It won’t even open
Fantastic App
Wonderful writing and outlining app
I have read all of the older and mostly negative reviews in regards to this app. I did experience some lost work in the beginning but once I took the time to read the help files, that was the end of my issues. Take the time to read the help files. It will greatly enhance your understanding and functionality of the app.
In regards to support, I have found all the negativity to also be unjustified. I had a very minor issue that wasn’t even related to the app and I worked with the developer on resolving the situation. I can’t say enough good things about Keith. We exchanged emails daily while he worked to troubleshoot my issue.
The developer is very passionate about this app and will assist you in resolving any issues you might run across.
No app covers every base and there are small things that can be added to improve the quality of the app but for the price I honestly have no complaints.
My suggestion is play around with the app first. Read the help files. There is a lot to this app that it’s easy to overlook at first.
I look forward to using any future versions of Writing Shed.
I hope you will enjoy using it as much as I have.
Very good idea, could still be improved
Update October 2020: the app started to crash after a few selections (scenes)
Response from developer
Thanks for the feedback. We'll add these items to the Wishlist. There are no crashlogs recorded for the past two weeks, so maybe you haven't got the Analytics & Improvements set up in Settings>Privacy. You can always contact us through the website at writing-shed.com.
SammyDuck
I’ll still have to maintain that many developers—not just Mr. Lander—need to spend more time/energy/money on the coding process. Especially if they expect consumers to invest their hard-earned money in a subscription.
As I indicated before, I like the UI and features of this app, so I tried Writing Shed again, and it seems to be working okay now. But I have been through this before—three times. At this point I simply can’t trust it with my work and I am reluctant to spend any more of my own time with it.
I would like to see how other, especially “more representative”, users are faring with it.
UPDATED REVIEW, OCT 4, 2020:
DEVELOPER SEEMS TO HAVE FORGOTTEN OUR BACK-AND-FORTH EMAILS OF WELL OVER A YEAR AGO. SEEMS UNDERSTANDABLE BECAUSE OF THE TIME THAT HAS PASSED.
HOWEVER, TO LET USERS OF THIS APP LANGUISH IN EXPECTATION OF ITS IMPROVEMENT—WHEN THEY NEED TO ACTUALLY BE USING IT—IS NOT SOMETHING I’D BE PROUD OF.
AND NOW A SUBSCRIPTION?
PERHAPS THE BUGS AND CRASHES HAVE NOW BEEN FIXED, BUT I DON’T SEE ANY REVIEWS THAT WOULD INDICATE THAT.
ANYONE?
Old Review:
Lost text, crashing, too few bugs/glitches worked out—a pity because I really do like the UI and features of this creative writing app & submissions record keeper.
Needs to be snappier, more reliable, better file management, better export, syncing, and versioning.
What can readers do to convince developer to invest time/energy/money in coding?
Response from developer
Despite repeated requests you have not contacted me via the website. I can then address any concerns you might have and tell you just how much time and effort has goes into developing apps for IOS and Mac OS.
Excellent
Great app for writing and tracking submissions
What the heck?
Get a calendar
I've got news for you - the free trial ends now - trashed. If that's how you welcome potential users, I don't want this app.
Response from developer
This was fixed but is no longer relevant as the trial version has been withdrawn for (other) technical reasons
Crashes when trying to open (Update)
UPDATE.
My iPad Pro was purchased two years ago. It’s updated with all the latest IOS. I stopped using this app because it kept crashing. The developer contacted me and asked a few questions recently. I decided to delete the app and reinstall it on the chance it would work again.
It did.
I am very pleased and plan on using it once again as my ‘go to’ writing app.
Response from developer
Update: Thank you for updating your review. Deleting and reinstalling will always take the app back to ‘factory settings’. I did receive a crash report just before you posted your 1 star review, which could well have been your issue. I have seen the same sort of crash a few times over the past year or so. The nature of the crash makes no sense unless IOS itself has misbehaved in some way. The error it is reporting would have been picked up by the app and a message displayed before closing down. It certainly couldn’t have carried to fail the way the report says. If it happens again I would be grateful if you would contact me via the website rather than using the review mechanism.
