7 Apps My Muse Can't Live Without (and Neither Should Yours)

Forget diamonds! A smartphone is a girl's best friend.



Well, actually, a smartphone is a writer's best friend. Welcome to the world of technology, people. Cell phones aren't just for having really loud, public conversations anymore.



7 Apps My Muse Would Kill (Or At Least Maim) For



7. Netflix

Now, this might sound counter-productive, but if you already have a Netflix account, then why not go on ahead and download the Netflix app so you can take all your favorite shows with you on the go? BAM instant entertainment for the next time you're sitting in a Little Caesars for forty minutes because apparently that's how long it takes to cook a Hot-n-Ready pizza (true story). Not only can it be a source of great inspiration, it can also be used as part of your reward system (which every author should have). I usually reward myself with a thirty-minute show of some kind after I hit a nice-sized milestone in my writing goal. Like an episode of Princess Tutu or RuPaul's Drag Race.

Ballet-dancing ducks and drag queens. The two things that make my world go 'round.

You don't need me to tell you how inspiring music can be. But if you really insist ... music can be DAMN inspiring. If you own a smartphone and you don't have Pandora, all I can suggest is you crawl out from under that rock where you've been hibernating for so long and give it a try. The only downsides are the ads, but if you can live with that, then enjoy your free, custom radio stations tailored specifically for you. I don't think I could make it a single day without Pandora. The first two books of my One Powerful Addiction series were written with either my Dubstep or Apocalyptica Pandora station playing in the background.

5. Dolphin Browser (HD or Mini)

This is a browser for your phone (two different versions; one HD and one not) and it's honestly one of the most useful I've come across. You can easily put websites on your "speed dial" (a list that shows up when you first open the browser), and you can have multiple tabs up, bookmarks, and tons of other neat things. It's easy to use, customizable, and hey ... it's got a dolphin for a mascot!

Now, just change that to the Narwhals Browser and it'll be perfect!

4. Pulse

Pulse is a sexy word isn't it? Yeah, it is! But the Pulse app isn't necessarily sexy ... unless you get off on having all your RSS feeds neatly streamed to the same place. You can now have multiple windows and there are plenty of feeds to choose from. Don't see the one you're looking for? You can type in a RSS feed URL or the URL to a website and easily find their feed that way! Never be out of the loop again. Because sometimes you just can't wait to get home and check DamnYouAutoCorrect.Com to see if it's updated.

3. TweetCaster

I'm freaking addicted to this little app. As I'm sure you can tell from the name, it's a Twitter app. And it's awesome. You can have multiple Twitter accounts if you're a masochist like me and actually have more than one (but my @AnaHart03 one is the coolest, of course). And it's completely customizable. It's sort of like TweetDeck ... except for your phone. And way cooler. (I tried TweetDeck out once and it didn't jive with me). So, download TweetCaster and keep up with all your writer friends or even the people you're Internet stalking (don't worry, I won't tell).

2. Evernote

My boyfriend actually introduced me to this app some time ago (thanks, baby!). It's a note app, so it's perfect for when inspiration strikes on the go, but it's got some really great features that make it stand out from the competition. You can have multiple notebooks (so you can sort your notes) and you can attach audio files, pictures, and tags. And all your notes are uploaded to the Evernote website so even if you happen to drop your phone down the toilet, you can just sync your Evernote account up to your new phone!

And finally, the #1 app my muse can't live without ...




1. QuickOffice + Dropbox

QuickOffice is like Microsoft Office, except for your phone. I know it's coming pretty standard on Android smartphones these days (not so sure about iPhones ... sorry guys, I'm packing a Droid RAZR), but combine this app with Dropbox and you've got a match made in heaven. I have my WiPs with me. Everywhere I go. All the time. Stuck in the waiting room at the doctor's office? Pull out your phone and knock out another page on your current story! Hear a line of dialog at a restaurant that is just PERFECT for that scene you were writing before you went out? You can actually slap it into the story right then and there!

Or, you know, you could just jot it down onto your napkin and cram it in your pocket ... but where's the fun in that?!

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Ana Hart is a writer of erotica, romance, and everything in between. And she's just plain awesome. 'Nuff said.

Stalk Ana on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Google+. 

Read Welcome to the Inferno by Ana Hart in A Wicked & Wanton All Hallows Eve or read A Fair Exchange (for free) in Just One Bite Volume Four.