Writer’s Desk
Must-Have Writing Tools and Resources for Every Aspiring Author
There’s something magical about a well-stocked writer’s desk. It’s not just about having the right tools—it’s about having the ones that make you feel like a writer on your best day. The highlighters you always reach for. The book with dog-eared pages and passive-aggressive sticky notes. The keyboard that clicks just right.
This post is a peek at the things I keep within arm’s reach when I’m deep in a draft, editing with caffeine-fueled precision, or just pretending to work while romanticizing the writing life. From craft books to cozy desk gear, these are the writer’s desk essentials that have earned their place in my personal creative chaos.
Note: This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase an item through my links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I’d never promote something I didn’t love.
Books on Writing Craft
Most writers will tell you that books are the most valued items in their treasure box. I know this is true for me. My favorite writing craft books are always featured on my Amazon Storefront so be sure to follow me to stay informed.
by Jessica Brody
The only book that’s ever made me enjoy plotting (I have to know where the tracks lead or I’m not getting on that train). It breaks story structure into bite-sized, beat-driven chunks without making you feel like a spreadsheet. Think: screenwriter energy meets post-it-note chaos—but organized. If your story has a beginning and an end but nothing in between? This is your new best friend. Buy it, highlight the heck out of it, and thank me later.
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression
by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
This is the book you grab when your character is angry for the 47th time and you’re fresh out of ideas that aren’t just yelling or pacing. It’s basically a cheat code for showing emotion without telling it—and without sounding like a walking eye twitch. Organized by emotion with pages of physical cues, internal responses, and escalating behavior, it’s part writing tool, part psychological deep dive. You’ll use it mid-sentence and feel like a genius every time.
by Rayne Hall
This book is like sensory boot camp for your prose. Rayne Hall teaches you how to turn cardboard backdrops into living, breathing places that practically stalk your characters. You’ll learn how to write setting that sets tone, builds tension, and actually matters to the story—without derailing the pace. If your readers are skimming the scenery, this book hands you a toolkit (and maybe a fog machine) to fix it fast.
by Valerie Howard
This book is like a protein shake for weak prose. If you’ve ever reread a draft and realized everyone is just walking, looking, and saying, this little gem will rescue your verbs from the land of the bland. It’s straightforward, no-frills, and organized like your future writing brain will beg for—by category, intensity, and usage. Less flipping through thesaurus rabbit holes, more writing that moves. Literally.
by James Scott Bell
If your story tension could be described as “lukewarm,” this book is the caffeine jolt it needs. Bell doesn’t just explain conflict—he hands you scene-level tactics to keep readers sweating, flipping pages, and silently begging for resolution. It’s part thriller formula, part universal writing truth: no conflict, no story. Whether you write quiet lit fic or murdery space pirates, this one will sharpen your tension like a knife in the dark.
Rivet Your Readers With Deep Point of View
by Jill Elizabeth Nelson
This tiny book packs the punch of a writing coach with a red pen and zero tolerance for filter words. It’ll drag you (and your narrator) out of the shallow end and force you to write like you are the character—not just reporting on them from a safe emotional distance. If your beta readers keep saying, “I didn’t feel it,” this book will fix that faster than you can say she felt her heart race (stop that—Nelson says so).
How to Write Dazzling Dialogue
by James Scott Bell
If your characters are starting to sound like they were raised by robots, this book is the intervention. Bell breaks down dialogue with zero fluff and maximum sass—like a screenwriter uncle who’s over your monologue phase. He shows you how to cut the boring parts, crank up the tension, and make your characters sound like actual people. If every convo in your draft feels like a polite email, smash the buy button immediately.
by William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White
Yes, it’s old. Yes, it’s opinionated. And yes, you still need it. This little book will shame your wordiness, slap your adverbs, and remind you that clarity > cleverness. It’s grammar meets gospel, with bonus charm because E.B. White also wrote the best book ever: Charlotte’s Web. If you want clean, confident prose without sounding like a robot—or a Victorian—this one earns its permanent place on the desk.
Author Branding and Platforms
If you don't already have an author brand, you're missing out. Your brand is like a stamp that lets people know what makes your writing unique and sets it apart from all the other books out there. Plus, it can help you build a fanbase and connect with your readers. And let's be real, having a strong brand makes it way easier to promote your work. Trust me, you want an author brand.
Get started by creating a great Instagram Profile - go here
How to grow on Instagram - go here
Content Ideas for Instagram - go here
For a great way to advertise and get traffic to your website - go here (coming soon - In the meantime, you can check out how I have been getting daily traffic to my website using Pinterest by going here.)
Hardware
Computer - Your writing toolkit wouldn't be complete without a reliable computer to draft, edit, and submit your work. I love my Macbook for its sleek design and user-friendly interface, but there are plenty of great options out there to suit your needs and budget.
Monitor - I will also add that I love my large secondary monitor. Though it is an extra, it increases my productivity by allowing me to have more information in view as I write without having to strain my eyes on a smaller laptop monitor.
Chair - You need a comfy place that you will want to return to each and every day. I love this High Back Executive Ergonomic Office Chair.
Wrist pad - This Gimars Memory Foam Wrist Pad is a #1 Best seller on Amazon and an essential for comfort and typing pain relief.
Foot rest - This Ergonomic Under Desk Foot Rest is also an essential for my comfort.
Pomodoro timer - It’s a thoughtful gift when it helps to solve one of a writer’s problems like staying on task. Pomodoro clocks are great ways to keep track of writing sprints. You can go with very advanced models but I suggest keeping it simple with a cube timer like this.
Office Supplies - Sometimes the best ideas come to us when we're away from our computer, so it's always a good idea to have a notebook and pen on hand to jot down your thoughts and ideas. I also love my post-its, highlighters, tabs, and notepads.
Software
Google Docs - You'll need a program to draft and edit your work, and I highly recommend Google Docs. With Google Docs, it is easy for me to track progress, collaborate and share with others, add quick comments and notes, and I can access it on any device since my work is stored in the cloud. I also occasionally use the notes app to jot quick thoughts.
Trello - For organizing my writing day, story timelines, revision process and much more, I use Trello. There are many different tools to help with organization and task management on the market but what I like about Trello is that it is free, has both a great website & app that link seemlessly, and is super easy to learn.
Canva - free tool that can help with a wide variety of graphic needs and no special training required. And did you know that there is a Canva Docs now?
With these tools in your arsenal, you'll be well-equipped to tackle any writing project and achieve your literary goals. If there are any writing tools you would like to recommend for me to try out or you think I missed something that you find essential, send me a comment down below. Happy writing!
Let’s connect!
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Leave me a comment and tell me what you would add to this list. Let me know if you have tried any of the resources on the list.
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