I to use Cometbird, I find the built in spell checker to be very useful as you say. Unfortunately, I have not been able to discover any type of gadget which will operate as a word counter as you are suggesting, you could always write to Cometbird and ask if there are any plans to develop something along those lines, they can only say no. In the meantime, I have a suggestion which may help.
I use a very simple, fast and efficient word processor which beats any other I have tried by a mile, it is called Jarte and I have provided the link to their site below. It is based on Wordpad, but it is easier to use and it is free. Jarte has a built in spellchecker and word counter.
You can use it in a tiny screen, so you can still see another tab open behind it. I hope this helps. jarte.com/ jarte.com/images/main_logo_2.png.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.