Manually or Digitally?

[Xelebes]

Do you write your stories by hand first or by tapping on a keyboard?

Further yet, how do you manage your novels if you write them by hand? How are they contained, organised and protected from damage?

 

[sr71plt]

My first two novels were written on yellow legal pads and retyped by someone who couldn't read my handwriting. (I couldn't read it either.) Then another couple straight on a typewriter that wouldn't key as fast as I could compose. Once I got to the computer, there was no going back.

 

[Xelebes]

I personally can't seem to write out and develop stories on the keyboard. I seem to have to do it by hand - I just get so distracted when I am on the computer that I can't get past the first page. I save the computer for typing out the editing manuscripts - I can edit well on the computer at least.

Anyways, I have a sketchpad for rough ideas and doodling. I will sometimes draw out things from there and most everything from that will be thrown out. Research is written down in a notebook, and where I flesh out the whole storyline.

Then comes the actual writing of the stories. I don't find satisfaction using a notebook or a sketchpad/legal pad. I use binders because they have the extra sheets that can be inserted and removed whenever I deem it necessary.

 

[elsol]

Part of the modern era from the get-go.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Key board...the only way to go.

And before I type a word the story is almost always written in my head. Well organized at least.

The only thing I have written long hand lately have been notes in a meeting...yuck.

 

[Stella_Omega]

What's "Other"? Toes? Dictation?

As for how I organise my novels... I can only wish I'd gotten that far, manually or digitally.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

What's "Other"? Toes? Dictation?

As for how I organise my novels... I can only wish I'd gotten that far, manually or digitally.

My father is severely dyslexic and has about a 5th grade education. He now has a program called "Dragon Naturally Speaking" that allows him to dictate and the machine types. It's pretty damned cool.

I tried "writing" that way, but the process is TOTALLY different. Couldn't do it.

 

[3113]

Back in the dark ages, I wrote everything long-hand, even when I had a desktop computer. Once I had a laptop, however, that was it. I compose and write almost everything on my laptop and I fully expect to be buried with it.

Laptop is my friend. My precious.....

 

[BlackShanglan]

Notes, brainstorming, problem-solving, and planning I do longhand. It's just quicker for me, because I like to use a lot of graphical aids (different colors of ink, boxes, arrows, stars, etc.) to aid my visual memory. Actual drafts are always done on the computer, saved as successive drafts numbered or dated so that I can go back to before a major change if I need to.

I keep the handwritten notes for each project in their own binder - one of those lovely fabric-covered binders that zips shut and has pockets inside and out. Each clump of notes (generally a subtopic of planning or problem-solving) is titled and dated, with pages numbered and then placed together in a plastic "protector" sleeve in the binder. That keeps them together, but easy to flip through and spread out on the desk. I use stick-on tabs down the sides of the plastic sleeves to help me identify the contents of each at a glance. Things that I know I will use over and over go in plastic open-pocket holders at the front of the binder.

That's for active projects. Notes on ideas I've had that I plan to use eventually but am not currently working on are saved on the hard drive and then printed out and stored in file folders in file boxes. I also strive with all my might to remember to back everything up to a jump drive on a regular basis.

And a happy, joyous, and prosperus new year to you, little blue alien.

 

[Xelebes]

And a happy, joyous, and prosperus new year to you, little blue alien.

My new year began on around Dec 2nd for you guys. Mars is always a little off for you guys! Too bad the month of Sagittarius is soo cold!

 

[TE999]

No novels thus far--but I do seem to be wandering in that direction.

95% of the time I compose on the keyboard. I have the story plotted out in my mind (for the most part) and then modify it as I go along.

I do occasionally jot down notes and ideas--but I transfer them to the puter ASAP.

And I edit as I compose. A tad unconventional--but it works for me.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

Digitally. I can't read my own hand writing.

 

[R. Richard]

I use a word processor to write my stories. I am now waiting to get another couple of novels in the 'Second Chance' series published. Because 'Second Chance' is a series, I keep an alphabetical list of people, places and events for the series in a separate file. With a word processor, I can insert items where I need them, which I really couldn't do if I tried to use a binder. I could keep the alphabetical items on index cards, but then I would need to do manual cross references. Now, I just use the search function of my word processor.

 

[cloudy]

I use the computer, but if I ever get stuck, a sure way to "unstick" the words is to sit down and write it out by hand until I get past the scene I was having problems with.

 

[tickledkitty]

I always write digitally. I do write notes and organize some stuff manually though.

A while back, I wrote a section of a story I'm working on by hand while I was waiting for my daughter in a dance class. The whole tone of it seemed different from the stuff I usually write. It was more flowery, I think. So I'm wondering if the process is somewhat different mentally.

 

[Liar]

I type. I couldn't even comprehed my own grocery lists if they were hand written.

 

[starrkers]

I type. I can type faster than I can hand write, and can keep up pretty much with my thoughts.
The once or twice I've handwritten anything lately was in fierce abbreviated form and almost illegible.

 

[Weird Harold]

Digitally. I can't read my own hand writing.

What he said.

I can't type very well or very fast, but at least I can usually read what I typed when it comes time for editing.

 

[oggbashan]

Digitally. I can't read my own hand writing.

Another one here. Only my secretary could read my handwriting. My wife can't.

Og

 

[buxxxom]

I use yellow legal pads, front side of the sheet only. The back is for notes and things that I want to go back and add or change. I put an asterisk in the spot that needs attention, and on the same point on the back of the page, list possible remedies for problems. It's a little slow going, but I like it. Also, I use a mechanical pencil, not a pen. I like the feel of the scratch on the paper, and they stay perfectly sharpened. Nothing says possibility like a perfectly sharpened pencil.

 

[jomar]

Digital - seems like more than a few of us have messy handwriting. Are we really dysgraphic or just writing too fast and sloppy?

I haven't written anything terribly complex or lengthy yet so don't have any elaborate organizational system. For one story I googled info and copied it to a computer file for reference, though I did print it out so I could have a visual while I wrote a description of an airplane. That story had about six or seven constant characters and a few passing through, but wasn't difficult to keep it in my head. I could see a need for a binder style notes when I expand it - which is my plan, but another story has butted in and stalled.

So far I haven't felt the need to number and save revisions and edits.

 

[Vermilion]

You know what? It's just a hell of a lot faster to type than to write long hand, I don;t get cramps, RSI or blisters and it's much much easier to alter, edit and change words - not to mention read back, change character names ('Change all' anybody?). Why would anyone *not* use a computer?

x
V

 

[manyeyedhydra]

Both

I end up flying a lot so I write some stories out longhand when I'm travelling.

Most of the time I just type directly into laptop. I should probably learn to put a sticker or something over the backspace key as premature editing of first drafts is a very bad habit of mine. Nothing like rewiting the same sentence five different ways to completely lose the flow.

 

[tickledkitty]

Digital - seems like more than a few of us have messy handwriting. Are we really dysgraphic or just writing too fast and sloppy?

I think it's because we don't write much manually anymore. It even feels weird to me sometimes to write a note or even sign Christmas cards.

 

[SweetMerry]

I'm kinda new at this, and so far everything I've submitted has been poetry. All of that was written long hand. I have to say, I'm with bux on the whole mechanical pencil thing. There's something inspirational about the feel of putting pencil to paper that I just can't get with a keyboard.

I've got a few short stories started on the computer, but all of them get to a certain point and I just get stuck. I'm thinking that I will have to write out some of it long hand, then edit it on the laptop. I can see how the computer would be a big help with a large piece, like a novel, though. It would be easier to organize and change things, I would imagine.