TNT 1: Notebooks galore

[azuire]

Good evening everyone (at least, it's evening where I am). Hope you're all well. Welcome to the first Tips and Tricks column! All future entries will be searchable by the "tips and tricks" tag. Members, if you have an idea for a TNT discussion, feel free to PM it to us!

Allons-y!

I like to scribble. My current notebook has several pages that go on in messy longhand. When I was younger, I had my own typewriter and used that to hammer out my work. But to share writing on the internet, I have to type it on my computer, and for this I use OpenOffice: it has very convenient folders. I sometimes use WordPad if I'm in a hurry. I don't like Microsoft Word because it continually eats my work (and corrects my spelling). Recently a friend of mine bought Liquid Story Binder, and I saw another explaining how to use yWriter. Both seem very satisfied with their respective writing programs. So, what do you think about these programs? Which one(s) do you use? And where do you prefer to write, in notebooks, or on keyboards?

Share away :-)

Comments

[mercredigirl]

Oh, hey, Azu.

For me, I like writing longhand; there’s something about notebooks that’s so pretty! I just bought a lab notebook and a smaller journal to keep Biology notes (Molecular Genetics as well as Biochemistry). You know me, I love printing words (and cursive, sometimes).

But, for some reason, I don’t enjoy writing fiction in longhand nearly so much. Typically, I do my drafts in longhand on foolscap, and then rework them using MS Word. Otherwise – as on one memorable occasion – I typed everything out in HTML on Notepad, posted it on my WordPress, and then copy-pasted the formatted text into MS Word.

So, I guess, word processors are indispensable for me (particularly since, in the end, I’ll still need the computer to submit my work if I want to break into the publishing market!); but that doesn’t mean I’m averse to notebooks! It’s like comparing apples to oranges *searches for a more culturally-appropriate metaphor* durian to cempedak, haha. Word processors for their convenience and accessibility, but notebooks for the sheer aesthetic beauty and sensual pleasure of putting pencil to paper. (I can’t live without my notebooks! Give me more! Spam me with them! More! More! *carried away*)

I trust you feel the same about them writey things. ;D

(And, for the record: either glue-bound, hardcover manuscript books, or those black-covered Azone sketchpads. Moleskine notebooks are far too guilty a pleasure for me; I own none.)

[pipisafoat]

I've never been able to take notes on the computer. I get way too distracted. "OOH! Internets. OOH! Someone's online, let me chat with them. OOH! Email. OOH! Webcomics. What do you mean, class is over?" However, come studying time, I do one of two things: rewrite notes in a separate notebook or type them. Complete crapshoot which I'll choose.

My notebook of choice is the same for anything - single subject spiral bound, not particularly organized. Chaos = life. (I prefer red for "predominantly fiction" and black or dark blue for "predominantly classes")

[so_wordy]

It's very hard for me to leave the house without something to record my daily thoughts in. Inspiration comes from all places.

For notes and half-baked ideas, I enjoy a pen & paper. I have a writing journal from 2003 that is scarecely used, but that doesn't stop me from scribbling ideas and doodling in the margins! This collective place is ideal because I can go back and search/refine concepts later.

I use a computer often, mostly for posting, but also in the actual writing stage as well. I can type quicker than I write (longhand), but I sometimes find that typed drafts are less vibrant then their handwritten bretheren. Formatting poetry is a nightmare via Word2007, but is has to be done!

Ideally I'll do anything I can by hand. If I hit a creative oil sprig, then I'll type it out (because I'll forget it all too quickly). But I agree with mercredi, there's a certain satisfaction in penning something by hand. My writing also changes according to my mood, so I visually see the emotion I was feeling during the time a piece was written. It's always cool to look back on.

Oh, but I'd secretly love a typewriter.

[pipisafoat]

It's very hard for me to leave the house without something to record my daily thoughts in.

I love the pocket-sized composition notebooks for that, usually. Unless I'm going, say, for a walk in the woods, then I just take a full notebook and carry it and sit down and BAM! words on a page. I've been known to leave myself long voicemails when I've been driving and unable to stop and write, but then my phone service changed the way it did voicemail, so now I have to leave myself long private-locked voice posts on LJ, haha.

[mercredigirl]

use a computer often, mostly for posting, but also in the actual writing stage as well. I can type quicker than I write (longhand), but I sometimes find that typed drafts are less vibrant then their handwritten bretheren. Formatting poetry is a nightmare via Word2007, but is has to be done!

I don't write poetry but AMEN to all of this!

[azuire]

Me too! I have several notebooks of all sizes to keep in various bags. This is also why I am paranoid about my bags, I do not want my ideas stolen.

