Can the Right Tools Help You Write Better?
Do the tools you use help you write better?
When I first started writing, it was just me, a ninety-nine cent pen, and a cheap spiral-bound notebook. Using those tools, I wrote dozens of poems, stories, and journal entries.
These days, I’m surrounded by far more sophisticated writing tools: fancy pens and journals, a computer with writing software, a library of writing resources, and the Internet.
My writing has come a long way since I was a thirteen-year-old curled up on the floor with a pen, notebook, and my imagination. Certainly, experience and studying did a lot to help me write better, but did these newfangled tools also improve my writing?
Yes and no.
I think a few tools do help us write better, but for the most part, tools make writing easier or smoother. They don’t improve our writing, but they do improve our writing process.
The Right Writing Tools
Some tools literally improve our writing, like the dictionary and thesaurus, style guides, and other writing references that we use to ensure accuracy in our work. Online, many of these references are freely available, and this easy access can definitely improve our writing.
Yet most tools don’t impact our writing so much as they impact our experience of writing.
Many writers have declared that they are simply more creative when working with pen and paper. On the other hand, we can write a lot faster using a computer. In many cases, the tools we use force us to make a trade-off. We might opt to spend more time on a project by writing in longhand, choosing tools that promote creativity over expediency.
Tools can also simplify our writing process. A few months ago, I became frustrated juggling several notebooks, a binder, and multiple files and folders on my computer, all of which held notes, ideas, and drafts for a novel I’m developing. It was too much and became a hassle just to open the project and work on it. Then, I tried Scrivener, which brought most of my documents into a single file. With a few clicks, the entire project opens, neatly organized and fully accessible in this awesome application. It didn’t have any impact on my writing or my story, but it sure made the process a lot easier.
Tools to Write Better
We all want to write to the best of our abilities. The tools we choose can simplify or complicate our lives, and they might directly affect the quality of our writing. As much as I love stationery and writing supplies, I try to keep my tools to a minimum; otherwise, my desk gets too chaotic and I can’t get anything done. However, there are a few tools I’ve found to be indispensable:
- Plenty of cheap pens (including markers and highlighters) in a variety of colors: I use them up quickly and they have a nasty habit of disappearing.
- Journals and notebooks: I keep separate notebooks for fiction, poetry, and business writing. I’m at my most creative with good, old-fashioned pen and paper.
- Microsoft Word: I only use it because it’s industry standard and I need it for business. It’s awfully buggy and not very intuitive, but it’s better than nothing and not as good as…
- Scrivener: the latest addition to my collection of writing tools is a gem that I highly recommend to any writer working on a complex project or a project that involves a lot of research.
- Reference books and the Internet: these might not technically qualify as tools. They might be better labeled as resources. While I could write without them if I had to, I certainly wouldn’t want to.
What are some of your favorite writing tools? Do the tools you use improve your writing or make your writing process easier? Do they help you write better?
Melissa Donovan is a website designer and copywriter. She writes fiction and poetry and is the founder and editor of Writing Forward, a blog packed with creative writing tips and ideas.
I’ve recently started some academic writing and I can’t believe how cool Sente is (for Mac users). It syncs between my Macs and on my iPad, where I do most of my reading. Just awesome. Highlight and get quotes on my iPad, and voila! It’s ready for me to incorporate into my Word processor on my Mac. Great workflow.
Love your blog, BTW,
I’ll have to check that out. I don’t think I’ve heard of Sente before. Thanks for the tip!
I keep small notebooks & pens in multiple places around the house and in the car. If an idea hits me I want to write it asap before it leaves my memory forever
I do the same thing. A writer can’t have enough pens and notebooks!
Similar to Kris, I think the ability to make good notes at any time is essential. We’ve all felt the dread that accompanies losing a brilliant idea, and the fear that we won’t get it back. I often use my smartphone app, Evernote to do this. It’s a powerful note-making tool that syncs between your phone and computer. This way, when I come back to write at my computer later, my notes are already compiled for me and I don’t have to transfer them.
Thanks for the tips, Melissa!
I’m already in the habit of using notebooks for random ideas, but I do have Evernote and I think that a smartphone app like that holds a lot of potential for writers. Thanks for adding that idea to this list, Tim.
I have several writing apps on my phone. I’m never without it, so wherever I am I can make notes and email them to myself. I also have five different apps for reading books. Reading is one of the best writing tools I can think of. I never go anywhere without on (or ten).
Yes, apps are becoming pretty standard for writers, especially when we’re on the go. You can also use a voice-recording app, which allows you to write while you’re driving, walking, or exercising. Pretty awesome!
I like using mechanical pencils or gel ink pens best. Writing in a nice spiral does make me feel more creative. Used to, I just wrote on loose notebook paper. I don’t mind my laptop, but somedays it just feels better for copying onto than actually writing on.
I love spiral notebooks. I use hard-bound journals too, but something about a spiral notebook seems to bring out my creativity. Maybe it’s just in my head!
I as well, am attached to several different tools of the trade. I will always rely on my spiral note books, filed with notes, character names, and everything else I think of along the way that I believe will help get the novel finished. I wrote my first published work’s rough draft, completely with paper and pencil. Now after working it through on the computer, I well see how modern technology has made the whole process quicker and easier. I also use writing software. The yWriter download (developed by Simon Haynes of Australia, author of the Spacejock series) has been invaluable at keeping things in order. I do believe though that all of the most modern tools in the world cannot create a great work, if the capability to tell a great story in the correct manner are not in the abilities of the author.
I have to say that one thing about writing longhand, which is a huge drag, is that eventually, we need to transfer our work to the computer. That alone is a good argument for doing as much work as possible in any of these wonderful writing programs that are now available. You’re right — all the tools in the world will not lead to a manuscript or a masterpiece. That has to come from within.
I don’t like writing in computer at all.Writing with a pencil in notebook is a lot nicer.But this article rocks!!!
Thanks Diya. You’re the first person who mentioned writing with a pencil, which is interesting. Most writers say they like to use pens. I have to admit that as I get older, I lean more and more toward the computer — if for no other reason than using it means I don’t have to type up my work later
I have started using Google Docs. I actually eliminated Microsoft words from my computer and cleared up a ton of room. Now I do all my editing in the cloud. While Google doesn’t met my search needs as much anymore, some of their apps are still very useful. I like being able to move between computers freely and not being attached to my desktop or laptop to access my work.
Dropbox is also good for this if people want a product to sync their work across devices.
I love the idea of using Google Docs but I’m not that comfortable with the cloud yet, and it lacks certain features that I need when I’m doing client work so unfortunately, I can’t delete Word just yet. Also, I occasionally encounter problems with the Internet and need to be able to access and open my documents without an internet connection. I think in the coming years, I’ll move more toward Google Docs, but I’d like to see a viable replacement for Word that doesn’t require an internet connection. Google definitely provides some wonderful tools for writers, webmasters, and everyone else!
Beautiful and interesting post Melissa! I always tend to do most of my writing free hand and then type it up.
Take care
Marinela
That’s how I write poetry and most fiction. There’s definitely something about writing longhand that feels more creative.