Ian Dawson's Blog - Posts Tagged "loose-leaf-paper"
Writing Challenge of the Week: Back to Basics
We all love the lure of technology. It’s an ever-present part of our daily lives. We wake up and look at our phone. We use technology to navigate to and from work. We use computers and other tech at the office. We use technology to watch TV, movies, and stream videos online.
Most of us use technology to write, whether it’s using a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet.
But what if we took a step back in technological time and did something that writers have been doing for centuries before even the advent of the typewriter?
The Challenge
For one week, write only using a pen and paper.
You can use a journal, a legal pad, loose-leaf paper, whatever you wish.
You can use a pen, pencil, colored pencil, or whatever writing implement you prefer.
The important thing here is to get away from the computer and resist the temptation of going online, so you can keep yourself focused on the creative work you need to do. I understand that sometimes you may need to look something up for your project, but you can always notate that while you’re writing and look it up later.
I would also challenge you to get away from the computer and other technological temptations during your writing sessions. Go outside and write. Go to a café and write. Go to the library or bookstore and write.
This week should be about you, your pen and paper, and your creativity. Case closed.
Keep Going
How did that week go? Was it easier to focus? Did you accomplish more in a shorter amount of time?
If this was an enjoyable experience, I recommend making it a regular part of your writing routine. Take a week each month to write freehand. Get out of the house and away from technology and embrace the simplicity of this writing practice. You never know that ideas will flow from that pen onto that paper!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Most of us use technology to write, whether it’s using a laptop, a smartphone, or a tablet.
But what if we took a step back in technological time and did something that writers have been doing for centuries before even the advent of the typewriter?
The Challenge
For one week, write only using a pen and paper.
You can use a journal, a legal pad, loose-leaf paper, whatever you wish.
You can use a pen, pencil, colored pencil, or whatever writing implement you prefer.
The important thing here is to get away from the computer and resist the temptation of going online, so you can keep yourself focused on the creative work you need to do. I understand that sometimes you may need to look something up for your project, but you can always notate that while you’re writing and look it up later.
I would also challenge you to get away from the computer and other technological temptations during your writing sessions. Go outside and write. Go to a café and write. Go to the library or bookstore and write.
This week should be about you, your pen and paper, and your creativity. Case closed.
Keep Going
How did that week go? Was it easier to focus? Did you accomplish more in a shorter amount of time?
If this was an enjoyable experience, I recommend making it a regular part of your writing routine. Take a week each month to write freehand. Get out of the house and away from technology and embrace the simplicity of this writing practice. You never know that ideas will flow from that pen onto that paper!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
