I'm asking today about how you actually get words onto a page. It's a question that authors are often asked at readings. 'How do you write?' The answer varies, from the highly technical (those who use the latest computer), to the traditionalist who writes in long hand on foolscap paper.
![[Hemingway_writing.jpg]](/sites/default/files/advice/old/Hemingway_writing.jpg)
Jane Austen's manuscripts are part of her legend, that she carved herself out a creative space in tiny words, on cramped paper, not inconveniencing anyone. She wrote, of course, in a time when paper was a luxury, and everyone hoarded their words carefully on this precious commodity.
The picture from today's blog is of Hemingway writing in his preferred method - with a pencil - which he felt improved the flow of words.
We still use terms that relate to how authors used to write - manuscript - for scripts written by hand ('manu') and typescript for typewritten scripts. Is there a word out there for a computer-written script? 'escript' perhaps? There's an image associated with different ways of writing; someone old-fashioned and charming, pondering on their muse with an ink pen and hand made paper, or a hardened chain-smoking, whisky-drinking hack, typing away, firing out words like a machine gun.
I can't really summon up an image for someone using a computer - perhaps it's too close to home. I have to use a computer to write, it's been too many years since I wrote by pen, and my handwriting is often too dreadful for me to be able to read what I've written. I do carry a notebook with me though, and it's invaluable for rough ideas, and lists.
Some recent research suggests that the different methods of writing affect how we learn, and that we lose something when using a typewriter or computer, as we are more removed from the words. How do you think that applies to your own work? And how do you write? Has it changed as technology has moved on?
(Editorial Consultant)
I usually write in a notebook and then transcribe later. The computer, while it gives something extra, it also takes away. I like the idea of writing with a pen, pencil or whichever and seeing the words on the paper.
Though, I have been thinking, if I could start talking and recording, and then transcribing. What I hate the most about writing on a computer is that you need to write and that breaks the flow of words, breaks the scene in my head.
Otherwise, when I have a good idea, I don't care if I'm writing it down in my computer, in my notepad, on a napkin or a receipt from the store. As long as it's written down.
All best to everyone,
Jess
I write using a computer and Microsoft Word. It makes editing and saving my work easy. I do most of my writing at week ends. My target is two-thousand words or more a week, which I have never failed to attain. If I could write every day my target would be five-hundred words a day, minimum. The most I have written, was seven-thousand words in one week, but I average about three-thousand. I find my best time to write is after a good nights sleep. I am obsessive once I start in the morning. I take breaks throughout the day, but keep coming back to my computer. On weekday evenings I edit my work. Friday evenings I present my latest installment to my literary tutor; who is absolutely brilliant. He then edits my work and makes constructive suggestions. In under eight months, I have written one hundred and two thousand words. I am near to completion of the third section of four, of my first unpublished novel. I hope to finish section four before Easter. Then it will time to do a complete edit of everything I have written. This I will probably do a few times to reduce the final word count.
Good luck to all you aspiring authors.