One of the most common questions I get when speaking at a signing or event is about my writing process, what a typical writing day is like for me. Or even what is my must-have item for writing. My first response is usually that I have to leave the house. I write most of my words in coffee shops, sitting in a comfy chair with a steaming or icy caffeinated beverage at my side.
But that’s not all it takes to get me writing. I have a few essentials–and a few non-essentials that I just really like–to make getting words on a page, if not easier, then at least less painful.
Alphasmart } This is my magic machine. It’s ultralight, practically indestructible, and holds something like 200 single-spaced pages of text. It has a simple on/off button and autosaves everything as you write. And, perhaps the best thing, it only shows five lines of text at a time. Going back requires pressing the up arrow a billion times so it really encourages me to just keep writing and worry about editing the garbage later. (Sadly, Alphasmart is now defunct, but you can usually find used and refurbished models on eBay.)
Earbuds } As much as I like writing in public, I need to be able to tune the public out while I’m writing. A lot of writers must have complete silence, but I need the white noise of familiar music. Most of the songs on my playlist are ones I know by heart and can tune out while I pound the keys. Also, they usually signal the general public to leave me alone. (Some people don’t take the hint.)
The music in my iPhone at the moment is a crazy mix of everything from classical (Ravel and Musorgsky) to country (Michael Peterson and Faith Hill) to showtunes (Hair and Legally Blonde) to pop (Brittany Spears and Taylor Swift) to soul (Adele and Florence + the Machine) to indie (Hey Marseilles and Pickwick).
Write or Die } When I don’t have my Alphie with me, this little gem is my salvation. You can use the web version or buy the desktop software for $10–and now there’s an iPad app I’m have to try. You plug in how many words you want to write in how many minutes and then it makes you write them. If you don’t, the screen turns red and it makes angry sounds. If you choose kamikaze mode, it’ll delete words if you stop for too long. Talk about motivation. (Sadly, Write or Die is now defunct)
I have plenty of other gadgets (netbook, iPad, Nook, ray gun–okay, not that last item… I have one, but it’s more helpful for deleting than writing) but with these three things I can produce many a book.
So, to all the writers out there, what are your essential writing technologies?
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