I still write ideas, certain phrases and notes on notepads and then type them into the computer but my handwriting is not so great so sometimes I have to leave behind ideas because I can't decipher them especially when I write them in the middle of the night under some faint light.
Mostly, I do like writing on a computer and also the spellcheck function is really useful. I'm more likely to delete writing (bad, excessive or unnecessary) on a computer than on paper but on paper, I cross out the text, I can somehow still have those deleted text unlike a computer. Of course there is the whole losing documents or even corrupted documents since all my writings are basically computer files so when my computer doesn't work or when my backup drive doesn't work, I can't access them. I can print them out and keep them as a record but that seems like a waste of paper. I think no matter if you use paper or go digital, it's still pretty much the same but I admit, I'm much more organized when writing digitally.
Do you prefer to write on paper or digitally using your computer or some other devices?
(P.S. The app I use to write is iText Express (Freeware for Mac, no PC/Windows version) > link - a very simplistic text app that I have been using for years.)
[More about the group over at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog here]
I am used to paper
ReplyDeleteChristine: Habit keeps us happy, I think.
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I had to write a lot in my profession. I'm old enough that I wrote everything out longhand on paper and a secretary typed it for me. In the 90s, I had to adjust to writing everything on a computer and doing my own word processing. Man, that transition was tough. I had to basically learn how to think all over again without having a pen in my hand. But I did it and ultimately ended up preferring to write by computer, if only for the heavenly ability to cut and paste blocks of print. What freedom!
ReplyDeleteDebra: The cut and paste feature is truly one I also love. That and spellcheck - I can type but spelling can be challenge sometimes.
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Sometimes I love sitting down and writing longhand, but as a general rule, I do much better writing on the computer. I don't think I'd succeed without the cut and paste function.
ReplyDeleteLiza: Same here. It's just so much easier than dealing with pen and paper. But mostly because I dislike typing in what I wrote on paper. I think everyone love the cut and paste feature, I know I do.
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Pen and paper for serious thinking. Digital for just writing ahead. Both can do something the other media cannot. Try solving riddles, Wordle and such pen and paper assisted. It's just faster, I think the manual pen-to-paper activates some braincells left dormant by the keyboard. Also I make so many more spelling errors on a keyboard!
ReplyDeleteCharlotte: I think I make more spelling mistakes writing by hand than typing, total opposite of you. But writing with a pen on paper can never compare to typing on a computer.
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Hi,
ReplyDeleteI admit I prefer to write digital. I capture my ideas faster.
Shalom shalom
Pat Garcia: It's true, writing by hand is pretty slow, especially if you're a slow writer. Quick scribbles aren't always easy to read, at least, for me.
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I use both for different things. I write my rough drafts in notebooks, but I edit on the computer. I also hand write scenes when I get stuck. Handwriting feels more playful or not as serious, so I tend not to self-censor as much on paper.
ReplyDeleteJenni: I suppose on a computer, it's too easy to delete or perhaps your thoughts exceed your typing? With a pen and paper, I suppose you do have to think more because you need to form the words slower, at least, my thinking.
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Anonymously Esther O'Neill, East of the Sun, broadband's even slower than usual today, 0 G, 0 signal. My handwriting is atrocious - resulting in frequent detentions, lines, and lost marks. Keyboards transformed my life. Punishment hadn't worked at all. Once my thoughts were on paper or a screen, in a decent font,. writing began to seem achievable. Handwriting playful ? That's great - but wouldn't work for me. Working , always on a computer, (- epidemiology, then teaching in the Open University, ) tidy fonts distanced me from the pain and inevitable failure of longhand.
ReplyDeleteEsther O'Neill: I'm a little confused by your comments but I suppose it's translated from your another langugage?
DeleteI will guess that you think of writing on a computer much easier, save from having to write everything longhand. It really is easier to write on a computer because of the speed and ease of us.
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I like to alternate between paper and digital.
ReplyDeleteYvonne Ventresca: I like to do that too except I'm too lazy to type in long text.
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Hi, Lissa! I write most things on my computer and am very grateful for those typing classes I took decades ago. The computer is an amazing tool, and I wouldn't want to go back to scratching manuscripts down on paper for anything. I love cut and paste and the ability to keep different versions of my manuscripts. I have kept a handwritten journal during periods of my life and am pretty consistent with it these days. Typing my journal just wouldn't feel real. Whatever works for you, I wish you success! Happy IWSG Day.
ReplyDeleteFundy Blue: Computers and also other computer-like devices are amazing. I've never took typing classes but my typing has improved due do more computer usage.
DeleteI've not write in any type of journals but I also would write on paper for that purpose but mostly because it seems like a slow kind of way to put down your thoughts.
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I used to write with paper, but over the years I switched to digital and haven't really looked back! My brain moves faster than I write so digital generally works best especially if I'm journalling and just want to get words down, though it's nice to be able to edit and delete when and if I want to without having to see all the mails on paper. I have one of those Rocketbook as well, which is kind of both in a way? It's basically using a specialized paper with a Frixion erasable pen and then scanning it into an app so you can send it to Google Drive, etc. I don't really use that much though, outside of when I want to write a venting letter where I want to immediately erase it after sitting with it for a few days too process and cope (I guess it's like burning a letter without actually doing so and with water instead).
ReplyDeleteSophia: Like you, my brain apparently also moves too fast when I'm writing by pen so going digital was perfect for me.
DeleteRocketbook sounds like a good idea but I don't know if I want another gadget in my life. But yes, it's nice to write like you do on paper and then making it digital without you having to type them all in.
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I love this question. So I do both. I love handwriting in my journal. It pretty much goes everywhere with me. I write down my to-do lists,story scenes, and journal. I can't do a lot of fiction writing because my handwriting is horrible and sometimes I can read what I wrote. I do use a typewriter for brainstorming and writing when I'm stuck in my story. I don't write linearly so I can type my whole story on my typer. It becomes too much of a mess. I do my fiction writing in my laptop.
ReplyDelete**My cans should be can'ts. Sorry about that!**
DeleteAllie Bock: I like the idea of using a typewriter for brainstorming. Maybe the sounds of a typewriter stimulates the brain?
DeleteSince you handwrite in your journal, I'm wondering why you're handwriting is bad, you have practice. For me, I use my computer a lot so not many times of actually using a pen to write. I wonder if using the computer affects our handwriting.
I have made those can and can't mistakes before so no worries.
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I write on my laptop. The only handwriting I do these days is random thoughts and notes to myself on small pieces of paper. Sort-of 'remember me' memos. No notebook or journal or any other organized writing materials.
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