It’s been a while since I last posted and there is a reason. Turns out it’s tough to write when you can’t breathe, and when I could manage to string words together, I had to focus on deadlines.
So here’s what happened. First, I got sick and then, for some unknown reason, my childhood asthma (that I supposedly outgrew at age eight) decided to make a spectacular return to my life. I got through the hard part with the help of lots of little pills, but now must carry an inhaler everywhere I go just in case–just one more thing to cram into my heavy bag.
Take heart. I am not about to write about medical woes and the sordid details of what has passed in my life these past few months. It’s boring. Instead I thought I would borrow the title from Tim O’Brien’s most famous novel and talk about the things I carry. It’s more than the latest addition.
Here is what’s in my bag:
Writing Utensils
The most important thing I carry is what I call my writer’s kit. It includes: pens (traditional ball point, roller ball pens and fine point felt tips because I am particular), pencils (mechanical so I’m never without a point), post-it notes in various sizes, note cards, highlighters, thumb drives with various projects, and a microfiber cloth to keep things clean. I keep these things in a fabric pencil-case. I know I carry more pens than I could ever use in a reasonable time, but it makes me feel good to have options and backups.
Writing Paper
The next most important thing is something to write on. I’ve tried a variety of things over the years, but find that a medium notebook works best. It has to be big enough to really write in it—not a quick grocery list, but scenes that pop into my head at the most inopportune time and always when I am away from my computer. Tiny notepads don’t work for me. I prefer thin-rules notebooks that open flat. I do not like to use my phone for taking notes. Never have. Call me a Luddite, but I prefer traditional pen and paper for my on-the-fly writing and for capturing ideas.
Reading Material
I try to keep reading material on me at all times. You know the drill: a magazine or book for the car, a book for the bag and several books scattered throughout the house. I don’t like to be left without precious words. It comes in handy especially on those days I want to eat out during the middle of the day alone. For this, I prefer a magazine that lays flat, but I will read whatever I have with me. I see no reason to waste waiting time and with a child there is always time spent waiting. Again, I prefer not to read on my phone. I find it annoying.
The Usual Items
Then, of course, I carry the usual things: keys, wallet, phone, lipstick, tiny lint roller (because I have a cat), tissues (because it is spring in Washington and the pollen is thick), and the newest addition, the pain-in-the-butt inhaler. It’s not that the inhaler is large, just that it exists and adds to the load.
My bag is heavy, but I am never caught with an idea I cannot capture in some way. If I am driving, I recruit Siri and she records whatever I want. If I am stopped, I write it down in my notebook. Being prepared is worth the weight.
What do you carry? What do you need to write on the go?