Writers & Poets: Do you write with a pen and paper or with a computor?

Question

cutie pie, thanks for pointing out my error. But I am left wondering what "nether" means.

Answer 1

I mostly write with a computer because it's the fastest way to go. But if I'm away from my computer and compelled to jot down a scene or some dialogue, any pen and scrap of paper will do. I have copious notes written on anything from Post-its to magazine subscription insert cards.

Answer 2

For me, it depends on what I am writing. When I am working on my poetry it always seems to flow more naturally when I am working with a pen and paper. However, when I sit down to write fiction it is often easier for me to get my words down if I am on my computer.

I'm not really sure why that is, and it hasn't been the case 100% of the time. Last night I wrote a novel synopsis and the first five or six paragraphs longhand, and some days the poetry comes to me on the computer.

Having the right word processor helps. I can't seem to write well on Word, but I found a free one called Rough Draft that has made me so happy! It's perfect for writers (especially the little notepad section off to the right):
http://www.richardsalsbury.com/

What I would really love is an AlphaSmart Neo. Then I could type without all the distractions of Yahoo! Answers and solitaire!

Answer 3

I write with both. I carry a little notebook with me everywhere because I never know when a thought or an idea will hit me. I always put the final draft on the computer because it's easier to edit than with an eraser...doesn't waste paper. But I always make sure I keep everything on a backup disk....when Hurricane Katrina hit and we were without power for 10 days I lost the entire first act of a play I was writing at the time.

Answer 4

I think for most people it's both (i know i am), the reason behind this is that no one likes to get stuck in front of a computer for hours on end.
With me, i like to do my planning on paper, everything in pre-production from Character planning, plot storming, ideas and time-lines.
But the actual writing is done on the computer, all with easy spelling and grammar check. It would be a huge burden and distraction if the writer was more focused on spelling every single word correctly and doing all the grammar by oneself.
If a novel was written that way, it would take ages for it to be completed. I guess that's why Stephen King is able to conceive and produce novels so quickly.
But in the end, its whatever each individual prefers, as long as he is comfortable when writing and enjoying it.
:)

Answer 5

I write with a computer. I generally edit with ink and paper. I tend to print drafts out when I get to the end of them and then go in with my red pen after I've let them sit for a while.

However, a lot of the times my edits get further tweaking when I move them back to the computer. It makes it hard to keep track of where I am, sometimes.

My outlines and character notes and all that are always written out. It's amazing to see what changes and what stays the same once I get into the "zone" on my word processor.

Generally, I consider what's on my computer to be the "definitive" version of whatever I'm working on and I back up accordingly.

Answer 6

It depends on what I am writing. Poetry is normally written with pen and paper, only because the spellchecker on WORD is annoying with its underlining and constantly wanting to capitalize things that don't require capitalization in poetry. (Yes, I could turn it off, but then I forget to turn it back on!).

I also tend to write book reviews on paper, only because I often am jotting notes to myself as I read and it is easier to just flip back and fill-in-the-blanks, so to speak. In both cases, once it is the way I want it then I go and put in on the computer.

But longer works I use the computer for. My handwriting is horrific, and trying to decipher it a few days later after I have written out ten or twenty pages would be a nightmare.

Answer 7

{I write poems and} I write with pen and paper. Computers seem to suck out all of my creativity if I try to peck out a poem. If I get stuck on a line, I can doodle on the side of the paper or flip a page back and brainstorm for a while. I cannot do that on a computer.
I have a little book of lined paper and I write in that.

Answer 8

I cannot sit in front of a computer and write. I always write out my work longhand and type it up later. This sounds like a pain but it isn't; I make minor revisions while typing so the typed version is actually my first revision.

Answer 9

I usually keep a notebook with me to jot down any ideas. However I usually use a computer because I can play about with the sentences and stuff.

Answer 10

I'll jot down little notes on any thing I can find (bubble gum wrappers are usually the only things I have on me) then transfer it onto Wordpad when I get home.