The 7 Best Creative Writing Apps for Capturing Ideas on the Go

Daisie Team -

Contents

1. Evernote: Organize Your Thoughts with Ease

2. Microsoft OneNote: Capture and Share Ideas

3. Scrivener: Your All-In-One Writing Studio

4. Google Docs: Real-Time Collaboration for Writers

5. iA Writer: A Minimalistic Approach to Writing

6. Ulysses: A Powerful Writing App for Mac and iOS

7. Bear: A Beautiful and Flexible Note-Taking App

As a writer, inspiration can hit you at any moment. But, when you're on the go, it's not always easy to capture those creative ideas. That's where the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go come in handy. In this blog, we'll introduce you to seven of the top writing apps that will help you organize your thoughts, collaborate with others, and jot down your ideas—wherever you are.

1. Evernote: Organize Your Thoughts with Ease

Evernote is a popular app among writers, and for good reason. It's designed to help you capture and manage your thoughts, no matter how big or small. Here's what makes Evernote a top contender for the best creative writing app for capturing ideas on the go:

  • Easy organization: Create notebooks and tags to categorize and locate your ideas quickly.
  • Sync across devices: Access your notes on your phone, tablet, or computer, ensuring your ideas are always with you.
  • Voice notes: Can't type your idea out? Record a voice note and transcribe it later.
  • Web clipper: Save articles, images, or entire web pages to reference in your writing.
  • Search functionality: Quickly find your ideas using Evernote's powerful search feature.

With Evernote, you can be confident that your spontaneous thoughts and ideas are saved and organized, making it an excellent choice for writers on the move.

2. Microsoft OneNote: Capture and Share Ideas

Microsoft OneNote is another strong contender for the title of best creative writing app for capturing ideas on the go. It's a versatile tool that offers many useful features for writers, such as:

  • Intuitive interface: OneNote's interface is easy to navigate, allowing you to jot down ideas quickly and efficiently.
  • Flexible organization: Organize your notes into sections and pages, making it simple to locate your thoughts later.
  • Collaboration tools: Share your notes with others and work together in real-time, making it ideal for co-writing projects.
  • Handwriting recognition: If you prefer to write by hand, OneNote can recognize and convert your handwriting into digital text.
  • Integration with other Microsoft apps: Seamlessly import your notes into Word, PowerPoint, or Excel for further editing and refinement.

Microsoft OneNote is a fantastic app for writers who want a versatile and powerful tool for capturing and sharing their ideas on the go.

3. Scrivener: Your All-In-One Writing Studio

Scrivener is a popular choice for many writers and is often considered one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go. It's an all-in-one writing studio, offering a wide range of useful features, such as:

  • Outlining tools: Scrivener's intuitive outlining tools help you plan and structure your writing projects with ease.
  • Corkboard: Visualize your work using the corkboard feature, allowing you to rearrange and organize your ideas effortlessly.
  • Research folder: Keep all your research materials, such as images, PDFs, and web pages, in one place for easy access.
  • Templates: Choose from a variety of templates for different writing projects, like novels, screenplays, or academic papers.
  • Writing goals: Set word count or deadline goals to keep you on track and motivated throughout your writing process.

Scrivener is an excellent option for writers who want a comprehensive writing app that can help them organize and manage their work from start to finish. It's especially helpful for capturing ideas on the go, ensuring you never lose inspiration when it strikes.

4. Google Docs: Real-Time Collaboration for Writers

Google Docs is a powerful and user-friendly choice for writers who want to capture their ideas on the go. This cloud-based app is perfect for individuals and teams alike, as it offers real-time collaboration features that make it easy to work together on any writing project. Here's why Google Docs is one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go:

  • Accessibility: Google Docs is available on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers, allowing you to access and edit your work from anywhere.
  • Collaboration: Share your documents with others, allowing them to view, comment on, or edit your work in real-time. This is perfect for writers working with editors, beta readers, or co-authors.
  • Version history: Google Docs automatically saves your work and keeps track of all changes, so you can easily revert to a previous version if needed.
  • Add-ons: Enhance your writing experience by installing various add-ons, such as grammar checkers or writing style guides, to improve your work.
  • Offline mode: Even without an internet connection, you can still access and edit your documents, making it perfect for capturing ideas on the go.

With its versatility and ease of use, Google Docs is an excellent choice for writers who want a reliable app for capturing and organizing their ideas, no matter where they are.

5. iA Writer: A Minimalistic Approach to Writing

iA Writer is a fantastic option for those who prefer a clean, minimalistic writing environment that allows them to focus on their words. This app is designed to eliminate distractions, making it one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go. Here's why iA Writer stands out:

  • Focus mode: This unique feature dims everything but the current sentence you're working on, helping you concentrate on your writing without any distractions.
  • Markdown support: iA Writer supports Markdown, a lightweight markup language that allows you to format your text easily and efficiently, making it perfect for writers who want to focus on their words, not the formatting.
  • Universal library: Organize all your documents in one place, making it easy to find and access your work across different devices.
  • Export options: You can export your work in various formats, such as PDF, HTML, or Microsoft Word, ensuring compatibility with other platforms.
  • Available on multiple platforms: iA Writer is available on iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows devices, so you can capture your ideas whenever and wherever inspiration strikes.

For writers who value simplicity and a clutter-free writing experience, iA Writer is an excellent choice for capturing ideas on the go and staying focused on the creative process.

6. Ulysses: A Powerful Writing App for Mac and iOS

Ulysses is a robust and feature-rich creative writing app designed specifically for Mac and iOS users. It offers a seamless writing experience, making it one of the best creative writing apps for capturing ideas on the go. Here's what makes Ulysses stand out:

  • Organized workspace: Ulysses allows you to create folders and subfolders to keep your work organized and easy to find, so you can focus on writing rather than searching for your documents.
  • Markdown support: Like iA Writer, Ulysses supports Markdown, which enables you to easily format your text and keep your writing clean and organized.
  • Goal setting: Set writing goals and track your progress to stay motivated and on track with your projects.
  • Customizable appearance: Personalize your writing environment by choosing from different themes, fonts, and styles to create a comfortable space that caters to your preferences.
  • Export and publishing options: Ulysses offers various export formats and even direct publishing to platforms like WordPress and Medium, making it easy to share your work with the world.

If you're a Mac or iOS user looking for a powerful writing app that can handle large projects, keep your work organized, and help you stay focused, Ulysses is an excellent choice for capturing your ideas on the go.

7. Bear: A Beautiful and Flexible Note-Taking App

Bear is another fantastic creative writing app, perfect for capturing ideas on the go. With its visually appealing design and user-friendly interface, Bear is a great choice for writers who value simplicity and functionality. Here's what sets Bear apart as one of the best creative writing apps:

  • Minimalistic interface: Bear's clean, clutter-free interface allows you to focus on writing without any distractions.
  • Easy organization: Organize your notes with tags, which makes finding and categorizing your ideas a breeze.
  • Markdown support: Like iA Writer and Ulysses, Bear incorporates Markdown formatting for a clean and organized writing experience.
  • Cross-platform syncing: Bear is available for both iOS and Mac, allowing you to access and edit your work on multiple devices.
  • Export options: Easily export your notes to various formats such as PDF, Word, and HTML, so you can share your work in the format that suits your needs.

If you're searching for a beautiful and flexible app that can help you capture your creative ideas on the go, Bear is a fantastic option to consider.

If you're looking to improve your writing skills and learn how to craft compelling stories from your memories, don't miss the workshop 'Writing From Memory - Part 1' by Charlie Brogan. This insightful workshop will teach you how to tap into your memories and create engaging narratives that will captivate your audience.