Definitely on the computer. And why?: Because it doesn't cramp my hands and I can do it faster. If I were in the position where a computer wasn't available, I would surely write.
Both! Mostly the computer because I can go back, tear the entire thing apart, and rearrange the bits and pieces if I need to. But I jot down any thoughts and new ideas on paper when I don't have a computer around and keep them all in some sort of file.
I don't outline. I have an idea in my head, and I begin writing scenes. But I do all my writing on the computer, because my handriting is illegible. I might jot down an idea on the back of one of the business cards I always have in my wallet, but that is it. Any other notes or reminders, I put on the computer.
I don't outline per se, but since I do all my writing on the computer (my hands don't work fast enough at pencil and paper to keep up with my head), when I do need to do a bit of outlining toward the end of a story, I do that on the computer as well. Then I can simply delete each part of the outline as I write it, and know how much left I have to do.
Same as Cogito and Tehuti88, I work from my head. But I do everything on a computer, partly because at least on a computer I can vaguely keep up with the speed I'm thinking, so I dont have to worry about forgetting the end of a sentence before I get to it!
I use both - primarily because I get flashes of inspiration when I'm sitting at the back of a bus or some other such place - I don't have a lap top or anything, and my desk is littered with hastily scribbled notes on the back of shopping dockets. I don't write outlines because my stories are often in a constant state of metamorphosis. Generally, I'll write the scenes that are at the forefront of my mind, then use the computer to connect the dots and edit.
I see I'm not the only one who gets the dreaded writer's cramp! Like most of the others, I prefer to write everything, even outlines and notes, on the computer.
I write on paper first because it is easier for me. It is better because I like to touch my ideas and have the graphite smudges on my fingers. I also like to doodle while I write and for that reason, I prefer pencil and paper to the keyboard. Also, it bothers me to have flat ands. It makes no sense, but to me it does. After I finish writing, I type my story on the 'puter. I still don't like flat ands.
Always on paper for me, I just hate having random files dotted around i'll probs end up not even looking at. Where as if it is written down, I can't help but look back at them, as I take a notepad everywhere I go and take a bag with me.
I do both. If i'm writing at school then I usually use pencil and paper, but if i'm at home then i'll usually use my laptop.
Both. I like writing things outside when inspiration isn't as 'forced' as it is on the computer, but with a computer it's far easier.
Everything is by hand and then worked out on the computer...the first chapter or so, is written by hand too..I am just more creative that why...and yes, my hand kills me, but I work through it as best I can...
I don't need to do an outline most of the time, and I always write on the computer - it's less exhausting, can be easily edited and I can somewhat keep up with my thought as I type.
I actually started on an outline today for the first time. I'm writing it out now, but will probably end up putting it on the computer at some point.
I find a whiteboard useful. I can map out plot details, make flow charts of events, jot down notes and prompts and those hasty morning lines.
I've never used outlines. That's time wasted that should be spent writing. When I write a piece I start at the beginning and write until I get to the end. In the old days I used pencil and notebook in the field then transferred it to paper with typewriter. Today I do all my writing on a computer. I use Notepad if I'm on a Windows machine or Vi if I'm on a Linux machine. For formatting, spell check, word count, and such, I copy the text into Atlantis if I'm in Windows or Open Office in Linux. The only Microsoft programmes I use regularly are Notepad and Freecell. I have Wordpad but rarely use it. I tried Windows Office, didn't like it, and dumped the whole thing. I make sure to have a pocket notebook, two ball point pens, and a mechanical pencil in my shirt pocket at all times. You never know.
A whiteboard! I never thought of that. I personally love the act of writing, and I'll usually jot down story ideas in my journal, and over time add more detail to them. When I'm actually ready to start on a story, I outline on paper, but type the story itself on a computer. If I'm bored in class (;] ), however, I jot down plots and notes and dialogue in my notebook.
A white board sounds useful.... My mum didn't like the one time i tried outlining- 30 or so post it notes with plot points coverign my wall....
Do you prefer to write on paper or type? Personally, I feel like typing allows me to covey my ideas at a faster pace.
Since I don't have a laptop, sometimes when I am places, like waiting for my daughter to finish her ballet classes, I will write in a spiral notebook, but overall I do the vast bulk of my writing via wordprocessing. I am not as effective with screen edits as I am with paper edits, so every story or novel gets at least one full printout and hand edit (red pen and all). Terry
I tend to use the computer for my writing. But when i cannot use a computer, i just write in whatever notebook i have handy at the time. I carry a notebook with me everywhere.
It depends. I love to handwrite and that's how I did everything before I bought my laptop back in January. The only problem was that I was using a million sticky notes. 'Don't forget to bring this back up' 'Mention this here' 'Add this' 'Make sure I do this' I have about 100 sticky notes for one of my stories which was about 175 handwritten pages until I decided that I didn't like the plot and wanted to make some changes (which changed the story so much that a red pen couldn't fix anything). I still like to handwrite, it's a bit more convenient until I want to add, fix, or change anything. Then I love my computer. I think I can also type faster than I write. Times New Roman is a bit neater than my handwriting too. =D
