Apr 16 2008
Keyboard or Pen?
When you write, do you use a keyboard or a pen? Or do you use both for different types of writing?
As a fulltime freelance writer, I have to produce text as quickly and efficiently as possible. That text has to be in digital format for e-mailing and publication. The day I purchased my first personal computer in the ’80s I stopped using pen and paper (even though the $4,000 Victor I bought had no hard drive and less processing power than a modern cell phone). On the rare occasions when I had to handwrite something, I realized that my penmanship ability had atrophied. Writing by hand had become painfully slow, gave me hand cramps and resulted in undecipherable hieroglyphics.
A couple of years ago I decided to get serious about keeping a journal. I began by using my computer. But when I traveled I took a notebook and pen. It was torture at first, but soon my hand began to adapt. More and more of the words I wrote actually looked like words. Then I discovered a notebook I fell in love with: Moleskine. I also found a type of pen that was a pleasure to use. It wasn’t long before I began to relish the time I spent writing in my notebook with my gel pen. It has become a sensuous experience (laugh if you will, but I swear it is) and one I look forward to everyday – sometimes several times a day. The notebook and pen are portable, lightweight, don’t have to be plugged in, don’t run out of batteries and don’t crash or get viruses.
For my “work” writing, however, I continue to put my fingers to the keyboard. Don’t get me wrong – using a computer is not an unpleasant experience for me. I enjoy it, but in a different way. It’s fast, precise and much more flexible in terms of making changes and revisions.
You might say I’m torn between two lovers and each has its place in my life. I spend 95 percent of my time with the keyboard getting things done and the other 5 percent luxuriating with my pen and Moleskine.
I have a friend who writes books and film scripts. He writes everything by hand and refuses to use a computer until he has to prepare a final manuscript for submission. He says the computer inserts a layer of technology between him and his work that stifles his creativity.
What about you? Do you use a keyboard, a pen, or both? If both, when do you use one and when do you use the other? If you use a pen, what type of notebook or paper and writing instrument do you use? Let’s get a discussion going about writing tools. Please submit a comment. I’d like to hear from you.
Special Note: Send Me Your Problems!
Some of you have asked if I could help you with specific writing issues. My answer is yes. Send me a comment with a piece of text you have written (nothing too long, please) and tell me what has you stumped or doesn’t seem right. I’ll do my best to get to the bottom of it and we’ll invite others to comment with their ideas or suggestions. Let’s make this a valuable, interactive learning experience. To contact me, click here.
I use both. I have that favorite pen too–a fountain pen that I painstakingly take the time to fill now and again. I too use a Moleskine to keep notes and ideas. It’s my constant companion.
Hi Steve,
It’s a pleasure reading your articles on writing. Now that I know you use a keyboard as well as a pen, do you use any writing software program. Presently I’m investigating some programs which are simple to use and has a grammar check function.
Do you recommend any?
Thanks.
Adi
Adi, I use Microsoft Word as a wordprocessor program, as does most of the world. I know there are other writing programs that help you organize and format text for specific applications. I’ve even tried a few, but always go back to Word. It does everything I need (and much more) and is the most universally compatible, which is good for sending files, etc. If you find a program you like, please comment and let the rest of us know about it. Good luck in your search!
I use both, too. For work, I prefer my laptop as well, but I use big sheets of paper to captur e ideas (mind-map style). Most things I just put in OpenOffice Word but if I need to do a complex layout I will TeX (LaTex) it. There is one exeption: poetry and short stories - I put that on paper first. I have a special system for that, but I don’t put them in the computer unless I want or need to send them to some publisher.
All my personal stuff I put on paper. I rather write a postcard or a letter to send my love to a friend (but would e-mail if it’s business). I went back to the paper-version for keeping track of appointments and deadlines. As a diary I love the ‘grand voyage’ of Semikolon. Poems I put in Moleskine cahiers (brown, large, ruled). I love to write with my old fountain pen we all received in 3rd grade (yes, Switzerland and Germany are that old-school). But I do blog in German and French to talk to myself and to others about more general stuff, to ‘play philosopher’. And so, sometimes, I enjoy it to hack in on my keyboard - and I’m glad my parents made learn how to type back in 9th grade.