Struggling Writers discussion
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Debate: Computer or Notebook?
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Over the month of October i found my plot journal (a small book with all my book ideas inside) really helpful just by carrying it around to school. What's funny is i've thought up different ideas while in every subject except english (though it's probably because i focus the most on that class). When you have paper you can actually 'see' your work bleed out with the swish of your fingers as you swivel your pen. Also i used to like to have complete access to my notes and stories wherever i go. (my eyes also redden after a few hours on the computer anyways.)
Yeah, I get that! The computer is so much easier speed-wise, but it's not as portable, in my opinion. Sure, there are laptops, but you can't really take those to school...
Microsoft word blank document to write novel down on computer & a notebook for plan.
I like writing in a notebook first, then typing up. And I have two notebooks- one for planning, so I can sketch out things and make character sheets to flip back to while I'm writing and not disturb where I am in the notebook, and another for the actual writing. After I've finished a chapter handwritten, I type it up- that way, I get a first round of edits in automatically, and I'm constantly refreshing myself for consistency and ideas of how to move forward based on what I've already written.
I'm typing mine solely to make the physical counting or words easier, but I have a notebook in my purse in case I have extra time in school, but I usually don't.
As nano charges forward, I have been finding it so much easier to have a notebook to tote along places with me (:
I would be concerned if i wrote my novel by hand, how on earth i would do a word count? It would take ages surely.
It's actually not so bad, Lucinda! After I finish I page I go back and count by the page. It's not that bad haha :)
I've always used my computer simply because I type quicker than I write. That and with a computer, I have a spelling and grammar checker (I'm dyslexic so this is a must!).
That's true, especially if you're dyslexic! Props to you for powering through NaNoWriMo :)
I must say that writing on the computer has its positives and negatives. My spelling is dreadful as too is my grammar, and so typing all the time does make me lazy! When i do go back to handwriting (say for example my book's blurb), it is then that i notice how poorly i am writing and how much i am relying on the computer's spell checker etc. I need a lot of work :)
I'm using NaNo to push myself to complete a sequel to my YA novel, Red Rock Ranch. I like to use a notebook for all of the "prelim/outline" work, but when I start the first page of my story, I sit at my computer. It's got to be typed out eventually so it's a huge time saver to have the rough draft in a Word doc.~Brittney Joy
http://brittneyjoybooks.sqsp.com/
That's true, Brittany. About how it's going to be typed up anyway!
I am typing it up, but then again I can also carry a computer with me and write in my spare moments (before class, ect). I find typing on a computer faster for ideas (much much faster, even though I can take notes quicker by hand).
I can't live without my notebook! I have so many ideas (often many which flood into my mind at the strangest of times, for example when in the bathroom or lying in bed at 11pm just about to go to sleep etc.), which i have to record down otherwise i would most definately forget them. The other day an idea came to me which i stupidly didn't write down and half an hour later once i had had a break and cup of tea, it had completely left my mind and no matter how hard i tried i couldn't for the life of me remember it. I am a little forgetful and so as soon as an idea comes to me, however minor it may be, then instantly i write it on paper.
I have the same issues, luncinda. I'll remember something for a good five minutes afterwords--max. That's it. Then it's gone :(
Jessica wrote: "I have the same issues, luncinda. I'll remember something for a good five minutes afterwords--max. That's it. Then it's gone :(":)
Jessica wrote: "Stinks, doesn't it?"Well, on average, a person's short term memory (the little bit that holds your idea) can only keep solid track of seven items at once. So, that said it would explain the loosing it and not being able to remember it and you're not the only one!
I hate remembering stuff like that >.< I'm asking for a laptop for Christmas so maybe I can type for nano next year
I already said why I started writing in a notebook, but I have been sick for these past four days, which meant that I had about 8,000 words to write today in order to keep myself all caught up with my goal. So, since I'm still sick and can barely hold a pen, I made the ultimate decision to finish the rest of my nano novel on my computer--and I only have a little more than 3,300 more words to go until I catch myself up and get myself back on track. Writing on the computer is SOOO much easier. You guys have convinced me!
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I'm writing mine in a notebook because I find it so much easier. I know that computers are more efficient, and I know about the whole struggle writers have where their thoughts come out faster than the pen can write them. But for me, i think it really helps my word count when I bring my notebook to school, so I'm able to write a little during free periods, lunch, and before classes, while waiting for the bus, etc. It helps me out when I get home and can see I've already banked 500+ words or such that day and it's less of a load when I get home.