Do you prefer to write your first drafts on paper or on the computer?

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   rmcleveposted 11 years ago

   Do you prefer to write your first drafts on paper or on the computer?

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   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   It depends on what kind of first draft. For a creative calligraphy or art project, on paper. For ideas of what to write a hub about, on paper. Writing a hub, story or essay, always on Word.

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      rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That makes sense! Thanks for sharing!

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   Writer Chuckposted 11 years ago

   I always use the computer if available, it saves trees.
   
   Chuck

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   MickSposted 11 years ago

   Paper, I generally jot down ideas on 6x4 inch index cards, as the ideas come to me, then I start shuffling them into some kind of order, and then flesh it out on paper beffore I get involved with the computer.

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      rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That's an interesting process! I have a box of ideas that I hash out on paper or Word when the time comes. Thanks for sharing!

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   teaches12345posted 11 years ago

   I find writing on the computer is much easier and faster for me.  I have to remember to save often and back up the files for safe keeping.

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   Holly Richmondposted 11 years ago

   The computer.  My handwriting is so bad I can't even read it!

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   randomcreativeposted 11 years ago

   Usually I brainstorm and write outlines on paper and then start the first draft on the computer.

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      rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Me too! I have file folders with ideas, drafts, and other things to work off. Thanks for sharing! I always like to see how you do things and although it might be different from your side of things, over here it looks like you've got it together!

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   M. T. Dremerposted 11 years ago

   It kind of depends on what I'm writing. If it's a hub/article, I prefer to do it on the computer. If it's a novel/short story, I prefer to do it on paper. Usually it's a distraction thing. Articles are short enough that I can hammer them out before getting distracted by the internet, but stories are much tougher. Plus, when I transfer the story from the notebook to the computer, it gives me one extra layer of editing that I wouldn't have had otherwise.

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      rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That makes total sense! The internet distractions (Twitter, Pandora, Google, that beautiful butterfly that just flew by) really knock me down sometimes. I find I write better and with more focus if I write everything out by hand first.

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   Ghaelachposted 11 years ago

   Hi rm.
   I scribble all my thoughts and research for the new hub down on paper and then separate the different sections and number them as I would like them in the hub.This then all gets transfered into Open-Office where I then let my splell ckecker go to work to find my tipo's. After editing and have all my images ready, I do a split screen with O-O and HP and transfer or drag and drop each section across to HP and add the appropriate image. When I've finished I check it once more and bob's your uncle I have my new hub. A lot of work but I feel it's worth it with the end result.
   
   LOL Ghaelach

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      rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds like a good way to do it! I like the idea of having two windows open; that ought to simplify the process rather well. Thanks for sharing!

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      Larry Wallposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I really do not know if you are playing a joke, or your system is giving you trouble, but you have two typos. I am not criticizing, I have more than my share. You can also do the split screen in Windows 7. I use two screens--really spoiled.

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    PageCposted 11 years ago

    All computer for me. I tend to spew out all my thoughts, and then move things around into a semi-logical format.

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       rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That's how I do it much of the time! It can be hard to figure out the proper format or order. That's one of my goals, which means it is probably time to write a hub on it. Thanks for sharing!

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    hawaiianodysseusposted 11 years ago

    Hi, my friend!
    
    What works for me and may not work for most is to connect with my reader in the least contrived way. In order for me to do that, I visualize that I'm speaking with you (or any fellow Hubber or other reader) IN PERSON and IN THE HERE AND NOW. As you know, I do a lot of my writing in coffee shops. I pretend, therefore, that you are sitting right in front of me and that we're carrying on a personal, eye-to-eye conversation. That kind of socially intimate connection, if you will, is the river that flows unimpeded for me. Thus, my rough draft (which, more often than not, is my final draft) is worked out directly through the soft landing of my fingers on the laptop keys.
    
    Thanks for your thought-provoking questions and hubs. I could really amp up my own writing by learning from your example.
    
    Here's to continued connection with you!

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       rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hello! So this explains why your hubs are so great to read! I try to do the same. The internet can feel faceless and bland. By imbuing our words with personality, our readers will feel much more drawn in and connected.
       
       See you around!

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    Larry Wallposted 11 years ago

    I write everything on the computer, hubs, shopping lists, letters, etc. I have a horrible handwriting and my handwriting cannot keep up with my thought process.
    
    In a sense it is a funny question. When my son was in the second grade, being ADHD and losing his eyesight, he had some problems. So a few notes were sent to the teacher. I worte most of them--type on the computer and my wife wrote a couple, handwritten.
    
    We had a meeting and the teacher remarked that she had received five notes and three were typed.
    
    I asked her what difference that made. She said if it was type it was because I was angry. I said no that is not true. I added that because my handwriting was so bad I wanted her to be able to read it and assured her that future notes would be typed.
    
    There was a comic strip the other day where the child told the parents that all correspondence to the teacher had to be sent electronically. The parents did not seem bothered by that.
    
    The child added, "None of the teachers can read cursive."
    
    The times do keep changing.

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       Ghaelachposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       Hello Larry.
       Sorry to hear about your son's eye sight. You are quite right the times they are a changing (Bob Dylan). I found my typo's and I thank you for pointing it out to me
       The question, every one has their own way of doing things, good or bad.

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    CWanamakerposted 11 years ago

    I write almost everything on the computer nowadays, including 1st drafts of papers.

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    Eric Calderwoodposted 11 years ago

    I prefer to write first drafts on paper.  It just feels easier to get it out that way.  Once I start typing it into the computer I work on small revisions and corrections.  Then I print it out double spaced to do a real revision.  I work better when I can see things on a page rather than a screen.

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    peachpurpleposted 11 years ago

    I always write my drafts on paper before I key into my computer. I can amend on paper faster and recycle the paper again after posting.

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       rmcleveposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       That's a good point. It is easy to scratch out and draw lines on paper, but it takes longer to revise and edit on Word.
       
       Thanks for sharing!

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