15 Tools That Will Re-Energize Your 2024 Writing Goals
Big goals require big tools. In this post, I share the fifteen tools that are helping me reach big writing goals this year!
FYI: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. For more information click here and thanks, as always, for your support!
If you’re anything like me, the bright, shiny hope of the new year has already faded. The exercise bike is getting dusty. There are more chips in the cabinet and fewer vegetables in the refrigerator.
I know I’m not alone. According to Time Magazine, up to 80% of people drop their new year’s resolutions by February. By the end of the year, that number jumps to 92% of people failing to meet the goals they set for themselves in January.
One area of my life that’s actually going well? My writing!
Has it been perfect? Of course not. But I am making slow and steady progress toward finishing my current WIP. Despite everything else going on in my life—teaching, editing, running a business, trying to exercise and/or eat a vegetable—I’m accomplishing goals, moving forward, and drawing closer and closer to the finish line for this book.
This success didn’t come from setting new year’s resolutions or gimmicky writing programs, it came from intentionally building a life around my writing. It means respecting myself as a writer and putting tools and systems in place that help me do my best work, even when I have limited writing time to work with.
In this blog post, I’m putting my editor hat aside and putting on the writer’s cap to share the tools that have helped me build a sustainable, sustaining writing practice even when life wants to get in the way!
Let’s dive in!
Tools #1: A writing planner to keep your goals front & center OR keep track as plans change.
I’m a big planner person. Seriously, I sometimes write things down just to cross them off. I mean, if a to-do hasn’t been physically crossed off the list, has it really been done at all?
I’ve played around with many planners over the years, but I’ve found that simple works best for me. I couldn’t find a planner that had exactly what I wanted, so I created my own!
The planner has space for setting yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily goals. Then, lots of space for reflecting on what did or didn’t get done. I also leave space for tracking numerical goals each week. The specific metrics I track vary based on where I am in the writing process (check out my post on different metrics to track here), but I do like to build in some accountability for myself by being honest about the progress I’m making.
Want to see if my writing planner works for you? You can download it here for free—no opt in required! It’s not pretty, but it gets the job done!
Tool #2: A writing software that travels with you in the cloud for anywhere, anytime writing sessions.
Sometimes consistency means stealing little moments throughout the day to squeeze in writing when you have the time for it or when creativity strikes. I’m a big fan of squeezing in writing sessions wherever whenever I can. For that to work, I need a writing software that travels with me.
My go to for writing, editing, and everything in between is Dabble.
The beautiful thing about Dabble is that it has all the features of a more sophisticated writing program (like Scrivener, for example) but with the portability of a cloud-based software. You can access the Dabble website from any computer or your phone’s mobile browser. If you prefer to work without Wi-Fi sometimes, you can also download the app for offline writing.
I use Dabble for everything—gathering worldbuilding and character development notes, writing my drafts, and even drafting these blog posts—because of the organizational tools and functionality. I will admit, Dabble was cheaper when I first subscribed and I’ve been grandfathered in at that original rate, but I still think it’s absolutely worth the current price.
You can start a free trial or subscribe here!
Tools #3-#6: An office setup that keeps you pain free during your writing sessions.
Don’t discount the importance of a good office setup. I use the same office for writing, editing, lesson planning, and all the marketing work I do (like writing these blog posts). That adds up to a lot of computer time. Here are the tools that are keeping me comfortable through every marathon writing session and developmental edit deep dive.
#3 - This ergonomic mouse that keeps my wrists and hands pain free no matter how many times I have to highlight and replace a word in my manuscript.
#4 - This inexpensive keyboard that is far more comfortable than any of the ergonomic keyboards I’ve tried.
#5 - These supportive, compression gloves that relieve the pain when I’ve been typing for a little too long. I can feel the difference as soon as I put them on and they only cost $10.
#6 - And finally, the office chair that holds the room together, keeping my neck and back pain free, whether I’m writing or just sitting through a marathon Zoom call.
Ready to arrange your office for long-term comfort? Check out these tips from the Mayo Clinic here.
Tools #7-#8: A cozy beverage to keep you warm & caffeinated (if that’s your jam)!
#7 - This cinnamon flavored black tea is my absolute favorite, but for late afternoon writing sessions, the decaf version is just as delicious!
#8 - There’s absolutely nothing worse than reaching for your coffee (or tea) halfway through a writing session only to get an ice cold mouthful. I got this mug warmer for Christmas and it’s an absolute lifesaver. Now I’m only getting up to reheat my coffee, not to refill.
Tools #9-#15: Craft books to support you at every stage of the writer’s journey.
Becoming a writer means becoming a lifelong learner. To that end, craft books are an essential part of my writing routine. I start each morning by reading 10-15 pages of a writing craft book and I have every day for going on five years now. I’ve covered a lot of ground in that time, and I’ve picked up a few favorites for every stage of your growth as a writer. Here are my favorites reads for key parts of the writing journey:
#9 - For the beginner novelist:
Blueprint for a Book: Build Your Novel from the Inside Out by Jennie Nash
#10 - For the writer tackling “show, don’t tell” in their draft:
The Scene Book: A Primer for the Fiction Writer by Sandra Scofield
#11 - For the writer tackling “show, don’t tell” in revision:
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression by Becca Puglisi and Angela Ackerman
#12 - For the writer dreaming up big worlds:
The Complete Art of Worldbuilding Vol 1-3 by Randy Ellefson
#13 - For the writer who struggles to write engaging plots:
Elements of Fiction Writing: Conflict and Suspense by James Scott Bell
#14 - For the writer who hates revision:
Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing by Tiffany Yates Martin
#15 - For the writer trying to create a more impactful novel:
The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface by Donald Maass
There you have it, fifteen tools to help you build the writing life of your dreams, one day, one writing session at a time.
Ultimately, it’s not about a new year’s resolution or a short-term goal. Becoming a writer is the work of a lifetime. With the right tools, you can prepare yourself for the journey and find your version of success.
Did I miss a tool you can’t live without? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for you!
FYI: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. For more information click here and thanks, as always, for your support!
