Being a script reader and editor at WRITESOFLUID, I read a lot of scripts and novels, plus I do a lot of annotating and note-taking prior to report-writing.
Being a self-confessed stationery geek this works out great for me, as I have a valid excuse (or at least one I can put on my expenses) to buy things that will help me work efficiently and brighten up my day at the same time.
Here’s my top 5 script reader must-haves:
1) MY KINDLE WITH ITS ORIGAMI CASE
My Kindle Paperwhite is used every day, for both script and manuscript reading as well as leisure reading. I have the overly-priced but rather marvellous official origami case for it in a striking fuchsia pink. I adore it, plus it makes it easy to hold and acts as a stand, too.
2) MY FAVOURITE SCRIPT NOTE-TAKING BOOKS
When I came across these A4 lined hardback notebooks in The Works which contain really nice quality paper, I found that they were ideal for writing notes whilst reading scripts and manuscripts. The paper takes all sorts of pens really nicely, so I can change according to my mood. Being spiral-bound, it’s easy to remove the paper when a book is complete so that I can shred the notes. The leftover front and back boards I reuse for my bookmaking hobby.
3) LENOVO YOGABOOK FOR WRITING UP REPORTS AND ANNOTATING PDFS
I do the majority of my work on my Lenovo Yogabook. It’s ideal for annotating PDFs thanks to the stylus, and I use Word on it to write up reports. As it’s a cross between a laptop and an Android device it helps me keep organised, allows me to digitise handwriting, and I can use apps to update my blog WWW.WRITESOFLUID.COM.
4) MY FAVOURITE MULTI-PEN, THE UNI JETSTREAM 4 & 1 MULTI PEN
When my husband came home from Japan with this pen, I was jealous. Thankfully, it’s available easily online, and he bought me one as a surprise not long after – it’s so good that he definitely wasn’t going to relinquish his one to me! The black, blue, green and red ball-point refills write really smoothly, and when you push the clip down you get a pencil too – as well as a rubber under the push cap.
5) MOLESKINE AND SIMILAR BOOKS FOR RESEARCH NOTES
As a script reader and editor it’s important I keep up to date with writing craft and trends, so I read a lot of books and articles. For research note-taking, which I will often refer back to, I like to use any Moleskine or Moleskine-esque notebook; preferably blank. I used to use Moleskine diaries every year, so to start with I craftily refilled my old ones with blank paper using bookbinding methods. However, since then, I have found many great Moleskine-esque notebooks in supermarkets and shops like Tiger.
Which are your favourite items that help you with work? Let us know in the comments!
BIO: Need feedback on your script or novel, or help with proofreading? Check out Michelle’s website HERE. Follow Michelle as @SoFluid on Twitter for script chat, links and articles.
