The Care and Keeping of Your Writing Tools: Part 1

The following is a guest post from Purposeful Prose's own Chartres Royale. The tools that we use for composition are not limited to our screens, our minds, or even our pencils. They start with us, and they keep moving forward. This article will be divided into two parts as the subject matter is worth the time and attention we spend perfecting it.

Hello again, my dear readers. It’s me, your favorite collection of terrible ideas here to talk to you at length about things related to writing. This time, I mean that in a very literal sense. Don’t worry, we’ll get back to writing within different genres and themes. For now, let’s focus on the thing you’re writing with. I do mean that very literally too. It’s time for some spring cleaning!

Maybe you’ll find yourself losing track of things you should be doing. I know I do. Between writing, working, home care, self-care, and whatever my million-entry to-do list is demanding I do, I often let things slip away or put them off until tomorrow. Most certainly I won’t have to do a million things tomorrow...I say as I add more entries to my to-do list. Sometimes, we forget that the things we use most to take care of work and do our writing are things. They also need care and work put into them as well.

In this little article I want to discuss that. Not “how-to.” Not really. After all, these things are yours, and I usually assume that the person who owns the object in question must know what they’re doing. It is yours, after all. I only want to offer tips, advice, and questions. Specifically, I am offering ideas on how to work on the tools of your work.

Part One – You. No, Really.

I did say I was going to be literal. I want to start at the top with some very important things that I have addressed in other articles as well. You, wonderful writer, I’m afraid, are still human. I know. It would be so much easier if we were brains in jars with tireless little writing robot hands. Alas, that isn’t now. Now, you do need to take care of yourself.

Let’s start with the simple things. Let’s say you’re at your writing set-up. Maybe it’s a desk or a table. Whatever feels best for you. While composition of the written word may make you feel excitement and keep your momentum up, in actuality, you are sitting very still for an extended period of time. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but do you know who really hates that? Your body. More so when you start reaching my age. Taking the time to stand, stretch, or just move around a little will do wonders for you. Set a little timer if you have to. Some writing programs and web browsers even come with a little “take a break” reminder. When you see a reminder like that, stand up and do some stretching, walk around your space, or walk outside for a while.

I have something similar on my computer, a clock that announces the time every thirty minutes out loud. I listen to music when I’m working so I know that my speakers will be on and at a volume that I can hear. It does help to keep track of the time as well as the time I spend working on things. Thirty minutes pass? Now might be a good time to stand and stretch, look away from the screen for a little while, even sometimes take a short walk out onto the back porch and check the weather for a minute before getting back to work.

Screens are another important point. I know it can be hard to just look away from the screen. I mean, you’re in the zone! You’ve got this project firing on all cylinders, you’re hammering away at that keyboard, getting so much done. That’s great! It’s so good to get in that headspace and really make some progress! However, from time to time, you really do need to look away from the screen. Even if it’s at any far point in the room or out the window, there should be something that’s just...away. Give it a little bit, let your eyes re-adjust. It doesn’t seem like a big deal, but any screen is a bright light and staring at those too long can mess with your eyes and sometimes even give you headaches. Just give your eyes a break and look around. Looking at something far off can help with your focus, too. You spent a lot of time looking at something up close. Change it up a bit and see if that doesn’t help a little.

Editor’s Note: Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as digital eye strain, refers to a group of issues that can negatively impact a person’s vision. While there are specific lens prescriptions or protections that can be put in place, they are not a perfect solution.

Let’s talk about your desk, aside from the tools you usually use and the things you like for decoration. What else is on your desk? Do you have enough space for all the things you need to do your work properly? Not feeling cluttered or closed in can help a lot, too. Take some time once a week to tidy up a little. Move some things around, make some space, just make it feel clean and comfortable.

Also, reader, what are you drinking? No, seriously, do you have water? Full confession: I wrote out that question, then realized I didn’t, so I stopped to get some. Water is really important for your health. Humans are composed of a lot of it, after all. I will also admit I am bad about too much coffee. I make a pot every morning before I start on my work and, if I don’t remind myself, that might be what I drink most of the day. That’s not great. I’m trying to make an effort to drink more water and take better care of myself. All that said, I would recommend you do too. Your health is important and only you can really make positive, lasting changes for yourself.

Both my amazing editor and I have, on multiple occasions, had to remind each other to drink water or have something to eat. While your work can be an empowering, motivating force, it will not exist without you. The time you take to care for yourself will show in your work ethic. Your story is yours and it will wait for you. Just take a moment or two for yourself.

