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I have seen many references about what a writer needs to write. As in tools such as Scrivener or the Hemingway App or some of a dozen or more such programs that are extolled as the next best thing to sliced bread. Now don’t get me wrong, each of these programs have a lot of good things a writer can use.

The Hemingway App is an excellent tool to find those pesky adverbs. Adverbs are something editors look for. Look forward to removing. You need adverbs in your writing, but any time you can eliminate them, then do it. Now one thing I don’t like about the Hemingway App is it infers we all need to write like Hemingway. We don’t. We need to write like who we are.

If there is one thing, I tell writers and authors is to take anything anyone tells them about the correct way to write and tell them to put it where the sun doesn’t shine. You and I don’t need to emulate King or Rice or Rowling. They are all excellent writers with talent coming out of their ears. But they are not us. Nor are we them.

We take what they have to say to heart about writing. Use it in a way that applies to us because they have done it. They have created works which are read over and over again. An author’s dream. However, be choosy about whose advice you listen to. There are so many “experts” out there it boggles the mind.

A writer needs only two tools to write. A command of the English language and something to put their ideas on. That’s it. Well, you don’t need a command of the English langue if you are writing in French. However, you know what I mean. Have a command of the language you wish to write in.

Now there lies a rub. No matter where I go or what conference I attend someone has a definitive idea of exactly what is proper and correct in writing styles. Theirs is the only way to use the English language to tell a story. Just ask them. They want all writing to follow a small set of rules. I find this stifles so many writers whose style is different than what those people desire.

If we follow such people’s rules, then we will be denied many a great story. So, we are back to where we started. What tools does a writer truly need? Well then, I must modify my earlier statement. A writer needs a desire to create a story and a place to write it.

There you go. Simple. A writer needs to write. Whether it is by hand on paper or using a typewriter or on a laptop. All a writer needs to produce a story is the story itself and a place to put it down.

Now there are tons of people who will argue this. Let them. They will tell you, you need a means to outline your story and set up boards and plotlines and yada, yada, yada. Semantics on how to structure a story. These are good tools and ideas, but in the end, if you have a story you want to write, then write it. Sit down and do the hard work. Let your mind open and your fingers produce. Get off your butt and get it done.

These are the only tools you need. The story and the means to tell it. Period. Everything else is icing on the cake.

I’m Ross, The Editor-in-Chief at The Pyrateheart Press and I’m out.