lets work together Topic Tuesday #14: How Do You Write?

[Brayon]

This week's Topic Tuesday is a fairly straightforward question: How Do You Write?

 

Some people use a desktop computer, some a laptop, or even a tablet. Some can write using their smartphone, and others like the tactile sensation of pen on paper. There are even some of us that use typewriters, both mechanical and electronic. We all have our preferences when it comes to writing, and for me, I use both pen and paper, and digital.

 

Why do I use these methods? Well, for pen and paper, it's easy to carry, and quick to use when I need to jot something down, or I think of a scene for a story. Also, the tactile sensation of writing manual helps with memory enhancement. However, I do the bulk of my writing on my laptop, its the industry standard now for all Writers, and while I'm not a published author, nor do I aspire to be one, it is the best medium in order to share my stories with you all.

 

So, how about you? What do you use?

[Valkyrie]

I do the majority of my writing on my laptop, but I also use pen and paper.  I usually use pen and paper for my poetry, then transfer them to Word.  I have notebooks full of story snippets, outlines, and character sketches.  I like the look and feel of pen and paper, but can type faster than I write, so it's easier to write stories on the computer. 

[Parker Owens]

Ninety percent of the time I write prose, I do it on a laptop. And I write slowly. Most of my poetry is written with pen and paper in a notebook, with scribbles and scratch marks and lists of rhymes in the margin. And most of it was written very slowly. 

[Puppilull]

I use a variety of methods. Usually, the writing of the actual story is done on laptop, sitting in the corner of my couch in silence. Can't be distracted by music. I did write a story on a tablet once, but the tap-tap-tap is not fast enough for my taste.

 

For ideas and brainstorming, I tend to use paper if it's a more intense inpiration that has struck. It turns into a mess with crossed out sections, arrows and underlining, but I can for the most part still figure out what I meant. For short ideas or spur of the moment scenes that pop into my head, I use my phone memo. More organised plotting of a story, as for what chapter wil deal with which scenes etc, I use a word document.  

[FormerMember4]

I either write with my tablet and Bluetooth keyboard, or my MacBook. I wish I could still write with pad and pen. It always flowed more naturally that way. Digital requires more concentration. Always in silence.

[FindThySky]

I've always used a laptop. I find it easier to go back and change content if needed, which I often do. I'm not sure if I overwork my stories sometimes but I write very, very slowly and only when I'm in the zone. Being able to both delete and add quickly helps with that. If I'm setting the story at a beach, let's say, it's also convenient to search up images for description on a laptop. 

 

When brainstorming, I keep the inspiration in my head and transfer to a Google Doc when I get the chance. It's not the conventional mind map but a series of dot points on a separate planning document from the story draft.

[CassieQ]

It depends.  If I'm at home, it is usually on my laptop.  If I am somewhere else, or occasionally having a really bad ADD day, I'll use pen and paper.  They work equally well for me, but I do tend to write more on the laptop as it is faster.  I used to have an old electric typewriter that I used when I was a teenager.  I miss that thing.  

Edited July 4, 2018 by CassieQ

[Defiance19]

I use my laptop, but I also have note books and pens which I use more often than not. I also make great use of the notes feature on my phone. 

 

@CassieQ I have my grandmother’s typewriter. I used to play on that thing when I was a kid. No idea if it works but I have it. Lol. 

[Palantir]

I've found a biro with a good feel to it and a soft spongy grip which saves me from ending up with indentations in the flesh of my thumb and forefinger.

I write in big notebooks (a4 -letter size)  then use my Dragon speech recognition software to read my work into the computer. It's a wonderful saving of time and effort for this two finger typist.

A curious quirk that's developed is that I like having a candle glowing and flickering nearby.

[Sam Wyer]

It’s usually my iPad or if I’m home, my Mac.  One day I’ll have enough cash to return to having a MacBook as an option too   Sometimes I use my phone too, but mostly I end up using that just to read as typing anything more than a couple of sentences gets quite tedious.  I use software to help me organise and structure stories, which also keeps all three devices in sync.

[Dodger]

Laptop or desktop PC. If I have to write something down using pen and paper, it can take me hours to decipher it.

[Dolores Esteban]

Laptop usually and for longer stories. I use my tablet for flash fiction, single chapters, poems and story ideas and then transfer everything to my laptop.

[AusGlitterati]

All of it's on my laptop, usually with a wine glass on one side and something delicious on the other and some nice background noise on the television.