In Monday's blog post, I wrote about some of my favourite apps and pieces of software for writers.
The right tool for the job might not be software, though.
Perhaps you're struggling to write because your computer is old and prone to crashing ... or because your kids need it for their homework.
It might well not be practical for you to buy a new laptop right now. But what about a Bluetooth keyboard for your phone?
Last year, I did a fair bit of writing on my phone, and it cost me under £30 to get a keyboard and a stand that let me do so.
Or let's take another very common problem right now. Maybe you have some time when you could write, but your kids/flatmates/neigbours are so noisy that you can't focus.
Noise-cancelling headphones work wonders here! They don't need to be expensive or fancy ones, either. I have a pair of in-ear headphones that cost me about $10. They block out a lot of external noise, plus they don't leak much sound so I can crank my music right up.
Another crucial tool for me is a mouse for my laptop. I find the touchpad slows me down, and having a mouse just makes it that bit easier to write and edit without technology getting in the way.
Even tiny tools can make a difference, like a ballpoint pen that writes smoothly, or a notebook with nice thick pages so that your writing doesn't bleed through, or a nice mug to sip your coffee from as you write.
What tools could make a difference in your writing life? What distractions or irritations are you putting up with, or working around? Chances are, there's some kind of solution out there ... and it might well only cost you $10 or so.
Happy writing,
Ali
