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Archive for March, 2010
Set up your office to write how to books! #6
82 years ago
Sunshine came softly over my office today …
Okay, I’m getting really silly with this one. There’s actually three items in this one and I didn’t feel like writing three more articles on this subject. 
Plus, I’ve got an announcement….
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I’ve now started writing articles on Ezinearticles.com. Which is why the new box off to the right there. One of my new articles is directly related to this topic … you can find it here.
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… and now back to your regular article ….
First and foremost of the items is that you need to decide about windows. One of the issues that you need to address is relaxing your eyes. Unfortunately, as writers we do 90% of our work up close. For those of us who are near sighted that’s perfect. However, in fact, no one can maintain a specific focus without tiring their eyes. And worse yet, computer monitors fool the eyes by causing them to jump between long and short focal lengths even though the monitor is actually at a short focal length.
In short, you need to rest your eyes. And for a writer that means looking outside at a distance. The further the better. So having a window available (preferably with a view) is very important.
Along those same lines, you need to consider lighting in your office. Natural light is the best light. However, relying on natural light means some days you will have too much light and other days you won’t have enough. You need to be able to reduce natural light by means of blinds or curtains. You also need to be able to supplement natural light. This means using lighting fixtures such as lamps. Mixing tungsten and florescent will give the most natural colour and is easiest on the eyes.
In case, you didn’t catch the reference, a fellow by the name of Donovan wrote a song with the line “Sunshine came softly through my window today …”. 
Hey, what can I say I’m old … I remember when it first came out.
Anyway, I figured it caught both the point about windows, and light and also led to the third item I wanted to cover. Noise (or music if you prefer).
Different people have different needs when it comes to noise. Noise has never been a problem for me. In fact, I generally prefer rock music or heavy classical music playing while I write. However, I’ve known others that needed absolute silence while writing.
That’s also true for the people around you. The noise you generate (aka your music) may disturb them.
So when setting up your office, you need to consider your situation with regard to music and noise. If people are disturbed by your music or you are disturbed by theirs, you’ll need a seperate office. If it doesn’t matter — to you and the people around you — then you don’t need to worry about having an office with a closing door.
Set up your office to write “how-to” books! #5
472 years ago
So far I really haven’t talked about what equipment you will need. A telephone, a computer of course, a coffee pot or tea kettle would be cool. A desk and book shelves would be helpful of course.
But the next most important item you need to consider … even before your computer … is your printer.
Sounds strange doesn’t it. But the thing is there have been so many advancements that your printer has become a key decision.
First off, you need to determine if you need a printer at all (okay I exagerate here 
). Are you going to be writing eBooks or physical books? Are you going to be writing books for traditional publication or books for on-demand publication? Are you more comfortable working on paper or on the screen?
Depending on your answers you may find that you don’t really need a printer at all… I’m definately exagerating here. 
At one time, traditional publishers demanded that all manuscripts be printed on paper for them. That’s no longer true — many (maybe most) will accept computer files of specific formats (usually .txt, .doc or .pdf). And many commercial printers such as Kinko’s and Kwik-Kopy have printers available for rent.
However, once you determine your needs there are three basic types of printers you can choose from.
1. Black and White Laser printers. Laser printers were once solely the printer of choice for large companies. However, prices have literally fallen through the floor in the last few years. As a result. black and white laser printers can be quite inexpensive both to purchase and to run … well under $100. If you are doing nothing but printing manuscripts these are a godsend and are the printer of choice for most people who write how-to books.
2. Colour ink-jet printers. For many years, now, the colour ink jet printer has been the only choice that most writers and home computing users could afford. They now produce colour prints which are indistinguishable from a traditional photograph. And they are very cheap to buy. However, they are not cheap to run. The inks they use dry out even if they aren’t used (generally within six months) and the ink cartridges are very expensive to replace.
3. Colour laser printers. At one time, only the biggest companies or those who were in the business of selling colour copies could afford a colour laser printer. In addition, their prints were not as sharp as an ink-jet printer. This is no longer true. New printers have come on the market which are quite inexpensive (anywhere from $150 to $300). And their quality is as good as a ink jet of a few years ago (although they still aren’t as good as a current photo quality ink jet printer). These are now a viable alternative for the home office. Their cost of operation is much higher than that of a black and white laser printer. However, because they do not have liquid ink, their cost of operation is much lower than that of an ink jet unless they are heavily used.
Set up your office to write “how to” books! #4
62 years ago
Do you remember when I discussed the most important item in your office I mentioned off hand that it was you?
Well, I wasn’t being entirely silly. 
Just mostly.
You see, any advice I or anyone else, gives you needs to be filtered through your own needs. The way I write has been developed through years of cubicle living. The way another writer writes will have been developed through their own experience. The thing is, we aren’t going to live in your office — you are. So you need to make it your own.
And no that does not mean put up pictures of the spouse and kids — not that that isn’t a good idea.
Each of us will have our own source of inspiration. When I wrote fiction, many years ago, one of my main sources was the local coffee shop. I’d go sit in a chair by the window and watch the people who came in and the people who walked by. From the homeless person who was convinced Sheena of comic book fame was his daughter. To the blingster with the two “ladies” on his arm and his BMW. Now that I write non-fiction “how to” books, my inspiration comes from a yellow, legal pad and a topic map. Or at least a mindmap. And coffee shops are for business meetings and buying high end coffee beans for my home espresso machine.
You also need to determine how and where you will write best through each of the stages of creation (inspiration, selection, consolidation) and through the physical writing.
Do you need silence when you write? Or do you need people around you? Can you handle interruption or do you need to concentrate? Will the other people in your life accept your lack of response or do you need to warn them they won’t get a reply or do you need to remove yourself altogether?
Are you organized when you write? Or are you a messy writer? Do you need a large area to display your book plan or just a piece of paper beside you?
These questions need to be answered before you can determine where your writing office will be.
Do you need a seperate office? Do you need an office in the living area of your house? Would the local coffee shop or library do the job? Do you need both or all? Will your needs change during the creative and writing tasks?
Once you have answered these questions you can determine the location and nature of your office. And your office will truly be your office.
