New ... brooms!

[silverr]

It's an old saying: "A new broom sweeps clean."

I've found that this can apply to writing as well. I don't just mean changing your methods or approach (e.g., writing out of sequence if you're usually linear, or freewriting if you're usually a detailed planner), I mean actually trying a new writing tool--or even switching to trusty paper and pen. Sometimes it's just the jolt you need to get things flowing--or at least save you some hair pulling.

So, what tools do you use? What do you use them for? Why do you love them? What do you wish they did better?

Comments

[credoimprobus]

Oooh, yiss, that looks awesomely practical! (I'd really have to be sure which files I want before I leave the house, though, heh.)

[silverr]

I had one of the original ones--called an AlphaSmart---that was pure 4 lines x 70 character display. The newer ones like the Neo let you adjust font size (and I think do quasi-RTF formatting with bold and italics and such). ~ Most I used mine to pound out rough drafts - it's a lot easier to just freewrite and generate raw verbiage when you're not as distracted by fiddling with formatting and going back to do nit-picky wordsmithng (which can certainly come later). Great for taking to the doctor's office or any other waiting room. (I used mine to take notes at conferences and meetings, too.)

Yah, having to DL the files is the drawback.