HOW TO
Essential Tools for Writers
Determined to start writing that novel you’ve been putting off? These apps can help you find inspiration, organize your ideas, and get your creative juices flowing.
Bear
Whether you need to pen a quick a character sketch or an epic novel, Bear is the perfect tool. The app’s simple interface makes it easy to write, mark up your copy, and add notes on the go, while the ability to link notes and add hashtags helps you keep things in order. Bear also tracks key stats for your work in progress—such as word count and the estimated read time.
Brainsparker
Wrestling with writer’s block? Brainsparker can help. The app encourages you to think creatively on a daily basis by sending you prompts in the form of questions (“What if anything were possible?”) and directives (“Redefine the boundaries”), as well as quotes and images. Those struggling to create a work of fiction can download the Writer’s Pack (available as an in-app purchase), which includes 150 story starters.
Oxford Dictionary of English
No writer’s toolkit is complete without a dictionary, and the Oxford Dictionary of English is among the most comprehensive available in app form, with more than 350,000 entries that are elegantly formatted and easy to search. Use the Word of the Day feature to give your vocabulary a boost.
Story Planner for Writers
Having trouble remembering whether the greedy goblin stole the wizard’s ring in chapter 23 or 25? Try organizing your elaborate tales with Story Planner for Writers. The app allows you to map out various plotlines and keep tabs on your characters, locations, and scenes. The Statistics screen keeps a running tally of the total duration of your story, as well as your top five characters and locations.