Manuscript

Michael E. | Mar 22, 2010 Productivity

User rating:

(7 votes, average: 3.86 out of 5)

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Much like my second novel, this review is a long time coming. As I’ve mentioned before, I do a lot of writing and invariably- especially with novel writing- things tend to bleed together; plotlines and characters and settings all expand, becoming much more formidable than you initially thought. Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, and without discipline, even the shortest novella can balloon into an runaway epic of mammoth proportions.

When I first heard about Black Mana Studios‘ Manuscript, I knew this was one app I had to pick up and put through the paces.

We all know that if you break something down into small enough pieces, accomplishing just about any task becomes a lot more probable. This is precisely the premise behind Manuscript. It is, at its core, an organizational and productivity tool for writing and can be used for either fiction or non-fiction.

Manuscript has some great options suitable for both the novice and the more experienced writer. There is a section for you to develop your book’s pitch, synopsis, and even keep virtual index cards. An index card in Manuscript is a place you keep track of new ideas, thoughts on character development, plots and even general reminders. If you’re a Google user, you can import or export any and all of your work in Manuscript into or from your Google Docs account.

The ability to create chapter outlines, in-app links to a dictionary and thesaurus, and wikipedia make this a one-of-a-kind app. At $7.99, it’s a little on the pricey side, but most of us spend more than that on the latest game in the App Store or the latest album, only to delete it from our machines after a couple weeks. If you are a writer- either an aspiring or more serious one, this app can help you a great deal. And it’s one you’ll probably come back to again and again. If you are a student with a research paper or a thesis looming on the horizon and need a nice, convenient way to keep track of your thoughts and writing, this app is one that should prove to be invaluable.

iTunes Link – Manuscript

Version 1.1.3

Tested on an iPod Touch 3.1.3