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Lynn Chapman Writer

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    Notes From The Desk

    What are 5-10 writing tools that you can’t live without?

    I’m sure we all have our ‘go to’ writing tools, be it a favourite pen, dictionary, how to book, or notebook. Here are mine:

    1.        My 27-inch all-in-one desktop PC. I love it because I can have multiple windows open and actually read them! The best money I ever spent was investing in a larger screen.

    2.        I have several pens, but always choose one that I use continuously until the ink runs dry – I take it everywhere with me, then when it’s finished, I go on to the next one.

    3.        A red ‘editing’ pen is always on my desk.

    4.        Collins English Dictionary.

    5.        My Collins English Thesaurus.

    6.        Penguin Guide to Punctuation. This is essential for me.

    7.        A pad of post-it notes, because I’m forever making notes, as I’m sure my fellow writers are, too.

    8.        The Crime Writer’s Casebook by Stephen Wade & Stuart Gibbon. This is the best reference book I have; my copy is well thumbed through.

    9.        Magnetic wipe-off note board. This is invaluable when editing my novel.

    10.  A ‘to do’ list for the coming week of all my writing tasks, so I can tick them off when achieved. It’s a great feeling!

    I would love to know your thoughts on this and what your writing tools are.


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    21 responses to “Notes From The Desk”

    1. my word (s) avatar
      my word (s)

      Wow, you sound really organised! My go-to writing tools are:
      My laptop
      Laptop ‘slope’ with a cushioned base, which is very comfortable for ‘laptop’ writing!
      My pencil case, which holds a variety of pens, as well as stickers
      My writing record notebook – I record in here date, time started and finished, word count start and end, page number start and end. It’s a great way to track writing progress and I put a smiley sticker at the end. I count up the stickers and have a treat!!
      My colouring book and colouring pencils – I do about 5 minutes of colouring before each writing session to switch off from everything
      They’re my main go-to things!

      Reply
      1. Loubythesea61 avatar
        Loubythesea61

        I love your reward strategy Liz. A Werthers does it for me! It doesn’t take much to keep me happy🙂

        Reply
        1. my word (s) avatar
          my word (s)

          🤣🤣

          Reply
    2. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
      lynnchapmanwriter

      Thank you for sharing your go-to items, Liz. You also sound very organised!
      I really like the idea of a sloped laptop base; mine is flat and a bit awkward, so I might look into getting one like you have.
      I think the colouring is a great idea. That’s something else I might pinch!
      Have a lovely weekend, Liz.

      Reply
    3. Loubythesea61 avatar
      Loubythesea61

      What an interesting post Lynn. I just use my laptop and phone and scraps of paper for urgent notes. I’m quite a minimalist and spend periods away from home in our caravan in the Yorkshire Dales so keeping it mobile, small and simple are my priorities. I admire your self control in using one pen at a time – impressive👏🙂

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Thank you, Lou. My motto is ‘less is more’ so I admire you for being minimalistic and simple. I’d love a caravan. We played a gig yesterday at a caravan park on the Isle of Sheppey. Everyone looked tanned and chilled!

        Reply
    4. Timothy Dittmer avatar
      Timothy Dittmer

      Great dependency and use of the writing tools!

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Thanks, Tim. I think my dictionaries are the most important things.

        Reply
    5. SUSAN BATTEN avatar
      SUSAN BATTEN

      Here’s my list of must-have writing tools:

      1. My phone. Recently I took snaps of the Let’s Write picture prompts, to keep them handy

      2. My writing diary. Since starting a dedicated writing diary in 2024, I use this every day to note what I have written, researched or read. I note down important dates and webpages I’ve consulted. Over time, it makes an impressive record and helps me keep track.

      3. Not quite within reach, but nearby, lives my EHD. This is essential for back up copies and I try to keep it up to date.

      4. Equally, my Collins English Dictionary is never far away.

      5. I keep a small notebook with me all the time, to jot down ideas (which later don’t make sense), references and odd scraps. It also has a “to do” list.

      6. Usually the latest copy of Writing Magazine is nearby, to check what’s going on.

      7. There are usually a couple of books or magazines which I use as a distraction – often cookery books or travel books with maps. Today there’s an old photo album.

