When I started to take seriously my intention to write (that was 7 or 8 years ago), using a computer and a word processor seemed to me the most apppropiate thing. After a while, I decided to go back to pen and paper, using one notebook for each new story I begin (shamefully I haven`t had to buy too many of them ). The thing that convinced me to change was the fact that in my word processor when I decided against a phrase or a paragraph I just deleted it, losing that forever. Now, in my notebook I keep everything I write, and I have found more than once that things I thought to be useless, after some time become interesting again.
I would like to know (if you feel like telling) what you think about it all and what method suits you best.
(First thread I open... I feel a little nervous )
[This message has been edited by Axi (edited December 14, 2004).]
Posted by dpatridge (Member # 2208) on :
BOTH! i use both computer and pencil and paper. whatever i happen to have handy at a particular moment.
i usually end up using pencil and paper for random ideas that come to me in odd circumstances, and then i fill things out on a computer. but i ended up doing half my prologue to Searth on paper, and a third of my christmas parody was on paper before i typed it into the computer...
when i first started to write and enjoy doing so, it was always on paper... my teachers insisted that i have paper rough drafts rather than typing things all the time... so i guess old habits die hard, even when they were forced on you.
Posted by mikemunsil (Member # 2109) on :
I like both, but writing on paper is an indulgence for me.
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
I do both as well. I draft straight into the computer, because I type a heck of a lot faster than I write, not to mention more legibly. I always edit or revise on a printout, which I keep and label by draft number. Then I enter the changes and begin the cycle again, printing and revising from there (after a while of not looking at it and working on another story) That way, I always have the old version, should I wish to refer back to it or restore something.
Heresy
Posted by Keeley (Member # 2088) on :
I use both because they both have advantages.
Predominantly, I use a computer because writing things out by hand frustrates me. My hand moves too slow. Plus, it makes for easy re-writes and less wasted paper.
However, I've found that transferring a story from paper to fresh paper or a computer document forces me to see problems that I wouldn't have seen otherwise. I can get the equivalent by re-typing a story into a brand new document, but somehow it just isn't the same.
Posted by Lord Darkstorm (Member # 1610) on :
I type my stories on the computer. I print them out to read them. Most stories I critique get printed and the red pen comes along with it. Since spelling is not one of my stronger skills, it is nice to have something tell me that I didn't spell something correctly. I don't care much for the auto correct features, it doesn't help me learn to improve my spelling.
Besides, my handwriting is horrid.
Posted by punahougirl84 (Member # 1731) on :
I like to use paper for my initial thinking - ideas, notes, graphic organizers, research, outlines, character sketches (though I have organizers on the computer, so I can print them out and use them as I write out notes and ideas). I use both plain and lined paper, and am moving in to also using notebooks for this. I'm not sure how that will work, because with loose paper I can shuffle my work around, but I'd have to tear stuff out of a notebook to rearrange, or rewrite.
I rarely do actual story writing anywhere but the computer. My carpal tunnel makes handwriting very painful - I get numb quickly with consistent writing. I write, save, print, edit with a pen on paper (I copy my workshop's notes and edits onto one paper draft), then go back to the computer to rewrite - but save it as a new draft, so I can always go back and see a prior version. I had 11 versions of the first story I sent out - all saved!
Posted by MrClean (Member # 1958) on :
I have used both but I prefere the computer just for the sake of speed and reason mentioned about spelling and editing. However when I do a re-write I use the 'track changes' mode in Word, then save that as a new file named (title rev 4) or something like that. I then have the original plus each successive revision with all the changes highlighted by Word. If I want to go back and 'get' something and use it again, it still exists.
One of my favoite things to do though is to set outside in fresh air with a pad of paper and a pen and just write by hand. Some of my best thoughts happen that way.
MC
Posted by GZ (Member # 1374) on :
I'm mostly a computer person. I hate retyping from handwritten documents, and I'm in the habit of composing at the computer because it is faster and spell check is my friend. If I start making major revisions to something, I save and date as a new file so I still have the old version.
Sometimes I'll brainstorm a story on paper, or try some openings. Paper also works when I need something different to jar me out of a slump. But its never more than a page or two before I'm back at the keyboard.
Posted by Whitney (Member # 2176) on :
I rarely use pen and paper now-a-days unless it's to make some notes if I'm not at my computer. I just type and think too fast for me not to get frustrated with manual documetation.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
Computer. I almost never take handwritten notes of any material that isn't being handwritten by someone else while I'm taking the notes.
I also find reading from a computer screen much easier and faster than reading from paper.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
I think I still have the most written on paper, but that is mainly personal journal stuff.
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
I snip lots of things out of books and magazines, catalogues and newspapers and shove them into envelopes. An envelope might be named something like : 'The Village Fair' (that is one scene I am currently filling). It is funny, most of the images are oranges, reds and gold. I'm thinking of making it all happen at sunset.
They are mainly photos though.
Sometime I draw maps and diagrams on the envelopes or slip in doodles I have done while on the phone at work or in meetings etc.
[This message has been edited by hoptoad (edited December 14, 2004).]
Posted by TruHero (Member # 1766) on :
I use both. Whatever is convenient at the time. Although, eventually it all makes it into the computer. Then sometimes I will print it out so I can read it out loud and do my editing on the pages. Then I go back and enter the changes into the computer.
That isn't how it happens all the time, but mostly. It works for me, and that is really what matters.
Posted by rickfisher (Member # 1214) on :
Computer. I only use a pen or pencil when I'm out somewhere and think of something I'm afraid I might forget. I started out writing on an actual typewriter (they didn't even have calculators then) rather than by hand.
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
For me I write on anything I can get my hands on. Computer, P&P, Nail and a board, Stick in the mud (that one turned out great till the tide came in.) I prefer Computer, something about looking at all the available letters and the words just pop out.
Posted by Magic Beans (Member # 2183) on :
I have gone from computer to pen & paper and back again to computer. I wanted to immerse myself in the pure physicality of paper and pen and it indeed it had an almost magical quality to it. At first I thought perhaps the slowness of writing on paper forced me to more clearly think out what I wrote and that my writing was better for it, but it wasn't so. When I went back to writing on the screen, I was just as careful in choosing my words but could arrange with greater ease. It's not about writing faster, but better.
)
). The thing that convinced me to change was the fact that in my word processor when I decided against a phrase or a paragraph I just deleted it, losing that forever. Now, in my notebook I keep everything I write, and I have found more than once that things I thought to be useless, after some time become interesting again.