How do YOU write?

[Pusateri]

I'm old school: pen and steno pad for brainstorming, moving to legal pad for the first draft. Lately I've been using Evernote to file away tidbits found while surfing.

How do you tackle the job?

Mark

[Ross James]

I don't have a clean enough desk for that. Maybe I need a bigger one or maybe I'm just too much of a slob. I just use the computer. I hear people saying you should write on paper, I don't know call me crazy but I don't see the difference. I think if anything with writing your ideas down, when you make changes you can see where you started off whereas on the computer you really can't since you can literally erase everything with a click of a button, you can't do that with paper.

-Ross

[travlinguy]

Way back as a sophomore in high school I took typing (to be near chicks). I learned the keyboard and after a single year I was typing 25 words per minute - a piss poor showing according to Miss Barstow.

It was a logical move as a writer to stay with it. Other than jotting down ideas on paper occasionally, I do virtually all of my writing on the computer. Now that I have a reason to type I average around 50 wpm.

[Pusateri]

Originally Posted by Ross James

I don't have a clean enough desk for that. Maybe I need a bigger one or maybe I'm just too much of a slob.

Sounds like we have the same desk. I retreat to a spot where I can have my notes spread out, the product in front of me AND put my feet up. That last item is critical.

[David Gold]

I turn on speech recognition in MS Word and just ramble on. Since I think faster than I can type or write it works well for me.

essere ricchi,

David

[dk1081]

Originally Posted by David Gold

I turn on speech recognition in MS Word and just ramble on. Since I think faster than I can type or write it works well for me.

essere ricchi,

David

Wow thats an amazing. Crazy I never thought of that. How's the accuracy on that? How important do you think quality of your mic is?

[Greg Wildermuth]

I use the ol' pen and paper for brainstorming, ideas, lists, things to do, etc.

For actual writing I use the computer. I type really fast and write like a maniac, and then spend lots of time editing later.

[pethanks]

Today, I used my laptop in writing. Only sometimes I used pen and paper.

[David Gold]

Originally Posted by David Gold

I turn on speech recognition in MS Word and just ramble on. Since I think faster than I can type or write it works well for me.

essere ricchi,

David

Originally Posted by dk1081

Wow thats an amazing. Crazy I never thought of that. How's the accuracy on that? How important do you think quality of your mic is?

It's actually quite good. As with any speech recognition software, the more you use it, the better it gets. You still have to edit as with any transcription method, but I speak at a normal pace and the program keeps up.

As far as mics, I've tried both, a cheap ten dollar mic and a studio quality ribbon mic with no difference in results.

[OutOfThisWord]

I use plain ole note pad...

...because I can change the size of the window as I move from place to place, taking notes and highlighting and copying and creating actual headlines on the fly.

Then I move to Word where I'm actually putting the thoughts in the font size as the reader will see.

And then I rewrite... a lot.

[dorothydot]

Hi,
I write by doing, first, tons of research via the Net. Copy-paste, cite the source. Repeat ad infinitum until the topic is totally covered. I condense and edit - then print out the info for my notations, underlinings, etc.

Then I grab pencil and paper and brainstorm a general outline and maybe some potential headlines.

Next come some storyline-scenarios, again with pencil and paper. (These often get written in the night-time by flashlight, lol.)

Then I grab laptop and the research notes and whomp away to get my first draft brain-dump.

Print the draft, edit. Print the draft, edit... until I'm satisfied the final draft is the absolute best I can possibly produce.

Submit to the client, receive and evaluate the client's comments then proceed accordingly. Now I keep the client advised (in great detail) as to why I do/do not want to incorporate changes - here's where a good working partnership is crucial.

Dot

[smwordsmith]

I'm like Greg. I use a combination of pen and paper with computer. I start with handwritten notes, basically ideas, and then develop those further on my computer.

I use mind-mapping here and there, trying to keep it all organized but I eventually find my way back to using my day planner\calendar for strategic planning.

But, for article writing, etc., I use MS word- love the instant features such as spell check, synonym functions, dictionary, etc.

[amo992]

research, research, and more research

then i create concept maps on a white board

then i start typing paragraphs attempting to fulfill the concept maps

[Harrisonamy]

Research. Hand, pen, squared notepad for notes.
Then type my ass off and do a brain splurge - this usually makes no sense
Group the themes, tie in the point, include any selling points / objection handling
Include specific examples for proof
then edit.

[jtunkelo]

Pen and paper to begin with. Always. Nothing beats the flow of thought that happens when you do that simple act. It was good enough for Shakespeare and Gary Halbert - good enough for me.

After that though, it's iThoughts (iPod/iPad) and Scrivener (outliner) and on from there... all depending on the project.

In some cases dictation while walking is the best to organize my thoughts. Then transcribe those if there's any gems in there, and go from there.

[Intermission]

I use pen and paper if I need to 'think' about what I'm writing more. It is a slower process and it gives me time to plan out what I want to write, so its usually just for notes. If I can just get in there and type it up without 'thinking' (planning/organizing) then I'll just use the computer.

