By Suzy Leopold
Today is Groundhog Day! Will Punxsutawney Phil see his shadow?
Since today’s GROG Blog post is about toolboxes—not the legendary groundhog, let's move on . . .
Many creatives keep toolboxes.
Many writers and illustrators create toolboxes. Items are organized in one place and can easily be transported. The toolbox supports creating at home, at the library, a cafe, at a writing conference or workshop.
A writer's toolbox can be used to expand and master the craft of writing.
A toolbox may be a physical container with shiny tools and resources or it can be a metaphorical toolbox to develop deeper knowledge. Both are designed to improve creativity.
It is not the tools that matter but what one does with the tools and the ability to use the tools effectively.
Peer Inside a Toolbox
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| Suzy’s Writing Toolbox |
- Writing tools--pens, pencils, markers
- A package of highlighters
from Leah Cheak; from Julie Cohen (links will redirect you)
- Index cards
- Dictionary and thesaurus
- Mentor texts to mine for the author's craft
- A timer
- Craft of writing books
More Tool Ideas for a Writer's Toolbox
from Kathyrn Evans
- Picture book essentials
from Joanne Sher
from Debbie Ridpath Ohi & Josh Funk
from Pamela Hodges
- Create graphic organizers
from Rob Sanders
- Create book templates or book dummies
from Debbie Ridpath Ohi
- Continue to grow and learn
from Josh Funk
- Revisit goals and adjust as need be; SMART Goals
from Joe Bunting; Suzy
- Keep records of manuscript submissions
from Marcie Flinchum Atkins
Love how you have culled these items and linked to the resources. One of my fave tools is having my computer read my ms to me to catch mistakes. TY, Suzy for all these tools.
ReplyDeleteSuch an excellent tool, Kathy. Thank you for sharing how your computer reads a manuscript to you.
DeleteWOW! Thank you, Suzy, for this plethora of goodies to put in my tool box!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Cute Charlotte. Hope your toolbox has room for these tool tips.
DeleteEvery writer needs a toolbox! Mine is filled with pencils and a sharpener, index cards, post-it notes... and some colored pencils just for fun.
ReplyDeleteYour toolbox sounds like it can be portable, Sue. My colored pencils have erasers, too.
DeleteVery cute way to organize! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletePerhaps you and your students can create a kids writing toolbox.
DeleteThank you, Tina.
Great tools!My Toolbox includes, SCBWI and its Blueboard--answers to all your questions, QueryTracker, and critique partners and groups along with Microsoft Office which has digital post it notes and the like.
ReplyDelete