Sunday, November 22, 2009

Is it Better to Write with Pen and Paper?

At the moment, I'm thinking the answer to this question is a resounding, "YES!"

I've been writing for so many years, I remember the world before computers and word processors.  I preferred writing on lined filler paper because typewriters sucked.  (Or was it my typing skills?)  I'd buy those thick 1-2" expandable folders and dedicate two to each book:  one for the actual chapters and one for the notes.  I should also have bought stock in the Bic company--I loved those pens.  Blue, never black.

Anyway, I pretty much follow the same procedure on the computer.  Except for when it crashes on me or shuts down for no apparent reason.  Fortunately, I back up faithfully.  Still, I'm thinking of going back to doing my rough draft by hand. 

Twice this weekend, TWICE, the damn laptop shut down in the middle of my WIP.  The document recovery software worked both times, thank God.  But you know what they say about the third time being the charm.  (I know, that's a cliche, and I should avoid them at all costs.  But I was married to a guy named Murphy for 16 years, so I know whereof I speak.)

I carry notebooks with me all the time:  in my DayTimer, in my briefcase, in my car, in my purse.  I'm constantly jotting notes down on paper.  Should I just bury the damn laptop?  Write by longhand and then transcribe it onto a PC when I'm through?

1 comment:

  1. Oh Linda, I'm sorry about your computer issues. I've been dealing with laptop problems for months now.

    I think more naturally and am more creative on paper. But it took too darned long to transcribe to Word. It really did. With deadlines I had to learn to adapt. But it's painful and even more so when the #$$% computer won't cooperate with me!

    Elizabeth
    Mystery Writing is Murder

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