Writing; Computer Vs. Notebook

   One thing I’m pretty sick of hearing is this weird competition that some writers and writing advice folks seem to have about what is the better medium of writing. I’ve seen my fair share of posts proclaiming that to write a rough draft well, it must be written with pen and paper. It’s as if without pen and paper your inky creative soul will not be able to flow out of your fingertips. 

   This, quite frankly, is bullshit.

There are benefits to both writing mediums, but honestly, a computer can do, for the most part, all the things a notepad can do. That doesn’t make it better, because it is a matter of personal preference. Some writers suggest you go out into the world, someplace that isn’t your home to write. That’s fine, you can do that. Especially if you experience writer’s block, going somewhere new, or beautiful, or just where there’s a lot of people to watch could help you. However, there’s nothing stopping you from bringing a laptop along instead of a notepad. Most of us won’t be jogging to keep up with our muse, so it isn’t as if a laptop is too cumbersome. On the other hand, not everyone has a laptop and not everyone can afford one. This is clearly a place where the notebook benefits. 

   However, I think most can see there are plenty of benefits to writing with a computer as well. Being able to back up your work, edit more easily, and endless space for writing are just a few. I won’t go more in depth about this because it’s the modern age and you know what your computer is good for. You’re also you, and therefore probably know what’s best for you more than I do, or anyone else who writes writer advice columns. So I’ll leave you with this reminder:

   Don’t let the somewhat presumptuous claims that writing with a pen and paper is somehow better for your mind change the way you like to write. It’s your mind. You own it and everything that comes out of it, so decide for yourself. Try it both ways and see what’s more comfortable to you. But definitely don’t let someone snob you into thinking you can’t use a computer, that it wouldn’t be writer-ish enough. That is just plain silly.

And yes I just used snob as a verb, deal with it :)