When discussing writing, all too often we ignore the basic tools. While it’s very handy to turn on the constant spell-checking program, even more basic than that is the means by which one gets the text onto the page. In this article, we’ll visit the basics briefly.
First things first. You need a computer. Whether it’s a desktop or a laptop is going to be largely a matter of budget. Most people these days use the laptop both home and away, meaning that the laptop is their primary writing device. (A few may still use paper and pen(cil) or a typewriter, but let’s not focus on the minutia.) Which laptop to get? Let’s start with the age-old Windows verses Apple debate. Simply put, while the PC may be more affordable initially, it can’t compete with an Apple for creative works. Why is that? A few things:
- The Apple screen is much easier on the eyes. If you’re going to be looking at the thing a lot, you definitely want the best you can afford.
- Apple applications are designed from the get-go for creative processes. Even today, PC programs just don’t seem to think along the same paths and processes creative people employ. (For further proof, look at the word processor section further down.)
- Apple continues to exist and grow even though they cost more for two simple reasons. Their products last longer and hold their value better, and the company makes products that we become emotionally attached to. Again, if you’re going to spend a lot of time with the thing, you’d best like it — a lot.This brings us to keyboards. The “ergonomically superior” curved keyboards are a painful exercise in masochism for most wrists. It’s anyone’s guess what Expert decided that position is more natural to us, but the things don’t do much for me, and I’ve sincerely tried to like them. So pick out a keyboard you like, one that feels right and comfortable to you. If you choose a wireless these days, you’ll find it is fairly spry and the battery life is solid, so don’t be afraid of a wireless keyboard and mouse. That said, I’d avoid the old clunky multi-AA-battery models made of plastic that Apple was putting out. Bluetooth keyboard is fine, but those things were a rare exception to Apple’s usual results.
Before we leave that, go directly to Wrist Pads. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200, go get yourself two pads: one for the wrist for the keyboard, the other to support your wrist at the mouse. Both will save an enormous amount of pain and keep you able to be productive while burning the midnight oil.
Now to word processors. Most brag about their desktop publishing abilities. We’re writers. We’re putting out text. Damn the graphics, get something simple that does the job well. As writers, word count is of tremendous importance. Yet it’s an afterthought, an intermission, on even the most expensive of those applications. Sure, you can pull down a menu or three, or even set up a macro or keyboard command to initiate a request for word count. But that’s not how or when we need it. We NEED it all the time, a running count that refreshes constantly. Even WordPress’s word count isn’t real-time.
For the Mac, there’s Bean. A simple, concise processor, it saves and reads in most all formats. If you’re on a Mac, there may be nothing better, and the price is very right; it’s free.
For Windows, it becomes a lot harder to find that running word count. I have a Dell laptop (no love for it, strictly a tool, like a spade or scissors, but it’s 17 inches and modular for repairs when abroad.) Though I very much wish they made Bean for Windows, I’m not quite cheeky enough to request that of a company providing a free tool already. That leaves two contenders (and both are floundering):
- Adobe’s recently acquired Buzzword, which is an online-based flash app. Lovely, easy on the eyes, quick running word count, history, etc. But it’s online. So if you’re not, you’re just SOL. Better than Google’s word processor, but I’d probably still want to save the document both locally (on my computer) and as a Google doc, just in case.
- iNetWord got good reviews, but as of this date, we’re unable to actually FIND the app. Whether that’s because their site is temporarily down or something more sinister is unknown, but since it, too, is an online text editor, I’m inclined to avoid it. At least Adobe is likely to be around a while longer.
There may be plug-ins for greats like OpenOffice, but so far all of those I’ve found still have to be invoked. Show me one that works well, and I’ll add it to this piece and credit the contributor.
Is that it? Not quite yet. Make sure you’re comfortable. Don’t go cheap on chair/seat, desk, light or clothing. Anything that distracts you keeps you from being productive. Make sure those distractions aren’t found in your environment.
If you’re one to listen to music, setting up a few Channels with Pandora.com may work very well for you. Many find the radio far too distracting, and even one’s own CD collection can prove too diverse and intrusive. Pandora supplies a non-stop stream of what you’re after when you want it — up to 40 hours a month for free. Alternatively, perhaps the soothing sounds of water or thunderstorms or nature will help. Personally, I prefer quiet most of the time, but if you have a lot of ambient noises around you, music or atmosphere may override them. When all else fails, one can eventually get used to foam ear plugs.
Now that you have the physical tools for the job, get on with it. There’s one constant truth in wordsmithing: Writers write. Remember, just 5 pages a day produces a 450 page book every 3 months! This piece alone makes 1000 words for me for the day – a thousand exactly.
Tags: apple vs windows, cloudware, copy writer, word processors, wordsmith, writer, writing, writing tools