Hi Kristen, really enjoyed reading what other writers use to assist themselves while writing. I found it amazing in a very good way. I feel incredibly lacking in interesting mentions on what I use. Besides considering myself a "tool" sometimes, I am basically a boring simpleton when it comes to applying all the available writing tools available. My head and my laptop are it, besides those two things my tool shed is empty. Even my laptop is glaringly normal. An old Lenovo with permanent little shiny-worn marks on most of the keys. Anyway, thanks for the very interesting post. Truly enjoyed it. - Jim
So interesting to read what other writers use! I use a MacBooks Air that has both Scrivener (for my novel) and Word (for short stories, flash). A purple Zebra pen is my favorite tool to use for revising on hard copies.
Love hearing about how other people write :) I have an iMac for main and an iPad so I can be portable. The cloud is so helpful! I also love a notebook and nice pen and tend to buy a new notebook for each project/idea. I use them to keep track of ideas and sometimes to free write scenes and ideas in the rough.
I love the Bear app. It’s the most used app on my phone. You can embed photos, doodle, type away in a variety of fonts, and intersperse headings throughout your document.
The other Must Have: a white noise machine. I don’t fully understand how it helps creativity, but it does.
Scrivener is hands-down my favorite writing tool. It keeps me focused, engaged, and excited each time I sit down to write. A close second are all my many, many, (did I mention many?) books on writing *laughs maniacally while wringing hands*!
I don't usually work on a laptop; I'm old-fashioned enough to have a desktop computer I use 99% of the time. I'm at my desk most of the time most days. Not sure what I'd end up using it for but I'll give it some thought. Thanks!
You might find you end up using it more than that! I read and edit on mine all the time, so much easier than toting my computer. I have a mini and I just throw it in my bag.
My Passion Planner is a great writing help. It’s my third year using this planner. It has a big Passion Roadmap where I set short- and long-term goals, then select the most important goal and break it into smaller tasks; it has a daily focus square to fill in, which helps me set one priority for the day, and set the tone… plus spaces for brainstorming… and what I especially love is the half-hour increments in the schedule. It also distinguishes personal project tasks from work tasks (guess which ones I enjoy more!)… I’m a fan.
Hi Kristen, thanks. I've put ReMarkable as a reward once I have enough paid subscriptions. Just wondering if it's easy to get a handle on all the options or functionality it has?
Thanks for inviting me to this, Kristen, and wow, I just bought a ReMarkable this year but was exclusively using it for Morning Pages, since I'd ended up with so many notebooks of them over the years, and this is creepy but...am worried I'd die suddenly and what would my kids have to do with them? LOL
Anyway I love the idea of jotting scenes in Remarkable! I also use my phone notes and email dictation to myself to capture ideas or words when I'm AFK. Dictation of emails is a great way to use phone AI easily to get good words. Anyway....always looking for hacks! Great roundup and interesting books to read now, too!
I don’t use all the features — in fact there’s a lot of them I don’t even know what they do! But I love being able to organize my books all in one compiled document and easily access folders with specific scenes, etc.
My first book I just kind of dumped everything into chapter folders, but my second I’m being a bit more purposeful and tinkering with features, here and there.
I love the idea of using a funko pop as an incentive 😄
Scrivener is a game changer! I also just figured out how to use One Note for outlining and I feel like a genius.
I second the sticky notes. Sticky notes in a variety of colors are vital to the plotting process (before the One Note ouline)
Hi Kristen, really enjoyed reading what other writers use to assist themselves while writing. I found it amazing in a very good way. I feel incredibly lacking in interesting mentions on what I use. Besides considering myself a "tool" sometimes, I am basically a boring simpleton when it comes to applying all the available writing tools available. My head and my laptop are it, besides those two things my tool shed is empty. Even my laptop is glaringly normal. An old Lenovo with permanent little shiny-worn marks on most of the keys. Anyway, thanks for the very interesting post. Truly enjoyed it. - Jim
So glad you enjoyed it! The part about you being a "tool" yourself made me laugh out loud! :)
Haha. Yes, I don't know who is responsible for originating that term but whoever did, was brilliant.
