Apps for Writers

Writing is work, and anything that can aid the process gets my attention.  One of the great things I've discovered lately is the little yellow "legal pad", or note-taking app, that comes with the iPad, iPhone and iPod.  This app is always there as long as you have your device with you, instantly available while the device is turned on.  You can capture story ideas on the run, jot down dialogue between characters, make notes on research details, plan future scenes--the possibilities are endless.  Need to create a large block of text?  The space is available.  You also have the ability to change to a new page, or navigate between pages, to work with separate ideas.  True, the touch keypad may never be as fast as touch typing, but those used to text messaging can build up impressive speed.  And you can't beat the convenience of being able to work wherever you are, whether stuck in traffic, sitting in bed or in a boat on the lake, waiting in a doctor's office, or anywhere else in the world.   No need to worry about saving what you’ve written, either; the app does that for you automatically.  Once you’re done, getting the written text from the device to your working computer couldn’t be easier; you just email it to yourself using the built-in capability.  The more you use this app, the more you’ll find to do with it.