How to Upgrade Your Writing
Writing Advice & The Best Writer Tools
Let’s be real: writing is already hard enough without fighting your tech every step of the way. If you’ve ever spent 10 minutes waiting for a slow laptop to open your manuscript, lost hours of work to a crash, or ended a writing session with a cramp from your clunky keyboard, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Here’s the deal: cheap technology might save you a few bucks upfront, but it’s probably costing you more than you think. Time, energy, focus—gone. Let’s dig into why your bargain-bin tech is sabotaging your writing flow (and how to fix it).
Your Tech is Stealing Your Time
Picture this: You are typing away at your story, when you look up at the screen only to find that the words are not there. The cursor isn’t even there. Then your screen goes black. This is the horror story that you want to avoid at all costs. Writing Productivity Tip—Slow devices = slower writing. It’s that simple. A budget laptop or outdated software can’t keep up with your creative flow, leaving you stuck waiting for pages to load or documents to save. And let’s not even talk about laggy internet during a research deep dive.
How to Fix It: Upgrade to a fast, reliable device with enough power to keep up with your writing tools and multitasking needs. [Click here for a list of writer-approved laptops that won’t let you down.]
Lost Work = Lost Sanity
Ever been on fire with your writing, only to lose everything because of a glitch or crash? Cheap tech often comes with unreliable performance and subpar storage, which means your work could disappear faster than your patience.
How to Fix It: Invest in backup solutions like cloud storage or an external drive, and upgrade to devices with better reliability. [Here are my go-to tools for keeping your work safe.]
Your Writing Setup is Hurting You
Back pain is a major roadblock to hitting all of your writing goals—trust me! If you want to enjoy your writing time, you can’t let it be the cause of your aches and pains. Think about it: that $10 keyboard isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s actively slowing you down. Poor ergonomics can lead to hand cramps, neck pain, and fatigue. Writing shouldn’t hurt—physically or mentally.
How to Fix It: Treat yourself to an ergonomic keyboard, a supportive chair, or even a standing desk. These little upgrades make a huge difference. [Check out my favorite ergonomic tools for writers here.]
You’re Stuck with Basic Features
Free or cheap software might get the job done—barely. But let’s face it, those stripped-down tools often make even simple tasks feel harder. Formatting issues, clunky designs, or limited functionality can kill your momentum. Don’t even get me started on all the cool features that make writing much more efficient.
Ok, I will start with a little list of must-have Scrivener features:
Scrivener offers features that basic writing software simply can’t compete with. Its Corkboard View lets you visually organize scenes or ideas with virtual index cards, making it perfect for plotting and brainstorming. With customizable writing templates, you can tailor your workspace for novels, screenplays, or essays. The split-screen mode allows you to view two documents side by side—ideal for referencing notes while writing. Scrivener’s project-wide word count goals keep you on track with your deadlines, while the research binder seamlessly integrates documents, images, and links, so all your resources are just a click away. It’s a game-changer for writers who want to streamline their process.
How to Fix Your Basic Software Issues: Invest in professional-grade writing software like Scrivener or Grammarly Premium. The features are worth every penny. [Here’s a guide to the best writing software for serious writers.]
Cheap Tech Is More Costly
Here’s the sneaky truth: when you buy cheap, you end up buying twice (or three times). That bargain laptop that breaks in a year? It’s not much of a bargain when you keep replacing it.
Buzzing fans, glitchy software, a printer that jams every time—these aren’t just minor annoyances. They’re distractions pulling you out of your creative flow.
How to Fix It: Choose quality over quantity. Look for reliable brands with strong warranties. Upgrade the tools that annoy you most, starting with the basics. Sometimes, a better mouse or a noise-canceling headset is all it takes to transform your writing sessions. [Here’s a list of the small-but-mighty upgrades I swear by.]
Invest in Your Craft
Your writing deserves better than cheap, unreliable tech. By investing in quality tools, you’re not just upgrading your setup—you’re upgrading your entire process. Faster, smoother, and less stressful.
The tools you choose reflect the value you place on your craft. Relying on outdated, unreliable tech sends a message—to yourself and others—that your writing isn’t worth investing in. But when you level up your tools, you’re making a bold statement: My writing matters.
Invest in your tools, and you’re investing in your future. The work you create deserves the best you can give it. Show yourself (and your creativity) the respect it deserves by upgrading to tech that works as hard as you do.
So stop wasting time fighting your tech, and start spending more time doing what you love: writing. [Click here to find the best tools to level up your writing life today.]
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