I got an iPad for graduating with my Bachelors degree!
This is something I’ve wanted for a while, but never got because it costs a lot of money and I was too cheap to buy one myself. So my parents were wonderful enough to buy me one for graduating.
The main reason I wanted an iPad was so I could use it for my writing. I know there are plenty of apps geared towards writers; some good, some not so good.
I decided to go through the app store and try a few different ones and share them here with you guys.
1. A Novel Idea
This app is a wonderful way to keep track of notes and essentially help outline your novel.
There’s a novel section where you can plug in the title, setting, theme, tone, POV, premise, and plot. A scene section where you can add the time, location, description, tension, and more. There’s also a location section to talk about different settings in the book.
The character section is great because it’s like a profile for your characters. You can plug in their name, role in the novel, age, species, race, gender, physical appearances, personality traits, etc.
The last section is called ideas, where you can keep notes of your novels. I use the idea section as a “case book.” I keep track of all of George’s notes from George Florence and write the notes in his point of view keeping track of witness’ statements, evidence, etc. It helps me get through my mystery novel easier.
2. Total Recall
This app is a web map. You can use it just about anything; writing related or not. The reason I put it on this list is because I plan on using it for world building.
The middle bubble will be the name of the world or country and will branch into states and cities and the like.
You can even use it to map out characters, too. The character name in the middle bubble and branch out into personality traits, physical traits, etc.
I have yet to try it out, but I’m sure it will make a great mind map for world building–or anything else–to give you a good sense of your novel.
3. Name Dice
The name speaks for itself. You tap the screen and a pair of dice rolls. The first die is a first name the second die is a last name.
I have a list of last names and have a baby name book, but this app is great when you’re in a pinch and don’t feel like doing a lot of thinking. If you need a name for a quick side character, this app does the work for you.
The only thing is you never know if you’re going to get a male or female name. It would be cool if they updated the app so there was the option: “male, female, or surprise me.”
So if you’re seeking a specific gender, it might take a few rolls, but it’s quick and easy so it’s not too much of a problem.
4. Writer Lists
I cannot express how amazing this app is!
Brought to you by the people who created Name Dice, Writer Lists is what the name states: lists for writers.
I love lists. I love making lists. It helps me stay organized and it relaxes me. I make to-do lists every day and I sometimes make lists of something random just for the sake of making a list.
I can’t count how many lists there are on this app, but it’s more than enough. There are categories and sub-categories for the lists.
Categories include: character naming, character physical characteristics, character occupations, character milestones, personality thoughts, personality behaviors, plot, setting geographical, setting countries by continent, setting other, genres, miscellaneous, words grammar, and words fun.
So the categories are novel-based as well as mechanics for the story and some fun stuff mixed in.
The sub-categories go more in depth of the categories; for example, the lists for character naming include male first names, female first names, last names, people/roles, and nonhuman characters.
The app isn’t free, but definitely worth having.
Those are all the apps I’ve explored for right now. There are a few other apps that I would like to explore. So there will be another post like this with more apps to look into. Hopefully you guys liked this enough to want me to make another part to this. I don’t know when the next part will be posted, but you can expect another part in the future.
I hope you guys enjoy those apps I recommended! Also, if you have any other apps you would like to recommend to me, I’d be more than happy to check it out.
