5 Best Android Apps for Writers

 

 DON'T FORGET ABOUT ANDROID

When it comes to smart phones, iPhones has been at the top of the game for over a decade; it's the most popular and most bought brand of phone, and it has the simplest operating system (OS). But let's not forget that there are tons of other cell phone companies that are hot on its tail, and even today, while they're still the most popular, their development has fallen to the wayside, nearly forgotten by the strides that the Android companies make with each new generation of product.

Samsung and LG come to mind when we think of Android. I say that Apple is the most bought, but we have to keep in mind the most popularized items aren't always the best made. And let's not forget how proprietary Apple as a corporation is with their product. They demotivate a lot of development companies from reaching into the iOS field, leaving the realm of the Android to prosper with growing development teams for indie apps.

I myself am a sucker for Android. It's nearly open source (depending on the brand of phone), and I have free range for customizing the themes and choosing what apps work for me. And as a writer, I've gone the distance to observe what the indie developers for writing apps have to offer.

And so today, I present you with my vouched-for best writing apps.

I realize that some of these apps are also on iOS, but they're such big assets to the writer's arsenal that they have to be mentioned.

5 BEST ANDROID APPS FOR WRITERS

5. Writer Tools

 This Android-only app can be all summed up to be a brainstorming app. Here, you can keep track of all your characters, locations, ideas, scene and chapter summaries, goals, and the list goes on and on. It's not very good as a motivational/inspirational app, but it has more organization than OneNote/Evernote for creative writers. It's a very empty app without you filling it in yourself.

4. OneNote/Evernote

 I combined these two apps because of the similarities in their functionality. Both apps collect notes from the user, compiling them in an easy-to-navigate, user-friendly database. They sync instantly as long as you have a solid connection and are signed in on your other devices, so it's easy to pull notes of your stories from your phone, to your laptop, and back to your phone. They have desktop applications that aren't hard to navigate, so it's not hard to pull it up on your laptop to finish that note. It can also be used to write your stories, but I personally enjoy the note-taking and organizational side of the apps.

3. Wattpad

 Wattpad is an app that does three things: first, you may write into the app, and post to the public. Second, you can read others' stories, comment, and share (and they can also do the same for you, giving you instant feedback). Thirdly, you can gain a network of writer friends that, if you play your cards right, will give you nourishing feedback and foundations for solid, long-lasting friendships. I've personally made life-long friendships with other writers, and even if we struggle to stay in the writing mode, we still support one another. That's very important for writing careers, as not only do you need someone to bounce ideas off of, but just that emotional support will take you a long way.

2. Microsoft Word

Okay, I'll admit - we all know what Microsoft Word is. If you don't, then you should probably crawl out from under the rock in which you live. We all know its usefulness. Most people never stray away from Microsoft Word when it comes to writing their novels. It now can be set up to instantly update, no matter if you're writing from the desktop application or from your smart phone. Continue where you left off, no matter where you are, and instantly keep track of word count. (*You have to have an active Microsoft Office account to use).
 
1. Writeometer

This is my all time favorite Android app. I will vouch for its usefulness until I die -- well, until it disappears from the web (please, developers, keep working on it). It is an indie app, which means it doesn't have too much support, but it works like heaven. You can create projects, and track your progress. You can set notifications to remind you to write and update your word count. By setting your goals, it measures how well you're doing with timing and progress, and whether you'll make it by your designated due date.

Not only that, but it has a timer, which you can set to however long. It goes of the Pomodoro Effect/Technique (work for a short amount of time -- like 20 minutes --, then break for ten, then repeat until task is finished or you're satisfied with your progress). Not only that, but it also gives you motivational quotes from authors, has a built in Dictionary and Thesaurus, and a fun "word salad" (throws a bunch of descriptive words together to give you visual ideas).

Know of any good apps that you enjoy? Shoot me a comment and I'll review them for others to learn about their gloriousness!