When I sit down to write, I’ve got something to say, and it’s about to spill out of me like a bag of rice. Just like you should never wake a sleeping baby, you should never interrupt a writer with a muse.
I repeat: DO NOT POKE THE BEAR!
In order to limit my distractions, I come prepared to my writing desk (read: various places I choose to write). I lay out everything I think I’ll need over the next few hours excluding a bathroom–though a pre-writing toilet break is a must. (Don’t ever try writing on a full bladder.)
Here’s a list of my writing essentials:
1. Water bottle
I don’t ever leave the house without water, so don’t expect me to sit down without it either. Note that this will necessitate a bathroom break later in time, but we’ll deal with that when we get there.
2. Tissues
It’s not because I’m writing a sob story.
Whenever someone tells you not to think about something, you inevitably start thinking about it. Every time I realize I don’t have a tissue, my nose mysteriously needs blowing. Maybe I should get my allergies under control, but for now, I just always make sure I have tissues within reach.
3. Pillow
My bony butt can’t sit for long hours comfortably, so I pad the chair with a pillow. The pillow goes back to the couch when I’m done, which is why this is on my list of preparations. For convenience sake, I could get a designated writing pillow. But writing is not a lucrative career. So.
4. Snack
I have the metabolism of a hummingbird, so food is always at my fingertips. Just a little healthy snack–clementines, trail mix, hummus and seed crackers. A little somethin’, somethin’ to predict my invasive hunger and prevent me having to break the muse.
5. Phone away!
Put that bad boy on silent and out of reach. I usually flip mine over, too, so that I don’t get distracted if the screen lights up. I could also place it out of sight completely… But sometimes I need a 30-second break from my computer and muse, so I pop on Instagram to laugh at the 50 dogs I follow.
6. Computer cord
The computer battery WILL DIE at some point throughout the muse, so have that cord ready to recharge.
7. Pen & paper
I like handwritten notes sometimes, so having a pen and notebook nearby is always a good preparation plan.
8. Headphones
Unless it’s raining heavily or excessively windy outside (ooooo Mother Nature), I listen to music when I’m writing. Headphones are helpful to block out other noises, especially with my sensitivity to sounds.
9. Tea
This one ebbs and flows sometimes in accordance with my muse. If I’m feeling a cup of tea, I make sure one is ready to go before I sit down.
10. Sweater
Like normal people, I get chilly when I’m not moving around. Having a sweater on-hand allows me to wrap up warmly without moving my tuckus.
There you have it! That’s my (not so) secretive list of writing essentials. I’m sure there are more that I can’t think of, but this is what currently surrounds me while I write this.
What are your writing essentials? Share in the comments below!