If you are like most writers, you're constantly searching for tips on technique that will help you to increase your chances of publication. You eagerly pounce on articles that tell you how to plot better, write better and sell better. In addition, you occasionally buy books on writing, or do a writing course, or attend a seminar.
But... are you sabotaging your efforts by simply not having the right tools?
The right tools can make a huge difference to your comfort and productivity. Let's look at a few I consider essential, and a few that are just desirable.
1. A GOOD PRINTER.
You'd think that a GOOD printer would be a 'given' - but unfortunately, it's not. Think about what you do as a writer. All but a tiny percentage of writers now work at a computer. Some writers can edit and polish their work on the screen, but most prefer to print out their work and scribble changes on the hard copy.
Naturally, the more drafts you print out, the more paper and ink you are going to use. It is essential that you don't skimp on editing and polishing simply because you're worried about the expense of printing out another copy. And for most of us, that means using a LASER printer, rather than an inkjet. If you do a lot of web browsing, or like to print out articles, newsletters and research material, you'll find a laser printer faster and cheaper.
Fact: a laser printer ends up costing you a lot less than an inkjet. It's not worth economising on the initial purchase to save a few hundred dollars - replacement cartridges for an inkjet will cost you significantly more per page. As a writer, you don't really need colour. Consider buying a cheap colour inkjet for the occasional photo or colour cover sheet for the kids' assignments, but buy a laser printer for your main output.
TIP: When you go shopping for a printer, be ready to compare costs. Have a calculator with you, or ask a cooperative salesperson to do it for you. Compare:
In the end, I considered 3 printers. Printer 1 was $329, Printer 2 was $379, and Printer 3 was $399. The cheapest one put through about 10 pages a minute and had 2 mb memory. The second one ran at 14 pages a minute and had 4mb memory. The third was much faster: it pumped out work at 19 pages a minute and had 8mb memory.
I decided against the cheapest one, because I wanted more memory for complex documents. That left two, with a difference of only $20 between them. On the surface, the faster one seemed a much better buy... but wait. It was time to compare the ongoing costs.
I asked the salesperson how much it cost for replacement toner. The answer?
I checked out the two printers more closely. Printer 3 had the kind of feed that requires you to stand paper upright in the feed tray. Printer 2 had a cassette in which the paper lay flat.
Another thumbs up for Printer #2: I've had printers before that had paper standing upright, and wasn't keen on them. If you leave them stacked, the paper curls over, and the sheets are also more exposed to dampness in the air.
Finally, I asked about the toner supplied with the printers.
NOTE: Four months after I bought this printer (which I considered a good deal at the price anyway) I spotted it on sale at both OfficeWorks and the local Post Office for only $199. If you can find a good laser printer at this price (or less) you're laughing.
As you can see, it pays to ask questions when you buy your printer. Think about your primary purpose: you want a good, reliable workhorse that will print your pages quickly and quietly without costing you a fortune for replacement ink. It might be worth your while to make this your main printer, and keep that expensive-to-feed colour inkjet for occasional use.
2. A GOOD SCREEN
If you have a perfectly good CRT (cathode ray tube) screen and not a lot of spare cash, you more or less have to stay with it. But if you can afford a Flatron screen, then RUN, don't walk, to the nearest supplier. Writers spend a lot of time staring at the computer screen, and sore eyes (and headaches) are not much fun.
A 17" Flatron screen will give you a good working area, and you'll notice the difference right away. These screens are such a pleasure to use. They also take up less room on a desktop.
Compare costs and features and, if you can swing it, change to one of these screens ASAP.
3. A GOOD BROWSER
Microsoft hold such a huge market share that it's hard not to follow along. So many of the 'add-ons' to make computing easier are tailored for Microsoft products - even though there are better web browsers out there. One that is attracting a lot of interest now is Mozilla - a web browser that also has a good mail program. (The web browser only is called Firefox.)
The big 'plus' with Mozilla (or Firefox) is that it allows you to use tabs for web pages instead of requiring you to open a new window for each one. You can also put links to the sites you visit most often on the browser toolbar.
You may find that even if you change browsers, you need to fire up Explorer now and again for sites that work only with this program. All you have to do is make your other browser your default, then use Explorer if you have to.
4. A GOOD BACKUP FACILITY
OK, hands up all of you who have backed up your novel recently?
If your hand shot up in the air (or even if you smiled smugly), congratulations. You're in the minority.
If you muttered "I keep meaning to do that," join the hordes of others who take the risk that nothing will ever happen to them. And decide now to do something about it.
Backup Hardware
You can backup your work by saving it to a CD ROM or DVD disk (floppy disks are gradually being phased out). Alternatively, many people are finding it useful to buy an external hard drive and save files to that. An external hard drive will take only moments to set up - simply attach the cables and plug it into your USB port. You can save files to it just as you would to the main drive of your computer. (Tip: connect your backup drive only when you want to make a copy of your files. If you leave it attached to your computer permanently, any viruses will find their way to your backup drive as well.)
