3 Must-Haves for Writer Offices
By: Tenesha L. Curtis
Tags: Fitness, Writing, Blogging, Health, Screenwriting

From your physical health to your mental wellbeing to your literary productivity, having a good writing space is critical for authors and screenwriters.

Brain Board

Organizing your thoughts before you start writing is a great way to save time and write cleaner first drafts. Luckily, there are a variety of ways to do this and you get to pick whichever one works for you.

► Index cards pinned to a bulletin board.

► Digital boards like Trello on your phone or laptop.

► A magnetic whiteboard written on with dry-erase markers.

► A window facing a shaded or dark area written on with neon or metallic paint pens.

► The storyboarding or index card tools within programs like Final Draft or Scrivner.

► A pocket chart with unlined index cards.

► A blackboard written on with chalk pens.

► A clean wall and super-sticky Post-it Notes.

Whether you’re a blogger, screenwriter, author, or even poet, this board will become your best friend in the coming years of brainstorming and plotting.

The Seat of Your Passion

Writing is one of the most awesome sedentary activities. However, being still for so long during the day (or night) isn’t healthy for our bodies, based on research from places like Johns Hopkins and other medical establishments.

Standing desks (or risers) are great, especially if they’re adjustable. If you’re doing a sprint or have made the transition to full-time writer, consider switching between standing and sitting every thirty to sixty minutes. Doing this can help break up what can become a long day. Going back and forth between sitting and standing can help lower your risk of developing or worsening conditions such as colon cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Chair cushions provide versatile and portable comfort. If you’re someone who writes best outside of your home, this is a critical part of your writing toolkit. I swear by my Purple cushion! I can take it anywhere (I even use it while driving) and it provides a level of support that keeps my butt and back happy, even though I’m overweight. I’m sure there are other great cushions out there, but this one I can tell you from experience is worth every penny and has become glued to my bum! :D

A well-made office chair is worth the investment for any serious writer who is going to be spending hours at a time at a computer. But you don’t necessarily have to spend quadruple digits to get one that will help keep your body healthy. Look for those that are rated for long-term use. If you’re an eight-hour-a-day writer, having a chair that only provides four hours of comfort probably isn’t the best option for you. Some sort of lumbar support is a delight (a necessity, in my opinion). But if you find a chair that fits your budget and doesn’t have lumbar support built in, there are plenty of attachments or pillows that can help.

Magic Wand

Writers must rage against the blank page with their own special sorcery. And whether you’re wordsmithing takes place on a tablet or in a notebook, higher quality tools make your work easier and more comfortable. I’m a huge fan of metal-barrel pens if you’re going old school and writing on paper. Pentel and Pilot make some beautiful, affordable pens that you can refill and use for years. Don’t hesitate to go after those Mont Blancs if that’s more in your price range, you lucky dog!

For the more digitally inclined, make sure that your keyboard and mouse are ergonomic. Vertical keyboards and mice are my recommendation, but can be pricey. Curved or “wavy” keyboards are helpful if you can’t afford vertical.

Having appropriate writing utensils is a matter of safety, comfort, and productivity. If you’re using equipment that isn’t healthy for long hours in the writing mines, you’ll end up feeling pains, getting cramps (I got my first hand cramp in fourth grade from writing and thought I was going to be crippled for life it hurt so bad!), and developing issues like carpal tunnel inflammation. Even with higher grade writing tools, be sure to take care of your money makers by stretching your fingers, wrists, and arms. Going to an orthopedic masseuse periodically isn’t a bad idea either. Warm water soaks and sleeping in a wrist brace are great ways to prevent any major finger, hand, or wrist problems that can make writing physically uncomfortable.

Especially for new writers, customizing your writing space is a way to exercise your internal commitment to the craft. It also means you are going to enjoy writing more because you have the tools you need to make it faster and easier to do. But don’t get bogged down with making these selections. Do the best you can based on your budget so you can hurry up and start your next masterpiece!