How to Make a Writer's Travel Pack

Even though I'm a professional freelance writer and I work from home, sometimes I like to go outside the house to work. I don't always take my laptop, but I do always take at least one notebook with me with a pencil stuck in either end. But, as any writer will tell you, there's often more to writing than just sitting down and spitting an article or story out. Often there are notes and other ideas that come to me as I write.

For instance, the other day I was working on a writing project about how to install carpet. The article itself was already lengthy as I was writing to an audience that I had to assume has no knowledge at all. Along the way I got some more article ideas like articles explaining how to seam carpet, pick carpet and so forth. Rather than just have a random list on a sheet of notebook paper, I wanted to keep each article separate for notes along the way. That's where some of the items in my writer's pack come in handy. They help me to organize my writing as I go without having just a purseful or pocketful of random organizational tools.

I like to fish and sometimes when I buy a tackle box or fishing pole, it comes with these little organizers. As far as fishing goes, they are pretty useless to me personally. So, I got creative and made one into my writer's travel pack. I put the things in there that I felt i used the most as a writer. Paperclips, clip binders, post it notes, erasers and gum are some of the tools I use the most.

I put each item in its own compartment, saving me from having to sort through a tangled mess of paperclips and binder clips. I won't even chew gum that I just randomly find floating around in my pocket, so the small compartment in my writer's travel pack was just perfect for putting in a few pieces of gum. I like to chew on it when I can't or don't want to smoke. You'd be amazed at how much more productive I can be with a piece of gum in my mouth. I'm also kind of an oral hygiene freak, so that just gives me another reason to make sure that particular item is included in my kit.

In truth I am normally very unorganized. That means I can kill a good 1/2 hour just gathering the things I need when I want to leave the house to write or do some research. This handy writer's travel pack saves me time because I don't have to search for anything. I leave the pack in my jacket so it's always handy. Then, when I want to go out and write, I simply grab my jacket and notebook and head out the door. It would be interesting to see what other professional freelance writers would put in their travel packs!