One of my favorite things is writing lists, especially a checklist. I enjoy being organized and structured, to a limit. As a mother there's only so much structure I'm able to stick with. I think lists give me this opportunity, attempting to keep order in my life even though I can't seem to keep too much of it in my home. Or maybe it's because it gives me a chance to mark off each item and feel like I've accomplished some major goal I'd set out to do. Which ever it is, I wanted to post a list to my blog. This is my checklist that every writer needs in order to be successful in their writing.
Top 10 Items Every Writer Needs
1. Computer
Most homes have at least one, but to tip the mark in your favor - I recommend a laptop. Moving to another room when the children are being noisy can help, or sitting outside on the deck can give you a change of atmosphere.
2. Desk
Having a designated spot to sit at can help begin to set up a schedule for writing.
I can't stress this enough. After having a problem with my sciatica, I realized how important this really was. Spending the money on a big cushiony computer chair is well worth every penny.
When I first got serious about writing I didn't have a second screen. Flipping back and forth from one document to another or searching the internet for info, proved to be tedious. Now with a second screen viewing different documents like a character bio and the story doc at the same time have gotten a lot easier, especially with editing.
This was a huge help for me. Setting aside a specific time each day for writing really helped take my writing to a whole new level. Even if there are days when I only write 600 words down. I find it helpful to get into a routine and at least show up. (Also don't take phone calls during this time.) Some days I strike gold and some days I don't. How will I know which day it is if I don't show up?
6. Notebook
A small notebook that I carry with me at all times. When an idea hits, I have a notebook instead of a napkin to write it on; which helps keep me organized. Then on the days that I'm struggling to write a sentence, I pull out the notebook and write about something I've jotted down. More of my scenes have come from spit second thoughts I just scribbled quickly in the notebook.
I use the free ones online. Mainly, because my typing is much faster than flipping through a book. Dictionary.com & Urban Dictionary.com
Frankly using the same words over and over in my writing becomes droll. A Thesaurus can help breathe new life into a simple sentence. Thesaurus.com & freethesaurus.net are two versions I use.
I find music to help me set the tone. If there's a specific character who's hard to write about, playing the right kind of music can really help me focus on their personality. I even have playlists named after some of my characters.
I've said this many times already, but it's truly something I live by. Daydream, think about an idea. If Jack & Jill went up the hill, what was their motivation? Where they thirsty? Was it hot out? What if there was a hole in to bucket? Maybe Jack threw water on Jill and she actually pushed him or tripped him? Who knows, it could have been anything, but that's where it's up to you as the writer to fill in the blanks.
As a writer in reality all you need is an idea and a way to write it. If it's pen and paper or a new ipad 2, it doesn't really matter all that matters is that you write it down.
If there's something you can't live without when you write, post a comment and add to the list, maybe we could get the list to 15 things or even 20.
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