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?
I just love the way people list rules and say "you must do this"... as people might have noticed...
Rules are there to be broken - as often as not by the people that make them.
No, I'm not an anarchist - I have spent most of my working life in jobs that are timed by the half minute and completely wrapped in rules and regulations... And I have thoroughly enjoyed that... The thing to keep in mind though is that; as soon as a rule is made there becomes a need for when it can't be applied.
Carrying a notebook or at least just a pen is a very good idea - but it isn't a good idea to write down the latest idea when doing 70mph up the motorway...
In general I find that if any concept is good and will (probably) work I will be able to recall it later. I didn't know this when I first started and was terrified that if I didn't write all of each thing down immediately that I would lose/forget it... This has not been the case though. I am quite likely to forget half a dozen things when shopping - but I don't forget writing ideas.
I also know that I can write much faster with a pen on paper (that's how I learnt a few millennia ago) but then it takes time to transcribe everything - and it really is a pain not just doing it but keeping to the original text (at least until it is digital, can be saved and only then edited).
I also find that if I can write faster I can also go off track much faster :-(
So, although a pen is initially faster I do as much work as possible on a laptop. In the end a keyboard is more practical.
:-)
Never by hand always on the computer backed up by sending it back to me by email.
I find if I get an idea I will write it by hand and either type up what is written and finish on a computer or I will write the whole thing. I do prefer typing as its easier to edit and means you're less likely to lose it or accidently bin it.