Writers: Do you bring a notebook everywhere, and write things down the old fashioned way?

Question

Or do you trust your memory to save it for the computer (that's assuming you don't bring a dang laptop everywhere you go).

Do you hand write in a journal every day?

Do any of you find audio recorders helpful?

Answer 1

I absolutely have a journal always!! Usually though I rely on scraps of paper and napkins and other -just -happend -to -be -there useful things. Then of course, I go home and recopy them neater in...another journal. There is something about the pain in my fingers of gripping the pencil in taught anticipation of the next word as my heart and my head struggle to keep up with each other in the race to commit my passion and prose to written history.

Answer 2

I usually have a small notebook in my purse to write down ideas, imagery I get while driving, quick impressions of people I see so that I can either use them as a character in a future story or as a composite later on, whatever that captures my attention and starts my imagination running is put in the notebook. I may not use much of it, but why risk not having it?

I love creating my fiction by using one of the many different fountain pens I have and good quality notepads. This is especially true for dialog. When I'm doing it longhand I feel like I'm the characters in the story and they're responding to each other. I can hear the characters' "voices" in my head (yes, I have been called certifiable!) talking and the dialog doesn't seem as stilted. The only time I go to the computer is when the story is completed. It may sound like an extra, unnecessary step, but while I'm inputting the story I do my first editing and can see the story in a more clinical way. The times I've tried doing it on the computer first, the process seemed mechanical and I started to worry about grammar, punctuation, things like that which can wait until you get the rough draft done. The nice thing is when you have a problem area you can use red for dialog, green ink for emotion, whatever.

I used to keep a journal, but now I've been working on a personal narrative for family (to be seen ONLY at the reading of my will!). It covers my life but with more insight into the past and hopefully will give them a better understanding of the dynamics of my generation and the perceptions of my parents' for example. I guess in that sense, it still is a journal.

Like the others I tried an audio recorder. I researched them all and got the best and still had a hard time getting clear feedback. Besides, I'd always get impatient and mess up the control buttons.

Another great thing for improving your dialog: "borrow" a baby if you don't have one--a neighbor's, a relative's, whatever that is legal. Talking out loud to the baby lets you hear the cadence of the sentences. You'll pay more attention to the words you use to express emotion. The baby doesn't care so you don't have to have unsolicited advice about what to say or not to. That can come once you're finished. Just talk quietly if you're in a public place like a park or you'll get lots of strange looks.

Answer 3

Moleskine notebook most of the time (pricey but so luxurious for a writer, it almost helps you write) When I don't have it I use the audio memo record feature on my cell phone - I used to also carry a voice recorder but I kept losing it and finally sent it through the wash on accident, effectively killing it.
I only handwrite a journal on days I actually write, and I write it as a combination writing log and journal. Over the years I have been able to determine when I will probably be falling off in number of pages written, based on past years (and moon cycles, but that is a whole different question) and that is nice because that is when I can comfortably schedule a vacation or the like without missing out on the the "muse" speaking through me.

Answer 4

I have a tight schedule (who doesn't these days) but I find keeping a notebook or paper handy is the best way to keep ideas fresh. Usually I'm at the computer so if something comes up I make a quick note of it.

I wrote my first book long hand. I have tried using audio recorders but honestly didn't see that it helped one way or the other. These days if I can't write something down I wait until I can put it on the computer. Most of the time I find the idea stays in my mind and I keep it fresh by adding aspects to it as the day wears on. Some ideas are lost that way but my opinion is if they aren't interesting to stay in my mind then they probably wouldn't make very interesting stories.

Answer 5

I write in a journal, but am looking for a recorder - I also write from memory, but just remember to WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. Right now I'm writing a story called 101 first kisses about a girl who keeps dreaming up different first kiss secaroios and then the real thing is nothing like she imagined. LOL

Answer 6

I keep a small notepad in my vehicle for necessary phone numbers. If I get an idea for a story I might jot it down. Otherwise, it waits until I get home to the computer. I detest writing longhand because it is seldom legible.

My journal is also on the computer. I don't use audio recorders.

Answer 7

Well, I trust my memory. I keep rehearsing phrases and scenes and go on describing them to me. i forget most of them, but they often click back into memory when required.

I tried to write journals regularly but didnt succeed. Now,I just scribble my thoughts in certain cases. Not always...

Audio recorders? No. I dont use them. I do a very funny thing. I use my cell-phone. It has a voice recorder. S when I need to jot down something, I take out my mobile and speak into it. If there are many people around, I pretend I am speaking to a friend. hahaha....

TW K

Answer 8

I keep a med sized notebook with me, so whenever I get an idea i can write it down asap..it kind of acts as a journal too because I express my feelings the best by poetry/ jotting them down. :)