Okay, so, not many items are technically ESSENTIAL to being a writer aside from being an actual human and writing things, so forgive the hyperbole. However, I am going to share a few products that have been game changers in my writing life. If you’re looking to get organized, have a variety of working options, and/or just like cutesy stuff, then this list will be right up your alley.
To be clear, I’m not recommending formatting software or the best word-processing programs or anything like that (that could be a whole other list), but rather sharing a few must-haves for keeping your writing juices flowing. Personally, my little ADHD brain gets such a dopamine boost from shiny new things or having color-coordinated office products. (No points for guessing what color I prefer!) The items on this list are all things I actually own and use every day. If you have recs, feel free to leave them in the comments!
Without further ado, here are my top five must haves for authors, along with insights on how I use them to help me write oodles of romance. As a reminder, should you purchase any of these items through my links, I may earn a commission. If all of you buy everything, I might just make enough to buy myself another knotty pink office item I don’t need. Thanks for supporting my dopamine addiction!
1. Multiple Desk Options
I write everywhere. As long as I have my laptop, and sometimes when I don’t, I can write. I’ve written my novels in bed, in the car, in hotels, on my phone during boring meeting–you name it. While my favorite writing spot is in my recliner with a cat on my lap, it’s certainly not the only place where the muse strikes. As a matter of fact, I’m writing this blog while walking on my Orinar Under Desk treadmill that I have set up on my landing with my trusty folding lap desk to give it the right height. Since the treadmill I have is out of stock, you might like this comparable version.
As much as I love writing in my comfy chair, we all know that sitting too much is bad for you. I realized that since the pandemic reinforced my homebody tendencies, I was getting a lot fewer steps in a day than I used to. Since my day job is entirely remote and my evenings are spent writing, I knew I had to do something different to get myself moving and hitting the elliptical or doing yoga a few times a week wasn’t cutting it.
Enter this walking pad. When I say it changed my life, I’m not kidding. Because I can do work at the same time and I don’t have to go outside in the elements to get my steps, I’m way more likely to walk. I walk almost every day now and my joint health has improved right alongside my mental health and my overall physical fitness. It’s super annoying when you do things that are good for you and they actually work, but here we are.
2. Mood Music
You probably noticed that many of my books have playlists, and that’s because I typically need music to help me focus. When I’m doing my day job, I like to have a musical blaring directly into my brain. It depends on which show is my whole personality at the moment, but lately it’s been the Hazbin Hotel soundtrack, which I highly recommend.
However, when I’m writing I need something with the right vibes to set the mood. If you’re an Aegis Saga fan and you read the books without the playlists, check them out on your next read through. Hearing the music I envisioned accompanying a given scene really adds a certain je ne sais quoi.
3. Tools to Keep Me Organized
Since I write everywhere and have author merch and stuff to keep up with too, I needed some mobile storage. And, of course, it needed to be pink.
Luna and Arya obviously approve of my Sywhitta Rolling Utility Cart, though they like it less now that it’s full of stuff. It’s perfect for when I’m mailing out goodies and want to work from that comfy chair I mentioned, and whenever I’m not using it I just roll it into a corner of my office. (First, though, I make sure all plastic items are covered or out of cat reach because Luna has chewed through several pink bubble mailers.)
Though I am mostly a digital girlie, I do like a paper planner for author business stuff. My pink planner has a home on the cart, alongside my pink thank you notes and pink stickers and pink bubble mailers and pink…
Your Choice of E-Reader
Writers have to be readers. It’s how we continue to build our craft and stay current. I used to be a paper and audiobook only person, but now I love an ebook as well. The fun part about e-readers is you can customize them with covers and stickers. Surprise! I got a pink iPad cover to match my pink laptop cover.
5. Cats!
I don’t know how anyone writes without them. I say the more the better but you need at least two to really get the words flowing.
There you have it! My secret to feeling like writing is lots of pink stuff, music, and cats. What are your writing essentials? Are any of these items exactly what you need? Tell me in the comments!
