Well, after oddles and noodles of research, I write in a pretty composition book. I have to write with one ink color throughout the book to do so.

So far, there have been no drawbacks and through this method I wrote six books in four years. How’s that for a kid in high school?

Keep positive and keep on writing.

Ariel Ceylan
Ariel Ceylan´s last blog ..Rooksbridge: Fantasy Series

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By Ariel Ceylan on 02.24.10 8:32 pm | Permalink

Interesting. I would find it impossible to write a novel that way. Even a short story would prove difficult. Sure I will jot ideas down on paper in the middle of the night and at other times as things pop into my mind. But these are just brief notes. I am not good at typing but it is enough. Once a story starts it is as if I am taking dictation. The characters take over my mind and I go with the flow.
I cannot write to ‘order’ or follow guidelines for standard Romance as turned out by popular paperbacks. Therefore I am unlikely to be published by the big publishing groups. A granny in search of an orgasm, gay CofE priests, or even my trilogy saga are unlikely to get any further than they have already. But that is okay — they have seen the light of day. If I had tried writing by hand they would still be in my head. Somehow ideas do not flow ‘by hand’ and if they did I would not be able to read what I have written!
Gladys Hobson´s last blog ..The Band Played On — short story by Gladys Hobson

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By Gladys Hobson on 02.25.10 4:55 am | Permalink

I make notes freehand sometimes, but writing that way is absolutely painful for me. I’ve been typing for much of my life, and it’s simply much smoother and more automatic for me. Writing old-school gets in my way – it’s no longer a matter of words flowing out of my hands as they come into my head.

Yes, I do edit some as I type, but I don’t really have a problem with that. Conversely, when writing longhand, I go crazy because I’ll put down a sentence and then realize I’ve left out a word/misspelled something/could say that a little better, and I end up editing anyway, only it’s much messier.

A highly individual process, this writing business, wot?

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By Anica Lewis on 02.26.10 3:21 pm | Permalink

write with a fountain pen on a sketch pad, doodle the story if necessary, use watercolours/pastel if feeling daring.
e.lee´s last blog ..Zen Pen

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By e.lee on 02.27.10 1:10 pm | Permalink

Interesting. I used to write with pen and paper, that’s all I had. I still have written stories waiting to make it to the word processer.

I now type everything, but I wonder what would happen if I did go back to pen and paper. Would I discover something amazing.

You’ve given me something to think about. Thank you.
Cher´s last blog ..When NOT to do a reading

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By Cher on 02.28.10 8:20 pm | Permalink

I use both methods, depending on what I am writing and what my deadline is. With my articles for my columns I mostly write them with pen and paper, then my first and often my final edit comes when I type it into my computer. With novels I really mix it up, depending on where I am. I did NANOWRIMO the last few Novembers and found it much easier to type. This November I was fortunate enough to find a computer program Write or Die in which I had the ability to turn off my backspace and time my writing and keep a word count. If I stopped for any reason the program would make loud, obnoxious noises until I started typing again. Of course this doesn’t work to well when editing, so now the pen and paper come out.
Chris Weigand´s last blog ..Angels Muse: Love the King and Savior

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By Chris Weigand on 03.01.10 6:42 pm | Permalink

I’m skimming through the site for the first time and since I just wrote about this on my own blog, I thought I’d weigh in on an older post.

I always have a difficult time with anyone saying ‘this is the best way’ because they rarely seem to be able to think about things from any other perspective than their own. I find it nearly impossible to compose anything with pen and paper, yet have still had several people try to explain to me why I should switch over.

I love my keyboard. It’s the only thing that can keep up with the speed of my brain! I just configure my software to not impede the creative process while I’m working on first drafts.
Mark´s last blog ..Technology and Drafting

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Sarah Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 11:29 am

@Mark, I started out with pen and paper, and when I can’t get to a keyboard, I use a notebook to jot things down. But I am with you, I write better and clearer on a computer. It flows easier.

Thanks for coming and visiting us. I hope you come back soon and often.
Sarah

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Jamie Reply:
April 29th, 2010 at 11:38 am

@Mark, I am SO the same way! I HAVE to write it on a keyboard or I can’t get it down fast enough.

The other day I was writing in a notebook, and I realized that my hands weren’t used to writing anymore because I’ve become so reliant on the keyboard!
Jamie´s last blog ..Blog Break #AmWriting

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By Mark on 04.29.10 11:03 am | Permalink