Do you always use the computer to write?

randolphfine · Post by **randolphfine** » 01 May 2014, 09:54

Depends on what I am writing. For my blog, I usually write on my breaks at work and therefore cannot type it up. I take a piece of white paper, fold it to have two equal columns, and then fold it again to make it easy to stash in my pocket. I will write through the night (I work the graveyard), and then come home and type it up.
For my other projects, I stick to composition books as my first draft. I tried typing as my first draft, but I always get caught up in editing as I go and will lose my train of thought. I once had a professor suggest that I turn off my monitor as I type, but I would try to correct from memory while looking at a blank screen.

Skarmy · Post by **Skarmy** » 02 May 2014, 01:16

I really like writing on paper, especially since it's more convenient for me during a lot of the day, but I don't like that writing on paper means I have to retype everything back up. It feels like so much extra work I could have been using for more writing rather than the same writing. I've gotten a couple apps on my tablet since I always have it with me, but I type so much slower on it than writing by hand I hardly ever want to bother with it.

Nathrad Sheare · Post by **Nathrad Sheare** » 02 May 2014, 02:30

Everybody knows typing is much faster than writing. I just thought that would make me sound 21st century conscious... I have notebooks, journals, stacks of computer paper... Oh, look, sticky notes! Okay, so I haven't made my peace with my computer yet, but you don't know what it does to me all the time! You don't know anything about me! No, I'm not trying to blame someone else for my own problems... No, really, I'm not! The thing's made of plastic for crying out loud! Why are you looking at me like that??? Stop looking at me like that!!!

Oh...

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 04 May 2014, 14:53

Today (May 4) a reason why I'm glad I use the computer (and back up my stuff)!

I had to make a change in my novel in progress (about 38,000 words so far) and I opened the file in Word and executed a blanket edit, thought smart of myself and saved the edit. Then I realized that I'd botched the edit and in process, had wiped out key text passages! Arrgh!

But hey, I make backups! And I make them not only regularly, but before and after any big changes. So I just grabbed the DVD I'd burned and recopied my backup files. Yay!

Were I to have written things on, say, a physical 8x11 tablet, I'd have essentially had to search through the trash bin outside to find what I'd tossed.

Lesson: Always make backups!

RobertM · Post by **RobertM** » 05 May 2014, 00:29

When the story flows, the only thing that can keep up these days is your computer and the keyboard. Set your Word program to autosave every ten minutes and you'll always be able to find where you left off, minus a few lines.

gali · Post by **gali** » 05 May 2014, 04:34

I mainly use the computer to write my reviews, but I write drafts on papers.

Condeeng · Post by **Condeeng** » 05 May 2014, 05:36

I normal use computer to write. That my work

scriptbunny · Post by **scriptbunny** » 08 May 2014, 20:57

In general I like to write on the computer, just because I can type quickly enough to keep up with my thoughts. However, if I'm out and about or if I just want to detox from technology, I'll carry around my leather-bound journal and jot down scenes in that instead.

R_H_Ali · Post by **R_H_Ali** » 09 May 2014, 16:59

I type as well as write by hand.

The typing is very beneficial in terms of editing and going back to what I've written and adding/taking away things without making a whole big mess.

I use notebooks to plan my stories/articles/reviews and sometimes map out the direction of the work. I also accumulate all my research in notebooks; including clippings, photos, drawings and images of things appearing in the work.

So both media are highly advantageous and useful to me in their own ways.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 09 May 2014, 17:30

Used to use notebooks for random info, transitioned 100% to computer. Except, of course, when in the shower. Thankfully I have a good memory. Whew.

randomcheerio · Post by **randomcheerio** » 09 May 2014, 17:40

I use a combination of both. I usually start a draft by hand then transition the work to computer. Then sometimes I'll go back and forth.

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 09 May 2014, 17:56

I did the same as you, random. Now it's all computer. I did keep notepads by the bed in case of late night ideas, but I weaned myself and rely only on memory now till I get to the laptop, works fine.

SWilder · Post by **SWilder** » 09 May 2014, 18:31

iamthedreamer9 wrote:The only time I don't type is when I don't have a computer around and a "great" idea pops into my head. I am a much faster typer and ideas usually flow better when I am typing something up.

Ditto. Except for poetry, which seems to come easier by hand. I like to type ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ at the top of the page to help me run through rhyming possibilities.

Nathrad Sheare · Post by **Nathrad Sheare** » 09 May 2014, 18:46

Hey, moderntimes, how IS the writing going, while we're on the subject? You exceeded 40,000 words a few days ago. Gotten any further?

moderntimes · Post by **moderntimes** » 09 May 2014, 20:17

I'm working (somewhat) diligently on the new novel, passed 50,000 words yesterday, and I pretty well know what will now occur and have also blocked out the ending. So the goal of completion is in sight, sometime this summer.

I've got a very low-channel publisher who'd likely want the book but I'm first gonna shop it around to agents and other publishers first.

But --- advice to all prospective novelists -- you FIRST must complete your writing before you try to sell it (unless you're maybe Stevie King). So I really cannot start my agent search untii I first have the novel finished, proofread, proofed again, spotless. And not before.