No longer does the writing life involve sitting in an attic, scratching away with a pen on used pieces of paper. There are many gadgets available to make a freelance writer's life easier. Here are my top picks.

1. Digital Recorder

Forget the poor sound quality and stretchiness of tape; it's time to go digital. A digital voice recorder is a must for freelance writers to record interviews and keep track of ideas. Writers should keep this device handy at all times, as inspiration may strike at any time. For me, inspiration is often inconvenient. I get ideas when I'm driving down the highway at speed. A digital voice recorder helps freelance writers to capture that inspiration the moment it arrives. The more good ideas freelance writers have, the easier it is for them to get published and get paid to write.

2. USB Pen Drive

I received one of these as a gift two years ago and it one of the most useful bits of technology I have ever owned. Writers can use this type of gadget to transfer files between any two computers. This handy device allows freelance writers to save files and take them wherever they need to. Writers who are visiting an editor's office can take with them samples of writing, completed articles and photos to illustrate articles. I take mine with me everywhere.

3. Label Maker

Freelance writers are always submitting work to editors and publishers. Writing out names and addresses by hand it time-consuming. Trying to create labels in a word processing program is easy enough, but getting the printer to print them correctly is not. Label makers save freelance writers time. I got one last year. Addressing envelopes is now as simple as typing in the address and sending it to the label maker. I then get a nice, easy-peel label in only a few seconds.

4. Ergonomic or Left Handed Pen

Although most written work is typed, freelance writers still spend a lot of time writing. It's easy to get cramped fingers after a day at the writing desk. One way of making this better is to get an ergonomic pen. Having an ergonomic pen means that freelance writers don't need to grip quite as hard. This reduces the stress on the hands and fingers. Writers who are left-handed, as I am, might also consider a pen that makes writing easy. I recently got a Yoropen. This pen has the writing end offset from the ergonomic grip, so that left handed writers can write without covering their own words.

5. PDA

Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) come in many forms. All PDAs will help freelance writers to keep track of their contacts and calendar. Most PDAs will synchronize with a home PC or laptop so that freelance writers can have up-to-date details in two locations. The most advanced PDAs can almost replace laptops. These wonder-gadgets allow freelance writers to check email, record interviews, share files and much more. Freelance writers with some time to kill will also be able to write articles and play games on their PDAs. This is my favorite of the five gadgets. I use mine every day.