What Tools Do You Use To Write?

[Cat_Brenners]

I find that when I write, I have my dictionary, internet, thesaurus, and pen and paper at hand. What do you use as tools to help you write a more effective poem or short story? I also have poetry help books on hand when I need them. Whats your best source?:wave:
Hugs, Cat

[Silas Thorne]

Well, for poetry, just a notebook or any paper I can get (or receipts or the back of business cards) and a pen or pencil.

[Cat_Brenners]

Thanks Silas for answering. It does seem that the best poetry comes in the middle of the night or at a restaurant or some place where we have to forget it or grab a napkin or whatever huh?
Thanks Cat

[Dark Muse]

For poetry, whatever is nearest at hand to write with and on. I do keep a journal of a collection of different styles in it, becasue I like to write in a wide varity of different verses.

For stories, a note book and the computer, sometimes the thesaurus

[aBIGsheep]

Energy Drink, Insomnia, Inspiration, some good reading material, computer, dictionary.com, and some discipline.

[Dark Muse]

Haha yes discipline is a good one, and with me these days, time.

[Zee.]

A hammer.

Sometimes a screwdriver - but only sometimes.

[Cat_Brenners]

A hammer sounds scary limajean lol. Hope you don't hit yourself if the right words won't come to you hehe. Maybe that's what I need to add to my arsenal of writing tools. I also like music on when I write but not the tv. Not sure why.
Hugs, Cat

[Plumbum]

When I write on my computer, which is almost always, I usually need a thesaurus of some sort and food. Sometimes I'll pull up pictures of random things like landscapes, textures, people, to inspire me imagery-wise.

[DisPater]

pencil and paper.

[Niamh]

Well, obviously a pen and notebook if i'm out and about, but if i'm at home i use my laptop. Other than looking through dictionary.com and pouring through the internet for info, the other main tool i use is my brain.

[Cat_Brenners]

Never looked at Dictionary.com. Will have to check it out. Thanks to those who are replying.
Hugs, Cat

[JBI]

Pen and paper, then typing, then writing out in pen and paper, then finally typing. I go through 3-4 drafts on most things - drafts not being edited for mistakes and reworking, drafts being first attempt, second attempt, with total rewriting. I also have an Oxford English Dictionary on the computer, and a decent reference collection - Bible, Poetry, classics - plus scholarship, which makes things alright. Really though, for a prewrite, I usually spend a week or two reading critical opinions on my lunch hour in the big university library, then let that sit for a week without touching those books, then put the pen to paper. That's the only way to make sure you have your own ideas, but aren't totally just misreading.

[S.MacConmidhe]

My laptop, my notebook, pen, lots of cigarettes and lots of either coffee, beer, whiskey or wine. Sometimes all.

[NickAdams]

A pen, a notebook, my workbooks, ear plugs and ... cigarettes.:lol: The bulk of the work is done in my workbooks and I use them as a reference.

[Cat_Brenners]

Good replies everyone. I see some of us need music and others ear plugs. Some drinks and others nothing. It's all so individual. Whatever works! Keep the replies coming.
Hugs, Cat

[semi-fly]

When writing longer work:

1. Notes
2. Music
3, Dictionary & Thesaurus
4. Notepad

When writing poetry:

1. Inspiration
2. Journal (or whatever paper I can find)

[Gretchen]

Pencil and notebook.

[Silas Thorne]

I find it helps if I sacrifice a small furry animal, and suck its blood up into my quill. If the blood starts to congeal, I heat it a little over a black candle.

[Zee.]

Hahahahahah

[LadyW]

Pen. Notepad. A pen (incase the other runs out.)

Microsoft word - use of it's thesaurus, dictionary, and for my eventual type up.

A cup of tea.

:D

[mono]

I find that when I write, I have my dictionary, internet, thesaurus, and pen and paper at hand. What do you use as tools to help you write a more effective poem or short story? I also have poetry help books on hand when I need them. Whats your best source?:wave:
Hugs, Cat
I try to keep it simple; I can write in nearly any environment, but the condition of the environment makes my creativity sensitive.
I need a pen and my notebook. Other things needed that may affect me: an average chair (not one too comfortable, or else I get too relaxed), a nearby window of some sort for daydreaming, a silenced cell phone, and occasionally my iPod to listen to anything without lyrics (preferably classical); if in public, the iPod headphones can also function as a do-not-disturb sign. I never have a dictionary, thesaurus, or any reference guide within sight; I can edit the words later, but the first draft, I write with the heart.

By the way, Cat, I see you come from the Pacific northwest.
:wave: Greetings, from a native Portlander!

[Cat_Brenners]

Thanks for replying all of you. Scary Silas lmao.
Mono, I am from WA. state so we are rather close.
Take care all of you.
Hugs, Cat

[optimisticnad]

Silas must be writing some killer stuff! ;-)

Pen. 'Best' paper, scrap paper for notes, computer, huge quantity of any kind of hot drink,

[mono]

Does anyone else use typewriters? I purchased one months ago, and jokingly call it my piano. I rarely use it, and own it mainly for something on my desk to look authentic, old, and cool.
Typewriters seem a bit high-maintenance, but I suppose I come from the computer generation, where we do not have to hit the return key for line breaks, install ink, etc.

[Niamh]

I did about ten years ago before we had a computer. It drove me nuts so i just gave up and hand wrote instead. I loved the noise it made and the "cling" at the end!

[PeterL]

My primary tools are my grossly overactive imagination, my intelligence, and my encyclopaedic memory. A sharp knife is sometimes useful also.

[Cat_Brenners]

I don't use a typewriter any more. I find the computer takes care of that. But, I do enjoy the noise of the typewriter. Maybe silly.
Hugs, Cat

[dafydd manton]

All I have is a lap-top computer, a dictionary, a reverse dictionary (Reader's Digest Special!) and the Oxford dictionary of quotations. I don't write by hand, partly because if I do i try and keep up with my thoughts, and eventually i can't read it myself, never mind anyone else. Oh, a glass of claret sometimes help, either that or a decent brandy. Writtn some of my best stuff that way - and some of my worst!!

[1n50mn14]

A good atmosphere and space (E.g. a place where I'm not disturbed by people- people can be present, but not bothering me or engaging me in activities or conversation)

My favourite notebook, a black leather bound one with recycled paper and a purple ribbon closure.

A nice, black pen that the ink flows out of easily. It's a must.

And, if I happen to have my iPod, or be near my computer- some music.

[Aroungaschan]

I read NickAdams's reply,
"cigarettes" haha reminded me of E.E. Cummings.

I never wrote anything longer than a typical essay
so usually I sit down on my computer typing.
But to write a poetry, I need a raining weather. :D