Writers: What tools do you use?

[Drewdle]

Hey furs. I had the idea to ask this question as I just got myself a new (well, new to me) laptop last night for writing. It's old, the battery doesn't do much, and the wireless doesn't work, but it enables me to curl up just about anywhere and write. I've been feeling very dry lately in terms of creativity.

To be fair, I still do most of my poetry on paper, but for work on stories, I just find it much more productive (and easier for my hands to keep up with my brain) on a keyboard. What are your thoughts?

[Rainbow Wally]

Well I plan on getting a laptop for myself so I can start writing my Novel i want to write. its more easier to get comfy with a Laptop than it is with a desktop unless you've got a really comfy chair  . but yeah i prefer computers for writing stories it is easier on my hands and my fingers move almost the same speed as my mind does.

[Amorphous]

I have a wee Moleskine notebook and a pair of typewriters for when I feel the need to set words in order.

[Scani]

If it's short-form (poetry, or ideas/concepts for something longer-form), I don't mind committing to pen and paper.

When it's something a hint longer, though, electronic all the way.

[Drewdle]

I have a wee Moleskine notebook and a pair of typewriters for when I feel the need to set words in order.

Always wanted a typewriter. They're hard to come by, even at garage sales nowadays. You know what I thought was even cooler though? Word Processors. Like the ones with the orange monochrome screens, that saved to floppy but also functioned as a typewriter. I've never found one in working order though; always broken.

[Rainbow Wally]

Typewriters? have ya checked any antique shops ya never now, Plus check out the WWW, they have typewriters that actual writers use. I know they be old but man they sure beat writing out a novel by hand

[Calypso]

I personally use a bit of both.

When it comes to short stories/poetry, I like to use pen and paper.  But most times, after having put myu thoughts down on paper, I take them to the computer and write them there too.

For longer stories and long-winded self rants, I always write on the computer.

[Amorphous]

I have a wee Moleskine notebook and a pair of typewriters for when I feel the need to set words in order.

Always wanted a typewriter. They're hard to come by, even at garage sales nowadays.

I found mine via Craigslist. eBay's another good bet, although shipping can be a bit rough. A dedicated word-processing unit would be rad, if for nothing but the kitsch factor.

[Aaeden]

For me, computer all the way. The funny thing is I could write whole messes of stuff in WordPerfect or Word or even Notepad. All I need is somewhere to commit my words to digital. Sure, it'd be nice if I had some random software that makes my document look exactly like a book, but at the same time, I'd much rather just write.

[DogboyShugo]

Computer for me. When I'm not around a computer and I have a sudden inspiration I try to write it down so I'll remember

[Kyvr]

I use "Thought Books"- notebooks that I carry around,to work and at home- that when I have time to kill, I'll write random ideas in. They could be for anything- stories, RL ideas, video game ideas, role playing game ideas, random characters, settlings (I love making up fictional towns and cities)- anything that I can "spew out" into the page. When I feel there is a good idea in there (there is a lot of random, silly crap  ), then I usually feel compelled to flesh it out, then write it into a story.

So far, I'm up to over 30 Thought Books, that occasionally I go back and read what I wrote, and might use again, but for the most part, if I think that an idea was good enough to explore, it is already stuck in my head  Still, sometimes I can be reminded of a random idea I had, then turn it into something else.

Regarding the tools I use, Ie njoy both the feel of the pen on the page, and clacking of the keyboard 

[Mobile Suit Bunny]

Computer. But I want one of those old klacky IBM keyboards. Rappy left one here, it was marvelous until I discovered some of the keys didn't work. So that's another mission to embark on, to acquire a Model M. It's strange how a tactile response incites you to keep writing instead of go to bed.

[Amorphous]

Yeah, I get the same sort of impetus from my typewriter ticking away. If you want a clacky keyboard, google Das Keyboard. It's made with the same key mechanisms as the Model Ms so it's ticky as hell.

