There's an app for that!

I'm writing this blog post on my iPad on the road. Thanks to technology, it is easier now then ever to be a writer on the go. This also means that we writers have fewer excuses. You can meet that daily writing go even when traveling.

It is true that there is an app for just about everything these days. There are useful apps such as the flashlight app, compass apps, a variety of alarm clock apps, etc. There are useless apps like angry birds (which I do not own,) words with friends, and other games. And don't forget all those Sesame Street apps! You don't have know that I'm a mother to a toddler, just look at my apps! There are very helpful tools to make life easier like Grocery IQ, and yes there are apps specifically for writers.

Docs To Go is why I wanted an iPad. I no longer have to carry my laptop around with me. I can sync files and work from my iPad. Yesterday I revised a whole chapter for my young adult novel and wrote out articles for my Special Needs Dog column for the rest of the month. while visiting family, those tasks may still be in my to do list.

There are other devices for writing on the go. I just use the iPad so that is what I'm familiar with. My new favorite app is Priorities where I can easily keep up with my to do list and it doesn't seem that overwhelming. I recently downloaded My Writing. I haven't used it yet but it seems great for those moments when you're out and just have a little time to write. It even has a word counter. When browsing through writing apps I also found one that helps you write a novel in 30 days. Now that just sounds perfect for NANOWRIMO.

I've seen writers and professionals out and about making the most of technology to get their work done. I'm able to get through my to do list at a faster pace making more time for new projects and family time, all thanks to new technologies.

How do you write on the go? What apps do you find helpful? Share your personal story of writing on the go success in a comment below.

Announcements:

February is National Dog Training Month. For helpful tips on training the furry friends in your life follow my Examiner column, Special Needs Dog Care.

I will be teaching another class of my Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind Write It Forward Workshop this March. It is a month long workshop focused on busy writing moms, something I know a lot about. Click here for more information.

Who Dares Wins Publishing offers fantastic writing craft and industry Write it Forward Workshops. Be sure and check them all out here.

My book, Caring for Your Special Needs Dog is out and a percentage of the profits go to The Texas A&M Foundation to the benefit of the Neurology Section, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinarian Medicine.

To Nanowrimo or not to Nanowrimo

With October knocking on our doors the time has come for writers to decide, will you Nano or not? The month of November is National Novel Writing Month where writers commit to writing a full-length novel in a month. Crazy? Insane? Probably. But this exercise does have its Pros and Cons. The truth is finding deciding if it’s right for you and if this year is the right time for you.

I participated last year and I will say that finishing such an accomplishment was really satisfying. By finishing Nano I finished my third manuscript and I felt really accomplished. However, when I went back and revised that Nano manuscript I found that it was horrible. In fact, it was a disaster

But I did learn something very valuable from my experience with last year’s National Novel Writing Month. Grammar may not flow in a hurried stream of rushing words but creativity really does. I’m currently reworking my middle grade project that I wrote during last year’s Nano. It had some plot gaps and needed a lot of work but overall it was a stronger story and had an important minor character that I originally never planned to write. This particular character has turned out to really compliment my main character. Without her the main character wouldn’t have the character arc that he now has and this all happened because of Nano.

Nano is not for perfection. It is for finding your creative muse and strengths. Unbox the creative you. Put away your excuses. I’m a writing mom so believe me excuses are easy to find! That is one reason I’m teaching Writing Moms: How to do it all without losing your mind, a Write It Forward Workshop next month. My goal is through simple self-study techniques, to help fellow writing moms find their groove and way to meeting their writing goals while being the mom they want to be. This way anyone can participate in Nano. Click here for more information on my Writing Moms class.

Will you Nano? What benefits have your experienced or hope to experience? Share them below in a comment.