Building a Writer's Toolbox

Writing is a craft, and like all craftspersons, writers need a toolbox that carries specialized aids to assist them in practicing and perfecting their craft. There are many articles, blogs and books available on how to write, and these are certainly valuable resources for every writer.  However, beyond the how-to elements of the trade, there are several basic tools writers need in order to practice their craft effectively:

• Dictionary:  One of the most basic tools of writing is a good dictionary.  It is indispensable to writers by the sheer number of word elements it provides.  A good, comprehensive dictionary will provide writers with five major aspects of words.  Primarily, it will provide the spelling and meaning of the word.  But it will also indicate how to pronounce the word, how to use it in a sentence, and in what context the word is appropriate.  It may even provide the history of the word or a pictorial illustration of the word.  In one dictionary entry is a wealth of information immediately available to writers that help them understand and use words appropriately.

• Thesaurus:  Another indispensable writing tool is a thesaurus.  Its primary function is to provide alternative ways to express a certain idea or image.  However, it also allows a writer to engage in creative wordplay and idea association by creating chains of words that lead to other words and promoting creative association between dissimilar images by providing opposites or antonyms. The best use of a thesaurus is avoiding trite expressions and cliched images that weaken writing.  Finding new and exciting ways to say things leads to more effective writing.

• Grammar Guide:  Beyond word use and creative expression is the necessity of good grammar and writers need at least one, if not several, reputable grammar guides in their toolbox. Nothing can sink writing faster than poor grammar.  Readers may not be grammar experts, but they will notice bad grammar and so will editors. Grammar guides provide instruction with punctuation, sentence structure, capitalization rules and a whole host of writing specifics that help writers express themselves intelligently and clearly.  

• Research Sources:  Every type of writing requires at least some minimal research and having reliable research sources is a must for writers.  A writer's toolbox needs a list of such sources that writers can return to again and again when accurate information is needed. The list may include sources such as government documents, university websites, research institutes, expert websites, science and history books, etc.  The list will vary from writer to writer but should include indisputable sources of accurate facts and details writers can rely on.  Inaccurate information is a writer's worst enemy and a list of reliable sources can guard against costly errors.

• Other:  There are many other resources writers can add to their toolbox to enhance their craft, such as:  quotation dictionaries, description dictionaries, visual dictionaries, reverse dictionaries, language usage guides, word menus, style manuals, etc. Using these types of tools strengthens the writer's craft by promoting creative thinking and producing more polished work.

There can never be too many tools in a writer's toolbox, but there are some basics that every toolbox should have.  Tools that help writers understand and use words appropriately, find new and exciting ways to express ideas and images, express themselves intelligently and clearly, and infuse their writing with reliable and accurate information are worth their weight in the writer's toolbox.  These essential tools will arm writers with the skills they need to produce clear, effective and interesting writing and pursue their craft as experts.