What is the best editing software for writers and do you know where it can be pu

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   Sundaymomentsposted 13 years ago

   What is the best editing software for writers and do you know where it can be purchased?
   
   I have heard many recommendations on editing software but yet have ran into that perfect one. Does anyone use a software that seems to be perfect for grammar and spelling errors?

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   DreamerMegposted 13 years ago

   If you want a "perfect" grammar and spelling checker, I think you may need to find a human proofreader. I can recommend someone I know if you want one. I have tried many of the technological ones over the years and not one comes up to human standards in all respects.
   My personal belief is that you first WRITE, without worrying about spelling or grammar. Then you put the writing away for a couple of days (maybe write something different) and then come back to the writing and just EDIT. In fact, I would  probably make it 3 stages:
   Write
   Rewrite
   Edit
   
   Belonging to a local writing society can also help.

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      Sundaymomentsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I tend to agree with you!! I have spent hundreds of Dollars on software that just leaves me with more errors than when I wrote the first layer! Thanks DreamerMeg

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   Lucia Wysposted 13 years ago

   No software application is perfect, neither are humans and depending on what you are writing having absolutely perfect grammar reads wrong. The reason being, is people often expect to read the way they speak. That is not to say that you should have work, which isn't to say that you shouldn't do your best to clear as many grammatical errors as possible. I write as a freelance article writer and as a novelist.
   
   My process is simple like DreamerMeg said write first, get everything out. I put in the basics but I don't obsess about it and unless it's glaring don't go back and fix it. Then I run it through Word with both spell check and grammar/style check. Then I use Whitesmoke and scan it. They  have several different groupings for example, medical, legal or creative. After that, depending on what it is, I generally set it a side and then read through it a while later, usually overnight. Make corrections as needed and then send it off to someone or several people to review, check and comment on.
   
   I then usually run through and make corrections after that before shipping it off to editors or where ever it's destined.

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      Sundaymomentsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks Lucia Wys for confirming what DreamerMeg said! I too feel the same way and have also used whitesmoke. The sad thing about whitesmoke is often times it will create errors; do you have any suggestions???

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      Lucia Wysposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      As with any software program it is important to double check before allowing the program to make corrections. When using it, simply read what is it marking as an error or what it is suggesting. if it doesn't sound reasonable don't allow the change.

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