What Equipment do I Need to Start Writing?

Luckily, you do not need thousands of pounds worth of equipment to start writing. However, there are some essentials you’ll need to make your life as a writer easier. To begin with you will need a note book and pens – to write down your ideas – you’ll also need to have access to a type writer, word processor or computer to type your work and some envelopes if you want to send hard copies of your work to publishers, but that’s about it. If you are not able to type your work there’s the option of paying someone else to do it for you. Being able to type your work is essential as publishers will not accept hand-written manuscripts.

What you might like to buy

Once you’ve started to earn money from your writing you’ll be able to invest in more equipment. You’ll probably want to get yourself a nice desk and comfortable chair, a computer with internet access, some stationary, a printer and possibly a scanner too. If you like to keep paper copies you may also want a filing cabinet of some kind.

Other costs

Most freelance writers invest in some kind of self-promotion. Maybe you’ll want to put a small advertisement in your local newspaper or a writing magazine. Or, perhaps you prefer to have a website where you can write a little about yourself and what you do, put up samples of your writing and keep a blog. If you do, you’ll need to put a little money aside to pay for these. Membership to professional associations maybe something you’d also like to do. This can be useful if you need someone to look over a contract for you or advice about rights and so on, plus it gives you credibility as a writer.

Having to buy these things may seem like a huge expense but, don’t forget, when you work for yourself any equipment or services you buy to help you carry out your job are tax deductable.

If you have a passion for writing, and are willing to invest time in developing your work then give it a go.

If you want to find out more about being a published writer request a Writers Bureau Comprehensive Creative Writing course prospectus.