Backup Software
I've also found Second Copy useful. This has been around for a long while and has barely changed. It's simple to set up and then does its job in the background. I choose which folders I want to be backed up regularly (the default is every couple of hours while the computer is switched on) and then once a week, transfer the full backup file to my external hard drive via a USB cable. You can check out Second Copy at www.centered.com
Backup with a USB "pen drive"
I absolutely could not do without my little USB drive. Just click it into any USB port, and start saving files to it. You can then slot it into another computer to transfer your files there - another household computer, or a friend's computer offsite (in case you have a house fire, or burglars steal your computer and disks).
A USB drive is small enough to drop into a handbag or a shirt pocket and barely make a bulge. Some people have them attached to keyrings. They sure beat the old floppy disks. I have 2 USB drives: one has a capacity of 64mb, the other 128mb. When we were travelling, I found them very useful for transferring files in an Internet cafe.
There are plenty of useful software programs and gadgets to make a writer's life easier. Keep an eye on the computer supplements in newspapers or what other writers say in forums.
(c) Marg McAlister
Marg McAlister has published magazine articles, short stories, books for children, ezines, promotional material, sales letters and web content. She has written 5 distance education courses on writing, and her online help for writers is popular all over the world. Sign up for her regular writers' tipsheet at http://www.writing4success.com/
We writers are a powerful lot. We control time. We... Read More
In large publishing houses, many manuscripts penned by first-time authors,... Read More
Here are 3 journaling or diary ideas that can contribute... Read More
When we think of writing it triggers many thoughts and... Read More
There is an image most people carry of the artist... Read More
Iâ??ve spoken to hundreds of editors, employers, and project managers... Read More
Writers are often are greatly surprised or disappointed by how... Read More
I call it cheap therapy. That gushing, near-religious, poured-from-the-body stress... Read More
Structure in the form of frameworks, work processes and goals... Read More
Screenwriting is a competitive trade. To distinguish yourself as a... Read More
1. SECRETS TO SUCCESS2. MAKING A POWERFUL FIRST IMPRESSION3. AVOID... Read More
ADAPTATION 101Brimming with confidence, you've just signed the check purchasing... Read More
If Ben Franklin were alive today, he would be...uh, very... Read More
If you are reading this article then you probably have... Read More
We've all been told that we need to use all... Read More
Wired Online has recently announced its plans to drop capitalization... Read More
Beyond three and four act story structure, lies the Hero's... Read More
For many authors just starting out, it can be a... Read More
Creating written documents reveals so much about you and your... Read More
Despite the widespread use of e-mail in commerce today, traditional... Read More
What's the best way to plot?Quick answer: the best way... Read More
Each author has special editing needs. To save yourself time... Read More
1. Make your goals achievable.By achievable, we mean realistic and... Read More
Our Image-Driven SocietyWe live in a new image-driven society. It... Read More
Creative Writing Tips ?We all tackle plotting differently. How you... Read More
Did you know that your back cover information is, after... Read More
Eight or nine times out of ten, picking up and... Read More
The freelance writing market is a growing market to be... Read More
The urge to write fiction seems God given for some,... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
Finding the time to write a novel is one of... Read More
A few magazines refer to their written idea sources in... Read More
It's cliché, but true-a picture does paint a thousand words.... Read More
If you become a writer for any publication, private business,... Read More
You can learn a lot about what it takes to... Read More
Reading through a writer's notebook or journal is like discovering... Read More
What is a freelance grant writer? These individuals have a... Read More
Some writers are just too kind.They hate to put their... Read More
Is your book nearly finished, finished, published, or even in... Read More
User documentation is all too often written by programmers for... Read More
You have just completed a draft of an article. It... Read More
As a child, I loved to write. I can't remember... Read More
The dash--that curious mark of punctuation people use in their... Read More
We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More
Compiling a list of the history's ten best writers is... Read More
The freelance writing market is a growing market to be... Read More
How many times have you checked out a job board... Read More
So you're one of 20 million Americans who want to... Read More
Paulo Coelho was born on August 24th 1947 in Rio... Read More
FERRETING OUT WORK You keep hearing that there's work out... Read More
Effective screenwriting relies on the good understanding and use of... Read More
You're writing a story set in your local city, but... Read More
If your cash is running out fast and you have... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
EditingExpect, allow, and accept that every first draft will represent... Read More
Do you have a problem creating a focus in your... Read More
Short Story Writing Tips:Your title is your selling tool. It's... Read More
Take out a white piece of paper and place it... Read More
Every writer expends a great deal of creative energy developing... Read More
Agents and publishing houses have their best interests at heart,... Read More
When the writing bug hits you, get out your pencil,... Read More
The self-indulgent writer listens only to the mumblings of sycophants,... Read More
In the ten years that I've taught people how to... Read More
More and more good authors are turning to the Internet... Read More
In the beginning of your story you have to grab... Read More
"No one will ever know who I am, I'm a... Read More
Writing |