So, you want to become a writer? Great! You’ve come to the right place. We’re going to take a look at five of the best writing tools available to help you practice and perfect the art of writing, and to help you get the most out of your writing tools.
Some of the best writing tools for writers are not what you’d expect. These tools may not include the writing instrument itself, or the material on which you choose to write. It may simply be something that inspires you or helps you better learn your craft.
Books
Whether you are a budding novelist, a published author, a blogger, someone who’s job requires them to write regularly, or simply someone who wants to perfect their writing ability, books are a great way to absorb good methods and techniques. It can be any book about the subject you are interested in, or it could be a craft book. For example, if you are a budding novelist, our advice would be to read lots of novels in a wide range of genres, by different authors, to get a feel for the various ways in which a story can be told.
If you are a blogger, read books about your chosen subject, or other websites and blogs you’re considering sharing a space with. If you want to improve your writing craft, read books about grammar, world-building, character development or sentence structure.
A journal
A great way to build up the habit of handwriting is to use a daily journal. There are some fantastic options available to suit your style and preference. There are bullet journals which are great for creative people who want the freedom to design their own way of recording their thoughts. They just need to know some bullet journaling hacks and then they are good to go. And there are simple, lined, calendar journals that make it easy to record things on a particular day. Just writing down a few thoughts or observations every day can help you build strength in your wrist and fingers and allow you to practice your handwriting on an ongoing basis. Journaling can be fun too, especially if you write in them with different color pens and use other creative techniques to make them visually appealing and something you want to write in every day.
Good quality paper
Of course, standard notebook or printer paper can work perfectly well for everyday handwriting, but to really get enjoyment and satisfaction out of handwriting, we recommend you choose a type of paper that brings out the best in your chosen pen or pencil.
Poor quality paper can cause ink to ‘feather’, which means it spreads through the paper’s fibers and begins to look ‘webbed’. If the paper is thin, something called ‘bleedthrough’ can occur, which is when the ink shows through on the other side of the paper. Thicker, better quality paper tends to be woven in such as a way that ensures bleedthrough doesn’t occur.
Choose a nice crisp, clean white paper where possible, although cream can be easier on the eye. Inks will show their real, true color when used on a nice, bright white.
A pencil
While a pencil might not be your ideal choice of writing instrument, it can be helpful while practicing. Pencil is easier to erase and write over, so for journals with little space available, it can be tidier to erase pencil than scribble out pen. It may also be less costly as pencil doesn’t use the more expensive ink that pens use, so while you are building up strength in your writing hand, a pencil can be a great tool to help with your practice.
The pen!
And last but not least, probably the most important writing tool of all is the pen! There are many different types of pen available so you can be absolutely sure to find the write one for you. It’s always a good idea to try out a few too, as different weights, materials and nibs can all have an effect on your writing strength and ability. Fountain pens are classical and easy to write with, but may not feel economical. Ballpoint pens are more commonplace and can be heavier in weight or lighter, depending on your preference. Bastion’s Bolt Action Ballpoint Pen comes in a variety of metals and finishes, with a satisfying bolt action mechanism perfect for fidgeters! If you prefer a weightier pen, choose one made with stainless steel, perhaps with a carbon fiber finish. If you prefer something a little lighter choose a pen made with titanium or aluminum which carry the same strength as steel but are much lighter in comparison.
So, there you have it. The five ultimate writing tools for writers. If you are serious about becoming a better writer, having these five writing tools to hand will help you to perfect your handwriting and ensure you enjoy the process too.
