A Useful Tool for Writers

The most useful tool a writer uses is—of course—a pillow. A good, fluffy pillow serves two purposes.

First, when placed on a table it softens the blow when banging out writer’s block from your brain. My pillow has prevented numerous concussions over the years, not to mention limit the red welts across my forehead.

Second, and most importantly, the clever writer has a pillow on hand at all times to...NO! Not nap. A good writer will doze off anywhere, anytime, and on anything including; couches, office chairs, desktops, library tables, bathtubs, busses, behind the wheel, garbage dumpsters. Okay, I threw the last two in there to see if you were paying attention. This writer does not recommend sleeping at the wheel or in a garbage dumpster. Back to the point. The educated writer often uses a pillow to whack things.

Just the other day when revising chapter one of my book The Toupeed Eagle I stopped halfway through and yelled, “This is GARBAGE!” It was then that the sun’s rays seeped through the cracked blinds and cast a golden spotlight onto my pillow, encouraging—almost begging me to pick it up and use it. Feathers went flying! My pencil, paper, and laptop will never be the same. But boy did they learn a good lesson. We’ll see if they let ol’ EJ down again. I have a feeling my pencil, paper, and laptop wish to avoid any future pillow fights from now on.

So while other writers and authors will brainwash you into thinking a Dictionary or even a Thesaurus is the most important tool a writer can use, I’m here to tell you differently. If you only have room in your carrier for one item, leave the Dictionary and the Thesaurus on the shelf. I never start a writing session without my pillow and I recommend you do the same. For the well-educated writer, a pillow is therapy held in a blue and green Yoda pillowcase. Also, when the words seem to flow better on a subconscious level, just whip out your pillow and you’re good to go.