early-access
November 26, 2024

Writing Fiction with VS Code

Early Access posts are a work in progress, a living draft that's actively being written and refined. What you're reading is incomplete and may contain errors or rough ideas. I'm sharing it with you now to fend off perfectionism and invite you to join me in the creative process. Thank you for being part of this journey!

Writing Fiction with VS Code

A Writer’s Perspective on VS Code

After experimenting with all kinds of text editors, from Atom (RIP 🙏) to Scrivener, I’ve settled on Visual Studio Code for my writing (with a dose of Obsidian here and there). While VS Code is beloved by developers, it also can be a robust choice for fiction writers.

Whether you’re writing a sprawling epic or the world’s shortest novel, the right writing environment matters.

If you read Writing Fiction with Atom, you already know how much I value lightweight, customizable text editors for creative writing. While Atom was a beloved tool, its retirement pushed me to explore new options. With the right tweaks, VS Code has become my go-to environment for writing fiction.

Now, most of this advice is predicated on the fact that I use Markdown for all my writing. A plain-text code tool is really a good fit. I find the simplicity of Markdown a plus to getting in the zone, but that’s a topic for another post.

Why VS Code?

  1. Customization: Extensions galore.
  2. Cross-Platform: Works anywhere you do.
  3. Version Control: Git integration tracks every revision.
  4. Focus-Friendly UI: Zen mode for distraction-free writing.

Essential Extensions for Fiction Writing

  1. GitDoc: Automatically commits, pushes, and pulls changes whenever you save. Ideal for keeping your drafts backed up in real-time. Imagine versioning a pivotal plot twist and seamlessly reverting bad ideas.
  2. Markdown All in One: Master Markdown with keyboard shortcuts, auto-preview, and table of contents generation. Perfect for creating structured drafts, from chapters to world-building notes.
  3. Markdown Paste: Paste copied content (like images) directly into Markdown documents with minimal effort. Great for visual storyboards or inspirational images.
  4. markdownlint: Keep your prose neat and your Markdown syntax cleaner than a Victorian butler’s silver tray. Ensures your formatting is always export-ready.
  5. Word Count: A simple status bar tool that counts words. Keep track of daily word count goals or your novel’s sprawling length.

Other Extensions Writers Swear By

VS Code Workspace Settings for Writers

Fine-tuning your workspace ensures a seamless writing experience:

Tips for Writers Using VS Code

  1. Leverage Git: Use version control to track every draft and edit. Branches can act as “what-if” scenarios for alternate endings or rewrites.
  2. Markdown Magic: Export Markdown to HTML, PDF, or DOCX formats for beta readers and publishers.
  3. Split View: Work on two documents side-by-side. Compare your main draft with notes, timelines, or earlier revisions.
  4. Extensions for Focus: Consider extensions like Code Time or Pomodoro Timer for focused writing sessions.

Resources

November 26, 2024 · #early-access




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