Is This Unusual? (writing in longhand first)

WrittenIn1981 · Oct 8, 2008

I've noticed that I do a lot better when I draft my writing with pen and paper before ever sitting down at a computer. I've done this since my college writing classes, and recently my friends began to note that it seemed rather unprofessional and an outdated method.

I have tried to do the computer thing without ever touching a pencil, but something just hinders me about it.

Does anyone else do this, or am I an unprofessional weirdo?

adtabb · Oct 8, 2008

My hands can't write as fast as my mind thinks, they can type a lot faster. Also, handwriting written at thinking speed is just squiggly lines for me!

If it works for you, great!

TheIT · Oct 8, 2008

I wrote an entire novel longhand, then transcribed it to computer. It helped keep me from going back and fiddling with the beginning. For backup copies, I scanned my notebook pages into the computer as .jpeg images. Depending on my mood, I find it easier to compose using pen and paper, then edit on the computer.

There's no "right way" to do anything. Whatever works.

Alpha Echo · Oct 8, 2008

How is that unprofessional?

If it works for you better than typing, then do it! A lot of people handwrite the first draft then revise as they type it up.

Clair Dickson · Oct 8, 2008

So long as you type the draft up for submissions, then there's nothing wrong with it. And unprofessional... that's like saying it's unprofessional to have sexy undies under your interview suit... who cares?

It doesn't matter how you create your product. If you want to write nekkid, fine. By hand, fine. In human blood... just make to get signed permission if you don't use your own.

The important things: a good story and it's professional at the submission stage.

(I might try that writing nekkid thing... but I'll have to make sure Hubby's not home. ;-)

Mr Flibble · Oct 8, 2008

weirdo

Well ok not much. I type because if I write as fast as I think, I can't read it. I still do take notes when I'm not at the oc ( at work for example) but I type em up quick as I can before I forget what that squiggle means

WrittenIn1981 · Oct 8, 2008

Thanks for all the feedback so far.

I'll have to try that writing in the buff thing. Maybe I'll make a nudist character and get into the feel.... erm on second thought maybe not.

I love the pen and paper thing because it allows me to flow the story/article better. Like has already been said, when I go back to type my notes up, I will often begin to make adjustments at that point.

When I tried describing it to a friend of mine, I told her it felt like I was an artist using a paintbrush on canvas, and that such artists would probably scoff at the idea of using something like a computer graphics program to create their works.

Liosse de Velishaf · Oct 8, 2008

I like to write longhand because if I wrote as fast as I thought there'd be a bunch of gibberish on the screen. Writing longhand forces me to get my thoughts in order before putting something down on the page. I've heard other writers say the same thing.

AdamH · Oct 8, 2008

All my first drafts are pen to paper. For me it's easier to pull out and start writing at any moment inspiration moves me instead of grabbing a laptop and waiting for it to boot up. Those few fleeting seconds difference sometimes matter.

If you're a weirdo, I'm a weirdo too. And we shall all start a fraternity or sorority of weirdos where the Great Gonzo is our mascot!!!

Long live the pen! Long live the pen!

Aschenbach · Oct 8, 2008

Clair Dickson said:
I might try that writing nekkid thing...

I used to write naked, and with pen on paper. But after too many paper cuts on sensitive places I packed it in and switched to a PC.

Jersey Chick · Oct 8, 2008

WrittenIn1981 said:
<snipped> I've done this since my college writing classes, and recently my friends began to note that it seemed rather unprofessional and an outdated method.

As long as you aren't submitting these hand written pages, there's nothing unprofessional. If I tried long hand, I'd never be able to transcribe because I'd never be able to read it. Even when my thoughts aren't flying a thousand miles a minute, I've got the handwriting of a doctor.

katiemac · Oct 8, 2008

I can see where someone might think it unusual, but "unprofessional"? No.

vixey · Oct 8, 2008

As many have already stated, I must write on the computer. My mind and my fingers move at about the same speed. Unfortunately, my mind catches typoes and I find myself hitting backspace to correct them. I guess I type forward and backward?? Also, i like having access to the internet for research and the dictionary.

I'd probably do the same with a pen and paper, meaning I'd scratch through what I've written because I've thought of a better word. I journal (sometimes) and I like the way my handwriting looks on clean white paper (which has nothing to do with answering your question).

Telstar · Oct 9, 2008

My calligraphy is horrible since high school. God bless computers!

tehuti88 · Oct 9, 2008

I can't do the writing-by-hand thing...my mind just goes way too fast and my poor hand can't keep up. Plus I post my work to the Web so I'd have to type it all up anyway. Not to mention that backspace is a lot more convenient than erasing and rewriting!

That being said, I don't see what's "unprofessional" or "outdated" about a writing method as long as it works.

THAT being said, I do sometimes long for the ability to write my things out by hand. There's just something nice about a bunch of writing in a notebook or journal. If only my hand were faster. And my printing not so horrid.

RJK · Oct 9, 2008

I'm old enough to remember a time when I had no choice. I remember how happy I was when my older sister got a portable typewriter for Christmas. No more longhand homework assignments.

