Here are five things that every writer should have handy for any circumstance:
1. Pen, Paper, or Laptop
This is an obvious one. Every writer has a preference, whether they like writing by hand or typing more. I think a writer should have both handy. No matter what, keeping a notepad by your bed or in your bag when you travel is a MUST. You never know when your laptop might die on you (especially if it’s old).
2. Books
This goes for writers manuals or guides, like William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White’s “The Elements of Style,” or just books in general. If you’re writing poetry, it’s nice to have a few poets on hand. Or if you’re a copyeditor, you’ll want to have the Chicago Manual of Style or the AP Stylebook.
3. Merriam Webster App
My Copyediting professor swore by the Merriam Webster Dictionary. He had me, and all of my classmates download it on our phones to use during classes and tests. As a copyeditor, if you’re questioning a word, Merriam Webster is your go-to. Do NOT settle for the online version, because the app is better!
5. Inspiration / The Right Mindset
If you’re not in the right mindset to write, it’s tough to get anything down. Having the right outlook when sitting down to write is crucial to being productive. If I’m frustrated or distracted when I try to write, I barely get anything down on the page at all (and what I do is usually not significant). And what goes along with this is having inspiration or motivation to write.
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