The business of writing has its pros and cons, as does any other endeavor, but one of the pros of writing is that the equipment necessary to accomplish the task is minimal. There are only a few required items. After that, it's up to individual preference as to what is "necessary" for you to get the job done.

One of the first necessities is a place to write. Unfortunately, this is also the area where more often than not, we have to make ourselves content with what we can get. For some this may mean a small desk in a bedroom corner, the kitchen table, or your computer center.

Size, location and decor are not as important as what your writing area represents. Settling in to your writing spot should be a signal to you that it's time to stop worrying about the grocery list or giving the dog a bath. It's time to write. And it should represent a huge "do not disturb" sign for those old enough to understand that. No one would consider barging into a CEO's office unannounced to ask for a peanut butter sandwich. This is the place where the business of writing has priority, and you are the CEO!

Don't despair if you're saying to yourself, 'I write anywhere and everywhere' or 'there is no room anywhere to call my writing spot. I have to write where and when I can.' That's not a problem, as long as you're getting it done. You may consider keeping current projects and your goals and calendar in a portable file that can follow you about, wherever you may roam! In this instance it's your box or crate that marks your "spot" and gives the same signals to yourself and family.

Besides a place to call your writing home, you will also need dependable equipment. For first drafts, dependable equipment may consist of a legal pad and a pencil. For revisions and editing, however, it goes without saying that nothing beats the computer. Then for final drafts for submission purposes, you also have to give attention to your printer. Many editors will not accept manuscripts printed on a dot matrix printer. The printouts are often hard to read and difficult to copy or scan. Opt instead for either an inkjet or laser printer. The only thing you need to watch for in this case is smudges on pages from a inkjet printer.

Your stock in trade is ideas expressed in words. It's logical then to have a dictionary and thesaurus handy. Any how-to writing books that inspire and educate are a worthwhile investment as well. Just don't forget practice what you read! You can consider also subscribing to some writing journals that teach as well as keep you up-to-date with marketing trends and information.

If you're wanting to make your writing time lucrative, you also have to think business. In this vein you will need an updated marketing guide, such as Writer's Market, or Writer's Manual. Your journal subscriptions can come in handy here, too. You will also need a filing system to record what you send out, where you sent it, and when to expect responses. You will also want to file information on other potential markets you come across. It is helpful, too, to have a file for ideas. If you have a place to file away ideas that you jot down, this can help you avoid project-hopping to the point that you have a million half-finished pieces, but nothing completed to send out. When you have a new idea for a better project, write it down and file it, and make yourself finish the current project before you move on to a new one. If you prefer to have multiple works in progress (and some writers do), then make sure you set a limit on how many.

Speaking of mailing out, you will save yourself time if you have all your mail-out material at hand also. This would include paper for the manuscript, manuscript envelopes and/or boxes, pre-addressed self-addressed, stamped envelopes (SASEs) for replies, SAS reply postcards, labels, stamps and perhaps even a mail scale, if standing in line at the post office is something you use as an excuse not to mail out that manuscript! <G>

Considering last week's lesson, your writing area should have at least two other elements: It should be full of positive things, things that make you feel glad to be there, things that inspire you to get busy. You might consider having your goals on display, as well as a calendar to keep track of your goal time lines.

Before you can decide what else you need, you will need to take the time to examine yourself and how you like to work. Do you need an alarm clock or timer so that when you get lost in your work you don't forget you have a family that needs dinner? What about lighting? Do you work best in subtle, diffused light, or bright light? Some prefer a warm room, while others like it cooler. Certain personality types require a clean desk and straight-backed chair to "get down to business" while others work better curled up in an armchair or sitting cross-legged on the bed. If you need white noise or music to work, then make provisions for this. Same if you need absolute quiet.

One writer said that she wears a "uniform" to work. The act of changing into her work clothes served to give her the feel of "going to work" and she was able to focus more easily on focus on the job she needed to do.

If you like to work with something to drink at hand, put a coffee pot in your office, or gather a pitcher of lemonade, water, or "whatever" :-) rather than just a cup. Keep track of what you leave your "station" for, and then make sure it is at hand to prevent interruptions at a future writing session.