Every writer has a few essential items that they like to keep by them when they write. Something to speed the writing process along, heighten the imagination, or contribute to the flow of inspiration.
My personal writing companions include:
The Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale – Can’t find the word you’re looking for? The synonym finder is the book for you. Over 1 million synonyms make it the largest thesaurus in print. I’ve found it to be much more helpful than online thesauruses (or is it thesauri?). It’s quite useful (serviceable, advantageous, functional, employable) to have on hand.
The New American Dictionary of First Names compiled by Leslie Dunkling and William Gosling.
Another extremely helpful book. It lists over 10,000 names and provides a little of the history for each name as well as its meaning. Even if I don’t use the names from the book, just looking through it helps point me in the right direction.
I like to use a lot of names/words that reflect Gaelic origin, so a lot of times I’ll search online lists as well. Quite often, I’ll used modified version of a name or word – I write fantasy so I can get away with that. That way I know where the word comes from and the meaning behind the word, but I get to add my own little twist.
Maps – I almost always draw a map for the fantasy world I’m exploring at the moment. I’ve always loved maps (I spent hours poring over atlases growing up – and studying the Middle Earth map) so I’ve always loved drawing my own. It helps me visualize the country and figure out distances – because even though it’s fantasy it has to be realistic, right?
Books – There is always a pile of inspirational books on weaponry, life in the middle ages, and my favorite fantasy books sitting by my desk within easy reach. Pictures of sailing ships silhouetted against the sunset or flying before a gale wind are also a necessity. Nothing like a ship to stir the imagination and send you flying to far off places.
Epic music! I almost always listen to music while I type. It can’t have any words to it, because then I get distracted singing along, so I generally pick movie soundtracks. Gladiator. The Lord of the Rings. Narnia. Braveheart. Great ones like that.
And Dr. Pepper. Ah, there’s nothing like a good sip of Dr. Pepper to help a writer think straight! :)
Well, those are some of my writing companions. What are some items that you find essential to a day of writing?
Charley R says
You are officially my new favourite person – epic soundtracks, inspiring pictures and books on weaponary FTW! Though I tend to use hte internet more now, as I can't carry all my books between home and school all the time.
Name finder is something I could do with, but thankfully my imagination is quite forthcoming there. I love Gaelic-sounding names too!
Your awesomeness rating just broke my Cool-O-Metre xD
YaashaMoriah says
Your comments made me grin–I saw so much of my own writing "eccentricity" in them. Yes, a name book is essential; it not only gives ideas for names, but also teaches a great deal about word roots. And it's interesting! (For example, two of my favorite names, Calvin and Portia, mean "bald" and "pig," respectively.) I agree that Gaelic offers a great array of interesting names, but pronunciation is tricky. Naoise, for example, is pronounced "NEE-sha," but I would have never guessed that on my own. I think name books should include pronunciation guides.
Maps–Yes, very important, especially when dealing with multiple countries and battle maneuvers.
Historically-based books–also very essential. A duel, for example, might require a great deal of research into types of weapons, how they are used, different styles of use, etc., all that help to give an authentic feel. As I recently found out, one simple duel can require a great deal of research.
Music–I listen to soundtracks too! Have you tried How to Train Your Dragon? If you like soundtracks with a Celtic flair, you'll love that soundtrack. It's very inspiring. Also try A Beautiful Mind soundtrack.
Do you ever write out a timeline? I find it important to trace a character's past and make sure ages are consistent with time elapsed, and other details like that.
And although I'm not a Dr. Pepper type, I do sniff lavender scent to refresh my mind!
Gillian Adams says
Charley – Haha, thanks! Gaelic sounding names are awesome, aren't they? They have great Gaelic dictionaries online. A lot of times I'll use it to find out the Gaelic translation for a word and then tweak it a bit to make a name.
Yaasha Moriah – Writing eccentricity? So true! Oh, yes, I have the How to Train Your Dragon soundtrack. It's definitely another one of my favorites. Hmmm, haven't heard A Beautiful Mind sountrack – I'll have to look that up!
Yeah, if I have a complicated plot where multiple things are happening in different places at different times and I'm following two storylines, then I'll definitely draw up a timeline to make sure that I'm keeping track of the pace and days correctly!
I didn't write a timeline one time, and then realized that while I'd had two days pass on one storyline, I'd only had one pass on the other but the events were supposed to be coinciding. Whoops!