Writers, unlike painters, sculptors, musicians and many other artists, don't need to spend a lot of money on a wide range of supplies. Truly, writers only require some paper and a pen to get the teeming ideas, words, plots and visions in their mind down. However, it's also very useful, and in many cases, quite essential to have other tools at hand as a writer. Writers may not have to invest much in the way of funds in their art but they do have to invest a lot of time, energy, persistence and talent.
A Dictionary
Every writer should have an excellent dictionary, not merely a pocket or student's one. Apart from a computer, this is what will cost the most money. The Oxford English Dictionary in compact form is a particularly good one. The text is tiny, requiring a magnifying glass to read and it's heavy enough to warrant its own stand, but it will stand the writer in good stead.
Words, after all, are the writer's primary tools. Thus, the more she has at hand in terms of both their definition and their etymology, the better. Keeping lists of words assists one to build vocabulary and increase the texture and style of one's writing. Other dictionaries, such as one's featuring slang words, difficult terms, literary notions, types of rhymes or forms of patois are also important to have around. They help the writer to create dialogue, elaborate character and construct rhyme schemes.
A thesaurus
This resource is also invaluable, particulary if the writer is composing essays, reviews or other prose. It will list the variant synonyms for the particular word. A thesaurus can also show the writer how these words are used in context. Variety is very important for a writer in terms of the language he or she uses.
A Computer/printer
While one can and perhaps should write first drafts, at least of creative works, by hand in order to more deeply, and with fewer distractions, plumb the subconscious, when one is revising, a word processor is necessary. Rather than crossing out and starting all over again, a computer can assist the writer to make changes quickly and neatly.
Texts can also be stored on the computer, and preferably also on an external hard drive for back up. This process is much safer and tidier than a file cabinet and particularly useful when one is sending out material for publication. It can simply be sent by email or printed out and mailed off in multiple copies. Also, having the internet hooked up can aid a writer to do online research, to keep in touch with resources and writer's groups and to maintain a blog in order to promote his work.
Other Tools
Along with the above, a good quality recycled paper, a number of pens in different colours with smoothly flowing ink (Sarasa is a recommended brand), a quality chair with decent back support and a wide desk with lots of room for materials is also required.
However, most important for a writer are the inner tools: a sense of awe, a questing mind, a love for language and a depth of imagination.
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