by Author Name Withheld 67

Created on: March 20, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

"The writer's office" implies a writer who is a professional - hoping to make money by writing. This is different from writing purely for pleasure, for therapy, or for other non-commercial reasons.

What a professional writer needs:

1. A computer and printer. Since most commercial writing, even fiction, requires research, the most practical thing is to get a computer with an internet connection. A computer used to be optional; now it's fairly essential as much correpondence is done by e-mail, and research relies heavily on the internet.

If money is tight, try to find a public library or other centre with free internet access. Saving for a computer should be a high priority. A cheap word processor will be a reasonable substitute but only in the short run.

The only professional way to submit writing to an editor is to submit a typed copy. Often, an electronic copy (rather than a hard copy) is requested. There's no point in buying a typewriter if you can get a word processor. If you have a typewriter, keep it. They are useful for typing on forms (e.g. invoices) and addressing envelopes.

2. A notebook and pen or pencil, always handy.

3. A good chair and desk. Not fancy, but comfortable and well-fitted to your body.

4. Proper lighting.

5. Telephone, if your writing includes interviewing people. In that case, you should consider getting a tape recorder and a device for recording telephone conversations.

6. Peace and quiet. These are hard to come by, but if writing is your living, quiet is not a luxury. You can write in a noisy environment. It will probably take you longer to produce work but it can be done. Save up for the day you can afford something to keep the noise away.

7. A calendar or diary to track deadlines, events you might want to cover, writing schedules, invoices, bills, and any thing else that's important.

These are the essentials. There are other things you may need, but if you have a computer, you may use the computer in place of them.

8. Dictionaries and a thesaurus, a style guide (or several, depending how many publications you are writing for), reference books if you need them for your field.

9. Address book or file for your contacts.

10. Telephone directory, if you need to find local phone numbers for your work.

11. Plain white envelopes, plain white paper, stamps. You will use these to print and send your query letters, manuscripts and invoices, and any other correspondence.

12. File drawer or filing cabinet with hanging folders and a supply of file folders

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