7 Things This Writer Can’t Live Without
February 15, 2008 by Deb
Filed under Freelance Writing
I don’t know about you, but as a writer there are a few things I can’t be without. These tools help to get me through my week and enable me to juggle work and life.
1. My laptop – With my deadlines and weekly and monthly quotas, the only way to stay on top of things is to be portable. My laptop enables me to work anywhere I need to go. I take it on weekend trips and wake up early to work. I bring it along to my son’s extra curriculars and work while he’s doing his thing and even go from room to room as the members of my family do different things. Having a laptop as opposed to a larger desk model truly changed my life.
2. Windows Live Writer – I’ve only been using Windows Live Writer for a few months now but I don’t know how I ever got along without. Thanks to WLW I can blog even when I don’t have an Internet connection. Shuffling multiple blogs is easy with WLW as I don’t have to change to the different dashboards and templates, the drop down menu allows to me to post to different blogs.
3. An editorial calendar – We’ve talked about editorial calendars a few times. I can’t say enough about them. Without an editorial calendar I don’t know if I’d remember all need to do. Plus, this helps to eliminate writer’s block as my topics have already been planned in advance.
4. Starbucks – What can I say? It keeps me going.
5. My social network – I made some great friends online and some wonderful business contacts. I wouldn’t be where I am now without my social network.
6. A blog - I’m not going to say all writers must have blogs, but I blogging made me what I am today. Now, I’m not famous like some writers, but I’m successful enough that I don’t have to go back to an office job. This blog brought me more clients than anything else.
7. My RSS reader – I use Bloglines,but I’m thinking of switching to Google reader. Subscribing to the feeds allows me to keep up with what’s going on in the blogosphere and also provides me with discussion topics.
8. My community – You inspire me, you encourage me and you give me things to think about. Thanks!
What are tools or things you can’t live without?
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Ditto the laptop! I wouldn’t consider anything else!
Yup, the laptop is my #1 too! Aside from the mobility (I bring it with me almost everywhere), it also saves me from getting cabin fever, because I can create a little change of scenery whenever I start getting restless.
DIET COKE! Can’t live without it.
My laptop is my no 1 writing tool, too. I also switched to WLW a few months ago, and I wouldn’t blog without it now. We don’t have Starbucks here; I go for copious glasses of water to keep those brain cells lubricated.
I couldn’t live without Google products – reader, G-mail, docs… I’m with you on the coffee thing. There’s nothing like a giant cup of Alterra coffee to keep me going
My laptop and iTunes. I couldn’t make it through the day without dance breaks.
I couldn’t live without my dual monitors (a 21″ and a 38″). I know this sounds like a bit much, but graphics programs take up a lot of space. Even when I’m writing, I have my notes open on one screen and the document I’m working on, on the other. I don’t like having to layer windows one on top of the other, that drives me crazy.
The laptop is cool, and I keep it mostly as a back up in case Command Central goes down.
I also couldn’t live without the external hard drive – again, another back up. The external can easily go from one comp to another and I don’t lose a thing.
A wireless keyboard and mouse is another must have.
My Google calendar.
Vonage.
Photoshop and Dreamweaver.
I think that’s it. If I’m forgetting anything, I probably don’t need it anyway.
I started using LiveWriter a few weeks ago and really like it. The only thing that drives me nuts about it (ok two things) is that it opens in IE and I use FF, and I am so afraid of publishing the wrong blog entry in the wrong blog. NOt that it’s the end of the world, but it’s a thing that bugs me.
Ditto the laptop but I also couldn’t live without my office. I didn’t have one at the beginning of my career and would never go back to the original arrangement I had of working out of a corner of my bedroom. I like being able to work in my kitchen, bedroom, living room… or my office.
Gmail. I need my gmail.
Warm socks. Can’t work if my feet are cold.
My trusty laptop is # 1 for sure, but I also wouldn’t be able to sit here, day after day (sometimes for up to 16 hours!), if it weren’t for the Canadian Broadcast System (CBC radio 2). I know the programs by heart, and my writing and inspiration changes throughout the day accordingly: from classical, to opera, to live concerts, Latin, indie, and jazz of all sorts–it’s all good.
Antacids — too many years of daily deadlines.
