It's time for another Insecure Writer's Support Group meeting. IWSG was created by the awesome ninja captain Alex J. Cavanaugh, and you can find the other members of the group here.
I used to not get why writers would want to write by hand. Why do double the work, so to speak, when it has to be typed up anyway? But after the ransonware incident of June 2014, I've been a bit leery of typing on the computer. I decided to try handwriting my outlines and first drafts, and so far I'm enjoying it, although there are pros and cons of everything out there.
Pros for handwriting:
- I don't have to worry about losing the document.
- I'm less likely to take Internet breaks when writing.
- I write for longer periods because the words flow better.
Cons for handwriting:
- I have to eventually type up everything I've handwritten.
- My spelling abilities go downhill while handwriting.
- I've discovered my writing is very sparse in descriptions when I write by hand.
For now, I plan to continue handwriting first drafts and outlines.
Have you changed how you write before?
And since it is the first Wednesday, I have another chapter of
Reborn up on Wattpad. You can start for the beginning
here or click
here to read Part II's quote and then move on to
Chapter Eight.
Preorder Twisted Earths and get your choice of an Untethered Realms' authored book for free with proof of purchase. For proof of purchase, you can do a screenshot of where you ordered the book. Send this screenshot along with which book you'd like for free (click here for our book list) to untetheredrealms@gmail.com. Preorder at Amazon, Smashwords, iTunes, Nook, and Google Play!
46 comments:
I wrote my first book on paper first, but by the second, I was competing in NaNo and had to use the computer. Now I prefer it. But I'm really slow either way.
I often will write a scene--just something to get me started--by hand. I also prefer to handwrite in the editing stage when I'm making graphic organizers and outlines to help me see all the balls I'm trying to juggle.
But, I have arthritis, so I limit how much I write by hand, especially if I want to be able to read it later!
I wrote my first three books by hand first. *shudders* I've since mended my ways. I do love paper and cling to it for outlining and random notes to implement--and the occasional scene, but there's something terribly freeing about being able to just move around a bit of text without crazy notes or messy pages. =) Have you tried a text to speech program?
I write outlines out too, and sometimes I'll write several chapters to type up later. Depends on where I am, but I always have a composition book with me.
I usually write everything right onto the computer, but it is very easy to get distracted by the internet. I always print copies of the important stuff in case something happens to my computer.
I often note general ideas and outlines by hand in a writing journal. But I always opt for the rest of my writing to be done on the computer, because I type up-wards of ninety words per minute. I like how fast I can get a full thought down, otherwise I risk the chance of my old and addled brain forgetting it! LOL
I always write on a computer. When I was a wee-me, I had notebooks. I get the fear of losing a document or having that old internet distraction, but I lose EVERYTHING. If I wrote something down in a notebook, it would disappear for about a year.
Paper and pen whenever possible for everything - writing for the novel, letters, studying! I just find everything flows with an inkpen. I know it makes work but now I'm 51 can't see me changing any time soon LOL! x
I used to handwrite almost everything, though now the only book I'm still handwriting is my magnum opus. It's going to end up as one book in 12 volumes, spanning 1941-2050. Very few sections are computer-generated, including the finale. I love the collection of notebooks I've amassed for it since '93, and how I know what's in which notebook when I look at them in my file cabinets.
I haven't tried writing a novel by hand before, but I'd like to give it a try someday.
I hand writer all the time, and I actually like having to type it up because I can make the writing tighter as I do. :)
My handwriting is way too messy to write by hand. Plus I like to edit some as I write. Glad it's working for you.
If I did mine by hand writing I wouldn't be able to read it haha
I write notes and sometimes chapters by hand, but I've always entered drafts on the computer. I can't write by hand fast enough.
I have to rewrite a sentence so many times, even during a first draft, that writing by hand would take me forever. Still, there have been a few instances when I've been somewhere without a computer and found handwriting to not be too bad an option.
My first thoughts are always handwritten. Each project gets a journal. I draw maps, I write down ideas, character names, then start jotting down the arcs, plot, where to start, etc... Now I even write the tagline and a rough blurb. I then type the arcs, blurb & tag, then write on the computer.
I have to print out for the editing stage and make edits by hand before inputting.
I think handwriting is great, especially when outlining. Mainly due to the fact that I can write quicker than I can format stupid Microsoft Word to do outlines.
Another upside of handwriting, then typing, is that you can sneak in some edits along the way. I did that last year when the wife and I went down to the Keys to relax. We had a "No Laptop" rule in effect, so when she'd go take a nap, I'd whip out the pen and paper :)
I always write on the computer but I back up pretty often. I try to do it every few days, using a flash drive for backup. But I'm getting paranoid. Perhaps I should get a cloud as well and double my backup, so I don't lose everything. Does anyone use a cloud for back up? How often do you back up?
