I compose so much better in longhand than I do typing. I've really known this for years; for all my papers for my Master's degree, and for all the white papers I do for my various jobs, I write the first draft in longhand, then type it up. The dumb typing is the horrible part, really, because then I get to obsess about all the typos I make and how I would never have made a living as a secretary before word prosessing or IBM Selectrics with the erasable type. As a copyeditor, typos make me CRAZY!!!
Also, I've had enough hard drive failures to know that digital information is really really temporary, and I just feel better about the permanence of my work if its written on dead trees with some kind of dyed liquid solution or carbon-based matrix. All I would have to worry about is that the notebook would be stolen, but a laptop is far more likely to be stolen, isn't it. Backups? What do you think a photocopier is for?
What really works for me about writing longhand rather than typing is that I get the chance to actually craft a sentence. When I'm typing, I can type nearly as fast as I can think, so I end up with a bare-bones outline of the action, a kind of just-the-facts spare writing style. If I'm writing longhand, by the time I reach the end of a sentence it has morphed into something far richer, more descriptive, and almost lyrical. (And, of course, there's far more words.) If there's any beauty to be found in my novel, it's in the sections I wrote longhand. In fact, the scene I'm most pleased with is the first one I wrote, which I did sitting under a tree during my lunch hour. This is where the characters have a chance to reveal themselves to me, and where the surprises and joy of creation really exist.
Finally, writing in longhand totally removes the temptation to go back and edit a scene. All momentum is to be in the forward direction.
So next year I'm going to be writing in longhand, and I'll volunteer my services to any other Lawrence-area Nanos who need their longhand wordcount verified. It's actually far easier to keep a running total on the page than it is to retype everything. I've already done 1400 words this morning on paper, and counting words per line takes very little time and is a good refresher for basic arithmatic skills. In my adult life I've had to derive the factors for an equation perhaps once or twice, but it is nice to know that 6 + 8 = 14 without having to stop and think about it.
What has this year's Nano taught you?
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-- Aspen
50,168 / 50,000
Dec 2, 2007 - 16 35
- I write well in the first-person perspective.
- My instincts when writing conflict (particularly dialog conflict) serve me quite well
- I can write better when I have scene goals than when I have word goals
- Don't be afraid to write the story out-of-sequence if that's what my subconscious is demanding of me
- If I make time to write every day, I'll write every day. Imagine that?
50,017 / 50,000
Dec 3, 2007 - 12 59
The biggest thing I've learned is that if I'm determined, I can do anything. I also learned that having something to write in with me at all times makes it so that I write even when I'm supposed to be doing other things. Like listening to the instructor, or playing a game. And I seem to stay in my story better when I can type out my thoughts immediately when I have them instead of writing them down and typing them up later. And word wars make me go faster.
53,272 / 50,000
Dec 5, 2007 - 02 16
I learned that when I can't sit down and write a chapter, I can sit down and write for five minutes.
I learned again that nothing has to be perfect.
I learned that a deadline is a vicious motivator.
I learned that it feels good to cross the 50K line.
I also learned about a local writers' group that might be fun.
50,087 / 50,000
Dec 5, 2007 - 13 30
I learned that if I don't have a word counter I will write more than I expected.
I learned that if I sit down and write every single day, even if it is only for an hour, I stay in the world I created even when I am not writing, so it is so much easier to write when I make myself sit down.
I learned that if I really want something, regardless of how busy I am, I will make time do to it.
I learned that holy cow I am stubborn. I chose Nano over homework a lot of days, which is a big deal for me since I love school. And even though I was behind a lot of the month I never gave up. Even when I hated my story.
I learned that I love writing. Well, scratch that, I knew I loved writing, but I realized that I would love to write for a living. My weekends were amazing. Sleep late, sit down and write, take a break (maybe a nap, maybe a movie, maybe a snack) then write some more, then take another break, then write, then go to bed, mind buzzing with characters and ideas. That is totally my ideal lifestyle.
I learned that Ted is an amazing ML. He knew exactly the right things to say and ways to challenge me to get me moving on my word count. Thanks, Ted.
Most importantly, I learned that I can do it. Last year when I won wasn't some fluke because I did it again this year!
: )
50,140 / 50,000
Dec 7, 2007 - 00 12
I learned that:
-Music is not a motivator, it's a distraction.
-A timer can be both motivator and distraction.
-Most things I think might "inspire" me are meant to distract.
-When writing is about as easy as pulling healthy adult molars, it's time to walk away.
-I can write up to 1,000 words in fifteen minutes and 3,000 words during an 18 hour drive.
...*sigh* I'm glad I have a back-up career.
15,203 / 50,000
Dec 7, 2007 - 03 14
I learned that when I set up to hit a goal or a word challenge, I can do it. I learned that I should be stubborn in making myself write, but that I can't be so stubborn to try to make my story what my first idea for it was going to be, but to rather let the story be itself naturally.
I learned that I can hit 900 words on lunch break, and when I focus my energy, I can nail about 3500 in a day. Good for future reference.
I also learned that Sara will soon post a reply stating something to the effect of "you're going to get there next year, I won't allow otherwise."
Maybe an unsanctioned word challenge is in order. Or the most days in a row with 1500 words.
50,087 / 50,000
Dec 7, 2007 - 13 08
Hmm, you are right. Ted taught me a lot of great techniques he used on me to make sure I got to 50k. I will put them to use next year to ensure that you do! I won't allow otherwise ;)