Ink-stained hands have always been the hallmark of the stereotypical writer. Whether it was Shakespeare with a quill and inkwell, or today's writer's with a ballpoint pen, ink on the hands has long been a badge of honour for writers, representing hours locked away in rooms composing brilliant stories.
But computers have changed this tradition; writers everywhere are forsaking pen and paper for the speed, ease, and spellchecking capabilities of word processors. The question is, is this a bad thing?
Writing by Hand
Handwriting is the customary way for writers to translate ideas from mind to page. There are both advantages and disadvantages to doing so in the traditional way:
Handwriting Advantages:
- You Can See Your Changes: Writing on computers often means deleting words and sentences on a whim, erasing them from the draft forever. With handwriting a simple crossing out means that discarded work can easily be reinstated if necessary. This goes for editing too; having the draft written pen, if only for the first one, means that you can easily go back to the original seed of the story.
- Portability: Though netbooks and iPhones and similar devices are making it easier to write by computer while out and about, they still can't match the sheer convenience of a simple paper notebook.
- Enjoyment: There's a certain je ne sais quoi about writing by hand. Maybe it's the awareness of doing something so many other writers have done before, but there is something very satisfying about handwriting story ideas or descriptions whenever the muse strikes.
Handwriting Disadvantages:
- Ink: It might be tradtional but using a pen can be a real problem. Running out of ink during a moment of pure inspiration, leaking unnoticed inside a bag, destroying hours of hard writing work, and inadvertently marking clothes are all major downsides to writing with a pen.
- Legibility, or the Lack Thereof: Many people think their handwriting is bad, especially writers. Unfortunately, most of the time, it's true. Being taught how to form perfect letters in primary or elementary school doesn't mean a thing when it comes to how handwriting evolves over a lifetime, and it can be frustrating trying to decipher what's been written.
Writing by Computer
It's new, it's cool and it makes writing happen more smoothly. But is it the best way to go?
Typing Advantages:
- Spellcheck: This is the number one reason why writers are switching to computers. The English language is notoriously inconsistent in its spelling and it can be impossible to recall every word correctly. Spellcheck is a lifesaver in this regard, picking up all the small errors that are big headaches for writers.
- Fast, Tidy Editing: It's astonishingly easy to change sentence structure, and cut superfluous words or paragraphs, provided care is taken to preserve anything that might be useful later. No arrows pointing to where words need to moved, and no scribbles all over the page - just a quick cut and paste and everything is where you need it to be.
- Word Counts: Particularly when writing fiction to submission guidelines, knowing precisely how many words have been written can be invaluable information.
Typing Disadvantages:
- The Dangers of Soft Copy: Computer crashes are a nightmare. Without the help of an expert in hard drive recovery, it may be impossible to restore lost work. Also, consider the battery life of laptops and netbooks; it may run out unexpectedly, prior to that crucial click of the save button, making a waste of the past several hours of writing.
- Impersonal Technology: It is difficult to feel truly inspired while staring at a computer screen. Writing is an introverted and personal activity as such the ideas might run dry when there's nothing there to provoke the thought needed to create great work.
- Procrastination and Distractions: The Internet is an extremely useful tool for writing; it can offer tips, help and research sources. But it is also a distraction from the writing itself. It is all too easy to just login to Facebook, watch a YouTube video, or check and reply to emails rather than get down to the business of writing.
The truth is there's a place for both kinds of writing. Different people will find different combinations that work. Naturally publications prefer submissions to be word processed these days, but finding a balance between the cathartic action of writing by hand and the precision and ease of writing by computer is the best course. It means avoiding the pitfalls of both methods while making the most of the advantages.
