These Are a Few of My Favorite Things…

Wed, Aug 6, 2008

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by Deborah Ng

Here are the top three (freelance writing) things I can’t live without. I believe they’re self explanatory:

1. My laptop

2. My coffee maker

3. The door to my office.

What three things can’t you live without?

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30 Comments For This Post

michelle of bleeding espresso Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 6:21 am

Very similar answers here Deb:

1. My laptop
2. My Internet connection
3. My Moka to make espresso

A close fourth and fifth: a big Mead notebook and pen

davidmiller Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 6:50 am

The cafe just down the road.

Just the change of scenery & the bustle for a while is great for generating ideas sometimes.

Also, the eavesdropping is better.

Jaq Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 7:31 am

Three things:

1. My laptop
2. My portable hard drive
3. Lubricant for my contact lenses (it dries up quickly because I’m always in front of the monitor)

Carol Brzozowski Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 7:34 am

1. My coffee maker, which enables me to sit opened-eyed at my…..

2. My electronics (desktop first preference; laptop second; Blackberry third)

3. My supportive boyfriend during the low periods.

Robin Marie Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 8:09 am

1. My laptop
2. My Espresso Machine (and the cafe down the road)
3. My digital camera

Ann G. Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 8:13 am

I have way more than three - but

Laptop is a definite. Morson’s Guide a close second because my job relies on understanding every rule as set forth by Morson, and then my cappucino machine.

Phil Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 8:20 am

I agree with Carol, coffee machine is No. 1.

I’m not on the road much, so desktop is No. 2, and telephone and Internet connection are tied for 3 (can’t do much business without either).

I use a laptop only about once a week, so that would be No. 4

Jean Gogolin Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 9:10 am

I use my laptop only under duress, so my top three requirements are my desktop, my Internet connection, and my office chair.

I got the chair at The Back Store and it cost the earth, but it’s the most comfortable chair I’ve ever sat in. (It’s also great for my back.)

Valencia Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 9:17 am

1.) Laptop
2.) Flashdrive
3.) Hot Tea/Coffee

Heiddi Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 9:18 am

Hi Deb,

I can’t live without these three things:

1. my flash drive
2. anycomputer with internet
3. my DR. Grip pens (regular not gel ink).

Robin Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 10:51 am

my laptop
my music/and or podcasts (right now I’m listening to More Hip than Hippie podcast - if you’re into the environment, it’s a great listen)
my coffee

Lori Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 11:13 am

Coffee - But I’ll go further to say GOOD coffee. The quality makes the difference in my morning!

My laptop which is inclusive of internet connection.

My planner - Yes, I’m still a paper girl. I have to actually write my tasks for some reason.

Kristy Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 11:32 am

Good grief, just three? How to prioritize then…

1.) Computer with internet connection

2.) Notebook and pen - for notes

3.) “The Board”

Ok, so I sort of squeezed four into the first two, but really they go hand-in-hand. The third many may not get, but that’s one of my screenwriting tools. I lay out my story on index cards thrown up on the board and then move them around until my story fits together the way I want. Then, I can write it without having to stop. So, it’s definitely a necessity.

Mary Witzl Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 11:54 am

The things that I would hate doing without are:

1) My cat — embarrassing, but she’s a great companion, even when she drools on my wrist as I write

2) Good coffee (and how I wish I could be different and say tea or hot chocolate, but nothing compares to coffee, so there it is)

3) Good radio shows

Kori Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

1. My husband - He reads everything I write, which I find good for support and for critique.
2. My hi-speed connection - It makes me nuts if out cable goes out. Dial-up just doesn’t cut it. We are actually getting DSL for emergencies to back up the cable.
3. Music - I always write with music on.

ac Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 12:39 pm

1. Laptop
2. Pepsi - Wild Cherry, preferably.
3. My dog, who sleeps under the desk when he isn’t sleeping in my lap.

Andrea Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 1:03 pm

1) hi-speed Internet

2) Diet Dr. Pepper

3) My ergonomic mouse (I move it from my desktop to my laptop - anything else really hurts my hand).

Ami Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

1) Laptop w/ internet connection
2) My calendar/planner
3) Caffeinated beverages (coffee, diet Dr. Pepper, tea–depending on the mood and time of day)

Aurora Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 1:49 pm

1) My stack of sticky notes.
2) My Logitech iFeel mouse. Its old and probably discontinued, so I have three more of them tucked away for use when this one finally dies.
3) My Tim Hortons’ (by Bunn) “perk a piping hot full pot in less than 2 minutes” coffee perk.

violetteb Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm

1) My computer with internet.
2) My coffee (single serve is the way to go, fresh cup everytime, no they don’t pay me to say that).
3) Freelance Writing Jobs and other forums.

Sue Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 2:34 pm

Interesting how many people mention coffee or beverages. I need my coffee even when I’m not working. So I’m curious why so many consider coffee to be a must for freelancing?

Amy Derby Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 4:31 pm

Mine would be 1) my laptop (and now that I have built in broadband, I would hate to give that up!), 2) my iphone (for when I’m too lazy to carry around my laptop), and 3) coffee (lots of it at all times). And when I’m on a train or someplace with no internet/service, 4) notebook & pen.

Dionne Obeso Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 4:39 pm

My computer and internet (my laptop actually hates me and I want to replace it)

Pens and paper (I love writing notes)

My supportive husband, who keeps me going during the low times.

Rachel Langston Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 6:03 pm

1. a very sharp pencil and a clean piece of paper
2. iced tea with extra lemon
3. my bible

Aurora Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 9:56 pm

Sue: In my case coffee came before freelancing. I’ve been drinking coffee for over have of my life, freelancing for only a third of it. I must say though, the two go hand and hand rather well. I *always* have a cup of coffee nearby 24/7. I can’t imagine trying to work without it. But yeah, I guess for me its a life ‘thing’, not just a freelancer tool

Terreece Clarke Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

1. My laptop & charger :0)
2. My AP style guide.
3. A good piece of chocolate.

Angie Says:
August 7th, 2008 at 7:41 am

1. my laptop
2. paper (or napkin, paper towel, old envelope, or anything else to write on)
3. any writing utensil (pen, pencil, marker, crayon–basically the first thing I find)

L. O'Neal Says:
August 11th, 2008 at 3:55 pm

1. My Glasses - Blind
2. My Mac - Freddie Mac
3. Red Bull - it gives me wings!

Angela Swanlund Says:
August 15th, 2008 at 6:57 pm

I do the bulk of my writing from home, so my list is a little different…

1. My husband to have already gotten his coffee - leaving the pot 3/4 empty for me - so I can curse, then make my own pot.

2. Everyone to have mysteriously dissapeared just as the dog makes his final spin on the rug in front of the door - you know the one - that spin just prior to losing bladder control. So I can curse, clean the mess, and take the dog outside to his kennel.

3. And the most important thing of all - the sound of the door closing as the last person leaves for work or school and I can stop cursing and start writing.

Ha! Tis true

rmr Says:
August 21st, 2008 at 12:05 pm

I may not be a particularly good writer yet, but I can’t seem to function if I don’t write something every day.