A Writer's Diary Podcast

Toby Litt

Writing wisdom, advice and encouragement for every day of the year. Join me (and help me) as I draft a writing manual 'On Drafting'. awritersdiary.substack.com

  1. 5H AGO

    On Desktop Computers

    Good old 'desktop computers' - like 'wordprocessing software' they sound completely out of date. But they're having a resurgence, and there are some very good reason for using something big, formal, and at eye level, rather than something warm in your lap that makes you curl over like Nosferatu looking at a newborn baby. Desktop vs laptop, where do you sit? Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min

  2. 2D AGO

    On Laptops

    Laptops - you hardly even notice them any more. Not unless your coffee's just dripped through the keyboard, narrowly missing your hard drive. They're just where you are, when you write. Today's entry takes a closer look at these means of production, and at the wordprocessing software (yes, I know that sounds old-fashioned) that limits us without us noticing. Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min

  3. 4D AGO

    On the Desk

    Do you have a desk? Does some cruel employer (yourself?) force you to hotdesk? Or is all you need a laptop on your lap? Today's podcast is about that most taken for granted piece of a writer's kit - the surface beneath the writing surface. Welcome to the desktop world. Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    5 min
  4. On Typewriters

    FEB 13

    On Typewriters

    Today I'm talking about typewriters - not my current means of production, but definitely where I first began. What are the virtues of bashing out a sentence on a mechanical typewriter of the sort Tom Hanks would lust after? And what are the downsides of fitting yourself in to a stereotypical image of The Writer? Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min

  5. FEB 11

    Notes on Notebooks

    Today I'm trying to figure out - with your help - what to say in the writing manual I'm putting together about Notebooks. Fittingly, what I have so far are just some notes. I'm looking to get them into better shape, but perhaps that would be perverse. Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    6 min
  6. On Paper

    FEB 9

    On Paper

    Today, I'm on paper. This is a writer's workplace, if they're not using a screen, and so it's important to get your right. You probably have a favourite paper already. If not, here's some advice. Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min

  7. FEB 6

    On Smart Pens

    Smart pens are today's subject I'm tackling for On Drafting, the writing manual my readers and listeners are helping me write. What are the advantages of a digital notepad, and how resilient are they in the long run? Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    7 min

  8. FEB 4

    On Other Pens

    Today's entry in the Writer's Diary has a go at gel, fibretip, rollerball, and fineliners. I love them, but god they're environmentally disastrous. (See fountain pens for an alternative.) How far do each of them write? I found some stats. Get full access to A Writer's Diary at awritersdiary.substack.com/subscribe

    5 min
See All (30)

About

Writing wisdom, advice and encouragement for every day of the year. Join me (and help me) as I draft a writing manual 'On Drafting'. awritersdiary.substack.com

Information