♦Welcome to another edition of the Open Book Blog Hop!♦
Topic #338
What are 5 must-have things you keep on your desk, and how do you use them?
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My tabletop must haves are quite uncomplicated. I’ll give you a few minutes to think about what an artist/writer such as myself has on their table for work. Let’s see how many you guess right. This list won’t be difficult. I swear! I am a no fuss kind of writer. Different tools for different tasks…
Also, keep in mind that we all like things arranged the way we like them. When something mucks that up on us, we can get a little edgy, am I right? I’m no different than anyone else. Who likes to stop everything to dig up a pen to jot something down? You know you’re going to forget before you get there. My anxiety and depression may also be a clue as to what is nearby.
So what is on my table?
My tabletop is, essentially, relaxed. The area consists of my comfy chair, an ottoman, and a tray table to set my computer on, as well as a lap desk to steady the computer, and said computer and it’s power station. Behind, there are a couple bookcases on which I stack other supplies. Those supplies include the run of the mill items of a work area: tissues, notepad, writing utensils, and so on. My planning journal is there along with a bottle of water (and likely a cup of coffee or tea). Lastly, I have my phone and its charger. My devices are how I get the bulk of my writing done. Everything else is a nicety to keep me content and focused.
If you’re thinking of my art, the tabletop needs change, but they’re on hand at all times, too. You’ll find drawing tablets I’m currently using (paper not electronic) and art supplies (which include pencils, sharpeners, erasers and stubs for blending). In addition, I have new item to help me move forward on digital pieces: a glove to stop my skin from activating the touchscreen of the electronic tablet.
Depending on which task I do, I need different sets of items. If I am writing, I need my notes (if there are any paper ones or electronic), the computer on which I write, my smartphone (sometimes it’s just a binky but it’s also a research aid), my cuppa, and a comfy seat.
When drawing, I need whatever tools fit the medium on my tabletop. If I draw on paper, I need paper and utensils that fit the end result (is it color or black and white). If I draw on a computer, I need my computer, the glove, and tablet pen. Of course, my cuppa and phone are nearby.
As I said, I’m an essentialist. I don’t think about much else outside of the task at hand, because I am focused. Once in a while, I’ll need to research for facts or an image to help me execute accurately draw an object, and often just use my phone (because it’s a spare screen that I don’t have to flip between program windows for). The majority of what is needed is right on my computer. That makes writing easily accomplished (at least for me) from any comfy seat.
Barebones helps me remain calm, too. If you know anything about anxiety, then you know that clutter can set us off. Time wasters (need to clean/straighten up, or pause to deal with other things) are thus mitigated. With my anxiety or any other distractions managed, I get right to work, and that is always my goal.
Click on the links below to see what the other authors have on their tabletop and how they use them in their work by clicking on their links below. You might discover something you need to add to your list!