I make way too many mistakes to start with any form of hard copy, whether it is longhand or typewritten (on paper). The result is ugly. The first time I saw a word processor, I thought I died and went to heaven. The words automatically wrapped around to the next line - what a miracle. I could backspace and type over a mistake, WOW. I could Cut out a whole block of text and paste it in another section of the document, what wonders.

After living through those paper ages, I'm glad I have the computer and use it for my first draft. As for the OP, If longhand rings you bell, go for it.

Stijn Hommes · Oct 10, 2008

Nothing unprofessional about that. Although I wonder what makes you want to write the whole novel twice, then continue and rewrite it yet again. As long as it works for you, I applaud your effort. Continue!

Shadow Paetz · Oct 10, 2008

I recently went back to longhand for a short during a blackout here. *Huge storm. Wonderful mood setter for writing.

It did help to do it longhand. I took more time with each word, which forced me to slow down my thoughts and sort of linger over them.

However, I was so excited when I got my first computer. (I'll give away my age here, lol) I could write and edit things without making a mess. My longhand versions tend to have huge, crossed-out sections, and my writing -- I have a tremor, and it's difficult to read.

I finished six novels sitting at my first computer -- within two years. They weren't very good novels, but they were all about 80000 to 100000 words. Without a computer, or at least a good word processor, I don't think I would have finished the first one.

So, while longhand is good for me every so often, I prefer to close my eyes and type out what I dream. It's not unprofessional to write longhand. It's just a choice.

ishtar'sgate · Oct 10, 2008

WrittenIn1981 said:
I've noticed that I do a lot better when I draft my writing with pen and paper before ever sitting down at a computer.
I have tried to do the computer thing without ever touching a pencil, but something just hinders me about it.

Does anyone else do this, or am I an unprofessional weirdo?

I have ALWAYS written with pencils. Part of my routine before sitting down to write is to sharpen a whole raft of them so as they wear down I can use the next one without stopping to sharpen it. I don't create well on the computer likely because my job involved a lot of computer work which was all dead boring legalese. Once the first draft is out of the way, I can use the computer. I do very little revision work on the computer either. I print out hard copies and do revisions in different colored inks. It works for me just fine so I guess I'm an unprofessional weirdo too.

Tracy · Oct 10, 2008

Nathalie Goldman, author of 'Writing Down The Bones' speaks of deliberately choosing different ways to write - reason being that you have to 'write' much more slowly with pen and paper than you do with a keyboard, and so you'll create differently and it's fun to experiment with that.

As the others have said, it certainly isn't unprofessional to do it, and I find those comments by your friends rather strange. Do whatever works.

WrittenIn1981 · Oct 10, 2008

Shadow Paetz said:
I recently went back to longhand for a short during a blackout here. *Huge storm. Wonderful mood setter for writing.

It did help to do it longhand. I took more time with each word, which forced me to slow down my thoughts and sort of linger over them.

It was actually a blackout that got me back into doing it. I noticed once I got out of school that the shift to computer was just not working out at all. However, we had a few hours of darkness after a storm came through one day. I got bored, went to the bedroom where there was plenty of light, sat down, and two hours later I had written more with the paper and pen (about twelve pages) than I could ever remember being able to write with a computer in the same amount of time. After that it was pen and paper all the way for first drafts.

I would never submit my hand written drafts. I have heard of people that did that though once they got to be published authors and having some pull behind their work. However, I don't think I would ever want to try and put some poor editor through that.

WrittenIn1981 · Oct 10, 2008

Oh yeah, thanks for all the continued replies to the thread guys. It makes me feel less strange (although the idea about Gonzo as a mascot really kinda rocks!)

Diana W. · Oct 10, 2008

I kind of do both. I have the big notebook for when I'm out and the urge to write strikes me. Then when I get home I type whatever I've written on to the computer. I actually seem to write better away from home for some reason. Less distractions maybe. :Shrug:

Jen_D · Oct 11, 2008

Liosse de Velishaf said:
I like to write longhand because if I wrote as fast as I thought there'd be a bunch of gibberish on the screen. Writing longhand forces me to get my thoughts in order before putting something down on the page. I've heard other writers say the same thing.

Same here. I've found that the parts of my stories that I write out long hand are usually better than those I type. I do less editing [except for spelling] and story revising with long hand.

scope · Oct 11, 2008

It's absolutely of no consequence. Pencil and paper, computer -- just go with YOUR flow. Work in the fashion which you know turns out your best results.

Me, sometimes I start a story using pencil and paper and other times I start on the computer. Sometimes I switch in the middle. I go with whatever I feel is working best for me. I am sure of one thing -- I MUST print out anything I write on the computer in order to get a true feel for what I have created. Invariably, when I write on the computer and then revise and revise until I think it is OK and needs little work, I wind up making many additional changes when I print the work out and read it. It just more "real" and subjective when I hold it in my hands. Totally different perspective, at least for me.

Is This Unusual? (writing in longhand first)

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