In this day and age, the times are always changing. From keyboard to document to printed page, we at Mecha Panda Publishing understand that writing is hard. Like any craft, it takes discipline, concentration, and creativity to deliver the perfect story in print or on the page. It can be exhausting. So, in the spirit of lending a hand—from one writer to another—let’s take a look at Pondo’s top five writing resources.
1) Find a Text Editor or Word Processing Software You Love.
Depending on what you’re writing and where the work is going, you will probably be using either a plain text editor or a word processor. There are so many of each out there. We are not going to get into the nitty gritty details (or the pros and cons) of each, but we cannot stress enough that the writing tools we use are just as much part of the writing atmosphere as the writing itself. If you are comfortable, and what you’re using has the features you need then fantastic. For plain text editors, we like Sublime. For word processors, Google Docs.
2) Where You Put Your Notes Matters.
There is no telling when your next great idea will pop into your head. After it happens, the question becomes how do you remember it? Many people rely on the good old fashioned notebook while others turn to phone apps to capture the moment. If you’re going the notebook route then the smaller the better. Unless you’re always carrying around a bag, accessibility and comfort is key. If you would rather add an app than a bundle of paper then Evernote is nice. It has some great features to help you stay organized.
3) Don’t Forget About The Dictionary.
Some may say that traditional dictionaries and thesauri are dead. This couldn’t be further from the truth. These will always be a great reference tool for writers looking to vary their vocabuary. You might not have a book next to your computer, but there are always ones online which are easy to access. Some word processing softwares even have this built in.
4) Find A Writing Group.
There is no substitute for human interaction. We all need a little conversation and support every now and then. As a writer, it is super important to surround yourself with people who would fit well in your immediate network. These are the people who understand and have their own writing process, who are willing to give constructive feedback, and will be there for you to bounce ideas off of. Having that support system is key. The group doesn’t have to be huge, but it should only consist of people you trust.
5) Use The World Around You.
The greatest source of information is actually just outside whatever room you are in. No really, it is. The trigger point for imagination and creativity can be hard to pinpoint, but many artists say that their ideas came while they were out walking or on their way somewhere. The world is an intersting place, and as writers we should go out into it a little every day. There is something to be said about fresh air contributing to one’s writing process. So, stuck in a writing rut? Take a walk, and then see what comes to mind.
PS – We also recommend reading books. Always read books.