Welcome to my blog - a collection of thoughts and musings on the world of writing, books and all those wordy type things.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

How do you write?

How do you write? I mean, physically? Do you bash out all the words straight onto your laptop, or desktop computer? Do you scribble notes in shorthand to transcribe later or do you write things out in longhand in a posh notebook, again to be typed up later (after some deciphering has taken place, if you're anything like me)?

My tendency to do a couple of these things, depending on where I am, and how accessible the laptop is (and whether it's behaving today). At times I write directly onto the computer. I like the fact that my fingers, generally, can keep up with my brain using this method. (I knew that Grade A in GCSE Typing would come in handy!). I'm also a fan of this way of working for the ease in which I can, with just a couple of clicks, find out just how many words have tumbled out onto the page in each writing session.



However, I do also work in the old fashioned way at times. I enjoy the tactile nature of the paper, flicking over the pages of a day's work has a satisfying feel, quite literally. I also like the fact that, so long as you have paper and pencil (or pen!), you can work almost anywhere. If you want to write by the pool, or on the beach whilst on holiday, you can! Your trusty notebook won't trouble you with glare (especially not once you start filling up those blank pages), it won't go flat just as you come up with a fantastic twist in your novel,    sand doesn't bother it and if you drop it, you can just pick it up again...unlike its electronic counterpart.

My hand written preference is for yellow legal pads and a soft lead pencil. The former means I can mentally distinguish and separate my 'proper writing' from any other scribbles, lists and notes I've made as I only use these for writing. They also stand out nicely from other paperwork when I'm wondering where I've put it this time! As for the pencil, I like the soft gliding motion of this type of pencil. Pens don't do it for me, and harder lead types are just too scratchy.

So, that's the way I work. How about you? I really enjoy hearing about other writers' methods and habits so please leave me a comment below. I've told you mine, now tell me yours!

4 comments:

  1. I love the feel of a good ink pen on paper so tend to work that way, but I hate the tedious job of then typing it all onto a word processor. I find it really hard to be creative in front of a computer, I think I associate PCs etc with work and that really stilts the creative juices.

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    1. I hadn't really thought of that, despite always having computers as part of my various jobs, but I can certainly understand how it could be a block for some. Good point!

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  2. AnonymousJune 15, 2012

    I do an awful lot of plotting in my head, and sometimes jot thinks down as they occur to me on a post it/envelope or even my hand uf I'm out and about. However, I always type directly onto my laptop or pc because my handwriting is so bad I can't bear to read it back to myself and I type very quickly having done a course at uni many years ago.

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    1. I can totally relate to that! I think our brains go far faster than our scribbling hands can keep up with, and whilst I think, 'Of course I'll know what that means later', I'm ashamed to say that there are times I can't make head nor tail of it! So I class those moments as a chance for some extra drafting/editing!

      Thanks for the comment!

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I love to hear your feedback, thoughts and ideas but please be kind and play nice so that it's enjoyable for everyone. Thank you :)