Best Editing Tools for Writers

They say 'writing is revising'. And for me, 'editing is slogging'.

Over the years, I've discovered I just need to see my work in a brand new way. And I have found the below tools are most helpful.

Do you like revising? What tools help you get the most out of your editing sessions? - AY

Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle

After looking at my endless revising on my laptop, I stop seeing my work objectively. My Kindle Scribe lets me see the words with fresh eyes. I can scribble out ideas, questions, and reminders right where I need them. What really helps me hack the editing process is being able to convert my handwritten notes to text and email them to myself. Seeing my writing in this new format really helps me spot typos, error and other things I might miss when staring at the same old screen.

Kobo Libra Colour

The Kobo Libra Colour is another game changer for editing. (And my fave e-reader too!) Everything comes alive in full colour. Using markups with my Kobo Stylus 2 (which I picked up separately), I can annotate, highlight, and leave little notes all over my own books. This hands-on approach makes editing way more interactive and helps me see my work from a whole new angle.

Kobo Stylus 2

The Kobo Stylus 2 is super lightweight and comfortable. Marking up eBooks or working through documents in the Kobo Libra Colour’s notebook feature feels smooth and intuitive. Honestly, being able to write notes and make highlights in colour right on the device gives my editing process an extra boost. It actually becomes fun!

Hammermill Printer Paper

Editing on paper is old-school but it works. I'm able to step back, see the big picture, and make bolder edits—it feels more hands-on and liberating. Plus, I can jot down new ideas in the margins, connect sections with arrows, or just scribble out clunky sentences. For me, paper turns the editing process into a creative hack rather than a chore.

JBL Wireless Over Ear Headphones

Most writing software have a read-through or speech functions. Recently, I've used these tools on Scrivener, Final Draft and Word to edit faster. Hearing my words out loud helps me catch awkward sentences, clunky phrasing, or repetitive bits that I’d totally miss reading silently.

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