A new tool of the trade ...

[BlackShanglan]

SO and I went out today and bought a beautiful big 4X6 whiteboard for my office. Then we drove home, dropped off the groceries, and came back with rope, because I hadn't realized in picking it out that it would not fit in the back of the SUV. That's all right though - now it's home hanging on the office wall like a beautiful sleek and shining invitation.

Right now it's covered in a list of writing notes down one side - observations I've been crystallizing about my style, things I've learned to give heed to or avoid - and a list of works in progress down the other. Perhaps soon I'll be marking out plot for the next story on it.

It feels good. It's like a beautiful, white page waiting for the ink.

Shanglan

 

[The_Fool]

Whiteboards rule!!!

 

[NoJo]

Whiteboards rule!!!

Plus you can get high from the markers.

 

[Guest]

geek...
welcome to the club
we all have our special fetish

 

[BlackSnake]

SO and I went out today and bought a beautiful big 4X6 whiteboard for my office. Then we drove home, dropped off the groceries, and came back with rope, because I hadn't realized in picking it out that it would not fit in the back of the SUV. That's all right though - now it's home hanging on the office wall like a beautiful sleek and shining invitation.

Right now it's covered in a list of writing notes down one side - observations I've been crystallizing about my style, things I've learned to give heed to or avoid - and a list of works in progress down the other. Perhaps soon I'll be marking out plot for the next story on it.

It feels good. It's like a beautiful, white page waiting for the ink.

Shanglan

Wait, 4 foot by 6 foot whiteboard, and it wouldn't fit in your SUV? Okay, make and model please.


I use two in my office and work and one at home. I like standing up when I'm working on them.

 

[The_Fool]

geek...
welcome to the club
we all have our special fetish

Some of us have more than one....

 

[BlackSnake]

Plus you can get high from the markers.

I work with the red, green, and black at the same time.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

I work with the red, green, and black at the same time.

Pure talent...





Q_C

 

[carsonshepherd]

It feels good. It's like a beautiful, white page waiting for the ink.

Shanglan

Or like a tombstone waiting to be carved on.

 

[minsue]

Or like a tombstone waiting to be carved on.

You're a cheery devil today, aren't you?

 

[carsonshepherd]

You're a cheery devil today, aren't you?

Blank pages do that to me... can't imagine what a huge fucking blank billboard would do to my psyche. I'd probably never write again.

 

[carsonshepherd]

Though of course if it works for the rest of you, then that's wonderful. Just never could do with it myself.

 

[minsue]

Blank pages do that to me... can't imagine what a huge fucking blank billboard would do to my psyche. I'd probably never write again.

I knew exactly what you meant. I'm the same way.

I do love white boards, though. Something about the complete and utter impermanence of them is freeing and appealing.

 

[The_Fool]

For me, white boards are for more pictorial representations. Occasionally, I will use them for lists. I do a lot of presentations, so the whiteboard gives me an ability to be spontaneous rather than working from a canned presentation.

For Carson and Min, I don't even approach a whiteboard until I have an idea or concept to work from.

 

[carsonshepherd]

I knew exactly what you meant. I'm the same way.

I do love white boards, though. Something about the complete and utter impermanence of them is freeing and appealing.

That is what going paperless has done for me. Nothing on a computer screen is carved in stone and you don't even have to look at scribbles when you change things.

 

[Lovepotion69]

I used to lose my markers all the time at school. The kids have a penchant for stealing them. I began to stock up on markers and now I have six in my bag. I use mainly blue and black.

 

[BlackShanglan]

That is what going paperless has done for me. Nothing on a computer screen is carved in stone and you don't even have to look at scribbles when you change things.

Oddly, the white board does that for me. It's easier for me to feel experimental when I can quickly cross out, draw over, circle, scribble notes, etc.

I just love the allure of that big, white space.

Wait, 4 foot by 6 foot whiteboard, and it wouldn't fit in your SUV? Okay, make and model please.

Mazda Tribute. It's a compact SUV. There's enough room for the dogs, but its wheelbase isnt' really much bigger than a car's. Handles very nicely, and not bad on gas either. The board would've fit width-wise, but it was going to stick out the back - the bed's not quite six feet.

Shanglan

 

[carsonshepherd]

I just love the allure of that big, white space.

I'm five minutes from putting you in a museum.

(Just kidding. You know I you. )

 

[BlackShanglan]

I'm five minutes from putting you in a museum.

(Just kidding. You know I you. )

As long as it's an empty museum where I can scrawl on the walls all day ... that's my dream ... a nice, white, blank room ...

(Wait a minute. That doesn't sound quite like a museum. But probably where I belong )

Shanglan

 

[carsonshepherd]

snicker.

They're coming for you.

 

[impressive]

Writing ... by hand? Ewwwwwwww.

<--- keyboard snob

 

[carsonshepherd]

Writing ... by hand? Ewwwwwwww.

<--- keyboard snob

ditto.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Writing ... by hand? Ewwwwwwww.

<--- keyboard snob

I never draft by hand. Much too time-consuming. But I often plot and edit by hand. I actually find those quick to do on paper or board, and not doing it electronically helps me to segment out the tasks and not fall down the rabbit hole of endlessly revising the first sentence of the first paragraph.

But to each his own

Shanglan

 

[Guest]

I've always kept a white board in my office. Certain intelligent, not all that articulate people (i.e programmers) can best answer my questions if they can turn their back to me, and sketch out their answers on the white board.

After they leave, I have ready made notes to help me work through and understand their answers.

 

[impressive]

But to each his own

Or her own.