@ Terreece: I take dancing and singing breaks with my iTunes. It helps relieve stress and it warms up my voice for the my narraton work.
I also couldn’t live without my chewing gum. Otherwise, I’d eat all the food in the house!
i don’t have a laptop, yet. My husband got a new computer, and we moved the “dinosaur” from the dungeon/basement up to the kitchen for me. Having a computer all for myself launched my writing through the roof (and being up where my young kids are all day). I’ve gotten more done in the last 6 weeks than all of last year!
My red pen for proofreading work.
timeanddate.com to help with business contacts from different time zones
PowerPoint for continued education courses
Yahoo email
This blog – every day
My Earl Grey or “fake coffee” drink
Accuradio – Modern Rock Classics or Guitar Jazz (with Latin jazz tunes like “Girl from Ipanema”)
My new widescreen monitor – I can have my documents up and some icons off to the side always in view.
Editor software – helps me tighten up my writing and check usage errors.
My sticky notes – they are everywhere!!
@Theresa
I can’t keep snacks in for that same reason!!
I also can’t live without my laptop. It’s the only thing that prevents me from fighting with my bf over his computer
I already relinquished my externals over to him. Though it’s time for a new laptop and I’m not looking forward to the transition or cost.
Coffee is a definite, I’d never get out of bed to work if I didn’t have that smell to look forward to.
Our cats…they keep me company and remind me to take breaks. Albeit to feed them, but breaks nonetheless.
@Erika Krull – I used to live by sticky notes. Now I share an apartment and my system has been turned upside down. A year later and I’m still lost without them! But I found a firefox extension, Zotero, that is a reference manager and you can put sticky notes on the references!!
That reminds me – I can’t live without Zotero
and my internet connection.
I can’t live without an internet connection.
Well, I suppose I can…but I don’t want to.
Coffee, Mt. Dew, coffee, music (of the shred guitar variety), and money. Not like I have money…but I think you get the point.
I CAN however live without Valentine’s Day (VD). It makes me want to plow my car into a tree.
I think laptop is at the top of the list – I went on a trip a few weeks ago, and my laptop just died. Two days later I was able to resurrect it. Toughest two days I’d had in a while…
Latest must have – a 5×8 journal book. I got a soft cover with refillable pages so I can keep older ones easily. I’ve been carrying it everywhere. I’ve come to call it my analog PDA.
Most important must-have – a SO that understands why I’m up till all hours blogging after I get home from my day job.
My laptop and WLW are number one for sure. But recently my fav list has been extended to include Google Docs and my beloved Moleskine (uh.. what bliss to have a clutter free hard drive and mind)
…and a good glass of wine a couple of times a week helps me to relax.
Laptop here and a cordless phone. I write mostly on the academic side of things so I also have tons of books. Also, Diet Pepsi and two whinny cats who want to eat and supervise.
Definitely my laptop.
Folders where I keep the “rules” for the various projects and invoice requirements for the jobs I’m working.
My CrockPot!
The instant messenger (Trillian) that I use.
I 100% agree on the laptop.
I just picked up the Asus eee pc specifically for all the writing work I’ve been doing. I put XP on it and set up WLW it’s amazing. Boots in 17 seconds so I can start writing if I only have 2-5 minutes.
My laptop. I can get more done in a few hours by being mobile than a whole day sitting at the desktop.
A glass of sweet “eyes tea”!
Hearing my kids say “mooommmmeeeeeee” when they come in from school in the afternoon. It’s definitely all worth it!
May I link drop? I forgot to add this to my comment above. I recently wrote an article on the Garden and Hearth freelance writing site on essential tools for the modern writer: http://www.gardenandhearth.com/Freelance-Writing/Writing-Tools.htm
1) My lovely macbook. I don’t care what my bf says, a mac is a wonderful thing.
2) My writing group, WRITE CLUB. We keep each other inspired, honest, and often employed.
3) My day job. It allows me enough freedom to work on my novels, freelance, websites, etc. and catch up on news and blogs, in addition to providing me with a steady paycheck and a constant creative community (I’m a digicreative in advertising by trade).
4) Caffeine. I don’t care if it’s iced tea, coffee, pop… whatever. Just keep me caffeinated.
5) Ideas. I can’t write without ideas!
