No one uses Apple Notes to write an entire novel—on their iPhone. That would be silly.
Ok, so, confession. That happened.
I am a huge fan of Notes. I really like that it is just there, needs no configuration or third party applications, doesn’t cost a thing, and syncs seamlessly between all my devices. It’s so simple. I like simple.
All it does is write words, and from what I know of Apple(s marketing department) is that they invented writing words. They also invented the pen. And the watch. It’s that simple.
With notes I can start a chapter in the grocery store, or pause when I walk the dog to write a sentence or two. I can wrap up a scene at my desk, or edit a paragraph in bed—all from whichever device is close at hand. There is no messy installation unsupported by the OS version, or conveniently non-functional dropbox integration, and it doesn’t matter if there is wifi (or even internet) in that moment.
That moment, when all I want to do is write words.
It’s just… I don’t know how many words I’ve written, and for some reason that matters to me. Apple will never add word count to Notes. Why would they? For 99% of all users it doesn’t make sense (though if any Apple devs see this post please have your marketing department invent counting too).
That said, there is still a way. There is always a way.
Download the app Word Count – Advanced Counter from the App Store to your iPhone, and Bob’s uncle will count your words (and give you statistics that are far more reliable than my 99%). Select text in Notes and share with the Word Count app. It’s that easy.
Another confession. I don’t know Bob, or if he has an uncle, or if they count words for a living—and why am I on the computer?
I should get back on my phone… and to writing.
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