I also ♥️ brain.fm - such a brilliant tool.
I can't wait to check it out for myself!!
Yay, another brain.fm fan! it's the bomb (yeah I dated myself there)
So interesting to read what other writers use! I use a MacBooks Air that has both Scrivener (for my novel) and Word (for short stories, flash). A purple Zebra pen is my favorite tool to use for revising on hard copies.
Thanks for sharing! I’m going to look for that pen. I love working in purple.
I love purple pens! I sign all of my books in purple. Haven't heard of Zebra--need to check it out.
It’s a ballpoint but I think it’s a gel pen too.
Love hearing about how other people write :) I have an iMac for main and an iPad so I can be portable. The cloud is so helpful! I also love a notebook and nice pen and tend to buy a new notebook for each project/idea. I use them to keep track of ideas and sometimes to free write scenes and ideas in the rough.
Thanks for sharing your process! The notebook addiction is big over here too. And planners. I never turn down the chance for a new planner!
Amazon keeps trying to get me to look at new planners too ;)
I love my reMarkable, but I also have a new notebook for each manuscript, too! I have a drawer full of them. . . just waiting. :)
I love the Bear app. It’s the most used app on my phone. You can embed photos, doodle, type away in a variety of fonts, and intersperse headings throughout your document.
The other Must Have: a white noise machine. I don’t fully understand how it helps creativity, but it does.
Thank you for this! I love hearing about other writers and their tools and techniques!
Scrivener is hands-down my favorite writing tool. It keeps me focused, engaged, and excited each time I sit down to write. A close second are all my many, many, (did I mention many?) books on writing *laughs maniacally while wringing hands*!
I love that it keeps you excited. That’s such a great testimonial!
I don't usually work on a laptop; I'm old-fashioned enough to have a desktop computer I use 99% of the time. I'm at my desk most of the time most days. Not sure what I'd end up using it for but I'll give it some thought. Thanks!
My spouse suggests I should get an iPad for traveling. But that feels like a lot of money to spend on just a week or two per year. Opinions?
You might find you end up using it more than that! I read and edit on mine all the time, so much easier than toting my computer. I have a mini and I just throw it in my bag.
I have an iPad and I love it for working while watching TV and on planes for movies, etc.
Shocked no one said COFFEE!
My Passion Planner is a great writing help. It’s my third year using this planner. It has a big Passion Roadmap where I set short- and long-term goals, then select the most important goal and break it into smaller tasks; it has a daily focus square to fill in, which helps me set one priority for the day, and set the tone… plus spaces for brainstorming… and what I especially love is the half-hour increments in the schedule. It also distinguishes personal project tasks from work tasks (guess which ones I enjoy more!)… I’m a fan.
Oh! That sounds great. I’m going to look into it. I love planners. And I love the idea of a place for work and a place for personal.
Hi Kristen, thanks. I've put ReMarkable as a reward once I have enough paid subscriptions. Just wondering if it's easy to get a handle on all the options or functionality it has?
I’ve never use it…but you could find videos about it on You Tube & I’m sure they’ll teach you everything you want to know!
Thanks for inviting me to this, Kristen, and wow, I just bought a ReMarkable this year but was exclusively using it for Morning Pages, since I'd ended up with so many notebooks of them over the years, and this is creepy but...am worried I'd die suddenly and what would my kids have to do with them? LOL
Anyway I love the idea of jotting scenes in Remarkable! I also use my phone notes and email dictation to myself to capture ideas or words when I'm AFK. Dictation of emails is a great way to use phone AI easily to get good words. Anyway....always looking for hacks! Great roundup and interesting books to read now, too!
I don’t know anything about it, but I hope another writer chimes in? Otherwise, I’ll do a chat about it in the future.
I don’t use all the features — in fact there’s a lot of them I don’t even know what they do! But I love being able to organize my books all in one compiled document and easily access folders with specific scenes, etc.
My first book I just kind of dumped everything into chapter folders, but my second I’m being a bit more purposeful and tinkering with features, here and there.