Writing Vs. Typing (Paper Vs. Computer)

When I decided to start writing the first draft of my new WIP, I had an interesting experience. I opened a new file in MS WORD. I typed: Chapter 1.

Then I sat there.

I look at the screen. Hovered my fingers above the keys. I knew what was supposed to happen in that scene. But I didn't know how to start. Yet, I couldn't bring myself to type anything. If I type something that doesn't seem like the right beginning, the words would be on the screen, staring at me, yelling to be deleted and replaced. So I gave it a few minutes. Then shut the file down, opened up a notepard, and started with - Chapter 1.

This time, there was no hesitation. If something didn't feel right, crossing it out with a pen, and moving on, seemed much easier and much less stressful than the wide screen glaring at me.

Once the words were there, I could type rest of the words directly on the computer.

But that led me to think about all the other times. Sometimes, I am clearly affected by my mood. Words would flow on paper, but they would not flow on screen. And at other times, they would flow on the screen, but not on paper.

However, when it comes to brainstorm or writing without thinking or especially new beginning, I definitely prefer to write on paper. It is strange, I agree. It is much much easier to delete words on computer than to cross out or throw away pieces of paper. Yet for me, writing on paper (regular notepads, not nice journals) gives me the freedom to treat it as a first draft, or a rough draft, or brainstorm.

For this particular novel, I am sometimes writing straight onto computers, but at other times on a notepad, and then transferring things later. The practice, while takes more time, is handy because that means I can sometimes get part of the writing done during my commute if I feel like it, and make some progress towards my daily goal. And again, it's about freedom. Even though I have a netbook, I would feel pretty silly opening it and writing 200 words and that's it. Whereas on a notepad, I can write a paragraph or two, close it, and still feel good about the progress.

What about you? Are you on one extreme between the choices of paper or computer? Are you completely flexible? Or bit random like me?

Why We Write

I ORIGINALLY WROTE THIS FOR A GUEST POST AT VISIONS OF ARHYALON IN 2010. I DON'T BELIEVE I EVER SHARED IT HERE. BUT THIS IS A TOPIC CLOSE TO MY HEART, SO SHARING IT NOW. 

What Keeps You Going?

It’s funny being a part-time writer. It’s a dream. A step above hobby. A future career. But currently, it’s something that doesn’t pay the bills, only takes the time and effort. Lots and lots of effort.

If you are a paid writer, it’s your job. You know you have to write, or you may not have food on the table next month. But when you are not a paid writer, and the dream seems quite a long way away, weeks and months pass by, and the sense of urgency sometimes flails.

So what do you do to keep going?

It is the question I asked myself last week. I don’t believe in writer’s block. At least it’s never been the case for me. I don’t run out of ideas. Yet, recently I did have few weeks when I did barely any work on my editing. It could be for a number of reasons – reasons for not doing it are not important. What’s important is to remember why we do it. A few weeks away reminded me that the story did not get out of my head; my characters remained as close to me as ever, and as I found joy reading books written by others, it reminded me that it was what I wanted to achieve with my own book.

Writing is not about hobby, or about a career. It is something that brings out my wildest imagination and my most rational thoughts; it brings out my dreams and my nightmares; it brings out who I wish I was and who I never want to be. It is a tool that can create and destroy worlds….and when one wants to do a job as powerful and as amazing as this, hardships and trials are to be expected, because the end result would be all the more sweeter for all the hard work.

So I keep going because I am a writer. It is not what I do. It is what I am.

What about you?

Writing Goals for Fantasy WIP

I am aiming for a minimum of 120K words, because I figure after editing, the number will go down considerably, so that should give me some leeway.I don't want daily goals, because some days are better than others. But with weekly goals, hopefully, I can be more disciplined during the weekend if work-week hasn't gone well. GOAL

• This is going to be a hand-written first draft, my goal is to do 38 pages of my A4 notepad, single side, per week. That should be just over 10000 words per week.
• Starting today, I should have my first draft of 120K finished by 4th October 2009.

So that's the plan. I will post my weekly progress, and please feel free to rant and rave at me, and call me names, if I don't finish my 38 pages per week. In fact, I would appreciate it.

Ripped to Shreds (I am so happy)

Yes...I do mean it. My short story has been ripped to shreds, and I am thrilled.

Ok, that was the hook...now let's start from the beginning.

I signed up for Jacqui Bennett Mini Course. It basically means, Jacqui critics 4 short stories under 2500 words. To begin, I had to send her any story. Mine was 2600 words, but I did ask permission first. It was returned, not with negative comments as such (in fact she said it did have some originality and good ending), but with "proper" editing. If one word could be used where I used to, that was a red mark. If there was a description where it wasn't needed, it was cut.

Just looking at my short story with all the editing comments has made me realise how much severe editing I need to do. I must admit, I am one of those people who doesn't hang around too long after finishing a story. I do hurry up the sending, when I shouldn't. Let it be a lesson.

For the second assignment I have to write a story based on a scenario I have been given. This is where I have a problem. I am supposed to target one of the regular magazines, which I call "womanly" magazines. They are fine, of course. Their stories are fine too. But they all require happy happy stories, and I just can't think of many good happy/fluffy short story ideas. I tend to come up with the ones that end unhappily. Oh well, it's called a challenge for a reason.

I don't know whether Story 3 and 4 are supposed to be assigned or free, but I look forward to it...sort of...

Writing Sunday

Despite the hiccups, I did manage to do the re-write for my short story and even started re-write on the novella last night.

So plan for today...

• finish re-write of the novella (only the beginning is there)
• further writing on the novella
• do another edit on the short-story

Where has the day gone?

Twelve hours ago, I planned that I would edit a short story, edit beginning of a novella and then do further work on that.

Twelve hours later...I am still editing the short story. It's not that it took me so long, but somehow, I spent less time on that story than million other things.

I surfed the net, social networking, read a book, and I even tidied my desk to perfection along with a neat little reference table on the side.

I hate days like these, because feeling of unproductivity just makes me feel crap!! Especially because I work full time, so if I waste weekends, they cut up on a lot of my writing time.

So I shall turn the negative around in a postive now - or at least half-positive. Once I post this, I am going away from my laptop (at least turning around to my desktop), and finishing that damn edit.

Tomorrow, I will have productivity oozing out of me. I hope...