Author JR Stewart Blog

Keychron K2: A Writer's Perfect Companion

As an author, the tools we use to bring our stories to life are crucial. The right keyboard can make all the difference between a productive writing session and a frustrating experience. Enter the Keychron K2, a mechanical keyboard that has garnered a lot of attention in the tech community. After spending several weeks with this keyboard, I'm convinced it’s a gem for writers. Here’s why.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you'll notice about the Keychron K2 is its sleek, compact design. The 75% layout includes all the essential keys without the extra bulk, freeing up desk space and providing a clean, minimalist look. The keyboard is available in both plastic and aluminum frames, with the latter giving a more premium feel and sturdiness.

The keycaps are made of double-shot ABS plastic, which feels smooth to the touch and is built to last. The legends are clear and easy to read, which is essential when you're working long hours. The slight angle of the keyboard, adjustable with its feet, offers a comfortable typing posture, reducing strain during extended writing sessions.

Typing Experience

The typing experience on the Keychron K2 is where it truly shines. It offers different switch options, including Gateron Red, Blue, and Brown switches. As a writer, I chose the Gateron Brown switches for their tactile feedback without the loud click, striking a perfect balance between responsive typing and a quieter environment.

Each keystroke feels precise and satisfying, helping maintain a steady writing flow. The tactile feedback is gentle yet noticeable, ensuring that you don’t miss a single keystroke. For those who enjoy customizing their gear, the K2’s hot-swappable feature allows you to change switches easily, tailoring the keyboard to your personal preference.

Connectivity and Portability

One of the standout features for writers who work on multiple devices is the K2’s seamless connectivity. It supports both Bluetooth and wired connections, and you can switch between up to three devices with ease. This flexibility is perfect for switching between writing on a laptop, tablet, and even a smartphone.

The K2's battery life is impressive, thanks to its 4000mAh battery. With the backlight off, you can get up to 240 hours of use, which means fewer interruptions to charge. Even with the backlight on, it lasts around 72 hours, making it reliable for those long writing marathons.

Backlighting and Aesthetics

Speaking of backlighting, the Keychron K2 offers both white and RGB lighting options. I opted for the white backlight, which is bright and evenly distributed, providing a clear view of the keys in any lighting condition. The gentle glow of the backlight adds a touch of elegance and can be adjusted to suit different environments, whether you’re writing late at night or in a dimly lit room.

Compatibility and Additional Features

The K2 is compatible with both Mac and Windows systems, and it includes keycaps for both layouts, which is a thoughtful touch for those who switch between operating systems. The multimedia keys are easily accessible through the function layer, providing quick control over music and other media without disrupting your workflow.



The Keychron K2 is more than just a keyboard; it’s a writer’s best friend. Its compact design, satisfying typing experience, and versatile connectivity make it an ideal companion for authors. The long battery life and customizable backlighting enhance the overall experience, making it easier to focus on what truly matters—your writing.

Whether you're drafting a novel, penning an article, or jotting down ideas, the Keychron K2 offers the reliability and comfort needed to keep the words flowing. If you're in the market for a new keyboard, the Keychron K2 is a worthy investment that will undoubtedly enhance your writing journey.

When I first started writing, I was the definition of a pantser. An idea would pop up into my head and off  I went. Rarely did I have an idea of where the story was going, who the characters were, or how everything should fit together. I'd get around 20,000 words in and quit because I didn't know what to do next. For some authors, this kind of discovery writing is life giving. As they write they get to know the characters and the world and are able to build out from there. For me however, I need to have some structure before moving forward. Though I'll likely never be a full plotter, having some idea of where I'm going has helped keep me accountable as I write and has helped me finish one story while well on my way with another. 

If you're interested in writing, or want to know a little about my writing process the this is for you. Here's how I'm outlining and plotting "Mississippi Hills." I've adapted a model used by Brandon Sanderson to use with the app "Plotter." 

Step One: Overview

Okay, so you want to write a book. A moment of brilliance happened in the shower, or you jotted down quick notes from that crazy vivid dream and now you're ready to write the next classic novel. The first thing I do is write an overview of the entire idea in one paragraph. You don't have to have all the twists and turns in your story figured out, but you should know the gist of what you're wanting to write. If you need to, start with a single sentence and build it out from there. Whatever you do, don't move on until you can quickly describe the kind of story you want to write. You'll know what genre you're writing in, and will set the foundation for plotting that comes later.

Step Two: Characters

Next, we need to begin to build our cast. There are a few ways we can go about doing this. With Mississippi Hills, I thought of this process like I was casting a tv show. I knew the characters I needed: main characters, love interests, best friends, antagonists, etc. Check out character archetypes and determine what type of character fits your story the best.

Once we do that, we can go about building our characters. I recommend writing out three or four paragraphs about your main characters, while writing out one or two paragraphs for those supporting characters in your story.We need to know who these people are and what makes them tick. I don't plot out their entire lives, but with my main characters I do want to know some highlights. I decide what their enneagram type and wings will be, and think through 1.) How those past events led to them acting the way they do, and 2.) How would this personality type react in this situation. I try to diversity these personality types  to make each individual character stand out. 

During this time, we can decide other things as well, like what they look like, what their favorite foods are, and give them flaws and quirks that make each character look unique. 

Step Three: Setting

This step can be easy or difficult, depending on what kind of story you're writing. My first story on Kindle Vella, an epic fantasy called "The Valdor Chronicles," this step was a major undertaking. I had to create an entire world from scratch. Cities, Kingdoms, people groups and magic systems all needed to be designed before I plotted my first scene. For "Mississippi Hills", this process has been easier. I lived in New Albany for several years, so I've based the story on New Albany as it was circa 2008. Most of the restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries are real places you can visit today. 

