One of the perks of being a writer is the abundance of gadgets and accessories that are available to make our writing life a heck of a lot more fun.
How often do you wake in the middle of the night with a phenomenal idea only to lose the thought? If you share a bed with someone, turning on the light or firing up the laptop at 4 a.m. will undoubtedly annoy your other half. Consider keeping a notebook and a pen with a light on it on your nightstand. A reliable and stylish pen is the ICON Solo LED pen light. You can choose between two brightness levels (16 lumens and 2 lumens) with a total run-time of 75 hours before you’ll need to swap out the two AA batteries. It may be pricey at $25 but it packs a punch.
IdeaPaint seems like a product that was made with writers in mind. In a nutshell, it is a dry-erase board as big as any space you want to put it on. You roll it on just like paint and after it cures for seven days, the space you applied it to is a dry-erase board; write on it like you would any other white board.
It’s no surprise that computers are understandably one of the main favoured tools that writers use; they make writing, rewriting and editing a tad easier than a pen and paper. Writer John Warner is no exception, “Most of all, I appreciate the computer and its ability to:
a.) allow for word processing and the attendant spelling, grammar correcting and general shuffling of text. (My first novel was 240-odd pages conveyed to paper on a portable manual typewriter back in 1967 and I had to start each page anew if I made a typo.)
b.) access to the Internet. (The second novel required intense research in books [i.e. libraries] and newspaper archives [i.e. Edmonton Journal]. This was pre-computers. Now, in a matter of seconds, I can research a scene and actually describe the building opposite as two lovers meet at a cafe on the Champs Elysee.”
Laptops are much more flexible than a desktop computer. Writer Gillian Zylka relies on her trusty laptop, “One thing that is essential for my writing is my ASUS UL20A notebook. It is tiny, highly portable, smaller than a file folder, and very light. I have no idea what kind of memory it has, but it was researched to be perfect for my writing needs, and it is. I slip it into my computer/writing bag and haul it everywhere I need to go. It has an eight hour battery, and was a gift from my husband.”
The new mini-laptops (called netbooks) are a big hit with many writers. Most are around 20 by 25 cm in size, making them very portable. And weighing around one kilogram, they won’t add too much weight to your purse or backpack. They can do everything a regular laptop can do but come in a much smaller package.
The original ‘laptop’ geared for writers, the AlphaSmart, continues to be a hit with many writers. The latest version, the AlphaSmart Neo, is priced around $180, making it more financially feasible than a standard laptop. The Neo is a writing tool with most of the capabilities of word processing programs and runs for 700 hours on three AA batteries.
To protect your laptop from theft when you leave home, consider buying a laptop security kit or a cable lock. These handy cables and locks allow you to leave your laptop on the table at the coffee shop while you run to the bathroom and it’ll be there when you return. No one can argue the value of a gadget that keeps your laptop from getting stolen.
An electronic gadget is writer Brianne Zwambag’s most treasured writing tool. “My favorite writing gadget is my external hard drive. As a freelance writer, my sleek and travel-friendly external hard drive is an office in a wallet-sized package. With 500GB memory, it carries all of my projects and an extensive idea file so I can load up my desktop whenever inspiration strikes. Whether it is at home, the library, an internet cafe or an editor's office, I'm never without!”
Writer Melanie Bergman’s beloved writing accessory is an ergonomic keyboard. “I can work for long periods with no consequences.” Keyboards may not have the allure of some of the gadgets we’ve mentioned but there are two that are worth considering. If carpel tunnel syndrome or other repetitive strains injuries are a worry for you, consider an ergonomic keyboard like Bergman loves. Using one will support your wrists and be more comfortable for your hands. If you are not keen on the nasty germs we all know are lurking on our keyboards, check out the washable keyboards on the market. Consider a product like the Unotron airtight keyboard and mouse available in corded and wireless models. You can dunk it in your kitchen sink full of hot, soapy water and wash it just like you do your favourite pot.
Software may not be a gadget but programs are often much-loved by writers. John Warner speaks highly of Magic Movie Screenwriter. Jason Glover highly recommends Open Office if you are looking for a free Windows-based application. “Open Office is ace. I use it all the time. It does most of what Office does but is totally free.” You can download it for no cost. Another highly recommended program is Rough Draft.
E-book readers are a popular item with writers, a toy people either love or love to hate. As they’ve been over-discussed in the news lately including the pros and cons of each, I won’t go into detail here.
As more writers are taking pictures for their blogs, for research information, to accompany articles, or just for inspiration, a kick-ass camera can sometimes be a necessity. The Sony Cyber-Shot is well-liked by many writers. Not only is it small enough to slip in your pocket, it is offers point-and-shoot convenience, ideal for tech and non-tech lovers alike. There are many models of the Cyber-Shot available but even the least expensive, which comes in around $130, offers 12.1 megapixels and four times zoom capabilities.
The FLY Fusion Pentop Computer is a pen with the capabilities of a computer, the only pen with permission to make such a claim. The FLY comes with digitized paper that allows the pen’s camera to read what you write, words that you can later download to a word-processing program such as Microsoft Word. The FLY also has a calculator, an English to Spanish translation program, and an mp3 file so you can listen to music.
The Fisher Space Pen was developed for astronauts to use in zero gravity and you can write with it upside down. The ballpoint pen won’t let you down until it needs a new ink cartridge.
Favourite writing tools are often writing accessories. When not using her laptop, Gillian Zylka uses a Cross pen. “Another essential writing item (of mine) is a sterling silver Cross fountain pen that I use for longhand writing. I love the weight of the pen in my hand, and the whole process of filling it up from a jar of ink; I can tell how much work I’m doing by how often I need to fill it.”
At the risk of mentioning one too many pen-like products, I’ve got one more item that does more than write. The PlanOn DocuPen Xtreme X05 Rechargeable Handheld Pen Scanner makes portable scanning even easier. The size of a pen, this little tool can scan a whole page including graphics in less than four seconds. It is Bluetooth compatible, allowing you to send your scanned documents to any device you wish.
My favourite gadget for my writing is a device that has been around longer than Betty Crocker – a kitchen timer. I find I often have preset chunks of time to work in – 45 minutes until I have to leave to get the children or two hours until I have to leave for Toastmasters. Instead of constantly checking the clock, my mind paranoid that I am going to run late, I set the timer for when I need to stop writing, allowing me to give 100% of my concentration to the writing task in front of me.
Writer Lee Kvern’s writing tools are a mix of common sense and intangibles, “My favourite writing tool is a four pack: consistent time, constant coffee, a sharp brain, and dual documents. Give me these four things and I'm good to go.”
Can a coffee maker be considered a writing tool? It may be a huge stretch but more than one writer has mentioned having a permanent coffee cup within reach (or in John Wagner’s case, a drinking glass that is sometimes filled with rum.) Consider one of the newfangled coffee makers with pods such as the Keurig. With over 125 different choices of pods with beverages including coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, iced tea, and cider, you will always be able to find the right drink to fit your writing mood.
Writing can be a long journey but with the right accoutrements, the trip can be so much more fun!
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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