Apps I Use: How I Write with Ulysses

Issue #72 Productivity August 12, 2022 (about 3 minutes reading time)

Disclaimer: I am a total Apple Fangirl. I have three Macs, three iPads, an Apple Watch, and always the latest iPhone. When I write about apps or systems, I am writing from that worldview. Some of the apps I discuss MAY work on Windows and Android, but I cannot speak to that. I only deal with the Mac OS, iOS, and Apple computers and devices.?

With all of the books I write and for my businesses, the Global Creative Community Branding and Marketing Academy and our “We Are Speaking” Substack Publication , the majority of my time is spent WRITING!?

Over the years, I have used different writing apps, including Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Scrivener. Each of those apps has pros and cons, but a few years ago I transitioned to do all of my copywriting, book writing, article writing, client project writing, emails, and everything over to the Ulysses app .?Ulysses is only available for Mac and iOS devices.

My Writing Process: I am a “Planner”

Most writers classify themselves as either “Pantsers” or “Planners.” Pansters write “from the seat of their pants”: they just sit down and start writing and see where things go. Not me. I am a Planner. For any writing assignment that is medium to long in length, I first make an outline and/or a mind map in Mindnode .

For my articles here on LinkedIn or in our “We Are Speaking” Substack publication, I make an editorial calendar (a plan for future articles) in my project management app, ClickUp. I previously published an “Apps I Use” LinkedIn article about ClickUp. You can read the article at this link . I plan most of my articles weeks in advance.

The Top Five Features I Love About Ulysses

1. First and foremost is that I can write with Ulysses from anywhere, only Macs, or on any of my iDevices, and everything stays synched. I can even write in an area without internet access (like on the beach or on a plane), and my writing will synch everywhere when I have the internet again.?
2. I can dictate my writing straight into the app. This feature is especially important if I’m writing on my iPhone where the keyboard is quite small.
3. Ulysses has an easy-to-use organizational structure. I start with groups. The groups hold folders. The folders hold sub-folders. The folders and sub-folders hold sheets, which are the actual writing projects. Everything can be assigned in any order, renamed, and moved around by drag-and-drop. When I’ve finished a project, I move it to an “Archive” group for later reference.
4. I can use templates, the Markdown protocol, text expander, the included editing function, and keyboard shortcuts to save time as a plan and then write. I can keep notes, images, and other attachments, links, and goals for every project in one place.
5. When needed, I can export a writing project into any number of formats, to my Files or elsewhere, including Text, HTML, ePub, PDF, and DOCX. Files can also be shared via email or Messenger.?

Ulysses has a clean, focused, distraction-free writing interface that is available for me everywhere, keeps me organized, and saves me time for all of my writing projects.?

Ulysses is constantly issuing improvements, additions, bug fixes, and updates through the App Store.?

Ulysses includes Apple Family Sharing: the app can be shared with up to five other family members.

Ulysses has one price for Mac, iPad, and iPhone: either $5.99/month or $49.99/year—a tax-deductible business expense for me.

If you write a lot and are in the Apple ecosystem, check out the Ulysses app. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

And we are LIVE!

As you know, I work as a business coach on business building, group coaching, branding, and marketing topics and projects for independent writers and creative and solo professionals.

1. Join us in the Global CREATIVE Community Facebook Group .
2. Check out the Global Creative Community Branding and Marketing Academy, including Pam’s Power Hours one-on-one coaching sessions here .
3. Read our articles and listen to our weekly podcast episodes about American History and Culture, Education, and Government from a Black Perspective on our “We Are Speaking” Substack Publication .