Hey Y’all!
Today, I’m lifting the veil on the magical arsenal that transforms my humble musings into into published novels. So, grab your quills and parchment, because we’re diving into the enchanting world of my favorite writing tools.
FYI – This post has affiliate links. If you click on the link and buy something, I get a minuscule percentage of the purchase price. I have used each of the products in this post for at least a year, several of them for four or five. I am not an affiliate for or writing about these products because I’m getting paid, but because I use them and love them.
Apple MacBook Pro – My Trusty Spellbook:
Ah, the MacBook Pro, my modern-day parchment! Its sleek aluminum casing and radiant Retina display make me feel like a wizard casting spells with every keystroke. Plus, the touch bar adds a touch of sorcery to my writing routine – I like to think of it as my personal magic wand.
I switched to Apple in 2016 when I bought this laptop and haven’t looked back. This model is perfect for moving around the house to write in different spots and to travel with. I’ve been writing on it for seven years and it is still going strong. I’m linking to a 2023 model on Amazon, but I suggest that if you are going to make this type of investment, dealing with Apple directly or an Apple affiliate. There are many individual sellers on Amazon who are not affiliates and, well, you get it, right?
2023 Apple MacBook Pro from the Apple Store on Amazon.
Laptop Stand – The Levitation Device:
My laptop stand is the unsung hero, elevating my MacBook to eye level. It’s like a magic carpet for my laptop, and let me tell you, writing while feeling like Aladdin has significantly boosted my creativity. Bonus points for saving my back from the dreaded hunchback of the writer’s den. It also folds down to nothing so it is easy to take with me when I travel. The exact model that I have is no longer being carried. I have attached a non-affiliate link (since I haven’t used this) to an Amazon product that is the closest I can find.
Wireless Apple Mouse – The Wand of Clicks:
A writer’s wand, this sleek little device glides across my desk like a wizard’s staff, commanding my cursor with the grace of a maestro conducting an orchestra. It’s so smooth, it’s almost as if the words are typing themselves. Almost.
My MacBook has a touchpad, but once I put it on the stand so that the screen is eye-level, I have to add a mouse and a keyboard to the cauldron to get the spell just right.
Wireless Apple Keypad – The Silent Enchantress:
My wireless Apple keypad is the unsung hero of hushing the incessant clickety-clack of my typing. It’s silent, swift, and makes me feel like I’m conjuring words in stealth mode. Shh, the story is brewing!
I’ve seen people post who don’t like the Apple keyboard. I love it and it is probably my favorite keyboard of all time. I’ve had it for at least two years and I think I’ve only charged it four times. It is thin, light, and compact which means that it travels well. That said, I’m not picky about keyboards. I can only remember one that I didn’t like. So take my recommendation with a grain of pixie dust.
Scrivener – The Spellbook Library:
Enter Scrivener, my magical grimoire that organizes my spells… uh, I mean, chapters. With its mystical corkboard and binder-like structure, Scrivener is the spellbinding library where my ideas come to life. It’s like Hogwarts for writers – minus the house elves.
I’ve used several different types of software for writers and this is my favorite. It is easy to move chapters/scenes/blurbs around and acts as a repository for every scrap of information for each project I’m working on. The only downside is that my editor works in Microsoft Word. Exporting to Word is easy. I could reimport the manuscript she sends back to me into Scrivener, but I find it easy to accept or reject her changes in Word.
Vellum – The Scroll of Elegance:
Vellum, the final enchantment in my writing arsenal, transforms my digital scrolls into elegant manuscripts. With its formatting prowess, Vellum ensures that my words are presented to the world in the most enchanting and visually pleasing way possible.
Vellum allows me to EASILY transfer Word Documents into formats perfect for uploading to Kindle, Apple Books, and other online retailers. It also will create PDFs. I can’t imagine having to contact a formatter each time I wanted to change something in a book – a word, a sentence, or the dreaded typos that make it past me and the proofreaders. With Vellum, I don’t have to wait (or pay) for someone else to make the change. I can do it and resave the document in less than five minutes.
Candles – The Scented Muse:
What’s a wizard without the ambiance of flickering candles? My scented candles are the muse of my writing sanctum. Vanilla, lavender, or old book scent – each flame whispers tales of inspiration and casts away the dementors of writer’s block.
I try to use a specific scent for each book. I’m currently writing Whining in Wolfland and my characters go to Ireland. I’m burning a Sea Salt Waves candle that makes me think of the stormy ocean they’ll encounter on their hunt for a hidden relic somewhere on the Emerald Isle. I’m not including a link here, because I usually buy candles from a bulk discount store or wherever I find them on sale.
Music – The Magical Soundtrack:
Every sorcerer needs a soundtrack, and my writing sessions are no exception. Whether it’s the haunting melodies of a film score or the rhythmic beats of a wizardly playlist, music is the elixir that fuels my creativity.
Many authors make play lists for whatever they are writing. I listen to the same four instrumental albums on shuffle day after day. It is almost like it puts me under a spell that drowns out the world around me.
Focus Music and Creativity – Instrumental, Jim Brickman – Pure Cinema, Jim Brickman – Soothe, Boston Pops – Unforgettable
There you have it – my magical toolbox that turns the mundane into the extraordinary. So, fellow wizards and witches, what are your favorite writing tools that bring a touch of magic to your creative endeavors? Share your secrets in the comments below, and may your quills never run dry!
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