Most writers work on their computers these days. Research can often be done on the internet, and many of them have far too many books to read. While a pc is handy, it isn't the only thing writers need to keep near their keyboards. If you are a writer, you know that there are some things no author can live without; if you merely play on your computer, you still might find this list very helpful.

*Pocket Dictionaries and Thesaurus: A must for any writer, as it is easier to look up a word in this handy little book than close a window mid-sentence to find it online through a search.

*Pencils with erasers: Mechanical pencils are great because they don't need to be sharpened like wooden pencils. Writers take lots of notes, scribble random notes to clarify thoughts, and track work and earnings regularly. Pencils with erasers are needed for short, quick ideas that are in the process of exploding into new masterpieces.

*Pens without erasers: Preferably in black, blue, and red to make permanent notes and underline important information. The different colors help writers sort their notes more easily. Red is often used to underline or outline important information. Black or blue is used to write permanent notes, dating and scratching out with the other one as necessary.

*Notebooks: Full sheet size, single subject for lengthy research notes that need to be kept together. Writers love paper, and full size notebooks work well for extensive notes on large projects like novels and major research pieces.

*Notepads: In all shapes, sizes, and colors, to be used for daily lists and quick use items that can be tossed at the end of the day.

*Sticky pads: Used for notes stuck to pages of books used in research. Also used as page markers when lots of research is being done and many resources are required simultaneously.

*Paperclips: To manage clusters of notes on the same topics and keep them together.

*Printer: For hard copies of work and selected internet material requiring further study away from the computer.

*Copier: An all in one printer will work. Copiers are great for sharing work for editing.

*Books: Favorites and ones that get used a lot whenever the keyboard is in use.

*Calendar: To keep track of deadlines and prevent losing track of the days.

*Lip balm: Because writers purse their lips so much that they dry out often.

*Hand cream: To massage into tired hands and fingers.

*Comfy sturdy chair: That supports the back, cushions the legs, has arm rests for the arms, and rolls across the floor.

Most writers will be very content having all of the things on this list. Some will also enjoy having a large window that lets the sun in, helping them track the hours in the day as it moves across the sky. A few will enjoy their ipods to help them tune out distractions from daily household noise. Writers are fairly easy going, happy to have some pleasant interruptions from time to time, but not when they know there are too many deadlines to meet. On those occasions, they are lost in their own little corner of the world, content to have everything they need easily within reach.

Learn more about this author, M. J. Joachim.
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