Why Bother With Such a Thing?

Okay, I can hear you thinking, what in the heck’s a writing box, and why do I need one, right? Well, maybe you don’t. If you routinely compose your first drafts, and all subsequent ones, on the computer and have all your writing materials at hand, or at least know where to find them, a writing box may not be an essential requirement. But if you’re like me and need the tactile-kinesthetic feel of pen on paper, enjoy flipping over those pages as you barrel through that all important first draft, yet find yourself stopping to hunt down the stapler, a measly paper clip or your character naming book and then suddenly find yourself in the kitchen woolgathering or in the bedroom remaking the bed—procrastinating big time—then you might give the writing box a try.

What’s in a Writing Box?

Depending on your preference for materials and what you’re currently writing, the contents of the box will vary from project to project. For me, a bare bones writing box contains the following:

1. A composition book used as a daily journal for self-reflection, mainly notes on what I’ve accomplished during a session and what I plan to do next.
2. File folders for separate projects i.e. short stories, articles and subsequent drafts or notes.
3. Small box (think recipe) with alpha dividers, 3 X 5 index cards, Post It Notes, a highlighter, red and black pens and a ruler. (For fiction, I prefer multi-colored cards and Post It Notes for differentiating drafts, scenes and plot points.)
4. Small stapler
5. Container of paper clips
6. Legal tablets. Since I write first drafts by hand, I prefer legal-sized tablets that are helpful for writing scenes and dialogue that flows.

Additional Materials

Sometimes, you might need a few more items, depending on where you are in the writing process:

•  Articles for research and reference
•  Pocket dictionary or thesaurus
•  Character naming book
•  Book of writing prompts

Caveat:

Try not to overload the box and be sure to choose only those materials you need for a daily session.

On the plus side, given our recent economic downturn, I’ve purchased most of my items at a nearby dollar store. As for the writing box itself, mine is of sturdy cardboard, not fancy or decorative, though you can find those as well, and about 13” X 7”. I found a really neat one at a local discount house and the price was well under ten bucks. For easy access to materials and to see at a glance what the box contains, I leave the box open, slide the lid underneath for greater support and line up everything inside like books on a shelf.

So give the writing box a try. What can you lose? You might just find you’ve become more focused and efficient in your daily work and, hopefully, the successful and creative writer I know you can be.

****
This article is the sole property of the author. It is produced here with the author's permission.  The unauthorized use or reprinting of an article is illegal, and will be prosecuted at the discretion of the author.

Fiction Fix Home Page

Current Issue

Masthead/
Contact us.

Article Archive

Writers' Guidelines

Subscribe

Privacy Statement

Advertisements

About the Writer:

Paul Alan Fahey is a California Central Coast writer. His work has appeared recently in Byline, New Times, audience, Crimson Highway, Boston Literary Magazine and in the Cup of Comfort Anthology for Single Mothers. He is a five time recipient of the annual "Lillian Dean Award" at the Central Coast Writer's Conference. Paul has just completed two screenplays and three short stories using Syd Field's three-act paradigm as a guide for structure. He lives in Nipomo, California with his partner, Bob, and three loveable yet very unruly shelties.