Instead of writing this post from inside my own little bubble, I asked some friends what they thought of writing on paper.
I find that it's much more satisfying for me to put the ink on the page myself rather than relying on a computer. I think that writing on paper makes the writing more personal. —Kandi H.
I hand wrote on paper for many years. I still do sometimes. There's something about it that's easier, like a connection from my hand to the pencil. I was also very against using pen….[Writing on paper] really just help[s] me get my ideas out. Staring at a blank sheet of paper just makes me want to write something in a way that a computer screen won't.–Aimee L.
I always begin writing on paper; my initial draft is always written the same way I would talk to someone. Once the ideas are laid out on paper, then I can circle, draw, scale, move, exchange the phrases and words into a more comprehensible idea rather than just blurbs on paper. I usually re-write at least 3-4 times; it's also helpful to track my changes and watch the birth of a masterpiece throughout the entirety of its evolution.-- Jenny A.
[The lone male voice in the room simply pronounces its preference] I always write on paper.—Stan S.Next time, the computer people will have their say. Until then, where do you stand and why?
6 comments:
I rarely write on paper unless I'm somewhere where whipping out my laptop is impossible or impractical. Honestly, I don't see the point.
For me, it depends on what I'm writing. If it's a short story or something more creative, then I prefer paper. If it's an article or research paper then I'm all about my computer.
There was a time I wrote more on paper, and I still do if I'm near paper and not a computer. But particularly once I got a laptop, I find computers preferable -- for one, I type much faster than I write by hand, and my hand is less likely to cramp.
For prose, I rarely have the patience to write by hand, but for poetry, a first draft by hand is almost essential. Typing changes my thought process—it's so much faster!
For the middle drafts of poems, I try to use my typewriter. It's slower, and I don't lose things so easily. I only move to the computer when my patience has run out or when the poem feels solid enough to stand that speed of revision.
I'm in the computer camp, but I do often write notes to myself -- about a character or an idea or detail that comes to me when I'm not near a computer. Though I love my laptop with all my heart, there's nothing like the smell of (pen) ink on paper...
Wow guys, thanks for the comments!
Elizabeth: Personally, I'm pretty much with you there. And isn't it frustrating when you can't whip out your computer? I've actually bought a smart phone to prevent that from happening much...
Cat: I think that's a good balance. Not every medium works for every type of writing because your process is different. Do you ever find that the switch keeps you from writing in some situations?
Rea: Good point. And isn't it awful when you can't read your own camped handwriting?
Anna Lena: I'm glad to hear about the differences in your poetry and prose processes: since the creative process is different for both, it makes sense to have a different writing process for both. I particularly love the fact that you make use of all means to manage your poetry drafts.
Julie: Don't tell anyone, but I have to keep my to-do lists on paper or I forget everything. Sometimes the actual process of writing something down on paper is important! It's great to know that there are more computer campers with a toe in paper still =D
pfew! Well thanks again for the comments! And thanks for reading!
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