Office Essentials for Writers Part 1

The ability to focus and stay focused is vital for writers. That’s why having necessary supplies on hand can make the difference between meeting your goal today or waiting to finish tomorrow. In this series, I’m sharing my office essentials for writers. While this post contains affiliate links (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases), these are the tools I use on a daily and weekly basis. They play a big part in my ability to write and publish three to four books per year.

I hope you’ll consider adding tools that will make your writing life easier.

Office Essentials I Keep Within Arm’s Reach

Fifteen years ago, it was widely assumed that paper would become obsolete. After all, we could do everything digitally! I don’t know about you, but I still use paper. I’ve lost important documents stored online or on my laptop, and it made me paranoid. So I print all important documents and keep them in file folders.

I also love jotting notes in pretty notebooks with my favorite pens. My stapler, tape dispenser, and scissors come in handy all the time. I also appreciate having a medium-sized calculator on hand. It’s easier for me to use it than the one on my phone or laptop. Also used, but not mentioned? Paperclips, Post-It Notes, and index cards.

With all that in mind, here are the office essentials I keep within arm’s reach.

My favorite pens! Pilot G-2 in either the 05 or 07 and black ink. Love these pens!

Purchase Link: Pilot G-2 Pens

A cute pen holder. I don’t own this exact one. Mine is basic black, but I plan on upgrading to this little cutie soon!

Purchase Link: Pen Holder

Why do you need a stapler? You probably don’t! But I use mine to organize tax printouts, for speaking notes, and for all sorts of documents. Again, my stapler isn’t cute like this one, but I’m swapping out boring black for pretty blue soon!

Purchase Link: Stapler

Tape dispensers are great for wrapping items–giveaway prizes, etc. I use mine all the time!

Purchase Link: Tape Dispenser

Incline sorters are perfect for your desk. You can pop receipts into manila folders for taxes, store research items or notes for your current WIP, and file anything you need to access quickly. I love mine!

Purchase Link: Incline Sorter

If you get the incline sorter, you need manila folders for it. I love pretty pastels!

Purchase Link: Manila Folders

As a novelist, I’m amazed at how often I find myself calculating things. Rather than press every wrong button on my phone or laptop, I keep a medium-sized calculator on my desk. Love it!

Purchase Link: Calculator

I keep scissors everywhere in my house. I don’t know why I get so mad when I have to hunt a pair down, but I do. So I fixed the problem by buying multiple scissors and stashing them in places I typically use them. I use the ones in my office every week.

Purchase Link: Scissors

I stock up on pretty notebooks. My favorite are the ones by Fringe with pockets. I have at least half a dozen at all times. Life is too short to take notes in ugly notebooks!

Purchase Link: Notebooks

I don’t use highlighters every week, but I have to keep them on hand. When you need one, you need one!

Purchase Link: Highlighters

I’ve purchased this exact wireless printer twice I love it so much. It’s a laser printer and only uses black and white toner, which lasts a LONG time. I use it almost every day. Plus, I always print out a copy of my manuscript to mark up as part of my revising process.

Purchase Link: Wireless Printer

Typically, I purchase copy paper for my printer in bulk. It’s cheaper, I don’t have to think about it, and it lasts a few years.

Purchase Link: Copy Paper

I didn’t purchase all these items at once. I slowly added them as my budget allowed. They save me time and make my life easier.

What office essentials do you keep within arm’s reach while writing? I’d love to hear!

Encouragement and advice for authors and writers

Bestseller lists, fame, and financial rewards don’t comprise your writing life—they’re products of it. This book will help you figure out the day-to-day decisions to make to achieve your writing dreams. Where and when do you write best? What equipment do you need? How will you handle envy? Rejection? Long droughts between contracts?

Creating a Writing Life gives you the tools to manage every aspect of your career, including income expectations and how to handle success. Author Jill Kemerer has experienced all this and more in her writing career, and this book will launch you into yours. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started creating your writing life!

Publishers Weekly bestselling author of nearly one million books worldwide, Jill Kemerer shares writing tips, business advice, and encouragement for authors in this inspirational book for writers.

Purchase Link: Creating a Writing Life