I almost wrote last night!

Posted by danleone on January 22nd, 2008 filed in writing

That’s right! I had this intense desire to continue writing my novel last night. I even went so far as to open the folder with my writing in it! My fingers were poised over the keys like they were made of shards of glass. But don’t worry…I stopped myself just in time. Phew! That was a close one!

The excuse I used was that I was having a debate with myself about whether to write longhand or keyboardhand. All this Paralysis of Analysis kicked in enough to stop my dead in my pretend-writer’s tracks and to turn on Family Guy instead. Quagmire is my hero!

So, here is a question I ask of all you real writers out there: Longhand or on the computer? Why?

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12 Responses to “I almost wrote last night!”

  1. Mahala Says:
    January 22nd, 2008 at 11:43 am

    I can type way faster than I can write, so you’d think that would be the prefered option, but there’s something about the words flowing through your fingers, to a pen and onto paper that’s just different.. more satisfying.

  2. Deb Says:
    January 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm

    On the computer, but then, I haven’t worked on my book in about a month, so maybe I should stop messing around with that and write in a notebook so the internet isn’t such a temptation.

  3. Lilacspecs Says:
    January 22nd, 2008 at 2:20 pm

    Longhand

    Raw=inspiration!

  4. meleah rebeccah Says:
    January 22nd, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    COMPUTER.

    My handwriting is DISGUSTING.

  5. Jodi Says:
    January 22nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm

    Longhand first….always

  6. Lyssa Ireland Thomas Says:
    January 22nd, 2008 at 10:08 pm

    Totally computer! I make so many dang changes so quickly that I couldn’t read my handwritten rough draft afterwards. Plus I’m always using the internet to do research simultaneously.

    Keep the tv on, but do the writing, also. I haven’t followed a story in six months, but I have the “essence” of the show.

  7. Avery Says:
    January 23rd, 2008 at 12:12 am

    Both. Computer when the ideas are flowing, and longhand when I’m gathering my thoughts.

  8. Ryan Says:
    January 23rd, 2008 at 1:11 am

    I do both, but my longhand is mostly to take little notes of what to expand on later at the keyboard. Great post, Dan.

  9. Loz Says:
    January 23rd, 2008 at 9:17 pm

    I’m tending more and more to type these days. By the way drop on over and collect your award ;)

  10. ender Says:
    January 24th, 2008 at 5:08 am

    excellent question, dan … and after typing in 2 paragraphs and starting on the third, i decided not to write a novella of a comment here, but to write my own post about it and give you some linky love. :)

    (short answer … both … each for different purposes and occasions)

  11. melissa Says:
    January 24th, 2008 at 3:01 pm

    despite the fact that YOU NEVER visit me…i’m going to answer your question…longhand. i must write in a notebook, with a black or blue medium point pen. i despise typing on the computer. i can’t think properly, when i’m trying to write. and…yes, i do write. kids book but, they count too. and…no, i haven’t been published…but, that hasn’t stopped me from trying. so there…i’ve answered all your questions. you were going to ask me those questions, weren’t you?
    xoxo

  12. Ref Says:
    January 26th, 2008 at 5:29 pm

    I’ve written over seven hundred pages of a novel. I never submitted it. Chalked it up to great writing experience. I quit writing when I realized that becoming a fiction author requires an enormous amount of luck and networking. It’s really not about the quality of the work. Sure, that helps, but unless you know someone it’s EXTREMELY difficult to break through. Also, writers are absolutely everywhere. Not saying you shouldn’t do it, but just be aware of how enormously difficult it is to get published, and when you do, how little you will actually make. You don’t make money until the second novel and even then it’s tough. Not trying to be gloomy, just realistic. Eyes wide open.

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