Make the most of what works for you.
You’ll never see my favorite writing tools as the topic of a writers workshop. They’re not guaranteed to help you plot your novel or craft a winning book proposal.
They’re not that specialized. But for me they’re effective, even essential. I can’t remember a project where they didn’t come into play.
They’re also inexpensive. I like that too.
You likely have them, or something like them. They’re so simple, you might overlook them. But they sure help my writing.
My best writing tool is a stack of four-inch slips of paper—the back of my page-a-day calendar. Whenever I get an idea, it gets jotted onto a square. At bedtime when I review tomorrow’s tasks, I note them on a calendar page. If I awake in the middle of the night with a thought I fear I’ll forget, a few notes on a page assures me that in the morning, I’ll still have the idea.
If your smart phone accomplishes the same for you, congratulations. Low-tech, no-cost works for me.
But that’s only half. My other favorite tool is how I prefer to jot those notes. Recently I’ve discovered the joy of writing with a gel pen. While I still like a classic Bic stick, I especially enjoy the precision of a 0.5 millimeter gel pen.
A year or so ago, my son gave me a sampler of his favorites. They were nice. Using them made me feel like more of a writer.
Then I discovered the three-for-a-dollar 0.5 millimeter gel pens at Dollar Tree. For me, they’re even better. Maybe you’ve never misplaced a pen, but mine are always escaping. So I buy them by the three-pack and distribute them throughout my home and office. When I write with them, they make me feel more effective.
In the end, that’s what counts. If a friend tells you about her latest writing tool, pay attention. Maybe it will also work for you. But as you look to improve your process, don’t neglect the basics.
