Three Tools Every Writer Should Own – And Use!

As much as I lead an online life, I still find three basic references in book form essential to writing well. There are many others, but you should have at least these three:

• A dictionary. Sure, you can look up words online, but there’s an opportunity for that special magic of serendipity when using the physical item. I use the American Heritage College Dictionary – it’s nicely portable and can be supplemented by online resources when you need more depth. If you want to haul out the big guns, you’ll need this: The Compact Edition of The Oxford English Dictionary: Complete text reproduced micrographically (in slipcase with reading glass).
• A thesaurus. Not only is it useful, but it’s fun! I use Roget’s Internatinal Thesarus, but I don’t have a strong preference.
• The Elements of Style – also known as “Strunk and White” or “the little book.” Not only is this short guide an essential book on good writing, but it is delightful to read. It’s now in its 50^th anniversary edition. You really should own your own copy.

There are many other excellent resources, but start with those three. Spend a bit of time in The Elements of Style chewing over Rule 17, “Omit needless words!”

If you need any further encouragement, remember that the “White” of “Strunk and White” is E. B. White, writer of “Charlotte’s Web” and one of the writers, along with James Thurber and Harold Ross, who shaped The New Yorker from a little humor magazine into one of the pillars of great writing and journalism (and still damn funny).  If you have any childhood fondness for Charlotte’s Web or Stuart Little, you’ll find that same wise and gentle voice in The Elements of Style.

Equip yourself with good tools! If you’re going to write and think like a writer, have these three within reach. Having them there is also a reminder of your goal and task. Let them remind you that you’ve set out to write and communicate. You need all of the help you can get.