My wife Kathleen and I spend a lot of time in northern New Hampshire trekking the White and Twin Mountains. Hiking is one of our favorite outdoor activities. The trails can be somewhat strenuous yet the spectacular view, once we reach the peak, makes it all worthwhile.
One of the key factors in hiking is preparation. Making sure you have the proper gear. We wear clothes that breathe, hiking shoes, use walking sticks, and know beforehand where the trails lead to and how long the hike will likely take. Our backpacks house such necessities as water, snacks (granola bars, cheese sticks, crackers), a small medical kit, a rain poncho, a Leatherman, and a few other supplies.
Being prepared makes for an easier and safer hike.
How exactly does this relate to writing? Well just like a hiker needs to prepare for a hike, a writer needs to prepare to write. So, what’s in your writing arsenal?
Let’s look back one-hundred years ago. A writer would have a typewriter, a stack of paper, an extra typewriter ribbon, pencil, eraser, dictionary, thesaurus, perhaps an encyclopedia set, and a few small tools to repair the typewriter if necessary.
Today, you might use a laptop, iPad, or even a cell phone. And don’t forget an extra battery pack, charging cord, wi-fi or internet connection, and a pre-Covid-19 location (coffee shop, library, beach, anywhere). Of course, you’d probably still have a notebook, pen, some documents, and earbuds for either music or watching a video or webinar hopefully pertaining to whatever you’re writing about. Almost all writing software has built-in spell check (although that doesn’t replace an editor!), and with wi-fi and hot spots, you can literally write from anywhere in the world.
And let’s not forget, whether writing one-hundred years ago or today, a great story idea is vital. Whether you’re a planner (using an outline) or a pantser (letting the story unfold as you write), it’s all about getting the story out. And being prepared can actually improve your writing speed. The same way being prepared for a hike makes for a more pleasant trek.
Included in your arsenal should be your location. Pre Covid-19 and (hopefully) post Covid-19, noisy coffee shops or a quiet library may be your forte for getting some writing done. Do you have an area in your house especially for writing or do you write from anywhere (couch, kitchen table, in bed, at the patio)? Your location doesn’t matter, just ensure it’s comfortable and it’s a place that makes for productive writing time.
Just as we prepare for a hike by eating a healthy breakfast, inspecting all our gear, and knowing the trail we’re about to hike, it’s important to prepare for your writing time. Schedule some uninterrupted writing time. Make sure to have your water (juice, soda, or wine) and snacks so you don’t have an excuse to stop writing. Eliminate distractions (turn off your phone, use full-screen mode so you can’t see all your icons and easily wander off to Facebook). Now all you have to do is review your previous day’s work to get into the groove of your story. And of course, write, write, and write some more!
So, just like hiking, writing can be easier if you have the right equipment and supplies. In hiking you’re rewarded with exercise and a spectacular view, with writing the reward is getting published!
T.M. Jacobs, a native to the shoreline area of Connecticut, now resides in various locations along the east coast with his wife traveling and working from their RV motorhome. He has written and published 15 books (one of which was featured on C-SPAN), over 450 articles published in various newspapers and magazines, teaches classes on writing and publishing, and is currently the owner of JWC Publishing. He is the founder and former editor for Patriots of the American Revolution magazine and has been a freelance writer since 1988.
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