Writers: So you prefer to write your stories on the computer or longhand?

I normally prefer to write my first and second drafts with pen and paper, then type the final draft in Word for submissions. The only time I break this pattern is during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) which occurs during the month of November. Since the goal is to get 50,000 word down by the end of the month I have to use the computer or I'd probably permanently cripple my hand!

computer keyboard... as much as i appreciate writing longhand, my thoughts sometimes come quicker than i could write them.. i am better able to keep up with my thoughts with faster typing..

I agree that writing on paper is much more of a connecting experience than writing on the computer screen. There is something about writing with your own hand and putting thoughts to paper that can't be replaced. I think it is much more meaningful to write this way. I still do both. It is similar to reading a book on the computer; there is no replacing the actual experience of reading a book right in front of you and that you are holding in your hands.

i like to write with a pen more, but, with computers, its alot less messy. the thing is, when im on a computer, its almost like its waiting for me to write something and the computer is getting annoyed in turn making me annoyed. on the other hand, when using a pen, i daydream and go into different worlds and finally come up with something amazing to say. thats just me

I prefer to write by hand I think. I can get my ideas out a bit quicker..... and you can sit anywhere to hand write things on a piece of paper! Although I have to say my typing has got a bit quicker since being on mylot, as I don't normally do much typing on the computer. So my views might change. :0)

Okay, here's the story: I'm an office supply addict and I *LOVE* handwriting. Love.Love.Love. So, when stores like Wal-Mart have school supply sales . . . I buy cases of filler paper ($10) and cases of spiral bound notebooks ($5.00) every year, in addition to the packs of pen, pencils and other assorted things related to writing. :-) With my treasure-trove of goodies, I spend the year writing long-hand for journal entries, stories, poetry, chapters, rough drafts for writing assignments, interview notes and so on. Yes, it can be a pain to tranfer all of this to the screen, but I don't care. :-)

I actually write with Pen and I will then type it up on my Computer and that is when I write it properly and correct Mistakes I will then print it of and put it away

Oh definately with a computer pye. It all gets a bit confusing with pen and paper especially if you have to change things or put them in a different order. I find that on the computer I can do it "rough" first and then tweak it to perfection later on! lol ;)

It sort of depends. I really enjoy doing a rough draft by hand, but its so much easier to do the editing if the draft is on the computer in the first place. I've writen both ways, the portablity of the pen & paper is wonderful, but I hate having to type it on the computer when I'm done. I have found that when I'm typing something from paper tho, I go into "editor" mode. I've typed stories for a friend & then as part of the assistant editor for a fanzine. With the friend, I was not actual at my home, because we didn't have a computer at the time so I was using my mother's. I was on the phone about every hour going over things I had found with the writer. With the other story I was foot noting every thing I had a problem with. We sent back the copy I had typed & footnoted & she returned a copy with things she changed or wanted to keep the same with some small changes. I then made the changes on the copy with more (different) footnotes. We went with what she sent back, except for one small thing that we just had to change because it just never made sense & she didn't seem to understand why I wanted to change it. She never complained.

I prefer using a word processing program on my computer, because it allows me to edit my work more readily (I often do several drafts), whereas it gets to be messy if I use a pen and paper. But, if a computer isn't available, I will write traditionally.

I like writing .I like to write my stories on pen. Because I think that using pen can give me much afflaus.And using pen is very convenience.

I used to be a die-hard pen and paper writer, but over time I found that using the computer works better for me. I can type a lot faster than I can write, and the ideas just seem to flow better. I type my rough draft, then run it off and make corrections by hand. I still can't proofread well on the computer screen. I make lots of revisions and save the printed versions.

I prefer using pen also, i just enjoy the feeling of holding a pen on my hand...And after i'm finish i just type my work on the computer to be save...

I prefer to use the computer to write stories. It's easier to delete things if you make a mistake, or want to re-write something. I find it a lot easier too, because MS Word shows you typos and errors. A bit of a cheat, really, aha, but I like it for that reason too. ;D

I haven't written is SO long. I use to do both though...When I write poems though I always use pen and paper. Probably because that's what's available when inspiration hits me. But as far as stories or books - I really prefer to type it so I don't have do it again. Once I start tying something I already hand written I tend to change a lot more than I intended.

i am much better with a pen and paper on hand.my thought flows more easily with it and it is not eye strainning to stare at a blank page or on a sheet of paper. i love the feel of the pen and paper on top of an old worn out table.it can be brought under a tree for fresh air to breath in fresh ideas.

I see you went over 1000 while I was sleeping! You and I are so much alike! I wonder if we were siblings in another life? I write just about all my stuff longhand first. I can't think or flow when I am typing. (I keep wanting to fix my typos.) If I am writing then I don't have to worry about mistakes. I will edit and rewrite, however, while I am transferring my longhand stuff to the computer.

Since I never know when an idea is going to jump up and bite me like a flea, I carry pen and paper with me most everywhere and jot my ideas down. Sometimes it is just a word or a phrase that keeps going through my head so I have to write the words to get it out...lol. And thus another half baked peom is born...:}.. Once I have my ideas down then I type on the computer and save it.

I have honestly given up the pen for anything but grocery lists and a few Christmas cards to people who don't have email. I had to write an elderly aunt a long letter recently and I couldn't believe how bad my handwriting has become and how tedious it was. I am a typer all the way!

To be honest, I did like doing it the pen and yellow pad way before. But after a while of experimenting on the computer, I soon realized the added plus values I haven't realized before, like the speed and correcting advantages of a computer. Later on, I still make my drafts via the pen and yellow pad and would finalize them on my computer. Today, its all in the computer with my keyboard seeing a lot of banging, and my ever dependable pen holstered in a pen holder and lonely, atop a file cabinet