I’ve got a challenge for you. An old fashioned writing challenge.
Write with Pencil and Paper
We spend so much time in the digital world, I’m waiting for that scary world portrayed in 1984 where we just think and the computers hear us. (No more carpal tunnel?) I think our brains can use a good refreshing with some non-digital time. I know the Sundays where I stay in bed and do nothing but read and write in my journal is remarkably energizing for my creative energy and productivity.
Many of you will be familiar with Julia Cameron’s morning pages – starting out every day by dumping out all of that crap in your head into a journal. Not a digital one, but a written one. It’s a powerful exercise, but
Why Paper?
One of Deb’s 40 lessons learned from 5 years of blogging is to keep pen and paper nearby. Yes, you could just write down ideas in your smartphone, but sometimes I think that drawing a picture or connecting the dots and lines is useful. When I do new website idea designs these days, or new business models, I draw them on paper before putting them in Powerpoint, with a follow-up word document if I need it.
Deb also says that writing on paper makes writing less of a chore. I’d agree – you can get worn down into a grind with posts, pages, word counts and spell checks. Paper is a blank space to be filled as your pencil or pen feels fit. It won’t crash or freezeup, losing your work.
Insert dramatic pause here:
The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. ~Norbet Platt
Your Challenge
So, I’d like to challenge you for your next blog post, sales page, book chapter, or website copywriting tasks, close your laptop, go sit in a cafe or somewhere comfortable, and write. Reflect on the process start-to-finish:
- Do you find it easier to get started without those shiny distractions of Twitter, Facebook, or Email?
- Does the act of pen on paper give you a new perspective on your creative process?
- Can you enjoy the freedom and constraints of making edits, drawing arrows, or the ultimate satisfaction of scrunching up the paper and starting a new sheet?
- Does the process take longer or shorter than normal? Any idea why?
- Do you feel your creative output was better than usual, or worse? Again, any idea why?
I’ll join you for this tasks by writing my next FWJ post on paper first. Let’s meet back here at FWJ and compare notes?
Photo by quacktaculous
Actually, I find most of my inspiration comes *from* my digital life. I type 60+wpm and when I try and sit with a pen and paper, my brain is going too fast for me to write things down. Even when I capture an idea/concept on paper, I end up transfering it to digital format because I have a file folder on my desktop specifically for ideas.
I’d say for me, being *out* in the world, reading a variety of news articles, blogs, keeping up communications in general, etc. inspire me, and that is what writers need to find time to do.
I’d definitely say that using pen and paper is a therapeutic technique. I love to write on paper first and transfer it to the computer. Some days I even think that it might be nice to just own a typewriter, because of all of the distractions I find on the internet.
However, there are times when I realize that I can’t start with the pen and paper. I’ll go from computer to paper and then back to the computer. Sometimes I will get a few pages written on paper and get stuck, so I begin writing on the computer. I think it all depends on the writing mood. But I do hope that people never forget the joy of writing on paper. I am working my way through Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” right now, and the morning pages are certainly a big help. Journaling = amazing.
Katelyn´s last [type] ..First Lapse
I’ve spent too many painful years writing with pen and paper, so I’m not sure I want to take up this challenge. However, I have set a different challenge for myself, and that is to learn how to use MacSpeech Dictate, a speech recognition and dictation program. In fact, I am using it to write this comment; but let me tell you, it is not easy as typing. Dictating words is not the same thing as typing or writing them out; however, because I, like all of you, type throughout the day, I want to learn how to use a dictation program to reduce the amount of typing I do. I have read that David Pogue is a master at using this type of program, and he is a very prolific writer.
It’s refreshing to hear that some people still draw benefit from “the ancient art of writing utensils.” I’ve got a desk covered with sticky notes and other bits of paper containing all manner of muse-fodder. Also, when it comes to pre-planning a project, I’ll do my 10,000’ outline on paper and then flesh out additional details on the PC. What’s more, rather than a pencil (I hate sharpening or clicking) I use a similarly ancient implement for my idea expression. Anyone remember the fountain pen? It goes with me everywhere I do as does my portfolio, but I’ve written ideas for later consumption on restaurant receipts, napkins and even used newsprint. There IS an iPhone always strapped to my hip, but the stack of sticky-notes adorning my desk is a testament to keeping some wisdom on paper. They’re like intellectual Scoobie-snax that you can pop in your mouth later.
Try it! You might like it!
DiaScribe´s last [type] ..You can’t legislate bad taste…
I still use pen and paper for my writng projects including blog posts, then if I need to transfer them to the PC I will. Pen, paper, and clip board go with me to work too.
Michelle Kafka´s last [type] ..Make Your Writer Statement Shine
I’m a pretty fast typer, but I love putting pen to paper. All of my notes for work and classes go on a yellow notepad because I find it more accessible than a computer, but I don’t really write my blog posts freelance articles by hand. I think I’ll start doing that–I already do it with my fiction writing, and the words always feel like they flow better when I’m writing them down.
I feel either method of writing is suitable, though pen and paper is preferrable – I can move with pen and paper! My first passion is writing, but I am also energetic. Often, my environment needs to change before my creativity can change. With a pen and paper, I can pick up whenever I need to move. A laptop is too frightening to take to the places I like to go, because I love to be near water when I write.
Laughing again at the “ancient art of writing utensils” – I also find it interesting that pretty much everyone uses paper still. Except for Kristen, where we need to find a faster version of paper for her
For the most part I agree with Kristen. I’m not a 60 wpm typist, but when I use paper and pencil I have to use a sort of short hand to get the bones down as they pill out of my brain, then go back and fill in the gaps as best as I can. Once in a while I am gripped by what I call Inspired Writings where the words just flow off my fingertips with little or no thought on my part. If I can get to a keyboard (any keyboard) it goes quickly. If not, I use paper and pen. My wife jokes that I should just hang them around my neck on a string. I’m seriously considering it!
Doug´s last [type] ..A Lesson in Peaceful Coexistance
Not sure if my last comment was posted Thank you for sharing such great tips. I’ve started taking my blogging seriously this year and definitely have the passion and determination.
Thanks again
Sandra