Most writers I know are pretty particular about how and where they write.
We like our familiar and comfortable surroundings. We also like our
familiar, comfortable and usually very ratty reference books. And we don’t
like to change them very often.
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My copy of The New Roget’s Thesaurus is twenty years old and looks it.
Sometimes I’ll use online thesauruses but I don’t find them as useful and
comprehensive as my little blue book. I like the fact it was complied in
1912. There’s some fine old words in there that are missing from newer
editions. Another book I can’t find a good online substitute for is the
Ultimate Visual Dictionary. It’s useful for looking up the names of body
parts, ship fittings, geological features, building terms, etc. Nothing can
substitute for its clear, well-labeled photographs and illustrations. I
find myself reaching for it on a daily basis. Next comes my one-volume
encyclopedia for quick, general fact-checking and my field guides for
various details on birds, insects, mammals, flora and geology. These I
have close at hand at all times. Other reference works depend on the scenes
I’m writing. Some scenes need very little: two characters spilling secrets
over supper will probably only need a few specialist details to give the
scene a sense of place. Battle scenes on the other hand are always a good
way to pile up bodies and books.