Writerly Tools

Published September 17, 2024

Hello, Dear Readers,

I’ve taken several writing classes recently. A lot of them cover the same topics in similar ways. But just when I think I’ve learned all the writing tips and tricks, I find something new.

Out of all the tools I’ve come across, some have made a huge difference in my writing and I want to share them with you. Here are some tried-and-true tools and some new-to-me tools that are worth trying out.

Physical Tools:

Craft Map  

I learned about this in one of my writing classes. A craft map is a great tool to plan the narrative techniques you will use for your story. You can write or print this out in a four (or more) page spread. Include a brief idea of your story, how you will write your scenes, how you will write your story time-wise (linear or jumping around in time), what voice you will use (simple or complex grammar, etc.), what point of view you’ll write in, and how you will reveal your characters’ character (such as by thoughts/feelings, actions, dialogue, monologue, description, physiology, or metaphor.) You can include how your choices will benefit your story and your why for writing this particular story. Add any relevant info you might want to refer back to as you write.

Mind Map

A mind map is a tool to visually organize information and knowledge, make connections, and improve understanding and retention. It captures and displays your thinking, highlighting relationships among different pieces of information. Mind maps are helpful for many purposes, especially writing.

Start with a blank page in your writer’s notebook. Begin by drawing a circle and writing down your central idea. Brainstorm relevant keywords and related points, creating links from the center.

To effectively map out your main idea, begin with at least three supporting ideas. From those three, generate additional related ideas. It’s important to ensure enough space is on the page to avoid clutter and disorganization, but with practice, this process becomes easier.

I’ve written on this one before (check that out here), but it’s worth mentioning again. I use this all the time.

Mood Board

I recently started an illustration course. (I often go overboard, take multiple classes, and read several books simultaneously.) One of my assignments was to make a mood board. Illustrators sometimes use a visual representation of the story they are working on to browse for inspiration as they illustrate. While I worked on my mood board I realized what an incredible tool this is. Writers can do the same and create mood boards for inspiration and details to describe their writing. 

Mood boards can be digital (like on Pinterest) or physical (like in your sketchbook, commonplace book, or on a poster board.) You pin things (or cut them out and paste them on your board)  that set the atmosphere for your current project, such as images to inspire the setting, characters, character clothing, items from the period, etc. You can add a few notes on it, too. 

Commonplace Book

This is where you jot notes and ideas about your stories, make your mind maps and mood boards, create character sketches, and anything else writing-related. I’m sure every writer knows about this one but having a dedicated writer’s notebook made a world of difference for me. For more on this topic click here.

Software:

Canva

Most of you have probably heard of Canva already. It’s an online graphic design tool that helps you create presentations, posters, videos, logos, and more. I make book covers, e-books, social media posts, and graphics for my blogs. It’s a handy program. I use Canva Pro, but the free version is great, too.

Atticus

If you’re a self-published author who likes to do everything on your own, Atticus will be your new best friend. No more struggling with formatting your ebooks and print books for KDP or B&N Press. Atticus was created by Dave Chesson (who’s also the creator of Publisher Rocket) to “plan, plot, outline, write, collaborate and format all in one.”  You can grab this for a lifetime purchase of $147. I haven’t fully explored all of its features, but just the formatting alone was worth it to me.

I hope these tools will help you in your daily writing. For more writerly software and tools, check out these WftP articles:

https://pikespeakwriters.org/the-best-writing-software/

https://pikespeakwriters.org/five-tools-for-your-writer-toolbox/

What are some of your favorite writing tools?

Trista Herring Baughman is a blogger and Children’s writer. She is the Managing Editor of Writing from the Peak (PPW’s blog)  and  Managing Editor of Mississippi Folklore, a collaborative collection of Mississippi’s folklore and legends. You can find out more about her books, such as The Magic Telescope, Halloween Night and Other Poems, and Zombiesaurs (which she co-illustrated with her sons), and follow her on social media on her website.