Part Two – The Keyboard

Let’s move to the things you specifically use for your writing. I’ll try to touch on a few different things, but I will admit here that computers are my main focus since most people do tend to use them for writing. That’s not to say there aren’t people who choose the written word or the typewriter over the computer. Honestly, for those of you who can do that exclusively, you impress me. No jokes. That’s an incredible amount of concentration as well as coordination that I lack. My amazing editor will tell you that my handwriting isn’t as bad as I say it is, but I think they’re just being kind.

It’s atrocious.

Editor’s Note: I have eyes.

All of that aside, let’s talk computers. Now, for a little clarification, my background isn’t exclusively in writing. I’ve done a lot of odd jobs here and there, but my main focus has always been computers and technology. I taught myself a lot before really reading into and learning more on extensive programs, software, and hardware. We’re going to go over, bit by bit, the parts of your average computer, and I’ll give you a few tips here and there to help keep things clean and running a bit better.

Let’s start with the thing you use most, my dear writer. The keyboard. It does see a fair bit of action, doesn’t it? Even if you only write small poems or short stories, you still interact with this bit of hardware pretty regularly. As such, you should check it and make sure it’s clean and working properly. There are several keyboard testing programs as well as typing programs or games made to utilize this bit of hardware. The most basic, however, is just to open a text document and go through each key one at a time and make sure it responds the way it’s intended to.

The most common of modern keyboards is called a “Membrane Board.” It’s usually very flat without spaces between the individual keys. The keys themselves are pressure sensitive, and typing is usually a very quiet affair. Cleaning a keyboard like this is simple. Just wipe it down gently.

Do not use a liquid cleaner of any kind! I’m sorry for typing that so dramatically but, just in case you do not know, you should never use a liquid cleaner on a membrane keyboard. Even though the keys seem to have no spaces between them, there is absolutely a chance that a liquid could get in there and damage the board. Membrane boards are usually a singular unit so, if that happens, the entire hardware device could be ruined. You’d have to replace the entire keyboard. Only wipe with a dry cloth or blow off the dust with air.

Do not use a vacuum! I know a vacuum seems like a harmless thing, but it has the capacity to suck in a loose part of the device and, at that point, it could be damaged beyond repair or unable to be located to find a replacement. Always use air to blow out dust. This way, even if a part comes loose, you’ll be able to see it and find where it went to either replace it or order something to fix it.

Those two bold tips apply to everything in your computer, desktop, or laptop.

Now, the other keyboard. Mechanical Keyboards. I’m such a fan. Oh yes, my dear readers, your friend here is a big lover of the old-school mechanical clicky keyboards. I own more than one. These are bigger, more robust keyboards with spaces between the keys and, clearly, make a louder clicking sound when being used. The keys aren’t responsive membranes, but clicking switches that need to be pressed to engage each key. Thus, the name. My important tips also apply here but those of you who are really into these kinds of boards don’t need me to explain much to you.

I’m not trying to be condescending, dear reader. No, the main reason I say that is that most computers do not ship with a mechanical keyboard as a standard anymore. They haven’t for a very long time. In light of that, if someone does have a mechanical keyboard, the odds are good that they went out of their way to get it. Special orders, finding a proper shop, learning all the important tasks for caring for such a machine, and so on often come with owning a mechanical keyboard today.

I will go over a bit of what I do to care for my own board. The board I’m using is a Keychron Model K10. A lovely piece that was a gift from an even more lovely friend. Now, I always do my best to keep my workspace and my hardware clean, but dust is dust and it will get everywhere, even if you ask it nicely not to. It’s very rude like that. Once in a blue moon, I have to remove every key cap gently. I clean them to keep them in good shape and then take the time to dust and clean the board under the keys. The switches are all checked to make sure they are in good working order and, if all seems good, the unit is re-assembled and it’s ready to go again.

One of the additional features I have on this board is keys that light up. You can turn that function off if you’re not a fan of it. However, it’s wonderful for keyswitch testing. If the light comes on when you press the button, even if you’re not seeing the key type, you know that power is reaching the switch without needing to involve a voltage check. This method presents a fast way to eliminate one step in troubleshooting. Personally, I am a fan of the lights, and this model has many different colors and light modes. Keychron is not a sponsor of mine, though I’m not opposed to that. No, I’m just a big fan. You might see me mention hardware I’m a fan of throughout this. I tend to gush a little about things like this.

This ends part one in a two-part series on the care and keeping of your writing tools. Look forward to part two in a future post.