by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

Writers use multiple programs, aids, and tools in their writing. We attend conferences to learn new and unique trends and updated basics to help make our writing life easier. One thing we forget is that all writing tools are necessarily about the craft of writing. Sometimes we need skills that extend beyond the details of putting together a book or an article. More often than not, these are things that appear small but in truth, are actually not only important, but essential.

When you hear mentors and writing coaches utter the words, “Follow the guidelines,” their words are not loosely spoken. In order of importance, learning to follow directions and do your due diligence is right at the top of the list. Guidelines are there to help make your experience of submission easy, but they are also publisher instructions, which lend themselves individually to each house. There are times when good old common-sense tools become proprietary and guidelines are the perfect place to learn what those tools might be.

Taking the time to find the necessary common-sense tools to keep in your toolbox is well worth the effort. You may not use every tool in the beginning, but as your writing skills grow, you’ll find the value in having these things at your fingertips.

We call these skills common-sense tools. It’s no reflection on your intelligence, simply one of those things we don’t think about as a tool. Our tools begin with that internal desire called determination and stick-to-it-tiviness. Again, doing your due diligence to be sure everything you prepare is in the best shape it can be in before you submit.

Here are a few tools that will help fill your toolbox for such a time as this.

*Prayer

Call me old-fashioned, but regardless of whether you’re beginning your writing career or starting your day, put your priorities in line. We are gifted, and even as Christian writers, God calls us into the service of the kingdom. Placing your task, your work, your talents before Him so that He might freely work through you is so important. After all, where did your gifts come from? Begin by praying these things:

• Your attitude – may it be pleasing and acceptable to Him
• A willing heart and a teachable spirit – that you might take on the approach you are not entitled, nor do you know everything. But you can be taught and led.
• A stick-to-it-iveness determination. Writing requires persistence and the determination to persevere when rejection comes our way.
• The ability to hand our work back into the hands of the Father so He can do with it as He sees fit. Learning to let go and trusting God’s plan.

*An Industry must – Microsoft Word

Don’t laugh, but in a world where there are tons of free programs, a writer needs Word. Go ahead. Kick and scream that Macs are better, bla, bla, bla. The industry standard is Microsoft Word. Yes, there are tons of free word-processing programs out there, but the problem is that unless the receiver has those programs, you can be in for a rude awakening. Go ahead, sink your teeth in and acquire Word for your computer, regardless of whether it’s a PC or a MAC. Here’s why. When saved projects are transferred from one platform/program to another, they can become corrupted. Specific editing tools may not be available, and tracking may become inconsistent, resulting in numerous problems that can arise, especially when you reach the editing stage with a publisher. They need everybody on the same page—literally. Just suck it in and get Microsoft 360 or at least Word. Life will be much easier. The days of reliable FREE software are history. Invest in software you can keep up-to-date and learn to use it. Again, the industry standard is Microsoft Word, and you should not submit in any other format unless instructed to do so. (Those guidelines are real helpmates.)

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC”]Writer “Musts” for Your Writing Toolbox by @CindyDevoted on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]

*One-Drive or Google Docs

As nice as these are for your personal use and retrieval/storage, they can be a royal pain when you begin to work with an editor. Files may become challenging to open, if at all, and even updated information can sometimes go awry. Save your work to your desktop and transfer it via email as an attachment, unless otherwise instructed. Depending on the settings and versions of the program used, Google Docs will email the recipient every time you make a change in a document. Consistency is hard to achieve when everyone has their settings set to suit their individual needs—you’re starting to see the problem. Do not correspond to editors using these programs unless they specifically request you to do so. And for the record, you never submit with a link to your work. You submit a document or a file as requested. Many editors will not open a link that they cannot be sure is a safe link. This is just good communication and good practice.

*Learn to use tracking

Tracking has a definite learning curve, but this is a necessity in your writing, especially once you receive a contract. Tracking is how editors make changes, leave you notes, and work through manuscript issues with authors. Other programs have their own tracking features, but Word is the industry standard, so take the time to learn how to use it effectively. This is a skill you will use frequently.

*Learn to save your work into a PDF

There will be times when you will need to either save your work into a PDF or learn to work with edits within a PDF. Take the time to learn how to navigate through PDF changes before you are placed under a deadline.

*Secure an off-site backup or an on-site backup system

Securing a sound backup system for your computer and your writing never starts too soon. Yes, it will cost you a little money, but the money is nothing compared to having lost a full manuscript into a non-retrievable black hole. There are companies that specialize in daily backups for your computer, which are very reliable and can completely reload the contents of your computer should you experience a computer failure or an internet theft. I am not saying Google is your answer, because things get lost just as frequently from Google and One-Drive/Google Docs as they do when left uncared for on your computer desktop. Be cautious, protect your work by saving it off your computer. Do your homework and either secure an independent backup hardware for your computer or a reliable company. A backup system is a must! It just is.

*Learn an organization method for your work

This may seem silly, but in working with authors daily, the one thing I find happens is that they are constantly sending the wrong file. Everyone organizes differently, so find the method that works best for you. The best method for me is to organize my work into files by novel, blog post, and article. Within those files are saved documents that are titled and dated. Ex. CHOHW_10_3_25. Let me translate. Come Hell or High Water and the date. As I name and date files, then drop them into the proper file folder on my computer, I never lose track. When I send a file, I rarely send the wrong one because they are easily accessible. Find an organization method that works for you and then use it. You’ll be glad you did.

*Keep a writing calendar

Whether you keep a calendar on your computer, phone, or you’re just old-fashioned and keep a planner. Keep a calendar. Jot down your appointments, conferences, and even log the work you’ve done for the day. Keeping a calendar helps you stay on track and prevents disorganization or author burnout. It’s easy to overbook a day, but when you write down your day, you see the room you have to carve out space.

*Learn to use Zoom

There are other group communications out there, but more folks use Zoom. It leaped on the scene during Covid and was more user-friendly than a lot of the group communications software. Others may bypass Zoom, but currently, it seems to be the most widely used. As groups progress in size and need, they move to more advanced platforms. Either way, learn to use this program. If you’re asked to meet face-to-face in an online meeting, it’s good to be familiar with the program. Your presentation is more professional and saves a boatload of time. This means, whether you use Zoom or another program, you should make sure you have a good camera on your PC or laptop, and an efficient microphone and headset if necessary. Most newer PCs and laptops come equipped with a good-quality camera and built-in microphone, but if you have an older computer, consider upgrading to current, high-quality hardware.

As you read over this list, you may think some of these items are silly, but honestly, these tools are a necessity in your writing career. Some require thought, others require learning a new skill, but either way, to best serve their writing career, authors need a handle on managing the little things that aren’t always taught in a conference.

Prepare. Have a good working knowledge of the items on the above list. Make the effort to put things in order. Mary Kay Ashe, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics, once said, “Much is lost but for one last effort.” As you begin your writing path, take the time to make your future life much easier now. Make that one last effort and begin to build your toolbox. Fill it with essential common-sense tools and writing craft tools. They’ll always be handy, and you’ll never regret the work.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and www.christiandevotions.us, as well as www.inspireafire.com. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning, best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com or www.wramsforwriters.com.