As someone writing in English (which isn’t my first language—Swedish is), finding the right tools to help with my writing has been quite the journey. Most editing tools seem to think they know exactly what you want to say, which is annoying enough in your native language. In English? Even more so. But then I found ProWritingAid, and for once, I felt like it actually proposed changes that felt right to me (I mean, I’m not a complete novice at English).
Before I continue: this post has my affiliate link, and if you end up buying through it, I might earn enough for half a cup of tea (maybe). I’m telling you this because I believe in being honest, even when the truth is a bit awkward. (And I could use those extra pennies.)
Why this one works
What makes ProWritingAid different is that it doesn’t just correct my English—it helps me understand why something needs changing. Instead of just highlighting errors (which every tool does), it explains the language rules in a way that I actually understand. For someone constantly thinking between two languages, this is incredibly helpful.
It breaks down the editing process into smaller parts, which means I don’t have to think about everything at once. Today I might focus on grammar, tomorrow on style, and maybe next week I’ll look at how my sentences flow. Sometimes, though, I feel it is slightly judgemental (I know it only wants to help, but still; “enough with the attitude towards some of my wording, pal!”).
Want to try it?
If you’re curious about ProWritingAid, you can find it through this link (which, if I remember right, will give you 20% off, as well). Remember what I said about the affiliate commission? Yes, that’s still true. But honestly, even if you ignore my link completely (which would be very human of you), I’d still recommend giving it a try.
Now, back to my fantasy trilogy, where ProWritingAid patiently helps me figure out why I keep sliding over to using a passive voice every other chapter. Some mysteries are better solved with help, especially when writing in a second language.
