02 Mar 6 Things Every Writer Needs

Starting to write your first book? Wondering what you need? Here are a few things.

This post was written by Holly Moore, a graduate who was mentored by Kirsten for work experience.

People only really need one or two things to be a writer. Something to write on, such as paper or a laptop, and, in the case of those who prefer handwriting, something to write with, like a pen or a pencil. However, if you’re struggling to stay motivated, or looking for ways to boost your productivity, you’ve come to the right place. This list recommends 6 things that could help you find inspiration, improve your writing skills and help you in your publishing journey. 

1. Notebooks

Inspiration can hit at any time – on a walk, in the shower, at work, while you’re sleeping. You’ll probably tell yourself that you’ll remember those ideas when you sit down to write, but the chances are that after going about your day, those great ideas have faded away, and you’ll be kicking yourself for not making a note of them sooner. That is why notebooks are a writer’s best friend. 

There are lots of options out there. Maybe you could keep a dream journal by your bed, or a pocket-sized notebook in your bag. There are even waterproof notepads, like AquaNotes, which are perfect for writers who get their best ideas in the shower. You could also just use the notes app on your phone. 

Whatever you choose, I recommend making a note of anything that sparks your imagination. A fragment of dialogue, a character description, an idea for your next book. It’s also a good idea to keep all your notebooks. You never know, that idea you wrote down years ago could be the next bestseller!

2. A place to write

This might seem obvious but finding a place that gets you in the writing mood is key. Some people need absolute silence, while others thrive in busy settings, like coffee shops. Find what works for you and if you’re lacking motivation try moving to a different location. 

Finding the right time is also important. Are you more productive in the mornings or at night? In the week or at the weekend? Try scheduling writing sessions for when you have the most energy, and if you’ve hit a writing rut try writing at a different time of day.

3. Background noise 

This goes hand in hand with having the right set-up. If you discover that you get more written when there is background noise, YouTube is probably your best resource. 

Here are some of my personal favourites:

Lofi Girl – I love listening to lo-fi music, and Lofi Girl is one of the most popular channels dedicated to it. They regularly release short playlists from different artists, as well as having two continuous live streams so you can listen at any time. 

Ambient Worlds – Many writers love to listen to film scores, and Ambient Worlds is perfect for that. They create playlists based on popular films and TV shows, such as Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Marvel and Disney films, Stranger Things and Downton Abbey.  

The Guild of Ambience – This channel creates setting-specific playlists. I particularly love their library, medieval tavern, forest and rain sounds videos. They are great if you are trying to immerse yourself in or visualise a setting. 

Calmed by Nature – This is another channel that creates playlists based on settings, such as a ‘Cozy Cabin’ or a ‘Rainy Night at the Coffee Shop’. 

Selena – Selena’s videos are based on vibes and atmosphere. Examples include: ‘pov: you’re a heartbroken vampire’ and ‘you’re in a good place | a playlist’. This is the link to their channel, as it is a little harder to find: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCSdCHua1fhTJs-yrUoRwdQ.

If you haven’t tried listening to background music, I’d definitely recommend giving it a go. It’s great for getting you in the zone and giving you inspiration.

4. Goals

Having clear goals can benefit any writer, but they are especially important if you are or want to be published. They keep you on track, help you to celebrate milestones and give you motivation. Here are some tips to help you set your own goals:

•     If you don’t have a publisher-set deadline, set yourself a deadline, e.g. ‘I will write the first 10,000 words of my book by 1 May’.
•     Write down your goals and put them where you will see them. You could have them on sticky notes above your desk, written in big on a whiteboard or noticeboard, or mark them down in your planner. 
•     Set SMART goals. These are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. For example, instead of setting ‘finish book’ as a goal, you could have ‘finish first draft of “Title of book” by 31 December 2022’.
•     Break down big goals into smaller goals. Big goals can be intimidating, and may actually dampen your motivation. Instead, break these down into smaller, less intimidating goals. Achieving these can give you the push to keep going. For example, if your big goal was to finish a draft, your smaller goals could be to finish each chapter. 
•     Revisit your goals regularly. Life is unpredictable, and there’s no shame in changing your goals, if, for instance, that goal you set six months ago is no longer feasible. Remember that your goals should challenge you, but they should still be achievable.  
•     Treat yourself when you achieve your goals and be proud of your achievements

5. Sticky notes and record/index cards

Sticky notes and record/index cards are invaluable for writers, especially during revisions. It can be hard to keep track of all your points, arguments and/or plotlines, particularly in longer manuscripts, so making a quick note of what each chapter or section contains enables you to see how everything fits together.

If you prefer to keep all your notes on your laptop or computer, Scrivener is also a good option. At its core, Scrivener is a word processor. However, it also has a lot of other features, such as enabling you to craft an outline, change the order of chapters, keep all your research in one place and lots more. Scrivener currently costs around £47 in the UK for a single Standard Licence (at time of writing).

6. A writing buddy

Writing can be a lonely pursuit. However, there are ways to meet other writers. There are in-person writers’ groups, as well as online ones, and there are whole communities of writers on social media platforms, like YouTube and Instagram. You could even go on a writing retreat. Keep an eye on this website for details of our upcoming writing retreats! 

The benefits of making writer friends are endless. You can share tips and ideas, give each other motivation, and even give and receive feedback on your manuscripts. 

And, that’s it! Those are 6 things every writer needs. I hope you found something to try out. What would you recommend to other writers?

Written by Holly Moore.

Holly has recently graduated from The Open University, after completing modules in science, history and creative writing. She has always loved consuming stories, whether through reading books or watching TV shows and films. She hopes to create her own stories in the future, as well as becoming a professional proofreader. 

Find her here:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmPNXRtbL6m-RuzrysAW1VA