Writer – Best Tools For Writers

Finding WriteRoom was one of the best things that happened to me during my writing career.  WriteRoom created something I rarely had being a mother, wife, having a full time job and trying to write on the side… peace.  Sounds odd for an app but WriteRoom created a perfect setting for me to write peacefully.  Oddly enough, WriteRoom is one of the most basic apps I have ever used, yet genius. The name of the app says it all. Open the app and start writing.

The app has been set up so that you have NO distractions while you write. Whether the spelling is incorrect, or you haven’t decided on a font yet, it just doesn’t matter. All of that can be dealt with at a later time within the app itself.  The idea is to write. That is it! Just write!

Before finding the Moleskine journal/notebook, I was a journal/notebook hoarder/junkie.  Every time I went shopping I seemed to come home with “yet another” notebook.  Rarely did I fill the last page with my writing…

Here are the top 3 reasons why I love Moleskin notebooks so much:

1. They come in all sorts of colors.  My preference is the Moleskine Kraft journal because I can duct tape it however I like!
2. They are so light, that I bring them everywhere with me.
3. They are handmade, yet very durable. 

My Smash Folio is my FAVORITE!  It even comes with a great tool attached… Pen… AND Glue Stick!

Things I add in my SMASH Folio:

1. Things that make me smile,
2. Concert tickets/Events I go to,
3. Color combinations that tickle my fancy,
4. Design ideas,
5. Quotes I love,
6. Things my children do,
7. Memories I never want to forget, and more…

When I lose a bit of inspiration, I take a peek at my journal… Always ignites a spark!

I love how K&CompanySMASH Folios claim the Smash Folio is the “unscrapbook” for people who don’t have time or think they aren’t creative!

I have a few… The book I read which helped me decide to start my blog and more is The DIGITAL MOM HANDBOOK.  Written by two successful Mom Bloggers, this book is the real deal.

The second book… WRITING DOWN THE BONES.  This is a recent read/love of mine… The moment I started reading, everything Natalie Goldberg wrote resonated with me.  Life as a full time mom, wife, career woman and writer, finding time to write is difficult.  Finding time to read is even harder… unless you find a book like this one!  Then, you make time to read.  I sure did!

Experienced editor or not, we all need a great book on grammar.  The Blue Book of Grammar and Style is clear, easy to read and breaks everything down in a simplistic way.

Experienced editor or not, we all need a great thesaurus.  My favorite is The Merriam-Webster Thesaurus.  It’s affordable and I really like how it is organized.  How often I find myself trying to describe something… and then it happens… I read what I wrote and realize that I used the same descriptive word 3 times.  Well, since that descriptive word is on the tip of my tongue, stuck in my head, nearly causing writers block… I have no choice but to resort to a trusty thesaurus!  It also helps when you are trying to sound smart… (wink, wink)…