Portable typewriters are cheap in the US. I can get you in touch with someone. ;) What say you?

[pipisafoat]

I'm a Mac user, though: this is important to me and to this explanation of my computering habits.

I like to work in Pages sometimes, but only if I'm sitting down and working on a long piece straight through and fact-checking later; it's easier to feel like I've made actual progress with it. More often than not, I'll paste my work into Pages to scroll around and look at what I've already written while working on it in my program of choice, TextEdit. I love TextEdit because it doesn't autoformat, it's super-easy to turn off it even recognizing misspelled words (while keeping it autocorrecting my most common typos, which I can set myself), and it looks great in a small window. Yet, if I want to do some tricky formatting, I can do it. I can have a pretty thorough spellcheck, fancy fonts, formatting, etc. For you Windows people, it's like WordPad and TextPad had a baby that looks like TextPad but is smarter and more capable than WordPad. (Because that clearly explains everything.) I like to use TextEdit in a small window, so when I'm writing short pieces, it feels like I'm making loads of progress. Also, TextEdit comes free with the Mac when you get it. Best of all worlds.

Yes, I have Word for Mac. Word is a program I use to check page length. Not even word count anymore. But people are always asking me "How many pages is it in Word?" like that's the most objective way to see how long something is. Whatever, people, I could just change my font size and have A MILLION PAGES! how would that be?

I think I tried yWriter once. Or something. One of those writing programs. I don't really remember it. I am very set in my ways ;)

So, in general, it's pretty clear that I like to use my computer for writing fiction whenever possible. It works better for me. However, I always try to have sticky notes and a wall in easy reach - if I get an idea that doesn't fit in the piece I'm working on at the moment, I want it on a sticky note hanging on my wall, dammit. None of this "make a file for ideas" nonsense - those get lost in my vast lack of organization. And really. STICKY NOTES. They're just awesome.

[so_wordy]

In college my one friend and I would always laugh at people who asked how many pages it was in Word. We were expected to do MLA formatting so 500 words (double spaced, times new roman, twelve point font, 1" margins) was always equal to one page! People would look at us like we were crazy and we'd crack up.

We iz english majors, hear us rawr.

STICKY NOTES. I have recently discovered my love of the lot. They are my bestest friends at work (ie. Visible all over my desk). My friend had her entire room decorated in sticky notes, all with words she found interesting and their definitions.

[thorarosebird]

Oh hi thar. :3 I'm, like, so totally gate-crashing this new comm. Hope you don't mind. XD

I'm a Word Processor girl. I have loads and loads of notebooks and whenever I get a new one I get all excited, thinking longhand is going to change me forever. But all that ends up in those notebooks are ... notes.

I find it easier and quicker to type, and it hurts my hands much less (I don't think I hold my pens right? I'm sure it shouldn't hurt).

[so_wordy]

hey crasher! :D

I'm the same way with journals. I have so many: one for a novel - which I was supposed to strictly write in for that...but I stopped, one personal, one for notes/creatively explicit, and another that's new! Oi.

Agreed! I can't write for extended periods of time. I hold the pen too tight--is that what you do? My hand cramps up and then I'm shot.

Carpal tunnel doesn't help either (especially when it flares up). I can't write when wearing a brace, but I can still type!

[pipisafoat]

o hai thora, welcome!

and whenever I get a new one I get all excited, thinking longhand is going to change me forever.
*facepalm* I DO THIS TOO. ahahaha.

It's a different set of muscles to write than type; my forearms get so tired when I write. I am glad to be writey-ambidextrous because otherwise I could not survive classes. Maybe I should practice over the summer to get my writing arms in shape? That seems so weird. Obvsly I should do it, then. :D

[azuire]

[insert maniacal laughter]

I should get you one of those keyboard rest things so you can rest your hands after using the computer. Carpal tunnel!

[effex]

I do the first couple drafts of a piece and all the story notes long hand - it's much easier for me to do brain -> pencil than brain -> keyboard. I type things up in GoogleDocs (I use multiple computers so this is easiest) for the thirdish draft so I can 1) piece it together (I rarely write linearly to start), 2) switch to editor mode to review as I type and 3) send it out to betas.

Large scale revisions are written out by hand, with the file open for reference, before being typed.

I use medium unlined Piccadilly notebooks because they're cheap (the website says $10 but I usually find 'em for $5 at Borders) and sturdy.

I am intrigued by the stickynote + wall system.

[thorarosebird]

We don't have Borders anymore (where I live) so I can't get their nice notebooks anymore. :(

I have the same issue with multiple computers - I wrote on my work and home computer and have to email whatever I write back and forth, and the Word Processors don't match up which can be a huge pain.

