Yes, there is. LibreOffice Writer is a free alternative. It has a similar set of features to Microsoft Word in terms of basic writing and formatting capabilities. You can write, edit, and format your story with ease using this program.
One of the top choices is Ulysses. It has a clean and distraction - free writing environment. You can focus solely on your writing without being distracted by a lot of unnecessary buttons or features. It also has great export options for when you're ready to publish your novel in different formats.
I would recommend the University of Arizona's online MFA program. They have a strong focus on the craft of writing, and their short story courses are top - notch. You'll get to study with experienced professors who are also published short story writers. Another great one is the University of Maine's online MFA. They offer a variety of workshops dedicated to short story writing, which is really beneficial for honing your skills.
Microsoft Word. It's a very common and powerful tool. You can format your text easily, add footnotes, and use its built - in thesaurus. Another is Scrivener which is excellent for structuring your novel. You can break it down into sections and move parts around effortlessly.
Another free one is yWriter. It focuses on helping you organize your novel. You can break your story into chapters and scenes, and it has features to keep track of your characters and their details.
Scrivener is a great program. It has features like organizing your chapters, scenes, and research materials all in one place. You can easily move sections around and keep track of your plot lines. Another one is Google Docs. It's free, cloud - based, so you can access your work from anywhere. It also has basic formatting and sharing options which are useful for getting feedback on your novel.
Scrivener is a great one. It has features like corkboard view where you can easily jot down and organize your plot points, characters, and settings in a visual way. It also allows for easy re - ordering of sections, which is very useful for novel outlining.
Scrivener is excellent for story planning. It has features that help you break down your story into manageable parts. For example, you can set word count goals for each section. Plottr is also a good one. It focuses on plotting and allows you to create timelines, plot arcs, and connect different plot points easily. It gives you a clear overview of your story's structure. Then there's Google Docs. It's simple but effective. You can use headings to separate different aspects of your story plan and collaborate with others if needed.
Microsoft Word is also a top choice. It's widely used and has a lot of formatting options. You can customize the font, paragraph styles, and it has a reliable spell - check. It's easy to save your work and share it with others.