Would you please explain a couple of these items for us newbies?
1. An editorial calendar
2. WLW
3. I’m not getting the importance of blogging.
Thanks so much for all you do,
Leonora
What I couldn’t live without these days:
1. Either one of my computers.
2. My recorder for recording interviews.
3. Unlimited long distance.
4. Internet.
5. Email.
6. My calendars (my wall calendar shows me my deadlines at a glance; my desk calendar keeps track of my interviews)
7. Pandora.
Skype – Priceless when you are living/working in another country
Gmail – for obvious reasons
Trillian – for IMing my editor and friends with questions or just a quick break
Incense – relaxes me and makes my workspace more enjoyable
It’s definitely the laptop. I’ve got a port replicator so I can use it like a desktop in my office and still take it with me when I feel the need.
I’m with Harrison on the dual monitors. If you ever try it you’ll never go back.
My external hard drive. My old desk top crashed late last year and thankfully I was able to make an easy transition thanks to the external hard drive.
Adobe Photoshop
Speakerphone.
I’m all about the dance breaks too. Except I’m kind of out of date. I’m still playing vinyl.
I can’t live without this blog. It’s at the top of my RSS feed list.
I don’t own a laptop–yet–but after reading the many posts listing it as their #1 favorite writing tool, it is on the top of my list.
A suggestion for everyone who is a slave to sticky notes. I used to be one of the crowd, too, but after losing my mind trying to find the note I just knew I had somewhere, I switched to keeping running notes in a notebook I keep by my side at all times. This works for all info needing to be kept, from appointments, phone calls to return–just anything. I date each page and can go back and forth as need be.
The dance breaks sound really positive and uplifting. Am going to incorporate them into my day.
Can I ask you what kind of laptop you use? I am in the market for getting one this month, and I really could use some help!
BTW.. I love your blog! I read it more than any other writing board. Opportunities are always fresh here!
Hi Linsey,
My laptop is an HP Pavilion and I love it. It’s getting old and slow, unfortunately. I’ll probably get another pavilion when it’s time.
Linsey,
I’m not sure if you were asking just Deb, or all of us… But I’d highly recommend my Averatec 1000 series. It only weighs about 3 pounds and is SO much more portable than most laptops these days.
You have to be okay with a smaller (i.e. 10 inch) widescreen, though. The pixel density is amazing, but it does make text a little smaller. Well worth it to me, but I know lots of people won’t agree.
I have been under the impression that writers use Mac laptops. Can you use Windows Live Writer with a Mac? And what is the benefit (if any) of having a Mac over a PC?
I’m wondering the same thing: Mac vs. PC. I’m hearing that Macs don’t get viruses, so maybe that’s worth the extra cost?
I know that graphic artists usually go for the Mac, but does it make a difference for writers?
I wouldn’t say that Macs don’t get virus. Most viruses are written for Windows, which means you’re less likely to get one if you have a Mac. However, I don’t think they’re immune to them.
When I bought my Mac, the store manager said that Mac’s don’t get viruses, but aren’t guarenteed not to get them. He said that they know that there is a 16 year old kid, somewhere, whose life’s ambition is to give a Mac a virus and that eventually he will succeed.
(And then he’ll probably be given a college scholarship and a job with Google!)
I like my Mac but it took a while to get used to. I do feel very writerly when I set it up at the coffee house and get to work.
Definitely my laptop and the internet!!! And heavy metal!!!
Black Rose Writing needs poetry for publication, no royalties as of yet, but your poems will be published for no charge in a Poetry Book…
http://www.blackrosewriting.com
Laptops (one mac, one pc)
Bicycle
Sidecar motorcycle
Coffee – drip. moka espresso. french press.
iTunes
My fiancee – don’t know where I’d find my strength otherwise
Bloglines
Cell phone
Main thing I need to change right now, is to redo my office. Current big desk has to go; I want to make an L-shaped desk with plywood and 2-drawer filing cabinets – one segment for computer work, one segment for non-computer work. Also have a closet in my office that I want to convert into shelves.
Hey guys! Mac lover here. Windows Live Writer is not for Mac, but I found Blogo on the Apple website:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/internet_utilities/blogo.html
Haven’t tried it yet, but I’m seriously thinking about it.