A decade ago, I was a firm believer in the paper and pen... at least when it came to the beginning of a piece. I would proclaim, "I cannot write on a computer in the beginning. I must write it in longhand until I get into a real groove."
I believed it and stuck to it.
However, time is like gold these days. The computer is much faster, and my first draft, tapped out on my keyboard, ends up being just like the paper and pen version in one way: it is less than stellar. I know it, and I accept it.
Yesterday I wrote and submitted two pieces. (It was a productive morning.) They were conceived on my laptop and birthed there as well.
What do you need as a writer? How has your writing process changed over the years? Tap-tap-tapping minds want to know...
It's great and sounds so. I saw you... I see you in TeacherLingo.
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes from Granada, Spain.
I'm a teacher and teacher trainer.
Have you ever visited Spain?
Fernando--I've only spent a couple of evenings in Spain, right over the border from France. I had a delightful dinner both evenings, and tapas. Great music and colorful scenery, too.
DeleteThanks for stopping by...
I felt as you. I thought I could not compose on computer but now that is only way. In the beginning, I had to have a pencil not a pen. There was truly something magical about hearing #2 lead leave a trail across a pristine white page of paper!!!
ReplyDeleteClaudia--I agree. Now it's the only way (for me).
DeletePaper and Pen does not require a 24-hour on staff technical support person.
ReplyDeleteWho are you talking about? I need IT PEOPLE. One person alone cannot handle my computer snafus...
DeleteI just need the idea. Then I write it on whatever I have available. Note card, back of an envelope, flip-top tiny spiral notebook, flash drive on my work computer, a bank deposit slip.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to sit down at a desk top computer to let the details blaze away, but the creative sparks can start the flames licking on any tinder.
Val--Perhaps some day we will see in a bookstore the collection "Val's Scrawlings and Musings"--a coffee table book full of your gems on scraps of paper.
DeleteI'm a pen and paper girl. Kind of have to be; I pace a lot when I write.
ReplyDeleteMZ--Well, if that's the key to your success, I'm going to start pacing while I write...
DeleteI would be lost NOW without a keyboard, but at first I wrote long hand, too. It is amazing how much speedier, and easy it is to edit as you go. Give me a topic and I can go for it, but sometimes the muse goes on hiatus and it makes no matter what my writing instrument is..
ReplyDeleteLinda--I don't think your muse EVER takes a break. Come on, now...
DeleteI used to think if I didn't have four or five hours to write then I wouldn't have time to get anything accomplished, so why start? Now I know that an hour is just fine and I can get a lot accomplished in a small bit of time when I'm focused. (The key, of course, is when I'm FOCUSED!) :-)
ReplyDeleteCathy--Yeah, my mind veers off track when a bowl of mashed potatoes appears...
DeleteWhoops. Back to writing...
Pen and paper. I used a computer for NaNo and was surprised, but I still can't seem to just use that... pen and paper are meditative and contemplative for me.
ReplyDeleteLynn--And that really works for you. Knitting and doodling are relaxing to me... I wish I could get the same peace out of writing longhand as you do.
DeleteTime is the biggest component. There is never enough (every writer's complaint, I know). I was up until after midnight last night editing a ms for a client, and then awake at 5:00 a.m. to get ready for the day job. Those hours are normal, and they're killing me, so I'm having to regroup and reorganize. I'm in the process of figuring out how to manufacture time for myself. Unfortunately, my blog is likely the thing that will take the biggest hit in the short term. :( The second thing is my laptop. I love the darn thing. My husband bought me a brand new Surface Pro3 (for the component that allows me to use dual screens simultaneously, one for writing, the other for research) and I haven't converted over to it yet. I'm having separation anxiety from my old Toshiba. lol This falling-apart bit of technology has seen me through thick and thin. I know she's old (I call her Charlotte), but she's appreciated. :)
ReplyDeleteLisa--How about creating a mini-shrine for Charlotte? You know, put 'er on a little table, light some candles around her, create a lovely backdrop for her, post some pictures of you and Charlotte together, drape some scarves or some strings of beads over her... and switch over to the new friend.
ReplyDeleteThat way, Charlotte's mojo will be with you forever...
Congratulations on your bouncing baby submissions! My computer hasn't been getting as much action as I'd like lately, but what else is new? Used to be I couldn't proofread without a hard copy, but I'm getting better. Though it still helps to do both.
ReplyDeleteTammy--I STILL have a hard time proofing off a screen, but you're right. Having both makes the process double-effective.
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