Like many jobs, writing becomes much more fun once you have the right tools. Why else would people buy Moleskine journalism notebooks?

If you’re using a standard word processing program for writing, try visiting some of these websites.

• Liquid Story Binder isn’t free. But it is gorgeous. The software allows writers to make storyboards that combine images, text, outlines, mind maps and even audio files related to a story, book or journal. (I expect e-books will include more multimedia, sooner or later.)
• WriteRoom helps Mac users write without being distracted by those artistically designed icons on their desktops.
• iWrite Assistant can track manuscript submissions, queries and payments. It’s also an online Rolodex for publisher contacts. But it can’t bring you coffee… yet.
• PageFour is a word processing program for creative writing. It subtracts many of the features writers are unlikely to use and adds new archiving, editing and formatting options.

Liquid Story Binder in action

There are other programs out there that you might also want to try. And then, of course, there are notebooks and journals. For example, here’s a recycled, leather-bound journal. There’s nothing wrong with writing by hand.

I don't think I'd buy one of these for myself, but I do accept PayPal.