Top 5 Writing Apps of 2017
Writings apps can not only save you time and super-charge your writing progress, but they’re also incredibly fun to use. Whether you are just starting out on your first writing project, or are working on revisions and rewrites, we have scoured the web to bring you the absolute best writing apps of 2017. Whether you are an Apple or Android user, you will wonder how you ever managed without these!
1. Creativity
Price: FREE (or upgrade to pro for £1.99)
Apple Alternative: Brainsparker Creativity and creative thinking
What is it? This writing app provides you with various tools and techniques to originate and develop new ideas in a creative way.
How does it work? You choose the exercise to get your creative juices going. There are 10 different techniques: brainstorming, 6 thinking hats, exquisite corpse, write text, random words, question & answer, transformation and SCAMPER. All of these creative techniques are thoroughly explained in the app, and if you are not sure where to start, there is even a section on ‘which technique should I use?’, so you can start writing like a pro!
2. Character Story Planner
Price: FREE (or upgrade to pro for £2.19)
Apple alternative: A Novel Idea
What is it? This fun app helps you create and keep track of all your characters. You can also add storylines, different worlds, different scenes and simply have your whole novel in one little app!
How does it work? You just click on ‘add character/story/ scene/ location/world’ and start creating! You can add images, name, age, date of birth, species, job, one sentence descriptions, appearance, backstory, relations, past and so on! The app prompts you with lots of questions about your characters so you really get to know then inside and out. You can also export your work from the app to PDF, share it on social media, Evernote, Google Drive, Gmail or your WordPress account. The user interface is very simple, so even if you’re not familiar with complicated apps or smartphones, you will still be able to figure this great writing app out!
3. Goodtime Productivity Timer
Price: FREE
Apple alternative: Focus Keeper Free
What is it? This writing app is a Pomodoro Timer, designed especially to keep you focused for fixed periods and gets rid of procrastination.
How does it work? The Pomodoro technique splits your work into sessions of 25 minutes with a 5-minute break between each session and a 25-minute break between every 4 sessions. The idea is to get you straight down to business with no messing around. You’ll be amazed at how much you can really achieve in 25 minutes when you put your mind to it. In the Settings section, you can edit the duration of your work sessions and longer breaks if you’re feeling adventurous. You can also choose how many sessions you want to complete before you award yourself with a big, fat break. You can even tell your app to disable all notifications and wifi so you can put all of your focus energy in your work!
4. Speechnotes
Price: FREE (or upgrade to pro for £5.99 (or £0.99 per month)
Apple Alternative: SpeechNote
What is it? This writing app serves as a microphone and a secretary in one! It turns your speech into text straight away! Use this app if you want to ‘write’ down quick notes or thoughts when you don’t have anything to write on or to save time. (Note: don’t use in noisy cafes)
How does it work? You know those people in court with their little typewriters who have to record everything that has been said? This app works in the same way, but instead of a person, it’s all in your phone! This app is very useful for when you’re walking down a street and suddenly an idea hits you. Just grab your phone and say the words. Talking is (for most people) a lot faster than typing, so you can make notes a lot faster.
5. Wordbook English Dictionary
Available: Android + Apple
Price: £1.27
What is it? This writing app is a comprehensive, quick and intuitive dictionary and thesaurus of the English language. It provides etymology, IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet), pronunciations and a thesaurus.
How does it work? You just type in a word and you get all the information you need. Synonyms, pronunciation guides, word origin (not for every word), usage samples and so on. You can listen to the pronunciation of every listed word and there is even a built-in thesaurus! Never make a mistake again, and make sure your vocabulary is rich and interesting, with this little app in your pocket!
I hope these writing apps super-charge your writing and help you to get more done in your precious writing time. If you know of any other handy apps that help you write, please share them with us in the comments box below!
Originally posted at www.iamselfpublishing.com on 28 April 2017