If you're writing fantasy, even a cozy fantasy, you need to think through this setting. What kind of government do they have in your world? How does their economy work? Are they religious? What do they consider valuable? Is there magic? What are the consequences of using magic, if any? 

Step Four: Plotting

In Mississippi Hills, I'm trying something new. I'm using the "Plotter" app for this story and I love the presets they give you.

1. Stage 1: Setup
2. Turning Point 1: Opportunity
3. Stage 2: New Situation
4. Turning Point 2: Change of Plans
5. Stage 3: Progress
6. Turning Point 3: Point of No Return
7. Stage 4: Complications & Higher Stakes
8. Turning Point 4: Major Setback
9. Stage 5: Final Push
10. Turning Point 5: Climax
11. Stage 6: Aftermath

I'm thinking of this as a "Season One". As such there are individual episodes, but also an overarching structure as well. Therefore, I'm using this structure twice. "Welcome to New Albany", which includes the first twelve episodes, included Stage 1, Turning Point 1, Stage 2, and Turning Point 2. Yet, in these twelve episodes I also placed every scene under these. For example, Episodes 9-12 were in one sense considered turning Point 2 for the story as a whole, but also Turning Point 5 and Stage 6 for "Welcome to New Albany." In doing this, I hope that the plot never feels stagnant. Every scene has a purpose that propels the story forward. 

One I have this macro view of the plot, I go into each scene and began to plan out what exactly will happen. What is the conflict in this scene? What's the character's goal? How does this scene change the story going forward? What is the weather like? I like to outline my scenes, for example.

1. Rebecca and Henry walk up to the Apartment. (250 words)
2. Small Talk about Family. (250 words)
3. Cozy Moment: Describe Rebecca prepping lunch. (250 words)
4. Conversation gets personal. (500 words)

The word counts are kind of the Pirates Code, more a set of guidelines. I aim to keep every episode under 2000 words for Kindle Vella purposes. While several scenes will fit together when this releases as a book, for Vella I break each epidoe down into indiviual scenes between 1,000-2,000 words. 

Conclusion: 

There you have it. From beginning to end here are my steps for outlining your story. Now, get to writing! 

I remember hearing about the enneagram several years ago when I was applying for a job. Part of their process was for me to take a two hundred question test to create an enneagram profile. The purpose was to see how our personality type would typically react to stressful environments. I met with someone who walked me through my different wing types, etc and we talked about what matched and didn't match with my personality. 

As a novel writer, one of the most exciting yet challenging tasks is creating believable, three-dimensional characters that resonate with readers. An effective tool to enhance this process is the Enneagram, a personality typing system that categorizes human psyche into nine interconnected personality types. This system can be incredibly useful for writers looking to develop complex, dynamic characters with realistic motivations and behaviors. Here’s how you can use the Enneagram to craft detailed character profiles for your novel.

Understanding the Enneagram

The Enneagram is divided into nine types, each with distinct motivations, fears, and behaviors. Here's a brief overview:

1. Type One: The Reformer – rational, idealistic, principled.
2. Type Two: The Helper – caring, generous, possessive.
3. Type Three: The Achiever – success-oriented, adaptable, image-conscious.
4. Type Four: The Individualist – sensitive, withdrawn, expressive.
5. Type Five: The Investigator – intense, cerebral, perceptive.
6. Type Six: The Loyalist – committed, security-oriented, anxious.
7. Type Seven: The Enthusiast – busy, fun-loving, spontaneous.
8. Type Eight: The Challenger – powerful, dominating, self-confident.
9. Type Nine: The Peacemaker – easygoing, self-effacing, receptive.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Characters Using the Enneagram

Step 1: Choose a Basic Personality Type

Start by selecting a fundamental Enneagram type that aligns with your character’s core essence or role in the story. For example, a protagonist who needs to overcome flaws to achieve personal growth might fit well with Type Four, while a supportive sidekick might resonate with Type Two.

Step 2: Add Layers Through Wings and Subtypes

Each Enneagram type can be influenced by one or both of the adjacent types, known as wings. These wings add nuances and prevent characters from being stereotypical. Additionally, consider the three instinctual subtypes (self-preservation, social, and sexual) to add more depth. For instance, a Type Three with a Type Four wing might be a highly ambitious character but with a deep-seated fear of failure and a desire for uniqueness.

Step 3: Determine Developmental Path

Each Enneagram type has directions of integration (growth) and disintegration (stress), which can guide your character’s developmental trajectory throughout the story. In moments of growth or under stress, how do their core behaviors change? This can be crucial for plotting key turning points in your narrative.

Step 4: Create Relationships Between Characters

Use the Enneagram to map out dynamics between characters. How might a Type Eight, the Challenger, interact with a Type Nine, the Peacemaker? Such interactions can drive the story forward and add layers of conflict and resolution that are vital for a gripping plot.

Step 5: Reflect on Motivations and Fears

Understanding the deep-seated motivations and fears of your characters can enhance how they react to various situations and obstacles in the story. This internal consistency is what makes characters lifelike and relatable.

Benefits of Using the Enneagram in Writing

• Consistency: Characters act in ways that are true to their personality, even as they grow and change.
• Complexity: The Enneagram’s layers help avoid clichés and create characters with unique, multifaceted personalities.
• Conflict: Natural tensions between different types can be used to create compelling interpersonal conflicts.
• Convincing Character Arcs: By knowing the growth and stress paths of each type, you can craft convincing developmental arcs.

Conclusion

Integrating the Enneagram into your novel-writing process isn’t just about sticking to a formula; it’s about understanding human nature and reflecting it authentically in your characters. Whether you’re sketching out a major protagonist or a minor side character, the Enneagram can provide a rich resource for bringing your novel’s inhabitants to vivid life. Dive into this dynamic tool and watch your fictional world deepen with complexity and realism.