As a way to reduce screen time, I often close my laptop, pull out a notebook and spend time filling up a blank page the old fashioned way.
My writing process and what I write feel different when I do this.
I’m not googling anything when distracted. I’m not looking through a multitude of open tabs to concurrently work on other unrelated tasks. Surprisingly, even the angle of my pen and the speed with which I write creates a uniquely different and more thoughtful experience. It is not that I never write with pen and paper – I typically don’t write with pen and paper with all my devices shut off!
This particularly slower, distraction-free process for me where I can see what I have crossed out rather than deleted feels more personal and drives different kinds of ideas. I do think that there can be more time and the mind space for originality when you remove all the distractions, physically put pen to paper and slow down just a little.
I also tend to look out at nature through a window when I’m thinking while writing on paper which I don’t do quite as often when on my laptop. Observing birds when they gently land on a tree branch gives me pause and frequently a change in perspective.
I realize the irony of this – who knew we could become so dependent on electronic devices that writing solely with pen and paper would merit a post?!?!! Maybe decades(or years?) from now when newer technology emerges, people will reminisce about touch screens and keyboards…
Do you feel that if you were to unplug from all your devices and just write on a piece of paper that you’d write differently, more creatively and have more originality or would you miss your device so much that you wouldn’t be able to write as easily?
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Generally I think pen and paper or even pencil and paper inspire more creativity, but if I was creating something like a short story, I would prefer to do that on screen and edit the text as I go along..
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Yes, to editing the text as you go along :)..
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My first drafts have always been on paper. It just feels more natural. I have tried to do it on my laptop but it just won’t flow like on paper.
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It is different on paper – it’s funny how that works.
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Yes. Words just flow for me on paper. On my laptop it is stop and start. Things just feel more connected and natural with paper. But the nice thing is when I do finally put it into my laptop I can edit as I go.
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I like that! The best of both worlds.
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I like journalling on paper, but for other forms of writing, I prefer writing on my laptop and change the order of things or go back and add to earlier paragraphs.
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Do you think that’s because writing in a journal is more personal? I agree, editing on a laptop is irreplaceable :)..
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I guess it’s because when I’m journalling, I’m not trying to organize feelings and ideas, I’m just trying to get them out. But when I’m writing for others, being able to organize thoughts helps me to actually get somewhere with them.
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That makes sense – a journal is more stream of consciousness..
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I need to write in my journal more often. It is different and it’s a good idea to disconnect from technology! 🤩
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Agree – disconnecting every so often is definitely a good idea.
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Every morning I write three pages in a notebook. I’m following the Artist’s Way morning routine. The rest of the time I write on my laptop.
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Do you find that your writing differs in the notebook vs. laptop? I’ll have to look up the Artist’s Way morning routine – sounds like a lovely way to start the morning.
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It’s a book by Julia Cameron and I’ve followed it for six years. My best friend gave it to me and said it would be life changing. I soon started my blog after reading it and got a weekly column on a popular swimming website. The writing is different by hand vs. laptop. I think there’s a connection in the brain with the tactile sense of paper and pen.
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I’ll check it out – thanks for the details. That does sound like it was life changing!
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My friend told me it had changed a lot of people’s lives she knew, including her own. She does these amazing oil paintings ever since reading the book. Something she had never tried before.
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I prefer to start poems in a composition book. Thoughts and words flow freely there, then I type it up and make revisions there. All other writing is done on the computer, from start to finish.
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That makes sense – poetry would be more free flowing on paper for me as well.
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The pen and white space also allow for doodling when the creative mind needs to meander a bit. 😊
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