Jen's Writing Journey

All of you who visit me know I’m a techie kind of girl. I like my computer. I like my iPod. I like my cell phone. But there are some other tools that help me with my writing.

1. Dave laptop desk from Ikea

This desk is super-cheap ($18) and makes it easy to sit on the couch and write without getting laptop burns on your lap.

2. Interlibrary loan

My local library has a good selection of writing books–there are a lot of writers in the Portland area, and we need a lot of books. Interlibrary loan makes the collection awesome. Check with your local library to see if they do interlibrary loan and how you can search the catalogs of other libraries to get access to the books you need.

3. My Circa Notebook

I love all of the little pouches and pockets and the interchangeable pages of different sizes. The best feature for me right now is the pocket where I can stow my receipts for business purchases immediately–no more scramble at the end of the year to find the receipts in my various purses and drawers.

4. Sugar-free Rock Star

I know this isn’t good for me, but it keeps my mind active so that I can use my evenings to make good progress. After a long day of writing at work and two hours of commuting,I need the kick to keep myself going.

What are your go-to tools to keep your writing life going?

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These are the three things I can’t live without.

1. Google Reader

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

2. Merriam-Webster Online

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?

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I decided I needed to do something different with my writing, so I decided to try yWriter.

yWriter is a free writing program that organizes your writing by scene and chapter, allowing for easy moves and renumbering.

The interface is a bit hard to get used to, and I will readily admit that I was not yet thinking of my WIP in terms of scenes when I began using the software two weeks ago. I am still in the mode where I am capturing the story as it comes to me. I will be more ready to think about scenes and motivation-reaction units in revisions.

Right now, I’m not sure it is the best choice for my first draft, but I love being able to shift scenes from chapter to chapter. Perhaps if I were not flying by the seat of my pants, I would be more able to relate to yWriter. It seems like a very valuable tool for an author who has a solid outline (or any outline that exists outside of her head).

Some comparable products include Storybook (open source), Story Weaver (commercial), and Dramatica Pro (commercial).

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