At least that's true of traditional writing. What happens when we are forced to use a word processor to write creatively? Why are so many writing apps so clumsy, uninviting, distracting and frankly not pleasant to look at? Why do some people feel they can't write? Is the problem not in the writer's skills, but in the tools they have been given for writing?
Liberate the process. Make electronic writing work for you. Here are a few apps that I like recommending to students here at Naropa University. Many have found new worlds to explore by engaging differently with their writing.
OmmWriter Dana II
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| OmmWriter Dana II |
OmmWriter Dana II is a revolution in apps for writing. The app strips away the distraction by showing pleasant backgrounds, and by playing calming ambient sound and music. It allows your writing to flow by taking out the cluttered formatting, giving you a few simple options. Writing in this app is a real treat.
This application is available to purchase in a Pay-What-You-Like model for Windows, MacOS. There is a minimum price of $5.11 at the time of the writing of this post.
Mind Mapping
MindMeister
This Mind-Mapping cloud app is great for making detailed mind-maps, web diagrams, project trackers, and much much more. Their built-in templates will allow you to get started with a task quickly. When you are finished with the diagram, click the Outline button to turn it all into text!
MindMeister is free to use, though you can only save 3 maps on your account without a subscription. Educational discounts are available for students (requires an e-mail address ending in .edu).
Inspiration 9
Create a visual diagram of what you want to
write, organize it however you like, add pictures, video and links, and turn
the diagram into a written outline with one click!
Inspiration is a standard one-time purchase, with download or CD-ROM available.
To call Ginger a simple spell checker doesn't paint the full picture. Ginger is what spell checkers should have always been! Instead of checking words using a dictionary as most word processors do, Ginger looks at the context clues around the word, and determines the correct spelling. Ginger solves the classic problem of when to use "there", "their", and "they're." It will be able to tell when you've used the wrong spelling, even if the word you typed is in the dictionary.
As a grammar checker, Ginger will scan your writing sentence by sentence, and make useful suggestions for improving clarity, flow, and syntax. Additionally, as you use the grammar check, Ginger saves mistakes you've made and assembles them into quiz so you can improve your writing. This is very useful for students with disabilities, as well as those speaking English as a Second Language.
Ginger has recently expanded its products to include keyboards for mobile devices. Now the power of Ginger can always help your writing, even on the go.
Ginger Grammar and Spelling Checker
As a grammar checker, Ginger will scan your writing sentence by sentence, and make useful suggestions for improving clarity, flow, and syntax. Additionally, as you use the grammar check, Ginger saves mistakes you've made and assembles them into quiz so you can improve your writing. This is very useful for students with disabilities, as well as those speaking English as a Second Language.
Ginger has recently expanded its products to include keyboards for mobile devices. Now the power of Ginger can always help your writing, even on the go.
Ginger Software
In Closing...
This list only scrapes the surface of the hundreds of useful apps out there. These are only a few of my favorites. If there is one I have missed, leave a comment and let me know. I love hearing about new apps. If you have a question feel free to comment here.
