Gadgets for Writers

I don't consider it a gadget, but I use DarkRoom for everything short that I have to write on the computer. I love it to death.

I still have a Royal manual typewriter that I brought from my great aunt, whose late husband didn't need it any more. There's something about staring at fifteen pounds of iron casing, with no possibility of being distracted by something on teh Intarwebs, when you're trying to say something intelligent.

Of course I haven't used it in forever. You can't get decent ribbons or carbon paper any more.

Electric typewriters--pfui! I spit on electric typewriters!

WriterTrek said:

I also have a BBPlaybook. I like it, and am more than happy with the purchase, but how do you write on it?

There's no way I can type fast enough on a touchscreen to be anything but irritable. I don't mind writing forum posts and whatnot every so often, but even that gets frustrating if I want to use more than a few sentences.

Just curious what programs you use on it -- do you do full blown writing/drafting in Word on it? Use Evernote for your notes?

I keep a handful of favorite books on mine (in case I'm stuck without my Nook), but mostly I use it for internet browsing.

Thinkpad X230!

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It's true that the keyboard is less user-friendly than a laptop, but I have quite small fingers, so it probably works better for me than most people. I can write full drafts on it no problem, and the screen's big enough for me to get a good look at what I've written. For my actual writing, I just use the word-processing application that came pre-loaded, since it seems to be the best one available. Once I'm done writing for the day, I upload my work to a cloud-storage site call Box.com, and for my notes I use a generic notepad app that I downloaded from the app store. I used to use Evernote, but for some reason the app only seems to let me take notes when the tablet's connected to WiFi, which is a problem for me when I'm going to and from school, the gym, et cetera.

I still have a Royal manual typewriter that I brought from my great aunt, whose late husband didn't need it any more. There's something about staring at fifteen pounds of iron casing, with no possibility of being distracted by something on teh Intarwebs, when you're trying to say something intelligent.

Of course I haven't used it in forever. You can't get decent ribbons or carbon paper any more.

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Have you considered buying online? There's quite a lot of ribbons listed for sale on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/181-8749456-2014351?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=typewriter+ribbon

Chai. I'd get no where without my Chai. Wait, that's not a gadget....

Writeitnow. I could do without it but the tabs and organization of the program really work for me.
I also need Chai... did I say that already?

A good keyboard...I could use one of those. I bought a cheap $10 dollar keyboard from the grocery store where I work, but now all the letters are wearing off. It's a good thing I have the keys memorized.

Other than that I don't have writing gadgets, unless you want to count Microsoft Word.

dual monitors

MS Word can open as many windows as you want. Invaluable to look at a chapter scene as you write a later but related scene. The more information I can see, the better.

Google Docs is invaluable to me. I can add it as an app to my phone and work on the original file there, or borrow a friend's computer for an instant addition. I still do all my plotting and world-planning in a composition book though. Nothing helps me think through a problem like college ruled paper and a fine point pen.

My nexus tablet saves my back a lot of misery. I do most of my editing on that, using google docs. it's a little slow but at least I can walk around while I'm typing, or can fall back into a couch and put my legs up. Usually I keep one version open on my pc and another on my tab so that they're always in sync, and then I use espeak text-to-speech on my pc to listen to each sentence as I get through them. Not only is that great for getting a feel for the rhythm, but it also catches all sorts of mistakes.
I am also eternally grateful to ubuntu and libreoffice for developing free software. Without them I'd be chugging along with ancient crank started programs.

I love love lovee my Scrivener. I hated having to have several files open to get everything I needed and now it's all organized in one place. When my arthritis hits my Dragon Speak is indispensable. Also, for on the go, I often jot down notes in my phone's notepad that is synced with my tablet.

I love my Microsoft Surface tablet with the detachable Type keyboard. It's small and light enough that I can take it anywhere, so I'm always ready to write when the mood hits me.

Not exactly a gadget but I love Scrivener. I can't wait for them to come out with their app. Other than that, my Mac laptop. My husband has a pc laptop and anytime I try to use it I want to punch myself in the face.

I use OpenOffice, because I am too poor for MSWord

My only other "gadget" is Evernote. Brilliant for keeping my ideas together and outlining. It also syncs to the cloud, so I can access it from my mobile.

That's about it

My IBM Model M keyboard matters way too much to me. There's no stumbling around on this keyboard, and the sound of it makes free-writing completely hypnotic.

My IOS devices with Writeroom and Dropbox are important too.

Craig