      8. I also have a “real life” notebook and a regular diary with things to do, so I don’t totally lose the plot.

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        That’s quite an impressive list, Susan. Thank you for sharing it. A notebook is a must for us writers, of course. I like the idea of a writing diary.

        I have a notebook in which I jot down anything I want to re-visit in Writing Magazine, or stuff for the blog.

        Reply
    6. Janice Johnson avatar
      Janice Johnson

      Hi Lynn,
      Isn’t interesting to see what people have to have for their writing and how they are similar yet different.
      Mine are my laptop, keyboard, and monitor. I only ever work off one screen. Word and Excel as I write in Word and plot and plan in Excel (spreadsheet nerd) Pens and notebooks are a must – I have my favourites and am impressed that you stick to just one. A sketch book with pencils and crayons for drawing my characters and locations. And I know I am cheating but my bookcase of writing reference books!

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Hi Janice, It is very interesting isn’t it what other writers have close. I also write in Word and plot and plan in Excel. I love the simplicity of the spreadsheet (now I know how to use it)! I should say that I have one pen on my desk, but use several others: in my bag, on a table next to me in the living room, by my bed, etc.

        I very impressed that you draw your characters; I struggle with a simple location map.

        Reply
    7. Jodie Bishop avatar
      Jodie Bishop

      My writing tools are:
      1. Laptop when I am at home
      2. Notebook(s)- any whereever I am at home or out and about-best way to get conversations
      3. Pen pot or pencil case with different colours and highlighters
      4. Whitebored and pens- Ideas, or writing down title ideas down for novel
      5. Dictionary for spelling.
      6. 2x diarys so I can keep track of everything I have written down
      7. Journal-do it every day
      8. Folders- A4 or lever arch file for everything to go through when needed- yes I seem to have one for any writing
      9. Fan-With this hot weather I like to keep cool
      10. Water bottle or tea- depending on my mood, a good drink to keep hydrated. (no alchol though haha)

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Thanks for sharing your must-haves, Jodie. It’s great seeing you on here.
        I wish I had the willpower to do a journal every day; I really those that can stick to it every day. I have tried, but always fail after a few days.

        I also have A4/lever arch file folders with writing tips that I’ve built up over the years.

        Reply
    8. M. Jean Pike avatar
      M. Jean Pike

      I always buy an extra wall calendar so I can jot down notes as to what is happening in the story on what days. When a novel takes up to a year to write I have to stop and remember how much time has actually passed in the story. I may have worked on a scene for two months, when in story time only two days have passed. It helps me organize my timeline 🙂
      I also have a book called Building Believable Characters that I’ve had since the late 90’s. It’s a tremendous help with given and surnames from around the world. If I am writing a story set in a neighborhood with a heavy French, Italian, Scandinavian. etc. population it’s helpful to know what some of their names might realistically be 🙂

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Thanks for sharing that, Jean. The extra calendar is a brilliant idea to keep track of something as huge as a novel.

        I had a look for that book on Amazon but couldn’t find it. Who is the author please Jean? It sounds a good book to have in your collection.

        Reply
    9. nikidaly70 avatar
      nikidaly70

      Tea. That must count for at least 5.

      laptop
      piles of paper
      cuddlies my girls have given me
      post-it notes
      pencils (the kind with rubber on the end else I’d lose a loose rubber)
      mouse (the laptop kind)
      chromebook for spotify
      books are in a pile next to me as there’s no space on desk
      tea

      Reply
      1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
        lynnchapmanwriter

        Hi Nic, thanks for sharing.
        I agree tea counts for at least five! I also have to have pencils with rubbers at the end, because one of my cats is a total thief!

        Reply
        1. nikidaly70 avatar
          nikidaly70

          Cheeky kitty!

          Reply
        2. nikidaly70 avatar
          nikidaly70

          I don’t have a cat-thief, but I do have a Bermuda Triangle where things disappear to!

          Reply
          1. lynnchapmanwriter avatar
            lynnchapmanwriter

            Hahahaha!

            Reply

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