Variety is the Spice Of Writing

Sure I could be talking about characters, story arcs, settings, etc. But I want to take a minute to talk about writing using various mediums or tools.
 
Most writers pound away on a laptop. Some folks like to write at least the first draft by hand on paper. Bless them. My arthritis couldn’t imagine anything more awful. Other writers use dictation software.
 
I have a couple different tools that I am loving at the moment, and wanted to share them with you.

​MY TOP 3 WRITING TOOLS
 

1. My Word 365 App.

I spend a lot of time in my car. Far too much. So while I am dropping off kid A and on my way to pick up kid C, I have been jotting notes, or even just doing freewriting. My word 365 app saves across platforms, so I use my phone to get some quick ideas down. Yes...I can utilize voice to text. I'm being safe. 

It works for blog posts too. (Hint...if you're not reading along with me, you can check out that blog HERE.)

2. My Bluetooth Keyboard. 

There are times when I need the satisfying click beneath my fingers and the standard chiclet keys on my computer don’t satisfy. Something about touching my Bluetooth keyboard makes me feel like a writer, and makes me want to put in a few extra words, or even an extra hour writing. I use the Dot by Lofree. I got it forever ago during their kickstarter, and it's still one of the best things I've ever spent money on.

Best part is I can hook it up to my laptop, or even link it to my iPad for a little less bulk when writing on the go.
​3. My AlphaSmart3000. 

This is a tool I first learned about through NaNoWriMo forums. This is a cheap device that has absolutely no bells and whistles, and uses a USB-A cord to transfer my work onto whatever program is open on my computer. I can take this little gadget with me, and pound away on the tactile keys with no notifications or popups. It’s about getting ideas down. And that’s it. Hubby makes fun of me for this, but the lack of distractions works for me.
 


I’m working hard to simplify my life and knock out the things that don’t serve me to allow more time for what I love. And I love writing. I miss it, and I want to get back into the joy I had writing things down, not because I was going to sell what I was writing, but for the sole fact that I love expressing myself through words. And frankly I like the clicky keyboard noises, and excuse to drink coffee and make my editing face.

​What tools do you love using to up your writing game? I'd love to hear about them. 

~Roxy