I can't resist answering
April's question about paper and pen vs. computer using her "Scribble-Dee-Dee." I'm so used to (and comfortable with) paper and pen that I almost never begin anything new on the computer. For me, most ideas form not in my head but in spiral notebooks with purple pens. In my usual approach, more polished, closer-to-final drafts belong on the computer.
I mentioned my habit of carrying a pocket notebook and pen in a
post from four summers ago. Here's a little more on the subject.
I was surprised to see how many
Teaching Authors go straight to the keyboard to record their thoughts. How about you?
Pat K. won the autographed copy of
Sandy Brehl's middle grade novel Odin's Promise.
The Poetry Friday Roundup is at
Check It Out: Life and Books in a K5 Library School Setting. Enjoy!
JoAnn Early Macken
Love your post title, JA, and your post. It's been fun reading the variety of approaches we all have--not just we TAs, but our readers, too.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely pen and paper. Too much Julia Cameron, I think, where she drummed into her readers, the necessity of writing morning pages by hand. It seems the physical act of writing has become a sort of crank turning, to get my creative engine firing.
ReplyDeleteI find myself, more and more, taking down notes in my iPhone and devices rather than in my notebook - though I do have a collection of notebooks too. Apparently, there's a Moleskine notebook now that can easily transfer your doodles into an iPad - wow indeed.
ReplyDeletePaper first for me...most of the time. I've caught some ideas in my phone's voice memo, and every now and then I accidentally craft a bit of a gem as I'm writing comments and I transfer it to my notebook for later expansion and elaboration. But, paper first...most of the time.
ReplyDeleteMarti, I'm also enjoying reading about the variety of approaches to recording our thoughts by writing, keyboarding, and even dictating them.
ReplyDeleteViolet, Julia Cameron's instructions made a big impression on me, too! I also feel a stronger connection to paper than keyboard.
Myra, I do use a phone app to keep track of short phrases I think of when paper & pen are not handy, but I'm too slow a typist (& those keys are too tiny) for longer notes.
Mary Lee, I haven't yet explored any voice options, but my sister just demonstrated how well they can work. Old dog, new tricks--I guess I should give it a try!
It is always so interesting to read about how other writer work - what their process involves and whether it evolves. Thanks for sharing, JoAnn! = )
ReplyDeleteYour "Scribble-Dee-Dee" makes me smile JoAnn. That could be in a book title for you, too, it's so much fun.
ReplyDeleteClothes without pockets are not so popular with me & small notebooks or even folded-up notebook paper are more popular travel companions on a walk than the tissues my mother taught me to always take with me '"in case of a big sneeze.! (I was always a big sneezer.)
Thanks for this poem, which is a whole 'nother way of saying... "poem in your pocket."