October 14, 2019
What is your preferred method of writing? (By hand, on a computer, dictate it?)
Somewhere – and I can’t tell you exactly where because I don’t know – I have a box crammed full of tablets and binders. It’s in one of three storage spots, buried under Christmas decorations, old knick-knacks, or outdated computer parts. The pages are filled with my handwritten first and second drafts of various book—most of which you and everybody else have never seen.
Just like I love the act of holding a book in my hand when I read, I love the 
sensual feeling of a pen slipping across a piece of paper, leaving behind the words flowing from my brain. Even a pencil will do if that’s all I can find. (I rarely have a problem finding a pen these days. The picture is a small segment of my desk.)
And yes, I have written entire books by hand. Not notes or drafts, but the whole darn thing. The words seem to spill more freely when I don’t have to concentrate on finding the right keys on the keyboard and I don’t see those squiggly red lines that tell me I spelled something wrong. I can write faster when I write by hand.
But there’s a catch. Isn’t there always a catch? I’m a better writer when I sit in front of a computer and type my stories. I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s because I can visualize how the words will look on paper or the screen of an e-reader. And yes, I can catch my mistakes and correct them immediately. It also allows me to use words that I might not remember how to spell because the computer will help me to get them right. So, I’m more accurate when I compose my stories on a computer, if slower. In the end, I have less editing to do.
There’s also the issue that it’s tedious to type handwritten pages to transfer them to computer format. There are times when I have a hard time reading my own writing!
I’ve never tried to dictate a story. I can’t imagine it going too well, based on my limited experience in trying to compose text messages using the microphone on my cell phone. You know how auto-correct is, right? It frustrates the heck out of me.
There you go. That’s why I do most of my writing on the computer. It’s not that I prefer that method, but it’s more logical.
Now let’s check out what the other authors on the hop have to say about the topic. But before you go, feel free to tell me how you like to write in the comments.
October 14, 2019
What is your preferred method of writing? (By hand, on a computer, dictate it?)
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3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
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Ooh, I would never dream of writing entire novels out by hand – it’s easier for me to type them.
Someday, I’m going to go sit by a mountain lake for about a week (taking a large stack of paper and pens with me) and do nothing but write. In my dreams, anyway!
Sounds delightful! I think I’ll come with you…
I agree about having to do it all twice. Somewhat strangely, I never minded writing letters home when I worked abroad.
I hated writing letters almost as much as I hate making phone calls. I once wrote a letter to my mother that took over three days to complete! I’m not good at small talk, either.
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I am hugely impressed that you have written books by hand. That is wonderful dedication. I write slowly by hand and can touch type so there is no competition for my laptop for me.