Nine Free Apps Every Writer Should Consider

q10: A cool, minimalist full-screen text editor that includes a spellchecker and a couple other nice features. (Win Only; Alternatives: DarkRoom, also Win-only; WriteRoom, Mac-only but not free; Writer, online app)
Freemind: Java-based mindmapping software. Great for brainstorming and taking notes. (Runs anywhere Java runs)
EverNote: Capture formatted notes from any application to a single place. The new version (in private beta now) offers online access, too. (A paid version offers niceties like handwriting recognition.)
Zotero: Firefox extension that allows you to capture bibliographic information from web pages, organize citiations and documents, and create bibliographies in Word and OpenOffice. Essential for anyone who does research on the web.
yWriter4: Novel-writing software created by a working writer with writers in mind. Keeps character descriptions, notes, and other essential information at your fingertips as you write. (Win and Linux)
Sonar: Submission tracking software from the same guy who wrote yWriter4. Keep track of markets and submissions easily. (Win and Linux)
Foxit Reader: A super-fast PDF reader. Opens almost every document much more quickly than Adobe Reader. (Win only)
PDF Creator: Open source program to create PDF files from any application that can print. Installs a "virtual printer" under your programs "Print" menu; select it to save as PDF. (Win only)
Enso Words: Provides system-wide spellchecking and word count; simply select text and enter a keystroke combination ("Caps Lock" + s for spellcheck, "Caps Lock" + w for word count, etc.). (Win only)
Continue reading: The Ultimate Writing Productivity Resource by Dustin Wax

[Info courtesy: Narrative and Storytelling @ How to Save the World by Dave Pollard]