Hi all, I recently brought a really pretty notebook the other day from The Works (reduced from £10 to £3) and only brought it because of its visual appeal and bargain price; however I don't know what to do with it. Do you think it will be a good idea to write my story 'A Time to Change' in it? I used to write all my work by hand before I was introduced to a computer (makes me sound old but I suck with technology aha) so I know it is very time consuming and results in cramped fingers. So really I just want to know people's opinions or any other ideas people can think of using my notepad for. Thank you!
Ive never heard of a publisher wanting a hand written copy of work, however, I personally havent written by hand recently, only snippets that come to mind that I can later type up as part of my story.
what everyone else said re preferences.....
One other thing that I didn't see mentioned though, is that timeless struggle between right and left brain. Unless using a word processor an invisible process to you, then you will come up against this conflict.
If I can offer one piece of advice; use a really basic editor such as notepad, to avoid being distracted by too many bells and whistles. Notepad doesn't have any. You can always format in MS Word or similar when the writing is done and it is time to submit your work.
A 'technique' that I use to avoid said conflict, is to use speech to text. I find that I can sink right into the character/location, often dictating with eyes closed which gives me deeper immersion.
As A Fox noted, agents will not look at a hand-written MS. In fact very few will look at paper of any kind. Same goes for many editors.
Good luck!
Aha, weeeell, I'm a lady who loves her notebooks!
*Just write*
Notes for this story, notes for yourself re ideas or things that need to change, first drafts, character bios, world building, research. Those sentences that pop into your head that are perfect...if not with a definite place ;)
It's your notebook, dont worry about others seeing it, or judging, just let your ideas bloom. I've found that it is really useful to have all those ideas to ref back on. When directly typing you may later edit out those things and then they are lost. This way they may find another home else where, or spark off more creativity on reread.
As to agents/editers wanting handritten? I am no expert-by far- but I have *never* seen that anywhere. In fact I have seen the exact opposite. The only similar instance I can think off is if an a/e accepts a MS that you have a sequel for and they wish to see what notes you have so far....or if your VERY well known and the old notebooks get auctioned!
A tip tho: Get a fountain pen. Biros and their ilk screw with your hands. Trust me :(