POMprompt
POMprompt # 26: The 5 ‘Writing Tools’ I Can’t Work Without
POMprompt # 26
The article that turned into a POMprompt.
I have always wanted to be a writer. I pictured notebooks, pens, coffee rings on the desk. In truth, I don’t even have a writer’s desk, sitting in the sun by the window. *Sigh* Instead I work from the corner of my living room, where the lighting is poor and space is a bit tight.
In reality, my writer’s life looks a lot different, but still feels very much like a “writer’s life.” I sit here each day with my computer equipment set up on two large plastic tubs, draped with my old college blanket. I wrestle with space for the keyboard and the mouse on the small side table that I use in conjunction with the plastic tubs.
My to do list gets more of my time than my creative writing, which means my novel is growing dust. But, I am making a living and one must do that before one can finish one’s novel. Which brings me to a few things that make my writer’s life work. I mean, the things I really could not do without during the course of my workday; and those things may surprise you. Here are the top 5:
Writing Buddy
I cannot stress enough what it means to have a writing buddy. Recently, I was adopted for just that purpose and a precious partnership was birthed.
(BAM! I just did today’s #NatPoWriMo prompt: birth. OK, so it is not a poem, but I’m counting it! Because — I poet — ALL DAY!)
I digress…oh, a writing buddy. So, A friend reached out and said hey — we need to work together and hold each other accountable. I said, ok. And then, magic. Each day has been fresh and new and inspirational and more productive. This morning I got up, powered up the computer and messaged her:
I am UP. With coffee and a mile-long to-do list. WHAT are your Medium goals for today?
Then, we pledge our daily goals for Medium and work together to keep each other accountable. We press each other toward the follow-through and accomplishments we both want to achieve with our writing day.
Thank you Samantha Lazar for being my writing buddy.
To the rest of you writers, out there banging away your life at the keyboard — get a writing buddy.
Live Start Page — Living Wallpapers
Offered by: livestartpage.com
This is a Google Chrome extension and yes, I purchased the premium version with no regrets. NIMBUS WEB INC is the developer. I took a series of screenshots to show you some of the features I love:
The Live Start page also plays nature sounds, walks me through guided meditations, and plays meditative music. (Jenny Justice, you need this in your life.)
My Live Start page plays soft music for me while I work, or the sounds of ocean waves or even bugs and brooks and fields. I find this tool to be instrumental (no pun intended) in keeping my blood pressure down and my productivity up.
AND — it’s pretty darn cheap. (Not an affiliate link, just a helpful one for you.)
OK, that’s enough of my raving about Live Start…let’s move on to the next invaluable tool that helps me get through my writer’s life / work day.
This Sweet Girl
Honestly, if it weren’t for Josie, I’d linger in the bed too long in the mornings. (She wakes me up with glee.)
I’d hardly go to bed at all — she reminds me when it’s bedtime. The picture is from the first night I finally had my new bed in the apartment (and no more couch sleeping!) This was Josie reminding me that hey — Mom — the bed is too high for me. No fair! (I put a box at the end of the bed so she can jump up now.) She wriggles under the covers at the end of the bed while I work — yet more — from the laptop and avoid sleep.
I’d hardly leave the computer and cease my typing if it weren’t for Josie reminding me — hey Mom, it’s nice out. How ‘bout a walk?
In short, writing keeps me fulfilled and provides me a decent living; Josie makes it all worth it.
A Warm Bath Halfway Through My Day
Whether it’s hot or cold, I take a warm bath in the middle of my day, most of the time with Epsom Salts. I have pain; chronic pain and sometimes, a lot of it. Carpal tunnel, degenerative spine issues, and several areas of blown discs in my back and neck. The pain is very real and persistent.
A good warm bath helps to reset my muscles and my mind for the rest of the day’s work.
Alexa | Echo Show
Alexa…play relaxing music. Alexa…remind me about my Thursday Zoom call. Alexa…remind me to bring in the plants tonight since it will be cold. Alexa…remind me to pay the power bill. Alexa…play me a grammar podcast (Seriously, check out Grammar Girl.)
I’d forget — everything — if it weren’t for Alexa on my Echo Show. And when I ever get a desk, it’s moving to the desk! My work partner.
There it is — my top 5 writing must haves that get me through the long hours and the 7-day work weeks I spend as a writing professional. There are many others like my painting, stitching and crafting projects, my Cheerwine soda, the bird feeders on my back deck that bring me a myriad of singing birds each day to brighten my way, and the support of probably the most amazing Mom on the planet. I am so grateful to be a writer, but I know that first, I am human. Tending to my personal needs, emotional, physical, and creative — puts me in the mindset to be my most productive and successful.
So I ask…what are your writing must haves? Let’s make this a POMprompt, shall we?
