A Writer’s Life
A writing life is built one story at a time, but it's also shaped by the little things we reach for every day. Some are practical, some simply make the day a little brighter. These are the books, tools, notebooks, coffee, and comforts that have earned a place in my routine. If I recommend something here, it's because I use it myself and it has become part of my own writing life.
The tools on this page aren't the most expensive or the trendiest. They're simply the ones that have earned a permanent place in my writing life.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only include products I genuinely use, love, or believe are worth recommending. Thank you for helping support Sacred Storylines.
First things first…
Two of my friends asked me how I get started on my day.
I shared with them my favorite coffee.
Every morning starts with a 20-ounce cup of Death Wish Chocolate Hazelnut coffee.
I love it so much I could probably live on it...well, with a side of pizza. 🍕
Naturally, being an adult (boo-hiss), I eat healthy, drink plenty of water, and limit myself to one magical cup of coffee each morning, complete with a healthy serving of protein powder.
Gotta fuel those fingers to keep the keyboard busy. 😉
So...here's what I buy:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
How does your day begin?
Where Ink Meets Imagination
People sometimes ask why I still write with pens when keyboards are so much faster.
The answer is simple.
Writing by hand helps me remember. There are different synapses used or created when using a pen as compared to a keyboard…there’s a lot of science behind that whole thing so feel free to Google that and enjoy going down the rabbit hole it’s sure to open for you.
These gel pens and refills are my favorite for the nuts and bolts of writing in my journals where my stories live and the publication data. Being a prolific writer, it helps me not strain my hands and have an arthritis flare by using gel pens. They glide smoother with less friction than ball points.
Please take the time to experiment and find the pen or pens that work best for you, the one you reach for repeatedly because there’s just something about it. I use the one pen barrel and buy refills for the ink. So… For me, it’s these:
Get ready for smooth writing with these 12 black rollerball pens! Perfect for any note-taking or signing task.
These are the ones I reach for most often. These are also the ones I use to inscribe my books. The ink is smooth, dark and dries quickly.
These are the refills I buy:
Keeping the Story Straight
I learned a long time ago that my memory isn't nearly as reliable as a good notebook.
My computer stores the stories. These notebooks keep track of the life they live after they're written.
I use inexpensive, color-coded composition notebooks because they travel well, lie flat on my desk, and have become the archive of my writing life. Every time a story finds a home, it earns another line in one of these books.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
A typical entry might include:
Title: When October Wakes
Theme: Memory / Autumn / Family
Pages: 14
Published: October 3, 2026
Published in: Sacred Storylines
Favorite quote:
"The porch remembered every goodbye long after the footsteps had faded."
It may seem like a small thing, but after dozens...and eventually hundreds...of stories, it's surprisingly comforting to open one notebook and know exactly where everything lives.
Years from now, if someone asks me, "Where did you publish that story?" I won't have to search my computer or wonder if I imagined writing it.
I'll simply open the notebook.
People are often surprised that I use simple composition notebooks instead of fancy journals. Truthfully, I've found that the best organizational system is the one you'll actually keep using.