I’ve been into creative writing since I was a kid. Back then I used to create these little fantasy tales and really enjoyed the process. After taking a break for several years, I’m feeling the urge to get back into writing again. It feels like something I need to do to express myself properly. I have all these ideas floating around in my head and I think it’s time to put them together into a proper book. I’m wondering if Google Docs would be a good platform for this kind of long-form writing project. Has anyone here used it for writing a full book? What are your thoughts on using it as a main writing tool?
Google Docs is fine for basic stuff, but it’ll drive you crazy on a full book project.
I’ve watched writers drown in chaos - multiple drafts, character notes, research, plot outlines all over the place. You end up with dozens of random documents you can’t keep straight.
The real nightmare hits when you’re moving chapters around, tracking how characters change, or keeping your world consistent. Google Docs wasn’t made for complex projects like this.
You need something that handles all your creative stuff in one spot and does the boring management work for you. Automatic backups everywhere, file structures that organize themselves, workflows that keep your research and writing in sync.
I built this exact setup for a friend writing sci-fi. Automated her whole workflow so she could actually write instead of managing files. Her character sheets updated everywhere automatically, research organized itself.
Latenode can build you this kind of integrated system. Connect your docs, automate backups, create workflows that actually work for serious book writing.
Honestly depends on your writing style. I’ve used Google Docs for short stories but switched to Notion for my current novel - it’s way better for organizing character arcs and timelines without drowning in folders.
I used Google Docs for two full manuscripts before hitting the wall. The collaboration features were excellent with my beta readers, and I could write anywhere—even during lunch breaks at work. However, when I exceeded around 200 pages, the platform began to lag significantly. The major hurdle came when I needed to restructure important plot points; Google Docs lacks the necessary tools for managing complex narratives. It’s a good option for beginners, and being free helps, but you might quickly outgrow it as your project becomes more serious. I recommend starting with Google Docs to develop your writing habit and then transitioning to more specialized writing software once you encounter its limitations.
Google Docs is generally effective for writing books, but there are a few drawbacks to consider. I composed my first novel using it and appreciated the instant feedback feature, as well as the automatic saving which protects against data loss. However, when working on lengthy manuscripts, you might experience lag and frustrating formatting issues. If you have a larger project in mind, looking into alternatives like Scrivener or Word might be worthwhile. Still, for beginners, Google Docs is a free option that allows for writing from virtually any device, with the flexibility to transfer your work later.