? This is exactly what you might want to think about words.
Imperfect and interesting, in my view, but certainly not even close to certain.
I think misspelling is far more interesting the rote spelling, because misspelling creates new words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Misspelling happens to everyone. Some people in general tend to misspell certain words with out noticing unless pointed out. I try to avoid doing it because that might take the reader out of the story.
Thank you Cindy for your insight on this topic! 🤗
LikeLike