[Tor-Sigurd D.R]

Originally Posted by Pusateri

I'm old school: pen and steno pad for brainstorming, moving to legal pad for the first draft. Lately I've been using Evernote to file away tidbits found while surfing.

How do you tackle the job?

Mark

Have you looked at Jason Fladlien's article writing course? "How to Create An Article In 7 Minutes Or Less"

I bought his product a few days ago.. still trying to wrap my head around his system, it's pretty good and makes writing so much easier (looks easy when he does it anyways )

Edit: You may want to download FreeMind. It's a mind mapping software that can REALLY kick you in the ass when it comes to writing better and quicker: http://freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download

[marigot]

I used to always write everything on paper then type it into the computer. I found that I focused better if I was away from my desk and in a more comfortable position. So basically, it was more efficient for me.

But then two years ago, I had to get special glasses for reading the computer. I only use them while on the computer, but now it is hard for me to write extensively on paper. Now I have no choice but to type my thoughts into Open Office. I don't enjoy it as much as before because I can't sit in the sun to write, but that is the cost of getting older I guess!

[ARSuarez]

I get all my research documents printed out. Then I highlight them, jot ideas down on a piece of paper near by.

Afterward, I type up all the highlights and ideas.

Everything done on the computer from that point. If I have a quick idea, I'll jot it down and later transfer it to the computer. I have a folder dedicated to every project I'm working on, to keep organized.

Usually, I'll print up all my documents after I've written everything down and done my standard benefits vs features, etc (the usual stuff). After the print out, they all get looked carefully and put in their own folder and searched through from time to time as I work on the project.

It's my thing.

Best,

Angel

[Sophist]

How I write has been the same since college. It doesn't matter whether it's long form or short form copy. I use the same ridiculously simple process that i've always used. I adapted my process from a friend of mine that went to Northwestern. She was a writer extraordinaire, always got papers completed in world record time, and maintained a 4.0. She broke down her process to me and surprisingly it was similar to my own process. I adapted a few things and voila, next thing you know I was writing papers for people for pizza money. I miss college.

Anyways, living in NYC, Im always on the go, so I write...on the go. I use my Iphone and my laptop if I have it with me. On my laptop I use good ole MS Word and a dictation software. (I always laugh at the people sitting next to me in the cafes that I work out of that observe me using my dictation software. They always look perplexed as to what the heck I'm doing.) On my Iphone I use the basic notepad app and Im currently testing out a new dictation app. I'll let you know my thoughts on it.

I only use pen and paper when I'm doing personal writing. Pen and paper is personal to me. I have thoughts and they are written. If I make a mistake then I cross it out and continue writing. When I go back and reread what I wrote and I see words scratched out it takes me back to when i first wrote it and my thought processes and feelings when I wrote it. It's raw. Typing is way to perfect and polished for my own personal writing.

So that's how I write.

[WillDL]

Poorly, but with great zeal.

[MrPolarZero]

the way I write is somewhat similar to my college days. I usually make a draft first, pen and papers would do. Once I have brought up my concept into an interesting form, that would be the time that I'll turn on my laptop and type

[jonhanover18]

Originally Posted by Pusateri

I'm old school: pen and steno pad for brainstorming, moving to legal pad for the first draft. Lately I've been using Evernote to file away tidbits found while surfing.

How do you tackle the job?

Mark

Specify... to start writing... i just start blabbing out ideas... i just try not to stop.

on the computer works... the medium doesn't matter.

[RhondaG]

Brainstorming - one of my favorite things to do. (or maybe it's just daydreaming, lol) Anyway, I was used to putting pen to paper for years, making pros and con list, etc. Then I finally learned a couple of other ways. Sometimes I just type into notepad because when I'm thinking my mind races and when I was taking notes by hand I could not always read my scribbling.

I also bought the Dragon Naturally Speaking program where you talk and the computer types for you. This takes a bit getting used to, but if you are a slow typist you will love this technique.

I can type very fast so I don't always use the dragon program. I do however like to use it when gathering research off the Internet for articles. It saves a lot of note taking time.

[RevenueBuilder]

stickynotes for windows 7 is a lifesaver... i also have a special button on my extended keyboard that opens notepad.

[Avesel]

I usually try to stay off the computer a bit as too much computer drains my creativity.
I also am not picky with the first draft: I find caring too much about initial drafts results in procrastination.

[sethczerepak]

I write everything in my own blood. Creates more pressure to get it right the first time around.

[Pusateri]

Originally Posted by sethczerepak

I write everything in my own blood. Creates more pressure to get it right the first time around.

I'm digging on your dedication and eccentricity, but I don't want to know how you make sticky notes.

[cocoholo]

I read 2 to 3 sources and then create my own out of them.

[BrianMcLeod]

Check out Scrivener from Literature & Latte software:

Literature and Latte - Scrivener

[sethczerepak]

Originally Posted by Pusateri

I'm digging on your dedication and eccentricity, but I don't want to know how you make sticky notes.

Sticky notes...hmmm, other bodily fluids which will go unmentioned on this forum

(that's for the readers who missed his clever subtlety)