I was just wondering what other people prefer to do - type their stories/poems on the computer or hand write them. I have always found writing things by hand impossible. I feel as though I am committing myself to whatever I put down on the paper first, and I hate the way that I can't write with the same speed as I can when typing. Making mistakes it always messy, involving rubbers or crossing out.
I never thought this was a problem, but recently I read 'The Ode Less Travelled' by Stephen Fry (which I recommend to anybody interested in writing poetry). In the list of 'rules' at the beginning of the book, he said that it's vital to write your poems down yourself in a notebook. Other pieces of 'writer's advice' that I have read have said much the same. Would you agree? Is there something about hand writing your work that is either more satisfying or more effective than typing it?
Very interesting to see that most people seem to prefer word processing. I've now got to the stage where my handwriting is virtually illegible - old age and arthritis - and my computer is my main means of written communication. I can alter things as I go along and always have a copy of what i have written - until of course I forget to press"save" !
I always use my computer or laptop to write. it is easier to correct errors and progress.
Good ideas always stick with me. I do not have to write them down because I know they will not go away. However, I may make notes when I start to outline a novel, and add my ideas for the chapters.
Most of the times I type my pieces as I go, but if I know I am going to be on a long plane or train journey when I do it, I will almost always have a school-type notebook in my bag. I can use it to brainstorm, play around with possible outlines or just generally doodle ideas down into for review later on. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but I do like having my ideas book to hand when I travel.