And yet I can picture some of those quillers adamantly clutching their feathers to their chests, vowing never to let their fingertips go anywhere near the cold hard keys of a typewriter. Even today we writers can either reject new technology, or let it help us.
Signing a 3-book contract with deadlines is a teensy bit terrifying. Okay, let me be honest. It is a whole lot terrifying. I need help. Google and my smartphone became my BFF's as I hunted for something that would help me increase my output consistently.
I found 3 apps that work for me.
This little app is simple, yet genius. You create projects, enter your deadlines and it will work out how many words you need to write per day to finish on time.
It also tracks how long it will take to finish at your current pace.
It has an option to write to a 25 minute timer and at the end it awards you virtual guava's, which you accumulate and spend on virtual treats. Who doesn't love a virtual guava?
There are all sorts of writing stats and graphs to track your writing streaks, progress and speed. I love being able to see my progress visually. You can work on multiple projects at the same time.
The nifty toolbox features a dictionary, thesaurus and word salad.
One of my favourite things is the featured writing quote on the home page that changes regularly.
Simply, nifty, and working for me!
The title of this one is pretty self-explanatory.
This app enables you to carry your character planning with you throughout your day. (If you are like me and take your phone everywhere, of course.)
Each character is assigned multiple tabs that you can fill in with as much, or as little detail as you want to.
So the next time you're sitting in a boring meeting and get struck with awesome insight into your current people, capture it right there. It also allows you to run multiple projects at the same time and list your characters per book.
This is my latest addition. I installed it last night in a weak moment of giving in to procrastination. Basically, Vocabulary Builder is a word quiz that teaches you new words. You have the option of practicing words without a time limit. Once you finish a round of words, it unlocks the next set.
You also get to test your word-knowledge against other random people from across the globe in quizzes .
So this app is what I call 'productive procrastination'. You get to have a break from your WIP but still hone your skills at the same time.
These three apps work beautifully for me. I'd love to know if you have other things that you use to help you with your writing.
Dianne J. Wilson writes novels from her hometown in East London, South Africa, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. She has just signed a three book contract for a YA series, Spirit Walker, with Pelican / Watershed.
Finding Mia is available from Amazon, Pelican / Harbourlight, Barnes & Noble and other bookstores.
Shackles is available as a free ebook from Amazon & Smashwords.
The app I both love and hate is called Writer's Block. I can pick a word count (e.g. 1000 words) or a time limit, and it blocks everything on the PC until I've met that goal. Everything.
ReplyDeleteSo I love it because it gets me writing, but I hate it because ... well, sometimes I can't actually think of that 1000 words I set, but I have to do it anyway!
Wow Iola! I can imagine that would be brilliant on good word days and tricky on the days when it's just not happening. A bit like having a personal trainer! I may just try it myself.
DeleteThis is very interesting. I honestly never knew there were apps like this for writers, so thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI was delighted to find exactly what I needed. Specifically Writeometer - I've been using it for a few months now and it has made a huge difference to my productivity. I guess it's all psychology, but it works!
DeleteThanks, Dianne. Like Lisa said I didn't realise such apps existed. I do like the sound of the character one. As you "observe" others you can make notes in the app. What a clever idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
I love that it's all on ones phone, I've always got mine with me. It's better than random notes as the things you jot down are already organised and easy to find. I'm impressed!
DeleteI've been wanting to comment on your last post (I will still go do it, I've been too jealous hehehe) What an incredible experience you had! Lunch with Ted! *sobs* I chatted to him briefly online during his last course sign up - what a great, down-to-earth guy. He is truly being used as a catalyst for writers.
I'm so excited for you Ian. I think you are poised on the brink of something huge.
These are neat. My current smartphone is broken so don't get much use out of it except for emergencies. But will keep these in mind for when I get my new one next year.
ReplyDeleteAaah Linda, I feel for you. Technology is great when it works, but when it falls down, it falls down hard!
DeleteI've never heard of these apps either. Thank you for bringing them to light. I use Scrivener on my laptop but never thought about using my phone to help my writing. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHope, I'm sure it was Holy Spirit inspiration. I'd never thought of using my phone either, but when this contract hit, I knew I had to get more organised. There are other app's & systems that are more involved, but I found these to be simple enough not to steal writing time trying to figure them out!
DeleteI use the Hemingway App to identify what my sister calls my "juggernaut sentences" for simplification. The Hemingway App tracks the complexity of your writing, and I've found it hugely helpful in being more clear (my prose tends toward density).
ReplyDeleteI've heard of that Ruthette. I must give it a bash sometime. Thanks for reminding me!
DeleteI use the Hemingway App to identify what my sister calls my "juggernaut sentences" for simplification. The Hemingway App tracks the complexity of your writing, and I've found it hugely helpful in being more clear (my prose tends toward density).
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane! I've pinned this post to my "Writing Process" board on Pinterest.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and God's blessings
PamT
Pam, you are magnificent. Thank you dear friend!
DeleteBlessings to you and yours!
Diane, thanks for sharing these! I may have to try the first two. Love the idea of working on character development while I'm out and about. That's usually when I get the best inspiration. Now I can get rid of those list of notes I have to email myself!
ReplyDeleteI hear you Marian! Writing, for me, is honestly 80% thinking and 20% actual writing. I also love the idea of being able to put the odd 'wasted' time spots (i.e. QUEUEING!) to good use.
DeleteThanks Di. Like a number of other writers, I didn't know these existed for the smartphone. I'm definitely going to download Write-o-meter and give it a try. I write my initial draft in Scrivener, so use the Project Statistics which keeps track of my overall workout and my day's target, so I always know how far I still need to go. But I'm impressed with the thought of my phone keeping track and nagging me when I don't feel like writing!
ReplyDelete