Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Hey writers ... What do you use?

eclipse said:
If one of them went truly multi-platform, I'd be delighted! A friend gave me a free Android Samsung tablet, and of course neither work on that so I'm forced to use Onenote for plot & character sketching, and Google Docs for actual writing! Onenote's not bad for plot sketching, but nothing like having each 'card' actually attached to each chunk of writing.
Click to expand...

A few people have asked for Scrivener on Android but it's not a priority for LitNLat. My go-to cross platform format has been markdown, but you lose your document structure (at least when exporting Scrivener to plain text).

To be honest, I've done the Android thing (tablet and phone) for several years and it hasn't lived up to my expectations. I've already replaced my tablet with an iPad. Recently, I cracked the screen on my Nexus 5 and I've decided as soon as I get my tax return, I'm buying an iPhone.
 
Osty said:
A few people have asked for Scrivener on Android but it's not a priority for LitNLat. My go-to cross platform format has been markdown, but you lose your document structure (at least when exporting Scrivener to plain text).

To be honest, I've done the Android thing (tablet and phone) for several years and it hasn't lived up to my expectations. I've already replaced my tablet with an iPad. Recently, I cracked the screen on my Nexus 5 and I've decided as soon as I get my tax return, I'm buying an iPhone.
Click to expand...
Interesting. My writing is just a hobby for now, but if I ever get serious I'll keep what you said in mind. Maybe I'll go Storyist all the way one day?
 
eclipse said:
Interesting. My writing is just a hobby for now, but if I ever get serious I'll keep what you said in mind. Maybe I'll go Storyist all the way one day?
Click to expand...

For me it's a profession, my day job is a technical writer, as well as a hobby (I moonlight as an aspiring novelist) . I've used a lot of solutions (and created my own) over the years.

Ultimately, my advice is to try as much as you can and go with what you like best on the platforms you use. If you stick to one ecosystem, you may be able to get away with one vendor's solution. If you go cross-platform, you typically have to get more creative and may have to glue together your own workflows with a little Dropbox here and a bit of Python there!
 
Giving their usual slipping timelines, and general lack of finding proper developers, I wouldn't coun't on an Android version before 2019 at the earliest.
 
T'hain Esh Kelch said:
Giving their usual slipping timelines, and general lack of finding proper developers, I wouldn't coun't on an Android version before 2019 at the earliest.
Click to expand...

I agree - not that I'll lose sleep over the lack of an android port. The dearth of decent apps on android tablets is what brought me to iOS.
 
Quite a lot lately because OSX dev betas mess up Scrivener for Mac a lot.

The iPad version with Dropbox is great. I also use a Mac Bluetooth keyboard with it. I like that better than the Smart Keyboard case.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Osty
happyslayer said:
Quite a lot lately because OSX dev betas mess up Scrivener for Mac a lot.

The iPad version with Dropbox is great. I also use a Mac Bluetooth keyboard with it. I like that better than the Smart Keyboard case.
Click to expand...

That's why I don't use betas on production systems! I write for a living; I can't afford flaky tools.

Like you, I too use the iPad version with Dropbox and an eternal Bluetooth keyboard. Since I use an iPad mini I will often just quickly add something by thumb-typing in portrait mode.
 
Yeah, but I'm a computer support consultant for my day job; writing is just a hobby. So I generally install Dev betas on my laptop for testing and such. However, I always keep my iPad stock. Just for this reason. Also, I kind of like writing on the iPad more than my laptop. Easy to reposition the screen and keyboard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Osty
I also love writing on iPads, particularly the 12.9 with the Air2 on the side for internet stuff.

I got Scrivener for iPad but something went wrong with the Dropbox configuration even though I was following the prompts for setup, it started a different file in another folder and my laptop can't see it, which rather defeats the purpose of having Scrivener on iPad!!

I haven't sorted that out yet, partly because I was very busy when it happened and also because I have a system that works well ... still using IA writer on iPads, I love that, so simple, excellent Dropbox interface and I can open the files in Scrivener on my MBPr when I need that, for compiling, publishing etc.

I also sometimes use Pages, but I prefer Dropbox to iCloud.
 
My job includes writing articles most of the time. I write news posts as well as featured columns. Nearly all of my work is done in Wordpress, but I'd like to write a book eventually.

I've toyed with the idea before, and have started writing in iBooks Author. However, I'm considering buying Scrivener once I have a storyline fully planned. Will my work in Scrivener sync between my two Macs? If I buy it, I'd use it on my MacBook Pro and Mac Mini. I know it can sync to iOS, so I'm assuming it can sync between Macs, but I just wanted to check. Thanks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Osty
Ace2617 said:
My job includes writing articles most of the time. I write news posts as well as featured columns. Nearly all of my work is done in Wordpress, but I'd like to write a book eventually.

I've toyed with the idea before, and have started writing in iBooks Author. However, I'm considering buying Scrivener once I have a storyline fully planned. Will my work in Scrivener sync between my two Macs? If I buy it, I'd use it on my MacBook Pro and Mac Mini. I know it can sync to iOS, so I'm assuming it can sync between Macs, but I just wanted to check. Thanks.
Click to expand...


Don't write in iBooks Author. It's more akin to a desktop publishing programme like InDesign and is not conducive to writing long-form prose.

Yes, using Dropbox, Scrivener will syn between your Macs (and iOS if you use that). I share my projects between my MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad and iPhone. Most of my writing get done on the Air and iPad though but this is largely about my preference in how and where I write.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ace2617
nightlong said:
For those who make their living with words, whether journalism, fiction, blogging, or in the course of a day job ... What mac gear do you use, and what are your favourite apps?

My own system ... In transition, still using my 2007 iMac at desk with Word, use ipad2 for a lot of writing, typed and handwritten, favorite apps so far are iA Writer, Noteshelf, Quickoffice, Penultimate, Pages. With apple BT keyboard and Wacom baboo stylus.

Air 13 inch would be ideal next buy for me in every way except for perhaps the screen. has anyone taken the leap to rMBP just for sharp text, even if the rest of the machine is overkill for yr purposes?
Click to expand...


I use Sublime Text/ TextMate/ and iA Writer - depending on the type of writing. From email to an actual book, with source code, scripting languages, etc in between.

I stay away from office packages, ms word, etc. Worst case scenario I use Pages from Apple if I really have to add some markup that's not markdown.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Osty
Osty said:
Don't write in iBooks Author. It's more akin to a desktop publishing programme like InDesign and is not conducive to writing long-form prose.

Yes, using Dropbox, Scrivener will syn between your Macs (and iOS if you use that). I share my projects between my MacBook Air, Mac mini, iPad and iPhone. Most of my writing get done on the Air and iPad though but this is largely about my preference in how and where I write.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response. Very helpful. When I get it, I'll use Dropbox. I liked how simple iBooks Author looked and functioned, but admittedly I was not my most productive when using it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Osty
Very much a personal preference thing, but I bought a good mechanical keyboard a couple years ago and just love typing on it. I spent way too much on it, but it's really nice.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back