A few of us recently shared our favorite personal care items. Today, I thought I’d share a few favorite tools that make my writing life easier. Perhaps you’ll find some ideas here for yourself, or a gift for a writer-friend. (Click on headings for links.)
Pentel Energel pen and refills: violet
My favorite editing pen. These smooth-flowing purple pens ease the pain of editing. I used to buy them by the box-full, until I discovered you could buy refills on Amazon. You’re welcome, planet.
I love tabbies! I go through a LOT of them, both in marking important passages in research books, and pages to come back to when I’m reviewing galleys. I keep several packages of these on hand.
Kelly curved-base weighted copy holder
One of the most tedious tasks of the editing process (for me) is inputting my corrections after reading a hard copy of early draft(s). This copy holder is the best I’ve found: curved to keep a stack of paper in place, with an adjustable, see-through line guide that keeps my place and slightly magnifies text.
My office gets so…cough…cough…dry during this sub-zero Minnesota weather. 
This compact, cool mist humidifier sits on my desk and eases winter dryness.
A must for long writing sessions! I replaced my old warmer with this larger one (3.75 inches), which keeps even my big Jane Austen mug warm.
Wellgate Wrist supports (Right and Left)
I don’t know about you, but my wrists ache after hours on the keyboard. These supports help a great deal, and this particular brand is less bulky and more feminine than those big black jobbies.
Lap Desk with all the bells and whistles
Though shown here holding a laptop (which I do on occasion), I more often use my lap desk for sitting and reading/editing hard copies of manuscripts or galleys. This one has a pull out mouse/cell phone tray. It has a USB light, too, so I’ve even taken it on car trips so I can edit on long, nighttime drives.
“I AM Dressed for the Day” Jammies
Received these for Christmas from hubby. Perfect for deadline time or anytime! 🙂
Use any of these? Anything to add to this list?
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GREAT idea for a blog post, Julie! I’m going to steal it when it’s my turn to blog next! 🙂 Meanwhile, I don’t know how I’ve lived this long without a mug warmer. Might have to remedy that soon! Great post!
Yes, you need one, Deb. Not sure if they come in teal or not… 🙂
Where did you find all these cool things? I didn’t know they existed. Guess I need to troll the web more often. Thanks Julie!
No, stay away from the web and keep writing your beautiful books instead, Lynn. I’ll cover the online shopping for both of us! 😉
Just one question: where did you get that Jane Austen mug??
I love it, too! The mug was a gift, but I see you can buy it from shop(dot)pbs(dot)org.
P.S. Julie, I added a link to the mug in the description above. Thanks for asking!
That’s a wonderful collection. I’m going to need to look for that lap desk. It would sure beat trying to balance the computer on my knees! 🙂
Yes, I think you’d like it, Trisha.
I use the exact violet pens when grading my students work. Absolutely amazing pens.
See? They make any painful task more pleasant. Thanks for your comment, Karen. Teachers like you have my undying admiration (and sympathy). 🙂
Love these, Julie! You converted me to the purple pens at our first Inkette retreat. They are now my go-to. And now I have other favorites to check out! I’m particularly intrigued by the lap desk. I have one, but it doesn’t have the slide out mouse tray. I still prefer a mouse to the finger pad, so that might be a good addition for me. I use a knock-off version of the Yeti mug to keep my hot tea warm, but I have lots of regular mugs that I like to use as well, and that warmer is a great idea. Thanks for the inspiration!
A Yeti mug? This I want to see! 🙂 Thanks, Karen.
Love that Jane Austen mug and the cup warmer. I have a cheap cup warmer, but yours looks 100 times better! Love your last book, by the way… I am 94% finished and I do not want it to end. For me, reading your books is like coming home again.
Thanks so much, Courtney. Glad to hear you are enjoying The Ladies of Ivy Cottage.
Going to check out those pens right now. I’m always looking for great pens to grade papers with. My current favorites are InkJoy Gel. I also need that lap desk! My laptop gets hot on my legs after a while. Saving up the Amazon gift cards for that.