If you’re here for my ROW80 updates and an epiphany at the bottom of this post.
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3 Electronics Every Writer Needs
Setting up a space for writing is about more than the colors of the walls or the knick-knacks you scatter about for inspiration. Of course, these things are immensely important for the creative soul, but there are a few more practical things you’ll need, like electronics. Unless you’re kicking it old school and refuse to write in anything but your Moleskine while you’re lounging amongst nature, you’re going to want to have some technology in your writer’s tool belt.
A Good Laptop
The life of a writer shouldn’t be sedentary. Get out and go into the world. Whether you’re soaking up inspiration at the local art museum or getting a mix of caffeine and good music at a coffee shop, you’re going to eventually want to write in public.
1) The brand of laptop doesn’t matter, but if you type quickly (as writers want to do), avoid models with Chiclet keys. These can cause carpal tunnel because all of the kinetic energy from the force of your typing reverberates back into your fingers.
2) The total weight of your machine is probably the second-most important feature, as you’re going to be lugging it around town quite a bit.
CHIC_LIT KEYS
A Smartphone or Tablet
From looking up research to getting in touch with contacts and tracking notes, mobile devices have a plethora of uses.
1) You can access online tools for writers while you have your manuscript open on your laptop.
2) Another use you might not immediately think about is installing an app to turn your device into a tape recorder so you can take notes from important interviews later. Interviews are important to writers so they can get accurate views of different jobs and lifestyles. It’s impossible to write a story about a police officer if you’ve never talked to one.
Don’t underestimate the power of live interviews or your mobile device.
A Home Theater System
Many people view television as the ultimate evil in the fight between intellectuals and the hoi polloi. But don’t be fooled. You’ll want a home theater system for a couple of reasons.
1) First, when you’re not writing, you’re probably reading. This is great; you should keep doing that. But writing is a form of hot media. It requires your full attention. Eventually, your brain is going to need a break. When that happens, you’re going to want a Blu-ray player handy.
2) Secondly, there’s a reason your profs always showed you the video versions of books. Seeing how the written word is translated visually is an important exercise. Maybe the director had a scene play out exactly how you imagined it. Go back and read that section, and analyze how and why it works so well.
Becoming a writer is as easy as picking up a notebook and a pen. But there are a number of things that will make the journey to your first novel a lot easier. J.K. Rowling may have started with a cocktail napkin, but I can guarantee she didn’t finish any of her novels that way.
Tap into technology to give yourself your best chance of success.
AUTHOR BIO
Kristine Esser (G+)
Indianapolis, IN Sr. Search Media Networker at digitalrelevance
Thanks Kristine!
Following on from Kristine’s point about using TV and Movies to add to our writing skills, while searching for a picture I came across an awesome post. Love when that happens! So I just had to share it: 5 Ways Novelists Can Benefit from Watching Movies and TV Shows, I highly recommend it. Also, I came across this The Top 10 Best Laptops: By Laarni Almendrala Ragaza (November 14, 2013), which might be useful.
Are you a purist writer, preferring pen and paper and shunning all electronics? Or do you use everything and anything to help you along your way. Or perhaps you’re a bit of both? Let us know if you have any more suggestions to add to these and your opinion on the use of moves and TV shows to improve your writing.
Other posts from Kristine Esser
Marketing Yourself: Creating Content for Your Author Website
Things You Need to Know About Being A Social Media Freelance Rockstar
All About Preserving Language
How Do You Make Your Social Marketing More Social?
Several Things You Need To Consider As A Self-Employed Writer/Author
A Round of Words in 80 Days is the writing challenge that knows you have a life.
This is also serving as a ROW80 update
HEALTH: Not too bad, although the acid reflux issue (supposedly healed by the consultant who treated my stomach a few months back) is not. I hoped to finally remove one pill from my pillbox, but it seems I’ll be taking this one indefinitely. No biggie, as long as I have my pills and a large bottle of Gaviscon available.
I’m still fighting fatigue and brain fog. I’m no nearer understanding this issue, and it’s frustrating. But I’ve decided that waiting to feel better until I do stuff is no longer an option. That could be forever. Maybe I’m just feeling the signs of decay which storm in post-40? *Groan!
EDITING: I’m waiting on edits (expected Sunday – TODAY!!) and I go away Tuesday for a week (which won’t leave me with much time for going through what he’d have done, but I’ll take my MAC-top with me and see if I can squeeze in a few hours work during the fun).
Come back Tuesday for a post about my pending pre-Christmas UK trip, and for some lovely pics of the family I’ll be sharing that week with — excited muchly !
Re-Writes for Finding Luna: I have a lot to do, but I am thinking of that in 2014. Not yet.
Epiphany: I work for myself and one glorious bonus of that (as a trade-off for all the hard work being an author / publisher brings) is that I set my own deadlines. I learned this ( along with a million more) valuable lesson when publishing Finding Esta: do not rush or pressure myself unduly.
Why? Because no one cares when I publish anything at this stage of my writing career (this is sad, but I am realistic) and they won’t care ever if I put crappy work out there. I would rather take my time and get it right the first time, than go over and over something after publication, because I rushed, didn’t really know what I was doing, and imposed an unreasonable deadline for no real reason (other than to get my ass moving).
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So what have you been up to? Had an epiphany lately