Field notes
Notes from the desk
Distraction free writing apps: what actually works for a novel
An honest guide to distraction free writing apps for novelists, from minimal editors to e-ink hardware, compared by a writer who built one of them.
Best novel writing apps in 2026: 10 tools, honestly compared
The best novel writing app depends on how you write. Scrivener, Dabble, Reedsy, Atticus, Novelcrafter, and more, compared honestly by someone who built one.
A marketplace for Penflow writers: what I want to build next
Penflow helps you write a novel. This is the part I want to build next: a place where writers publish their work, free or paid, and readers support them.
Free novel writing software: 7 tools worth your time
Compared Google Docs, Reedsy, yWriter, bibisco, and more. Here is what each free tool actually gets you, and which one fits how you write. No upsell.
How long does it take to write a novel (the math)
How long does it take to write a novel? Most authors take 6 to 12 months for a first draft. Here is the math to work out your own deadline before you start.
How to start writing a book: a practical guide
Most people who start writing a book quit before they finish. Here is how to get past the blank page and build the habit that gets you to a draft.
How to write a novel: a plain, practical guide
Learn how to write a novel, from finding an idea worth 80,000 words to finishing the draft. Plain, practical, no formula. Start with step one.
Why I built Penflow
A small note on why a writing app should feel like a notebook, not a workflow.