iPad apps for writers

Shamisen · Dec 16, 2010

I love using me ipad to write, particularly with the keyboard attachment, and Pages is great. But are there any other apps to use, for any writing related stuff, that people would personally recommend?

I am a big fan of Popplet for mindmapping and chapter planning. Nice to look at too.

maestrowork · Dec 16, 2010

There are a few mind-mapping apps that are very useful.

Note-taking apps such as Penultimate... I don't have my iPad with me at the time, but there are a few that I use all the time to jot down notes and drawings.

Dictionary.

I just discovered a couple handwriting recognition apps.

For screenwriters there's Screen Pro (or something like that).

An alternative to Pages is My Writing Spot for iPad. It provides online sync'ing (which Pages lack) via their web app. http://www.mywritingspot.com/ipad

Deleted member 42 · Dec 16, 2010

There's one that's about to be released; I don't know anything about it other than what's on the site:

http://writingsapp.com/

maestrowork · Dec 16, 2010

Note Taker HD can annotate PDF file -- great for editing, proofreading or critiquing/beta reading.

Deleted member 42 · Dec 16, 2010

Anyone tried using a stylus with one of the Inkwell / hand writing recognition apps?

I'm mostly just curious.

maestrowork · Dec 16, 2010

Medievalist said:
There's one that's about to be released; I don't know anything about it other than what's on the site:

http://writingsapp.com/

sounds simple enough and the sync with Dropbox feature is sorely missed in Pages.

Shamisen · Jan 3, 2011

Thanks guys. I have Penultimate but confess that I haven't really used it much. I do love Pages though, particularly with the docked keypad.

Which handwriting apps do you use? I have a stylus too and have been looking for a handwriting to text app. I will look into that writingsapp though!

Sagana · Jan 3, 2011

Oh how I love my Ipad. It's really helped me write, I believe (I make dates with my writing, through the Ipad).

I also use My Writing Nook which seems to be the same thing as My Writing Spot. It works really well for me. And when they told us we couldn't connect to the net at work for personal things anymore (even at lunch/breaks - my bosses have gone crazy), I realized if I sync before I leave in the morning, write not connected, and sync as soon as I get home, it works beautifully anyway.

I also like Browser Notes (take notes while browsing or with pdfs), I have outliner but never use it (I outline on my desktop and have recently started using Scrivener for the PC). And I find wikihood and NYCWay travel apps really handy for research.

But really all I need is the Ipad and my foldable travel keyboard. The keyboard folds in half and slides in its own wallet-sized case, opened and locked it's just slightly smaller than a full-size keyboard and has all the functionality. There's only one shift key and the space bar is divided in half so it takes a bit of getting used to. But honestly, I love the thing.

And the Ipad.

Marko Kloos · Jan 4, 2011

I love Elements. It's a text editor that syncs with DropBox. I can start a chapter on my Mac mini, continue it on the PC upstairs, and finish it on the iPad, without ever having to manually synchronize or copy anything.

FOTSGreg · Jan 8, 2011

I use iCard Sort as a 3x5 card outlining tool. It works great and it's free.

I have My Writing Nook, Pages, Notebooks, WritePad, an several other writing aps, but I mainly use Pages and WritePad these days.

I've got iDisk and DropBox aps and I use a Virgin Mobile mifi device for those rare times I'm somewhere where I don't have wifi access. I also have the BlueTooth keyboard for my iPad and will be building or obtaining a stylus to use with WritePad (my hand writing with my fingers is almost illegible).

AlexPiper · Jan 8, 2011

Evernote. I love Evernote.

I keep character notes and maps and suchnot in Evernote and I can access them on my iPad, my PC, my Mac, etc. I can tweak them easily on-the-go if I have an idea while waiting in line somewhere, and they're kept in sync across all my devices. Evernote is research and brainstorming happiness, at least for me.

Deleted member 42 · Jan 8, 2011

I'm liking Evernote a lot, and InstaPaper, for my blogging.

I'm planning on trying the iPad version of Bare Bones' Yojimbo, too. I've been using it for years on my Mac.

