Tools are key components for just about any career field. They could be considered the crux of any job that is to be well done. If you're a carpenter, a programmer, a designer, a mechanic, or a plumber, all of these tasks require a very specific set of tools that enhance performance, provide solutions, and repair that which requires mending.Attempting to approach a task with the wrong tools and nothing gets done. The idea of not being prepared can drastically effect your performance, especially when writing.
Basic Tools
Depending on where you live in the world, I'd like to think that all civilization has moved from the rock and chisel method to the more traditional pen and paper; the two most basic tools for any writer. Having the ability to capture notes, ideas, and observances on the fly is a key factor for relevant writing.
I remember being a reporter for the university newspaper, we learned to carry a pad and a pen at all times. This approach made us ready at any moment to capture the story and conduct an interview. This style of training carried over into my many writing ventures, and has proven to be a useful habit.I highly recommend a "reporters" style note pad. They are typically designed to fit into the pocket of either your pants or shirt, and weigh very little. Today I used mine while sitting at a conference to gather my thoughts on future posts across the sites that I write for. This opportunity gave me clear direction and provided me with enough ideas to write for at least 3 weeks.
As for pens, go with what you like. Some prefer fine point, some like gel styles, but if you check out your local bookstore chain you might be surprised to find "flat" pens, which fit nicely into pockets, but also the notebooks you choose to use.
Tech Tools
Now a days, as a writer, it's almost impossible not to hav
e some kind of technology to help capture your thoughts.The most basic would be an audio recorder of some kind. A micro-cassette recorder would have been standard, but now you have MP3 recorders, or you have audio recording built into more useful devices like phones or digital cameras. Which leads me to the next level of technology, visual recording equipment. Phones and digital cameras can be picked up at very low prices and provide users with the ability to capture anything anywhere at any time.
I personally carry around my digital camera which takes pictures, video, audio recording, and my phone as a back up which does all three.
Online Tools
The emergence of social networks and other forms of social media has created a new category for capturing ideas. Bookmarking was the standard way of saving ideas from sites you wanted to refer to later. This method is still viable but has taken on some new attributes.
For example, instead of bookmarking an entire page, you can now clip and save only the data you want, you can send the data or the page directly to others who have joined your network of friends, and programs like Evernote make it possible to virtually save all of your ideas and make them accessible across all your devices.
Web sites and other web applications are making it easier to keep track of your thoughts and random wanderings across the net so that you can return later and review them.
Final Thoughts
As a writer the tools you use basically comes down to what you feel most comfortable with. There's a lot of options, and some prefer traditional, others prefer to go more tech and record life as it happens.
I'd like to hear what readers out there use to capture their thoughts and ideas. I know a lot of it depends on the type of writing you pursue, but I'm interested to hear your stories. Perhaps the conversation will introduce other readers to tools they had not thought of using.
Photo Credit, docman, JKim1, williamhartz