[Lady Serpent]

Agreed; keyboard ticking is nice.  Our old one had a broken space bar, so it was gloriously clacky.

I think there's nothing better than pencil-in-hand writing when it comes to poetry.  Even when planning story outlines, I love to have it on paper.  After that, computer is simply so much quicker for long typing and final versions.  Nice to have.

Good to see we have so many writing enthusiasts.

Cheers,
-LS

[Redgold]

Computer all the way. I don't think I could write without one. I wrote awful poetry in high school, and used pen and paper for that, but back then we didn't have much choice. I prefer the computer because it lets you insert things without a hassle.

[Aurifer]

As I type this, it's clicking a bit, but not that much.
I like the keyboards with the lower keys ('Island keys,' I call them, as opposed to my taller 'mountain keys'). This way, I can just drag a finger along the surface and press multiple keys. With the higher keys, my fingers end up slipping at some point and jamming themselves between two keys.

Anyway, I go computer all the way. I used to write on paper, but then my hand would get all sore and my writing would be too small for people to read (At my best, I wrote about four lines per line on standard ruled paper -- about 4 pt?). After all that was said and done, I pretty much had to type it all over again, word for word, into the computer. After that I can edit it, completely rewrite pieces, count the words, copy it and store it in several safe locations, post bits of it or give copies to people to read, or format it in strange and exciting ways (I never could do italics right on paper).
I've nearly finished transcribing a story I was in the middle of. That took a lot of work.
Considering I write so many different things, and all purely out of inspiration, it's not surprising that I need to go back and edit what I wrote.
I need a laptop of some sort. What I really want is something I can type on easily for hours on end. If I could get some sort of mobile unit with the ability to store as many bits of text as I pleased (none of this 127-character crap that cell-phones give you), with a plug-in for a good portable keyboard, and about eight hours solid run-time on battery (and an extra backup battery!) I'd be happy.

[Mobile Suit Bunny]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80_Model_100_line

I've always wanted one of these.

[Lady Serpent]

Damn, Aurifer, that IS small writing.  I could never accomplish that, and mine's hard enough to read at one line per line!

[Lego]

I almost exclusively use my laptop. But if I come up with new story ideas I write them down in a notebook I have, which is actually quite often.

[blindsight]

I use a strange combination of "in my head" and word processor.  I'll try to explain.

When I started writing, It was a matter of sticking a few words onto the monitor at a time, then trying to make a nice, flowing sentence out of them.  Very hard, but at the time I really didn’t think in words at all (lingering effect of childhood autism, you never really think like everyone else does no matter how creative and intelligent you may be).  That changed over the next few days, as I got more and more practice, and added new skills to the mix.  Imagery.  Automatic dialog generation.  Paragraph structure.  Within-scene plotting.  Character behaviour.  And so on, for over a week.

At the end of that time, I was able to create a description of a character (or characters), define a scene, place the characters into the scene, and watch the action unfold automatically.  The characters just do what they want, and you have limited control of their behaviour.  If you want to change the behaviour, add something new to the scene or earlier in the plot.  If you see something new, the plot later on may have to change.  And so on.  The writers I’ve discussed this with elsewhere call it “organic” writing (I wouldn’t know, never took any writing courses).  You make the characters, and they make the plot.

So this means I don’t do too many early drafts.  I’ll wander around like a zombie for a few weeks, making sparse notes on each scene, the sit down at the keyboard and run through the scene with output to keyboard instead of characters.  I still have to go though and correct the flow, punch up the imagery, and so on, and of course proofread.  But writing is automatic for me now.

BTW, that explains my voluminous posting style, I hope it doesn’t bother anyone too much.  But words just flow these days.  And you know, about a week after starting my first story, the ability to write automatically  triggered a fundamental shift in my thought processes, and I can now think in words.  I’m still trying to sort the effects of that one out, but it really seems to have sharpened my mind a lot.  For example, I had very little memory of events from more than 5 years ago.  Now my whole life is back, sharp and clear.