I have found more freedom to write by giving myself more time every day for writing as I outlined in this previous post.
Time, however, can be a two-edged sword.
If you give yourself too much time, you’ll end up wasting it or worrying about little details as you write instead of actually writing. Building more time in your day for writing will give you more freedom to write; however, it is also the limitations of time that can spur creativity.
Once you’ve mastered the amount of time you would like to spend committed to writing, here is another demension that you can pursue to find more freedom to write.
Finding the Write App
Now before you stop reading and roll your eyes because a tech blog is talking about how apps can help you find the freedom to write, stick with me.
First-off, I don’t believe there is an ultimate writing app. I may use “ultimate writing app” or something like that in a blog title, but I do not believe there is one solution for all writers. Each person needs to figure out what works best for them. I have used many different apps before finding one that is helping me find the freedom to write more. And the more I write, the more I can re-write, cut-out, edit, and become a better writer.
Apps
Here is a list of writing apps I have used over the past few years:
- Microsoft Word
- Pages
- iA Writer
- TextEdit
- Notepad
- Pen and paper
- Evernote
- Simplenote
- OmmWriter
- WordPress
- Scrivener
- Hemingway Editor
There are a few online apps I tried, too, but I can’t remember their names. :-/
Keep in mind that it may take several tries before you land on the write app and you may need more than one. My best friend uses multiple tools depending on what stage his writing is in. For example, he might:
- Write the first draft with a pen and a notebook.
- Copy/Write/Rewrite the 2nd draft in a word processing app from what he’s written in his notebook.
- Make corrections and format with the word processing app.
Using more than one app (or in his case, ‘tools’) is what works best for him.
For me, I have found things like real-time spellcheck, grammar check, and menus to be a real distraction. With a minimal interface, I can pound away on my keyboard and focus on streaming the words from my brain to the page as uninhabited as possible. It is that that I have found to give me the freedom to write.
Finding the Right App(s)
Before you begin, understand that you will need to try multiple apps. I recommend starting with free apps, make your way through free trials, and if you’re still not satisfied, try apps that you have to buy straightaway. And when you are trying them, give them a chance! I would try using an app for at least a week before moving on to others. Even when you use an app that you don’t like, you’ll learn more about what you like, dislike, really like and really dislike.
You should also know that you may need more than one app depending on what you’re writing. For blogging, I have found that I can write in Hemingway Editor and then fix spelling and work on formatting in WordPress. For my novel, I write in iA Writer first, copy it to Scrivener where I have it organized along with maps, character profiles, outlines, partial chapters, and story ideas.
Find the time to write, find the right app, and you’ll find the freedom to write.
Michael Beil says
so, what are your thoughts thus far on deskpm?
Eric Dye says
It’s good as a minimal desktop app to publish straight to WordPress. I hate to say too much, as not everything is done baking. 🙂
Peter says
I started using the Hemingway app, Eric, based on your recommendation from last week. So far, I really enjoy it.
Simon L Smith says
I currently use iA Writer on my iPad. I thought I would use it for quick notes and ideas, but have actually written some fairly long entries. I am pleasantly surprised with how well it works for me. I sue it so much that I almost never carry a pen and notebook these days…
I do have Scrivener on my iMac and use it more than I thought I would. Certainly great for organizing. It is my preferred choice when working on book/e-book sized projects.
Likewise I am testing Desk PM and love it so far. I have written SO much with it. Great for ideas, short form posts and drafts. I almost always publish to drafts and then polish it in WP.
I have not yet used the Hemingway Editor, but plan to as I am currently reading Hemingway. Recently finished A Movable Feast and am currently reading The Sun Also Rises. : )
Eric Dye says
Awesome! I love how you are using multiple tools to do multiple things. I think it’s easy to have a mindset that there’s one app to rule them all. I also really like your use of DeskPM–by publishing to drafts.
Very cool. 😀