Comments on: Speedwriting for the Rest of Us http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us Writing tips for the real world. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:35:53 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Steve Osborne http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us/comment-page-1#comment-517 Steve Osborne Thu, 24 Jul 2008 13:24:46 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/?p=194#comment-517 Soozi Q, thanks for the suggestion. I looked into learning real shorthand, but it seemed daunting. Sounds like you picked it up quite easily. How long did it take you? I would love to be able to handwrite at 60 words per minute. Soozi Q, thanks for the suggestion. I looked into learning real shorthand, but it seemed daunting. Sounds like you picked it up quite easily. How long did it take you? I would love to be able to handwrite at 60 words per minute.

]]> By: Soozi Q http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us/comment-page-1#comment-512 Soozi Q Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:53:18 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/?p=194#comment-512 If you're interested in making speedy notes, I highly recommend taking an 'old-school' shorthand course if you have the opportunity. I did a short Teeline shorthand course because it was offered free at my workplace - I achieved speeds of 60 w.p.m (as fast as good touch-typing) and although I don't practise shorthand every day (like a journalist or court reporter might), I still use many of the 'outlines' when taking notes in meetings, phone messages, jottings, or even shopping lists. In fact, I have integrated it so much into my writing that I have to remember not to use outlines when writing postcards etc. Shorthand is also handy for when you want to write 'secret' jottings that you don't want someone looking over your shoulder to be able to read! Learning Teeline (or Pitman) is also a fantastic mental workout - it's magical to watch the transition from having to concentrate very hard, to a few months later when the outlines just seem to flow out of your pen. If you’re interested in making speedy notes, I highly recommend taking an ‘old-school’ shorthand course if you have the opportunity. I did a short Teeline shorthand course because it was offered free at my workplace - I achieved speeds of 60 w.p.m (as fast as good touch-typing) and although I don’t practise shorthand every day (like a journalist or court reporter might), I still use many of the ‘outlines’ when taking notes in meetings, phone messages, jottings, or even shopping lists.
In fact, I have integrated it so much into my writing that I have to remember not to use outlines when writing postcards etc.
Shorthand is also handy for when you want to write ’secret’ jottings that you don’t want someone looking over your shoulder to be able to read!

Learning Teeline (or Pitman) is also a fantastic mental workout - it’s magical to watch the transition from having to concentrate very hard, to a few months later when the outlines just seem to flow out of your pen.

]]> By: Andreas http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us/comment-page-1#comment-485 Andreas Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:40:41 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/?p=194#comment-485 Cool list - I wish there would be such a list for German language... Cool list - I wish there would be such a list for German language…

]]> By: Monday Morning Link Roundup for 7.14.08 | PureBlogging http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us/comment-page-1#comment-427 Monday Morning Link Roundup for 7.14.08 | PureBlogging Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:17:44 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/?p=194#comment-427 [...] Writers’ Bag offers a cool tutorial on speed writing. As someone who keeps a moleskine handy at all times, I think I’m going to try this, since my [...] [...] Writers’ Bag offers a cool tutorial on speed writing. As someone who keeps a moleskine handy at all times, I think I’m going to try this, since my [...]

]]> By: John DM http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us/comment-page-1#comment-421 John DM Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:34:29 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/?p=194#comment-421 You write very neatly, Steve. I, however, have spent too many years scribbling madly in notebooks as a reporter so neatness is long gone. I've used a variation of speedwriting for almost 40 years and learned one lesson: Fill in the missing letters quickly while context is still fresh. Otherwise, it will be by guess and by golly. Of course, if I only need to write down the important things a politician says, I can use stone and chisel. ;^) You write very neatly, Steve. I, however, have spent too many years scribbling madly in notebooks as a reporter so neatness is long gone. I’ve used a variation of speedwriting for almost 40 years and learned one lesson: Fill in the missing letters quickly while context is still fresh. Otherwise, it will be by guess and by golly.

Of course, if I only need to write down the important things a politician says, I can use stone and chisel. ;^)

]]> By: Tim http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us/comment-page-1#comment-412 Tim Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:28:07 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/?p=194#comment-412 Very cool codes-- I will try it. Thanks to Copyblogger for finding your site. Tim Very cool codes– I will try it. Thanks to Copyblogger for finding your site.

Tim

]]> By: 7 Things to Make Your Weekend Sweeter | Copyblogger http://thewritersbag.com/writing-techniques/speedwriting-for-the-rest-of-us/comment-page-1#comment-411 7 Things to Make Your Weekend Sweeter | Copyblogger Sat, 12 Jul 2008 21:06:02 +0000 http://thewritersbag.com/?p=194#comment-411 [...] Check out this really useful speedwriting tutorial. [...] [...] Check out this really useful speedwriting tutorial. [...]

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