I've been using Elements more than I expected too, frankly.

Sagana · Jan 9, 2011

Ah, Evernote looks perfect. Thanks!

AlexPiper · Jan 9, 2011

I admit, my general writing setup tends to be "Scrivener open in full-screen mode on the MacBook Pro, with the iPad propped up beside it with Evernote open." Then I never even need to exit the editor mode to refer to something; I just pick up the iPad, find the appropriate entry in Evernote, and return to writing.

I know myself well enough to know that if I exit full-screen mode I can get distracted, and then there goes my writing time for the day.

maestrowork · Jan 9, 2011

There are some mind-mapping software such as Adobe Ideas that are really helpful.. not the actual writing, but planning and plotting, etc. The way you can just use a stylus (the Pogo stylus is a must have, BTW) or your finger to draw and connect the dots, etc. is very useful and intuitive.

karmali · Jan 11, 2011

Hello,
Thanks for sharing nice post about iphone.
Every note is very informative.

kuwisdelu · Jan 18, 2011

Today, Microsoft released OneNote for iOS.

Note that it's an iPhone app, only available in the US, and I'm not sure how it compares to Evernote.

MollyParrot · Jan 27, 2011

Has anybody tried Circus Ponies Notebook? I've used and loved the desktop version for a few years, but the $30 price tag, coupled with lousy reviews, is keeping me from trying the new iPad app, but it is so tempting...

Thanks.

djmcdaniel · Sep 27, 2013

iPad Apps & Scrivener

I have spent a huge amount of time and effort exploring Apps that work for the writer on iPad. I have narrowed it down to two Apps for writing on the iPad. My first choice is Textilus and my second choice is the Storyiest. The both can export into Scrivener and that was my number one concern. I primarily write on my laptop directly into Scrivener but when I take the kids to school, or head to a doctors appointment, anywhere I may have time to write I take my iPad. With using Dropbox or iCloud I am able to rack-up some valuable writing time and then finish later in Scrivener via DropBox and iCloud.
To sum things up for the writer, first check out Scrivener and use this as your primary writing application. On the go, use Textilus as a word processor and The Storyiest for if your writing a whole project on your iPad. I use both of them. Also consider Outline Pro and Index Card on your iPad. Outline Pro to help you plan your novel, short story, or screenplay and Index Card if you like to see a storyboard. The Storiest has notecards but I personally like using Note Cars separately. Another indispensable tool for the PC and iPad is WordWeb Pro dictionary/Thesaurus.

I also read another post recommending the Zagg keyboard case. Absolutely the BEST. I love the full lighted keyboard which enables me to write at night while my wife sleeps next to me. I actually have three different keyboards for my iPad and Zagg is the best. I'm trying to sell the other two. I wasted my money.

I cannot say enough about SCRIVENER for writing a novel etc. Please check it out if you have not. Available for the Mac and the PC and they are currently working on a iPad App. When that happens Scrivener will be the only program and App I will use other than WordWeb Pro.

Scrivener is well worth the $40 but you can download it for free and try for 30 days. If your a serious about writing you will not make it to 30 days. You will love this so much you will buy it. I do not work for any of these App or programs and I'm not getting paid to write this. I just wanted to help and possibly save you hundreds of hours, avoid frustration, and possibly save you some cash. I truly use ALL of these products and love them.

I wish I had time to write about each one of these indispensable Apps and products but I'm sorry I do not. I hope you check these out and that it helps you.

Lastly, I wrote this at 3:30am when I was unable to sleep when I ran across this post. Please forgive any spelling or grammar errors. Thank you fellow Absolute Writers.

iPad apps for writers

Shamisen

Mother of Pog!

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Deleted member 42

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Deleted member 42

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

Shamisen

Mother of Pog!

Sagana

Marko Kloos

FOTSGreg

Today is your last day.

AlexPiper

Wayward Wordsmith

Deleted member 42

Sagana

AlexPiper

Wayward Wordsmith

maestrowork

Fear the Death Ray

karmali

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

MollyParrot

djmcdaniel