Jul 27 2010
Writing – Keyboard or Pencil and Paper?
I’m often asked, which is the best way to write, by hand or using a computer? The answer to me is like many things in writing, personal choice.
I, for example, prefer to write straight on to the computer, partially because I can type as fast as I think (which is not particularly fast, but faster than I write by hand) and partially because I usually want to do something with my writing that will require it to be in digital form.
Add this to the fact that I was trained as a Secretary and that, because of health reasons, can’t always hold a pen or write clearly and I guess the logic behind my preference is clear.
That said, if I’m writing something creative – like poetic prose or verse – then I prefer to write by hand. The process of physically writing seems to be an integral part of the creation.
But that is just me, I know some published writers who would disagree vehemently with me insisting their first drafts have to be hand written and in pencil.
Certainly the advent of the laptop computer has increased the amount of keyboard writers and made writing easier for many. But there is still a lot to be said for old-fashioned methods.
So, like I say, when it comes to your writing process the choice is simple – don’t be swayed by others, do what works best for you.
For one of my novels, I’ve been writing the entire first draft by hand. It’s not necessarily a GOOD idea; my handwriting, when I’m writing just for myself, is a mess of scribbles and scratches, and then I’m absolutely required to transfer it into a digital format anyway, since that’s the standard for submission. But there’s something to be said for breaking out of your normal habits. I spend a great deal of time at my computer, and it sometimes it ends up feeling like the machine is sapping my motivation and creativity.
My husband recently got a tablet PC, which is basically a laptop that you can draw straight onto the screen using a stylus. This particular computer is designed to be used by artists, so it’s not a regular touchscreen and only the stylus actually does anything on-screen. Anyway, the built-in handwriting recognition actually works fantastically, and I’ve been considering trying to use that as a happy medium between the handwriting and the typing-necessity. That said, it doesn’t FEEL the same as writing on paper with my favourite pen, so it probably won’t get too far. Besides, the husband is usually busy actually drawing on it.
And I’m exactly the same about poetry. I have no way of writing anything poetic straight onto the computer.
I also always write notes and ideas by hand. Jotting them down in my computer doesn’t seem right. So I have an endless supply of paper with little notes scrawled on them, which I actually file away according to which story they relate to. Being sometimes-super organised has its benefits.
~Ashlee
I agree, Ashlee, there is definitely something to be said for breaking out of normal habits and trying something different.
With regards to writing by hand and using a tablet, have you tried out any of the pens that digitally record what you are writing even if you are writing on paper?