Do you write by pen or on computer?

[Squirrel]

Being new here, I can't figure out how to add a post to the "Polls" section, but it looks like maybe I'm not allowed to for some reason. So I hope it's OK if I ask this question under this Open Forum.

I'm wondering if you prefer to write with pen and paper, or if you prefer to use the computer?

My personal preference is -- call me old fashioned -- pen and paper. There's just something about laying outside on the trampoline with a fine tipped Bic and a college ruled notebook that makes me feel wonderful inside as the words flow like blue honey onto my page. And I can take said Bic and book anywhere!

But when I get indoors onto the computer, I am tempted to look things up on the internet and waste too much time. Not only that, but perfectionism tends to take over as I utilize the thesaurus feature and do too much re-writing.

With pen and paper, I let it all spill out, and if something better comes to mind, I'll cross out words, or even whole blocks of text if I have to, and squeeze new wording on top, and put arrows all over the place till it's barely deemed penmanship, yet still I prefer it. Does anyone else know what I mean?:rolleyes:

[tolebyjane]

I know just what you mean by the feel of the pen and thought that was the only way I could get down what I really wanted to say. Well, that thinking changed dramatically when I started copying to the computer.
I get sidetracked by Mahjongg, but that's just a habit that has to be overcome. I don't bother with spell check or thesaurus when I'm writing, nor anything other than getting it down. I learned to keep away from the revising until I had changed my "hat." Made things a whole lot easier.

[wgjones3]

Honestly, as far as writing goes, it doesn't matter to me. Writing is writing, whether you do it on a computer or by pen and paper. Editing and proofreading becomes much easier on a computer, but the creation process is the same either way.

I would advise you to forget about the thesaurus all together. The inherant danger in it is that you loose part of your voice every time you pick another word out of the computerized list. Wait until the editing/revision stages, when you have an entire work finished and know what you're trying to say overall.

[Jewel]

I prefer computer too. I write nothing by pen unless inspiration strikes while at the doctor's office, in church, or someplace that I can't get to the computer. And I seldom use the thesaurus while composing - only while polishing. And do you know what else I do? If I'm in need of a word or phrase but don't know exactly what it is that I want, I'll page through a poetry book, or lit book and find it.

Welcome to the club, Squirrel. I love your breezy style. I checked out your profile and saw that you homeschool. So do I. Have for 13 years now and all of my children are out of school except the youngest and she's a junior this year. So what do I do instead of teach? I've made two quilts for the children (give them when they turn 21) and am working on the third. Sadly, my third child turned 23 this week and I'm still not finished piecing it. She's so patient, though, and keeps telling me she doesn't mind waiting.

[Mr. Otis]

I go both ways. I have a word processor on my Sony Clie handheld, so somethimes I write with a stylus, which sort of feels like pen and paper but gives me the ability to cut and paste text. I've written several short stories this way.

I found that I prefer my laptop for longer works, though. It's faster.

[Mary Dunn Jones]

Hello Squirrel,
I'm new also.
I use pen and paper to "write". It just seems to flow better. Then of course I
put it in the computer and try to proof a little here. I print it out next. I just
do better with hard copy. I make my revisions here and then back to computer.
I do this process over and over until I am satisfied with my work.

Jonesy

[Squirrel]

Hey Jonesy, the way you describe your writing sounds like how I like do it. Writing by hand first, then I do enter it into the computer.

I should clarify that I'm not overly into the thesaurus. That was just one little thing I thought of that slows me down when on the computer. For some reason, it just doesn't flow as well from my brain when I type, as opposed to when I handwrite, even though I type a whole lot faster than I handwrite. But it depends on the subject matter, I guess.

So, yeah, I was just curious as to whether anyone else in the world still preferred good old fashioned pen and ink. :)

[wgjones3]

I'd like to add that I, too, prefer to make edits to hard copy, though I've found that it's best to a series of edits on paper, and another right on the computer, and a third on the computer while a text reader "reads" the work back to you (so you can hear it aloud). Even after all that, I find little errors with my work, but overall, it's pretty clean, and I hope one last run through will thoroughly debug it. :)

[O'Shaunnessy]

I'm new around here, and I thought first I'd say "Hi everyone!"

But, I use my typewriter sometimes, and my computer sometimes. But I hardly ever write w/pen & paper. It just doesn't flow very well for me. Using the typewriter gives me inspiration once and a while, and it's easier I feel to go through and just edit once you've finished your pages. Usually I type everything into the computer afterwards and make edits and changes as I go along. But that's me!

:) In Him,
Shaun ><> :)

[AngelAzariah]

A roleing bear gathers no hair (where did that come from?)


Well I talk and my cpu writes it for me. I suffer from a complex pain thing so its the only way for me. Wish I could talk and it would type in here. Then I wouldnt have all the bad spelling that eveyone complains about. :rolleyes: (side note: Paper dries your skin)

~Angel~

[HisWriter]

I am very glad to see that I'm not the only one who still enjoys the "old-fashioned way" of writing, i.e. with pencil and paper.

I always write my first draft by hand because it's so much more flexible. I can go outside and sit in the meadow on a beautiful day surrounded by the birds and the butterflies and not have to stay penned up in my dark little room with the north-facing window staring at a computer screen.

Besides I just like the feel of writing by hand. In fact, I like to copy things (like recipes and lists and things) just for the fun of feeling the pencil flow across the paper.

I also like the feel of typing so when I finish my handwritten first draft I type it into my computer. I still like to print it out to edit it though.

--Amy

[Squirrel]

I'm so enjoying being privy to the words of you wonderful writers sharing personal thoughts. This communication is good writing practise for us all!

Interesting side note, Angel. I never gave thought to paper drying the skin!

Amy: you meant no pun at all when you said you'd rather not be "penned" up in a little room for writing, right? Write? :p

[AngelAzariah]

Well the paper is made out of trees and trees absorb water. People who work with boxes and other paper stuff often get dry hands.

~Angel~

[Gumpngreen]

I prefer to work on the computer mainly because I'm an extremely slow at printing with the pen in comparison to typing on the keyboard. It would take me twice as long to do the same amount of work, plus I'd have to type it into the PC in the end anyway.

[cawheat]

I write by computer. I used to do by hand and then type it in, but my handwriting is like that of your average MD.

[TheSpirit]

I at first wrote by pencil then went to pen then from there to computer but .. i still write by pen as well.

[shattered1]

Hi squirrel,

Honestly, I prefer to use a computer because my thoughts flow quickly. However, I use a pen and paper when I am not near a PC. When I am able, I get on the PC and type what I wrote earlier. I've got to have my computer to writer ... I just gotta!

I do know what you mean thought about writing with pen, its just that my thoughts go so fast my fingers can only keep up when they are typing!

Shattered1:D

[freespirit]

That is really good. we have an blessing in common and it is rare.

OH do go by this link here: http://www.byhislove.com
you will love i never get tired of reading the site.

[CheriLeigh]

Hey guys,
thought I'd add my bit to the discussion. I write almost exclusively on the computer for a couple of reasons. First, it's funny that so many seem to find distractions when on the computer. If I were out in a meadow or on the hammock I'd be too busy watching the world go by to write ;) Second, I'm constantly losing things (some have suggested even my mind) and if I write it with a pen it's harder to keep track of. If I'm on the computer I save it to the drive and it's there when I come back. Nobody can move it or worse, set a cold beverage on top of it.
Just my two bits....