In all my time trawling through baby forums, I've noticed an incredibly popular topic: new mothers asking other mothers what their most useful baby buy was. And because Writer-Sangu never really goes away, I started to think about writing tools.
What's the most useful writing 'thing' you've ever bought?
It can be anything - a notebook, a pen, an app, whatever. I'm just terribly curious! And I know some of my readers aren't writers, so anything that helps you be creative counts.
Mine's a totally boring answer. My laptop.
See? Isn't it pretty?
I honestly would not know how to cope without my laptop. I make all my notes with pens and pencils and notebooks and scraps of paper, but I can't write whole scenes - let alone a whole book! - by hand. And typing on an iPad or phone just doesn't work as well for me. And I like being able to quickly minimize a screen and Google something I need to know!
Besides, without my laptop, how else would I store and organize all my files/drafts like this?
So what's your favourite writing buy?
What's the most useful writing 'thing' you've ever bought?
It can be anything - a notebook, a pen, an app, whatever. I'm just terribly curious! And I know some of my readers aren't writers, so anything that helps you be creative counts.
Mine's a totally boring answer. My laptop.
See? Isn't it pretty?
I honestly would not know how to cope without my laptop. I make all my notes with pens and pencils and notebooks and scraps of paper, but I can't write whole scenes - let alone a whole book! - by hand. And typing on an iPad or phone just doesn't work as well for me. And I like being able to quickly minimize a screen and Google something I need to know!
Besides, without my laptop, how else would I store and organize all my files/drafts like this?
So what's your favourite writing buy?
Right this second? My alphasmart 3000. It was cheap on eBay, and I seem to have a better "voice" on it. I think it's because I'm so relaxed with it on my lap and because I can't possibly confuse it with something academic that I've done with my computer or netbook. I have to edit with Word or Open Office though. Sheesh, did I write enough here? I'll be quiet now. lol.
ReplyDeleteI have to say my laptop, too. That's my best, favorite writing tool. I'll tell you my worst writing tool, also: my printer. It jams all the time, and it's slow. I need to replace it.
ReplyDeleteMy iPad! I don't do a lot of writing on it, but it's great for blogging and research. And reading!
ReplyDeleteI write on a desktop, so I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'll say all the books I've bought and read. After all, it was reading that made me fall in love with the art of the written word.
I do love my laptop (I named her Snow White b/c she's a Mac and I put a sticker of the lovely little princess eating the apple on the top) but I must say, I do my best writing by hand, which is ironic since my penmanship is horrid. So, my best writing buy = a journal.
ReplyDeleteI'm not one for technology so I'd have to say my Rough Guide to India, great for guesthouse & restaurant recommendations and maps. x
ReplyDeleteHmmm, a ream of paper and an ink cartridge so I can print my book out. I'm not very tech savvy. LOL!
ReplyDeleteNice laptop!
Well, I can't live without my laptop.
ReplyDeleteBut I also have a smallish notebook and Papermate Flair pens that I carry in my purse. Crucial for jotting story ideas, snipetts of conversation, scenes (when I can be in front of my laptop)! Actually, it's about time for a new notebook . . . the old one is getting full . . .
I need my laptop so that is the major thing. But I love keeping a small stack of sticky notes nearby. When I have an idea, I jot it down and keep it so I can add it to my list of "Ideas" in my laptop.
ReplyDeleteMy flash drive. I take that thing everywhere, and it has all the same files (and sometimes more) as my laptop. One day I thought I lost it and about had a heart attack lol. I'd done a ton of work on my WIP the day before in the library and hadn't saved it on my laptop yet. If I ever did lose that thing, I would probably die, or close to it.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, mine's probably Donald Maass' Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook. That book really helped me to go back and strengthen my story and bring a lot more out of my characters.
ReplyDeleteYipes...I'm going to sound like a dinosaur here! I write longhand on paper - so my best purchase(s) include:
ReplyDelete1. The back to school sale where I pick up a case or two of single subject notebooks
2. #7 lead for my mechanical pencil
3. PaperMate - Black Pearl Erasers
I'm easy to please...and cheap! Ha. (Although I couldn't live without my high speed internet...go figure)
Stopping by via the Campaign Boards. Best wishes to meet your goal of 300! I'm game to help you along. ~ Nadja
A good pair of trail running shoes. Seriously, my best ideas come when I'm on the trails. Plot and character issues always get fixed out there :)
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. Definitely my laptop. I use it daily. My iPhone is a close second, especially when I was querying and it was imperative that I check my email EVERY FIVE SECONDS.
ReplyDeleteProbably my laptop because that's where the business of actually writing goes down, but I do love me some notebooks too: that's where I play with ideas away from the laptop (and can therefore see which ideas are stalking me), and the drive to *finish a notebook* keeps me writing daily, even if it's only a page or two about my hopes for the day or the quality of sunlight coming through my window.
ReplyDeleteOh yes! Definitely laptop. I love my Kindle, too.
ReplyDeleteFocus Booster. I didn't buy it, it's free software off the internet. It's basically a little timer that encourages me to stay writing for at least 25 minutes at a time with 5 min breaks. It helps me cut down on procrastination ;)
ReplyDeleteStobby
My clicker pencil. Then my laptop.
ReplyDeleteApart from my laptop, it's always the latest pen with a huge barrel or a notebook.
ReplyDeleteMy journal is my #1 best buy. I use it to do everything from make notes to record my feelings to write 1st drafts or character descriptions. If I didn't have it, I don't think I would write as often as I do.
ReplyDeleteNow I just need to get in the habit of looking back through it for ideas when I sit down at the keyboard and am blank...