I guess most people, including writers, don't particularly think of a toolbox when they think about word crafting. I have been writing for decades, and I didn't realize I had the concept firmly in hand because my toolbox was, in fact, my house. How is that possible? No table top was clear of stuff. No room was free of writing instruments. No nook or cranny was devoid of something to write on or write with (Including the bathroom). 

One day I had the brilliant idea of organizing my 'writing stuff' into a nice, neat, easy-to-access pile. I attacked, digging everything that would make a mark into a very large...mess. But the mess was in one place. I tried sectioning them off--ballpoint pens here, rollerball pens there, pencils in a nice mesh cup, Sharpies in a sassy wood box. At the end I had an organized group of writing instruments. I also had writer's block.

WHAT!!! How can I be blocked when all those delicious tips and colors are right in front of me??? I tried reinventing the order--Set of things that were the same color or sets of things manufactured by the same company. Then I tried sets that contained one of each type. I was unmoved. 

I haven't had writers block for many years. Why? I am in touch with my own order. I know what makes me sit down and stream a chapter. I know how to keep from the brain freeze that annihilates creativity. So much of stimulus is blocked by the wrong writing instrument. I have written about this many times, and in many venues. The wrong pen equals disaster. 

I have spent many years at ease with my own process, so what made me try to organize? I wanted to actually see everything--lots of my favorite pens and pencils were lost under a sea of paperwork, research, bills, books. Instead of organizing those, I had collected my treasures thinking it would relieve the stress I was feeling about the mess. It wasn't a good mess. It was the wrong mess.

A toolbox doesn't have to be a metal box with a handle and a lock. It can be whatever contains the creativity. My house, my offices, my comfy places were already doing that. I had allowed invasion by other things. I needed a place for the business side of things that wouldn't disturb the creative side. 

Armed with this insight, I decided to take the tools I used for each project back to their spot--well, they hadn't really had a spot, and that had been part of the problem. I checked where I had put the paper for the project--journal, sketchbook, graph paper, white board, three ring binders, plain white lined paper--and made certain they were easily accessible to me from wherever I sat down to write. Then I used whatever container worked for my visual field--I have to SEE the pens before I can allow them to become part of the revving up process that happens just before I actually commit to paper. 

Once that was done, I looked over the area to see if bills belonged with my scifi trilogy, or research for a technical piece with my mystery series. Removing those reminders of other things on my to-do list gave me room in my mind to create. It didn't matter if they were in the same room, as long as I couldn't see them directly from where I was creating. A no interference rule where responsibilities are concerned, combined with some common sense and an understanding about how your creative flow works, will accomplish everything.

I really did scratch my head over it. Why had I violated this rule? Well, I was in a hurry, and I had been organizing a space for friends. I allowed it to carry over into my own personal place of business and pleasure. The adrenaline had pushed me beyond my goal, so I skunked my routine. Thankfully, I had recovered enough to get my things in order in a way that benefited my own operations. 

So why haven't I mentioned specific pens? I want everyone to understand how important the right space, time, medium, and writing instrument can be. If you are stirred, simply go to our home page and look over the categories. The choices are many; you will find something that fits YOU. Enjoy...