eReader

It’s been a slow writing week for me which means I’ve read as much as I possibly can.  I have a new eBook which took a novel to get used to but is now an essential part of my writing toolkit.  Stephen King talks about writing toolkits in his wonderful memoir On Writing (which I recommend to every emerging writer).  It’s something I keep in mind when I get a new tool like an eReader.  Every writer needs to read books and so a Kobo (or whatever) gives me an easy way to read a book everyday whilst I’m travelling.  So far this week, I’ve been to Minneapolis, Kansas City, Chigaco, Miami and I’m now in Austin.  It’s impossible to write when moving around so much, but it is possible to read heaps.  And because reading helps me think about the book I’m going to start working on next then I’ll happily add my Kobo to my toolkit.

There are other crucial tools for writers – vocabulary, grammar, storyline, characters, style, voice – but making time for reading is the best way to inspire your work.  An eReader is as well designed as a book made of paper but it is a useful tool.  One I’m glad to have.