What method of writing do you use?

[Hannah_Scotland]

Do you type using a word-proceesor or do you prefer to use pencil and paper?
I have also heard of some writers using specific writing software which helps them lay out scenes, chapters etc.
Do any of you use this method?

[Carraka]

Aren't these questions in a poll somewhere?

Most of the time I type if a computer is available, but if I have trouble concentrating, I'll switch to a notebook -- fewer distractions. And I have no qualms with writing on paper when a computer is not available.

For EC, I started using yWriter3 when I was about a quarter of the way through the first draft. Once I finished the first draft, I realized that I wasn't using most of the features and that it was wreaking havoc on my concentration, so I exported everything into Word, and now I work on Word and Notepad. I may return to yWriter3 when I begin planning my second novel, but it's too early to tell (as in -- November is ages away!)

[Andy]

I use Microsoft word for writing. It's not specifically designed for writers, but it lets me put a table of contents at the top, and I can use bookmarks in the document to create chapter links. Click the link, and it scrolls down to the chapter.

I also use a small notes program called IdeaKnot (http://www.stayatplay.com/ideaknot/). It lets me organize things about my story, and I find it very convenient. It's free for Mac users, $20 for Windows users, unfortunately.

[Carraka]

Oh, I don't know if this is similar to Idea Knot, but sometimes to organize ideas I use MindMapper 3.5. But most of my ideas are either in .txt files or pasted on the walls of my room.

[Hannah_Scotland]

Imelda, I tried using yWriter but it confused me :confused:

I guess mucking about with it lets you get used to how it works?

[Nyx]

:DI use MS Word, I write on paper too, but typing's a hell of a lot faster. I use post-its to organize my ideas as well.

[Starry]

I write actually stories in Word and any reference info I might have in Notepad (or Paint for maps :] ). I'm on my computer essentially any time I'm awake and not at school or some other activity, so it just makes sense for me to do everything on the computer. Plus, I hate hand-writing stuff, because I'm such a slow writer and it starts to hurt after a while, much sooner than your fingers start to hurt from typing. And I have a tendency to lose anything not on the computer. (I lost my original first set of maps for my current fantasy world, and I had to redraw everything!) (It looks like South America again xP )

[Shaun]

I use MS Word mostly because I don't feel like learning another program. I know Word pretty well and anything I don't know is easy to figure out how to do (or easy to find on Google). I tried using other programs but just got bored with trying.

A good program for notes for windows is Stickit and there are loads of other free programs. I also usually keep a small notebook with me in case I get an idea while I'm away from the computer.

[Majyk]

I use Word. I only write on paper if a computer isn't available. I used to use a notebook, but the pencil fades after a while and I can't read it, plus, typing is easier.

[Chie'N'Kadath]

Call me old fashioned, but I use a typewriter. I don't like word processors because I easily lose track of where I put my files. I don't like using pen(cil) and paper for several reasons.

1. I lose the paper if its not preorganized
2. I hate pens and pencils to the ends of the earth. They are devices sent by the devil to make my wrist uncomfortable.
3. My handwriting is shite. I've even met a 4 year old with crappy handwriting who said herself that hers was more legible. It was.

But with typewriters, I have a nice stack of paper where I want it, it has a keyboard, and I don't have to worry about accidentally deleting or placing my writing in one of my desktop sub folders' sub folders.

I type stuff. unlike Kadath i dont dump my files into a series of underground folders on my desktop that i will never open just so i can see my desktop picture. I don't like writing on paper unless im writing in my native language, because i still have a hard time writing English and making it look half decent. Yeah; mock me all you want for my inability to write English right.

[Shukara]

I prefer wordpad (that's all that I have available) but for a lot of years I wrote shorthand -or in notebooks- how ever you prefer.

