I like how your computer monitor is bolstered by a pile of books!
I think posture is the bane of writers and artists. I use a standing desk, which has helped a lot for most of my work, but I still sit when writing - a battered old laptop in a comfy chair. I think Scrivener is my only essential tool - it's just so handy for organisation. I set it to full screen, no distractions mode, with white text on black.
I think it's charming that while we as writers are all essentially engaged in the same task, what that looks like at a physical level is as idiosyncratic as we are. A battered old laptop in a comfy chair sounds splendid. I have the idea Roald Dhal had a similar set up
Thank you, Eve. The teapot motif is inspired, apparently, by both Japanese and ancient Egyptian mythology, so a good weird mix for a writer of fantasy!
That’s a lovely teapot!! I also have a cast iron teapot, in a black pebbly texture, that was given to me by a friend’s daughter. She was gifted it, but she doesn’t drink tea, and I was the only “dedicated tea drinker” she knew, lol. I use it every morning to brew my lavender Earl grey and then throughout the day to brew whatever else I feel like drinking that day. My family knows that if they see me carrying the teapot into my office with me, it’s time for a serious writing marathon.
My other everyday-use tools include my Kindle Scribe, my favorite Lamy Safari fountain pen, a notebook, and my Alpha Neo-Smart typewriter.
Reading this post has now made me want to write my own about the tools I always use!
It would be a good article for sure - that sounds like a fine writing toolbox! If ever my trusty desktop gives up the ghost, I should look into a Neo-Smart; they look great and I suspect they discourage reading back/editing while writing, which is so crucial. Also, thanks for your appreciation of the teapot - there are those in my family who believe it is ugly, but I'm quite attached to it regardless!
Unlike you, I don’t have fixed “treasured tools” but cycle through a variety of devices and writing totems/prompts, etc. Probably the closest to bedrock is my desktop in our second apartment bedroom, the walls festooned by grandchildren’s drawings and found objects and old teddy bears. I try all kinds of crap, e.g. right now I’ve purchased a roll of “butcher’s paper,” which is large white paper; I plan to use several huge sheets to organize a final book editing push.
I've definitely gone through stages of using "all kinds of crap" - post-it notes everywhere and diagrams on the wall. I think there's great value in that at times because it's all part of making a mess and getting ideas out into the physical world. More and more though I've simplified the things I need around me as I work; perhaps decluttering my physical space has helped me find a clearer mental space..? I keep pictures of my children around, though, and a few things they've made, much like you do with your grandchildren's drawings. I'm sure heartful objects like that help keep the heart in our writing
I like how your computer monitor is bolstered by a pile of books!
I think posture is the bane of writers and artists. I use a standing desk, which has helped a lot for most of my work, but I still sit when writing - a battered old laptop in a comfy chair. I think Scrivener is my only essential tool - it's just so handy for organisation. I set it to full screen, no distractions mode, with white text on black.
I think it's charming that while we as writers are all essentially engaged in the same task, what that looks like at a physical level is as idiosyncratic as we are. A battered old laptop in a comfy chair sounds splendid. I have the idea Roald Dhal had a similar set up
Fascinating insights, Tim and I love that teapot, even though I never drink tea!!!
Thank you, Eve. The teapot motif is inspired, apparently, by both Japanese and ancient Egyptian mythology, so a good weird mix for a writer of fantasy!
That’s a lovely teapot!! I also have a cast iron teapot, in a black pebbly texture, that was given to me by a friend’s daughter. She was gifted it, but she doesn’t drink tea, and I was the only “dedicated tea drinker” she knew, lol. I use it every morning to brew my lavender Earl grey and then throughout the day to brew whatever else I feel like drinking that day. My family knows that if they see me carrying the teapot into my office with me, it’s time for a serious writing marathon.
My other everyday-use tools include my Kindle Scribe, my favorite Lamy Safari fountain pen, a notebook, and my Alpha Neo-Smart typewriter.
Reading this post has now made me want to write my own about the tools I always use!
It would be a good article for sure - that sounds like a fine writing toolbox! If ever my trusty desktop gives up the ghost, I should look into a Neo-Smart; they look great and I suspect they discourage reading back/editing while writing, which is so crucial. Also, thanks for your appreciation of the teapot - there are those in my family who believe it is ugly, but I'm quite attached to it regardless!
They really do—the screen only holds a 2-3 lines at a time, and since it’s so small, that’s not even a longer sentence.
Unlike you, I don’t have fixed “treasured tools” but cycle through a variety of devices and writing totems/prompts, etc. Probably the closest to bedrock is my desktop in our second apartment bedroom, the walls festooned by grandchildren’s drawings and found objects and old teddy bears. I try all kinds of crap, e.g. right now I’ve purchased a roll of “butcher’s paper,” which is large white paper; I plan to use several huge sheets to organize a final book editing push.
I've definitely gone through stages of using "all kinds of crap" - post-it notes everywhere and diagrams on the wall. I think there's great value in that at times because it's all part of making a mess and getting ideas out into the physical world. More and more though I've simplified the things I need around me as I work; perhaps decluttering my physical space has helped me find a clearer mental space..? I keep pictures of my children around, though, and a few things they've made, much like you do with your grandchildren's drawings. I'm sure heartful objects like that help keep the heart in our writing
I definitely have a teapot XD. I also make use of a Cherry keyboard, which helps me write faster.
I could certainly have included my Cherry keyboard - anything that helps take friction out of the process. And yes, the tea element is crucial!