McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Writing vs. Typing
blgarver:
I am trying to get into the habit of doing both. Handwriting for brainstorming/prewriting/outlining (whatever you want to call it), then typing what I've learned from that pen-and-paper exploration. That doesn't mean, to any degree, that what I type is the final version. I'm still discovering as I type, but I have a much better feel for what I'm trying to do. It's sort of like looking at a map before you visit a new place.
I also learned from my counselor that the physical act of handwriting activates the part of the brain that controls the ability to express thoughts via written word. So today's lack of pen-and-paper writing is allegedly causing people to struggle with writing in general. I have not done my own research into this, but I thought that was interesting. I tend to believe her, too. Just look at any thread of comments on Youtube...
Dresdenus Prime:
--- Quote from: blgarver on February 13, 2013, 08:19:58 PM ---I also learned from my counselor that the physical act of handwriting activates the part of the brain that controls the ability to express thoughts via written word. So today's lack of pen-and-paper writing is allegedly causing people to struggle with writing in general. I have not done my own research into this, but I thought that was interesting. I tend to believe her, too. Just look at any thread of comments on Youtube...
--- End quote ---
That's too funny - I was just discussing with a good friend, who is also aspiring to be a writer, about this very thing. I had heard about it a week or two ago, though I forget where. I don't know if it's true or not, but I will admit I write a lot more smoothly on paper, whereas typing I find myself staring blankly at the screen every few moments or so.
Quantus:
--- Quote from: Dresdenus Prime on February 14, 2013, 01:29:10 PM ---That's too funny - I was just discussing with a good friend, who is also aspiring to be a writer, about this very thing. I had heard about it a week or two ago, though I forget where. I don't know if it's true or not, but I will admit I write a lot more smoothly on paper, whereas typing I find myself staring blankly at the screen every few moments or so.
--- End quote ---
I imagine it depends on how you started, and thus how your brain developed its wiring. Im the complete opposite. With a pen in my hand I end up staring at the blank page. But Ive never put much time into handwriting (as my illegible scrawl demonstrates). By contrast I can pour out thoughts a whole lot better while typing. I think it has a lot to do with the presence of a backspace key. Im not a natural speller, but bad spelling often derails my thought process. So when I can immediately fix my errors with a few twitches and move on I can keep my mental momentum
Seidmadr:
I'd like to throw a stick in here that is semi-related to the discussion at hand. It's mostly semantics, sure, but it is a point my friends and I have argued.
If you — in the sense of fairness I'll not use any of the discussed words — put words down on a smartphone or tablet, or any other interface with a touchscreen... Do you write, or do you type?
Quantus:
--- Quote from: Seidmadr on February 14, 2013, 02:34:38 PM ---I'd like to throw a stick in here that is semi-related to the discussion at hand. It's mostly semantics, sure, but it is a point my friends and I have argued.
If you — in the sense of fairness I'll not use any of the discussed words — put words down on a smartphone or tablet, or any other interface with a touchscreen... Do you write, or do you type?
--- End quote ---
Using the terms as this thread does, it would depend on if you are using a stylus or free hand drawing finger, or a keyboard interface. With tablets and such you can do both.
Though in another sense of the word, writing is the act of ordering words, regardless of how it is accomplished. You could technically write a poem with Alphabet Soup if you so chose.
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