Samhain Publishing Ltd Weblog

Best Mommy-Writing Tool EVER

There are tons of writing tools out there. Go ahead, Google “writing tools.” That’s right—almost four million hits! There is, of course, the indispensable computer. (Does anyone use a typewriter anymore? What did we ever do before Microsoft Word and track changes? Yes, I remember the days when I should have bought stock in white-out and kept Mike Nesmith’s fortune growing – hey, Monkees’ fame couldn’t last forever!)

And there are lots of online and software tools for writers – some programs even outline, break down and organize your entire manuscript for you, depending on how much moolah you want to spend. Editing software, spellcheck, grammar check, you name it, there’s software for it.

But honestly, as a writer, the number one, most valuable writing tool I’ve ever invested in cost me just thirty-nine cents. It allows me what Virginia Woolf once called “A Room of One’s Own” — without having to physically create one. Because if I suggested creating a room of my own in a little house with four kids, a husband, and a myriad of animals, I’d be laughed back to the stone age—where I just KNOW some cave woman was trying to write on cave walls while her children banged femurs on skulls and screamed “songs” with lyrics like, “I farted today and I’m so awesome!” I’m sure of it.

I bet she invented my Number One Writing Tool right there on the spot, and didn’t even pay thirty-nine cents for it.

Earplugs.

That’s right, earplugs. Now, before you gasp and wonder how I can possibly supervise four children while I have earplugs in – let me reassure you, I can still hear them. China can hear them – and we live in the Midwest. What earplugs do for me is ease the noise level so I can think… and write!

If you’re a mommy-writer who’s tried everything, invested in all the software, tried all the tools and tricks, and are still pulling your hair out and wondering why you can’t get any writing done, I’d suggest earplugs. Seriously. The difference is amazing. The moment the earplugs go in, it takes the edge off the constant bodily function jokes—which always somehow end up in my writing when I’m not wearing the earplugs.

Without earplugs, I end up with sentences like this:

“Oh, darling, I love you so much, and I was thinking maybe you could pull my finger….”

Mommy-writers, trust me on the earplugs.

Great investment.

Thirty-nine cents.

And your editor will thank you!

_**~“Selena Kitt”:http://www.selenakittyn.com/blog~*~*~*