Working on some issues.
Response from developer
Glad everything is ok again
Program fixed and now working and enjoying it.
Developer and I worked directly through on these problems. It took a couple days, but we found what was causing it and now the program is working as the developer intended it to do on both the mac and the ipad. He really did put the time in to fix this problem and we solved it and now I am getting into it.
Update #2: Msg to developer: Thanks for all your help, but none of the problems have been repaired and the program still locks up whenever I open it. Tried all your suggestions on iCloud sync, even uninstalled/reinstalled it and program still freezes up... still want to like this program, but it does not like me...
Msg to developer. Thank you for your reply. I have not answered because I have been too busy of late with no time for anything else. Anyway, I had a few spare moments today and tried the program again. It opens up, but when I try to do anything on it, the program immediately locks up solid. I attempted the feat of adding a new project. It just jammed and then crashed. I tried it several times to no avail. I am on an ipad 10.5, 256gb, with the latest update of IOS. That should be easy for a program like this, but it just locks up.
I really want to like this program. I purchased it on both the ipad and the Mac to replace Ulysses, after it went to monthly subscription, and because of how this program is designed for long projects, which I do many of.
However, every time I try it the program lets me down. On the Mac it seems to clog up the system so that the memory and the program cannot keep up with each other to produce that rainbow wheel going around. On the ipad, I updated it, and now it just freezes up and crashes. I have a 10.5 pro, 256gb, so this should not be a problem. Again, I really do want to like and use this program, but....
Response from developer
This problem has been resolved with AngrySocialist. The app is working OK now.
Can’t even open
Response from developer
If you don't contact me then how can you recover all your work? It won't have gone. This review is not helpful to you or me. If you have managed to recover the situation then please consider amending this review. ====================================================== I haven't heard from you to discuss this. It sounds as though you have used the app successfully in the past, so the situation isn't unrecoverable. There are videos on the website that show the app working perfectly well. Hundreds of people use it successfully. Please get in touch. ====================================================== Please contact me via the website (www.writing-shed.com) to discuss this.
Horrid app.
Response from developer
Still no word from you. Your writing won't have permanently disappeared. If you have indeed lost a novel and other stuff then I would have thought you'd want to try and recover it. After all, writing a novel takes a lot of time. I don't think I have pleaded mea culpa. Even if I did, who else is to blame for bugs? If you have managed to recover the situation then please consider amending this review. ====================================================== I haven't heard from you to discuss this. It sounds as though you have used the app successfully in the past, so the situation isn't unrecoverable. There are videos on the website that show the app working perfectly well. Hundreds of people use it successfully. Please get in touch. ====================================================== Please contact me via the website (www.writing-shed.com) to discuss this.
:/
Response from developer
Such things shouldn't happen, but sometimes do. If you have been syncing the app via iCloud you could try deleting the app on the device where it is crashing, reinstalling and resyncing..
Better than I thought
The app remains slightly cumbersome, in my view, and inconsistent (sometimes you delete by selecting the ‘Edit’ button and then a bin icon at the foot of the screen, other times this doesn’t appear but you can swipe left to delete).
But these are quibbles. The app is better than I thought and my previous one-star review was harsh. Happy to put the record straight.
Very nice indeed
As promised, found how to export
Response from developer
Thanks for the review. You already can export/print text for review. Choose Edit mode for the folder containing the text, select the text(s), then tap the share button at the left of the toolbar. You will be presented with a list of options, including export/print. Contact us via the website if this doesn't answer your question (writing-shed.com).
Great Writing App
Been a couple of bugs but developer tracked them down quickly and released an update within a couple of days. The best writing app I found on the App Store.
Still crashing
Response from developer
These issues apply to v2.71 and were fixed within a few days.