[Crocolyle]

I primarily use MS Word, but I sometimes switch to pen and paper if I need to change things up. Sometimes, if I'm having difficulty with a scene I switch to a notebook and a pen--usually a nice, inky one that allows me to write smoothly and quickly, if illegibly. I find that sometimes changing it up, helps the words flow. In fact, I wrote a novella almost entirely in a notebook. Though, when I transfer notebook to word processor, I often reword it completely or make major changes. I think this improves my writing--at least the language--because it's being rewritten in the process.

Also, if I'm only typing a story, particularly if the words are flowing right out of me during an orgasmic writing binge, I often have a steno pad out so I can scribble notes down, so no ideas are lost in the scramble to get the words the Muse is whispering into my ear down. Because on paper, you're not restricted to lines shorthand, quick diagrams, and rude little pictures are easier. If I'm writing at a less feverish pace, I sometimes leave a couple lines blank and type little notes into the word doc or create a new doc labeled "[story] notes."

[Zombified]

Am I the only one who doesn't have MS Word?

I have to write everything on Notepad or Wordpad.
It sucks!
I can't check my spelling or anything!

Good thing is its made me a stronger writer. I can spell a lot of words now without checking them and I usually don't make TOO MANY grammatical mistakes.
Its honed my skills!

[random_writer]

Well, I have MS Word, but it keeps telling me I'm spelling my last name wrong. It's kind of hard to spell 'Hendrix' wrong, isn't it? (Yes, like Jimi Hendrix.) Therefore, I do not put much stock in it.

As for spelling, I don't need to learn it, really. I missed going to the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee last year by one letter that was misplaced in a word I had to spell online beforehand while the rest of my class was using the time to do their standardized tests...which I was to participate in. I spelled "winnable" wrong.

Did you even know that was a word? I didn't before I spelled it wrong. :(

[Starry]

Well, I have MS Word, but it keeps telling me I'm spelling my last name wrong. It's kind of hard to spell 'Hendrix' wrong, isn't it? (Yes, like Jimi Hendrix.) Therefore, I do not put much stock in it.

As for spelling, I don't need to learn it, really. I missed going to the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee last year by one letter that was misplaced in a word I had to spell online beforehand while the rest of my class was using the time to do their standardized tests...which I was to participate in. I spelled "winnable" wrong.

Did you even know that was a word? I didn't before I spelled it wrong. :(

You know you can add words to MS Word's dictionary, right? I've done that not only for my name, but for the name of every character I use in one of my fantasy stories. Though it's a bit depressing when you use a new name, and in the suggested spellings it has a name that's like one letter off, that you used for some other story months before. xP So much for originality.

[Nyx]

Call me old fashioned, but I use a typewriter. I don't like word processors because I easily lose track of where I put my files. I don't like using pen(cil) and paper for several reasons.

1. I lose the paper if its not preorganized
2. I hate pens and pencils to the ends of the earth. They are devices sent by the devil to make my wrist uncomfortable.
3. My handwriting is shite. I've even met a 4 year old with crappy handwriting who said herself that hers was more legible. It was.

But with typewriters, I have a nice stack of paper where I want it, it has a keyboard, and I don't have to worry about accidentally deleting or placing my writing in one of my desktop sub folders' sub folders.


Oh my god. Now I really want a typewriter!

[seikoXchan]

Call me old fashioned, but I use a typewriter. I don't like word processors because I easily lose track of where I put my files. I don't like using pen(cil) and paper for several reasons.

1. I lose the paper if its not preorganized
I agree with Nyx; I want a typewriter too!
And I lose papers if they're not preorganized too... a lot.


Am I the only one who doesn't have MS Word?

No, you're not. -flails-

For me, though, I usually write down all my ideas in a notebook and then write the story/poem/script in Microsoft Works Word Processor.

[Midnight_Moon]

I use Microsoft Office Word for my stories but for my songs I just use Notepad. It's easier for songs cuz you don't have pages that you can see splitting it up.

[electrilad]

I'm definetely a lover of Microsoft word. But sometimes I like to do certain chapters in my notebook, so I can take it along with me, then transport what I wrote to the computer.