These are the three things I can’t live without.
I feel like I’m a little late to this game, but I’m absolutely in love with Google Reader. It’s free, and it gathers all of the blogs I follow into one handy place that I can read no matter which computer I’m working on.
It automatically gathered the blogs I followed in Blogger, and it lets me easily add new blogs I come across
Why waste my time flipping through a paper dictionary when I can go online and search for correct spellings and synonyms and antonyms?
3. Text messaging
Inspiration strikes in strange places. Usually when I am nowhere near my computer. When I’m in the grocery store or walking down the street or (don’t tell the policeman) driving, I can capture it in a quick text message and send it to my personal email account. That way, the idea is there next time I turn on the computer.
I have a texting plan on my phone, so I’m not charged for each message. If you are charged per text, you can save each text as a draft, then set a reminder on your phone to check your drafts folder when you are back at your computer.
What are your favorite tools, technological or not?
You know, I just got into blogging myself, and haven’t quite been able to figure out google reader, it seems good, but everytime I try to use it wants to log me into an account not attached to my blog and I can’t figure out how to delete it.
I am so with you with number two, I use that all the time. The text messaging yourself an idea is a great idea, if you have a full keyboard. Personally, I try to keep a notebook handy, for when that sudden inspiration hits, but I sure could have used the phone yesterday.
The only tool, I can really think of to add is music, 99% of the time I put some kind of music on in the background before I begin writing anything.
I always keep a notebook handy, but I’m also a big fan of GMail’s drafts feature. I’ve got 27 drafts now, most of them writing-related: plot ideas, brainstorming, lists of names for characers I may want to use, lists of agents I’ll want to query for specific novels, back-ups of novel files, names of actresses/models who act as a good visual representation of characters I have in mind, research-related links… It saves immediately and I can access it from every computer. It’s golden.
Haha, yeah. Google really is aren’t they?
You caught me. I do have a full QWERTY keyboard on my phone, so texting is easy.
I’m a fan of music, too. In fact, one of the tips Laura Whitcomb gives in her book Novel Shortcuts is to create a soundtrack to get you quickly in the mood for your current project.
Cory, Great tip. I also have a few gmail drafts saved. Google offers so many great tools, it’s no wonder they are taking over the world!