Writers using PCs with Windows have a free new tool for automatically spotting cliches and repeated words in your writing–download the SmartWrite program and start editing.

All writers have favorite words, cliches or phrases that they lean on like a crutch when writing. Without the help of an editor, you might miss the words that repeat–they are so familiar, you don’t even notice them. This simple program will check a variety of common writing mistakes, including how often you use your favorite word or repeat dialog tags like “she said.”

Check it out: “SmartEdit is an automated tool that scans your finished novel or your work in progress and highlights areas that might need closer attention. It runs five individual checks, such as highlighting words or phrases marked by you for monitoring, counting the different dialog tags you have used, and searching out over-used phrases, words and cliches. It’s not a word processor – its sole purpose is to assist you when you edit your work, much like a grammar or spell checker.” (Via Reddit)