Writers have quirks. We hoard notebooks, obsess over pens, and have strong opinions about fonts. But over the years, I’ve found a few tried-and-true tools that make my creative chaos a little more manageable. And now… well, I can’t imagine writing without any of them. Narrowing it down to just ten is also crazy hard, but I did it. Here are ten things that I consider indespensable to my full-time writing career.
TEN: A Cork Board
Whether I’m plotting a book, tracking character arcs, or just pinning random snippets of inspiration, my cork board is my story’s visual brain. Plus, I love the tactile feeling of rearranging the board as a story takes shape.
There are ton of styles to choose from. Here is the cork board I chose.
NINE: The Emotion Thesaurus
This book is gold. It’s my secret weapon for avoiding phrases like “she rolled her eyes.” It helps me dig deeper into how physical cues are tied to emotional beats, and master the subtle actions that make the characters feel real.
EIGHT: Noise-Cancelling Headphones (or Earbuds)
Drown out the world and let creativity take the wheel. My go-to brand for both headphones and earbuds is Bose, but their superiority for noise cancellation and comfort is reflected in the price. That’s why I’m also including some budget-friendly alternatives.
| Anker Soundcore Affordable and dependable noise cancellation | Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones Top-notch noise cancellation and hours of wearable comfort |
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| Anker Soundcore Affordable and dependable noise cancellation | Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds Top-notch noise cancellation and my go-to for airplanes. |
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SEVEN: Fidget Toys
Call it sensory grounding, call it distraction… I call it survival. Sometimes, the best way to get words out of your brain is to let your hands do their own thing.
SIX: A Keyboard That Feels (and Looks) Good
Writers spend a lot of time tapping away, so quality matters. And let’s face it, aesthetics do too. I need a keyboard that feels as satisfying as it looks. Something that makes me want to write just by sitting there. Something like mine.
FIVE: A Back Support Pillow
We have a complicated relationship, this pillow and I. It saves my spine but also constantly reminds me I’m not twenty anymore. Still, comfort is non-negotiable, and totally needed when spending long hours in a chair.
FOUR: Wrist Brace
A wrist brace isn’t glamorous, but it is a wrist-saver. And, if you type for a living, it’s less of a want and more of a necessity.
THREE: Adorable (and/or Highly Functional) Post-it Notes
Organization meets whimsy. I switch between cat-shaped, flag-shaped, and heart-shaped Post-its depending on my mood. Functional? Check. Aesthetic? On fire.
TWO: Kindle Scribe
This one’s my guilty pleasure, and definitely a splurge. But I’d buy another in a heartbeat. Scribe lets me upload my own manuscript, annotate directly, and even sync handwritten notes to digital text. It’s indulgent but so worth it if you’re serious about editing or journaling.
ONE: Standing Desk + Walking Pad
Okay. It’s technically two things, but I’m counting them as one because they’re inseparable in my world. I’ve been using a treadmill desk for over twelve years now, and it’s changed everything. Walking while writing keeps my energy (and my ideas) moving.
Every writer’s toolkit looks a little different, but these ten things keep me inspired, organized, and—most importantly—writing.
What’s the most useful thing on this list that you don’t own yet? Comment below!
Heads up: some links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you). I only share things I genuinely use and love—plus, it helps support my writing!
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