I heard it when I was a teacher. A lot. “How do you write? Like, how do you actually make an idea into a story?”

Adults will sometimes ask me that, too, after they ask the old go-to: “So…what do you do for a living?” and I respond, “I’m a writer and stay-at-home dad.”

I started a little series of posts called Behind “The Process” to address some of the mysteries around how writers write. I started with Handwriting vs. Typing. Go ahead and check it out. I’ll wait here.

In my most recent Behind “The Process” post, Rewriting. I forgot something. A great tip that I’ve only heard once before, in some obscure article about writing. I don’t remember who said it. But I read this advice, followed it, and found it to be the most underrated writing tip, like, maybe ever.

Get an easel.

There, I said it.

An easel, a music stand, or one of those drafting tables that tilts up. Whatever works. After you write something down and need to type it out, put it on an easel. Or maybe you’ve printed something out, made your editing notes on it, and need to go back and fix it on the computer.

Easel up, cowboy.

For all the “tools” a writer keeps in their “toolbox”, here’s an actual tool that will improve the physical enjoyment of writing.

They don’t teach this shit in college, folks.

You’re welcome.

-CT