I found the flow better with handwriting too but sometimes I comeback to it and can't read what I wrote. (a big con)
I'm glad I'm not the only one who loses spelling ability when writing by hand. I don't get it but I have to just laugh about it. Sometimes even with something as simple as writing an address on an envelope I manage to make a silly spelling mistake. I never used to be like this when all I did was write by hand. Although now that I think of it I have probably lost my spelling skill when typing on a keyboard too LOL. Maybe it is just old age. :D
All my notes are handwritten but actual writing is on laptop.
All the best!
No harm in handwriting. I always keep pen and paper wherever I go just in case I want to write a thought down. Plus you can edit it as you type it up, if needed. :)
I used to do a lot of writing in a notebook, but I found that I spent more time erasing and rewriting to fit stuff in, or trying to make sense of the jumbling mess I'd written when it came to typing it all up.
Needless to say, I stick to typing unless a piece bugs me in the middle of the night to be written up NOW.
I sometimes write by hand, but it always takes me quite a bit longer than typing.
Oh, hey, does your A to Z Flashes of Foxwick have a new cover? (Or has it just been a long time since I saw it?!). Just saw it scroll by on the Amazon widget ...
I used to always write my first few new chapters longhand. Not so much anymore. But when I travel, even if it's only a couple of hours in my car, I always have a pen and paper. Any way one can get the words down is a good way!
Once I have read Reborn, I will definitely be adding Twisted Earths to my TBR list. Congratulations and I'm sure you are super excited on the upcoming release!
I write all of my children's books and poetry by hand. As far as bigger works go, I only use the computer. Your fear of typing is now getting me thinking, Cherie!
I've never tried to change my way of writing, but I can try. I think I'll try writing by hand a bit this month and just see how it goes. Why not? Only thing is, my hands hurt like heck after only a little by-hand note-taking, so I'm a little nervous about it.
I'd never write an entire book by hand, but small parts yes, especially when I'm stuck.
I've written by hand a few times, but can't do it long because it hurts too much. One other plus you missed is when you're typing it up, you can edit some because you'll be sure to see a sentence you don't like and rewrite it. It's a little extra editing in.
I've started handwriting more outlines and blurbs, because I can so that while my son is playing anywhere. Have a good weekend!
I tried writing three drawer manuscripts by hand. Each time, I stopped halfway and finished them on the computer. So much easier. I find that since I've been typing for so long, my hand hurts if I write too much.
I tried writing three drawer manuscripts by hand. Each time, I stopped halfway and finished them on the computer. So much easier. I find that since I've been typing for so long, my hand hurts if I write too much.
I go back and forth between handwriting and typing the first draft. I seem to come up with better short stories and flash fiction ideas when I'm hand-writing - I am more creative that way. But, when I have a need for speed, I head straight to my pc.
Congrats on Twisted Earths!
I tend to hand-write short stories and rough outlines for the same reasons you give. And I like the freedom to write anywhere comfortably -- out on a deck, or on the floor -- without having to stare at a screen.
I used to hand write but I haven't in a long time.
I love that you shared your pros and cons with us. I have been curious about how handwriting a draft would be (I have only ever typed them). I can definitely see the benefit of longer periods of writing and less distractions. Even though you will have to type it- in a way it will probably be like a first editing round. :) Good luck!
~Jess
When I used to write novels, I'd always write the first draft by hand, and even subsequent drafts sometimes, too! (Mainly because I didn't have a computer growing up, though, so that was my only option, haha.)
If things pop up in my mind while I'm out I'll write them in anyway I can, or record them. But actual writing the ME, always on MAC, fr all of your 'Con's'. It's actually quite shocking how awful my spelling is and my handwriting is illegible.
Have a great week. X
shahwharton.com
If things pop up in my mind while I'm out I'll write them in anyway I can, or record them. But actual writing the ME, always on MAC, fr all of your 'Con's'. It's actually quite shocking how awful my spelling is and my handwriting is illegible.
Have a great week. X
shahwharton.com
I have the same issue when writing by hand, I end up sketching dialogues and no descriptions. On the other hand, I'm way more likely to lose pieces of papers than a file. :-(
I used to write by hand all the time. I did my first novel that way and kind of miss it. But time is an undeniable factor, and it's just easier/faster to type it, especially since I usually don't get large chunks of time.
I do both. I write by hand when I'm not near my computer and yes, my spelling is embarrassing. Oh and deciphering my appalling chicken scratch is another issue.
I write by hand as well as on apps on my phone.
I used to write everything by hand. I thought I felt a closer connection to the words that way. But now that I type soooo much faster than I write, I find it easier to type, especially when catching first draft words that tend to flow out quickly (yet often terribly).
I'm sure my writing is better by hand, but who has the time ? I've trained myself to think on the computer.
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