[pipisafoat]

I really only use the sticky note + wall system to remind me of things. I have separate sections of the wall for it, too. One is "things to take care of first thing in the morning" (by the door), one is addresses (tucked in the corner by my desk; why don't I get an address book? that'd be so much more useful), one is long-term reminders (i.e. credit card payments, it's up high so I can still see it but it doesn't distract me), one is a short-term to-do list (right behind my desk), and I'm trying to find the best place for notes, ideas, and prompts for writing. Not entirely sure where it'll end up.

Borders :( We used to have one, but right about the time I got a nice big gift card to it, it closed.

[azuire]

Those Piccadillys look tempting. I will explore them once I find a Borders, thanks! :)

[lalalaleigha]

I am really ridiculous when it comes to writing history notes. I have to write in black ink in a thick spiral notebook in complete sentences. My handwriting is a nice blend of printing and cursive and it looks just so aesthetically pleasing and entirely appropriate to history notes.

My philosophy notes are less precise and a lot more haphazard. Anything goes. Other courses I don't really take notes in. XD whups.

I carry a notebook everywhere for the jotting of ideas. One is full of graphs for various ridiculous things: relationship dynamics, sliding scales of morality, etc. etc. These are my favourite. I will keep them and look at them fondly and with hilarity in ten years.

I have romantic visions of someday having a loft somewhere and typing madly by typewriter against a sunset while wearing suspenders and a fedora and pinstriped pants and smoking a pipe, only I don't smoke, so a licorice pipe will have to suffice.

Word = bane of my existence, but I use it out of habit and personal compulsion for fiction. Word 2007 is two thousand shades of not worth my time. I stole Word 2003 from my ex-boyfriend and, if I can help it, intend never to update. Straightforward interface. No small share of glitches, but acceptable.

[lalalaleigha]

*needs paid account posthaste*

I write papers on Macs at the university so I guess I use MacWord 2007 there. Best Word option. I am satisfied with this but less so with Macs in general (*ducks*) so it's perfect for paper-writing, given that I have no desire to do more than absolutely necessary on a Mac.

[azuire]

I had one spiral notebook. It got on my nerves, because I scribble at all sorts of absurd angles (upside down, sideways, at odd angles across the page, not to mention the ARROWS). Class notes are MUCH neater. It's like a whole different breed of person is writing each set of notes.

I despise Word. It continually corrects my spelling, which I find incredibly irritating, because some words end up spelt the British way, and some are edited to American. Inconsistency does not a happy azuire make.

[selkath]

I write everything creative in WordPad. It's small, and simple (not a huge mess that looks terrible and fills up the better part of the screen, like Microsoft Word!) I can't write in notebooks, because my hands can't keep up with my head if I'm trying to write in pen/pencil-- not to mention that I start to get really painful cramps in my hand, as well. Plus, I can hang my WordPad document over an inspirational image, and turn on music, so the computer is most convenient.

Admittedly, I drag around little books or sticky notes or my sketchpad to jot notes in, in case I get a particularly good idea at an unfortunate time. I'll also write by hand if I really need to remember something.

[pipisafoat]

When I still used Windows, I liked WordPad and TextPad an awful lot. Depending on how I was writing. TextPad if I was writing in HTML (which I do automatically now - you wouldn't believe the time I have to spend fixing school papers) and WordPad if I wanted to format it right there.

I can't keep up typing, either, but it's faster than writing, at least. I think maybe we all just think too fast. The curse of the writer!

[thorarosebird]

It's odd, I've never been able to use Word Pad! It's too empty. XD

[mythochromos]

Everything is kind of scattered for us at the moment. We use an old version of Easy Note for Android to write down memory joggers on the go. (We hear the latest version has obnoxious ads. Sadface.) Gmail for idea capture at work, where we can't access Wave. Wave for outlining and brainstorming. Back to Gmail for first drafts, which then get copied to hess_makes for sharing and Gdocs for archiving a full copy that can later be edited.

This could use some work.

I'm downloading LSB; it looks great...aside from not being a web app or instantly shareable with our partners in crime. Still, hauling all of the ideas back into LSB and keeping full copies there instead of Gdocs is tempting. We'll try it out.

-Shaynin

[mercredigirl]

I have heard nice things about (though I don't actually use) Storybook, perhaps that'd help to keep all your stuff together? :D

(And, wow, you use a lot of software indeed!)

See me. See me babble. Babble me, babble

[whatawaytoburn]

I go pretty back and forth. There are months where I can use nothing but the keyboard and months where i switch pretty easily between a keyboard and a notebook.

I know when I'm going to school on a regular basis notebooks become a lot easier to work with. I can scribble down notes and parts of stories and then go hoe to type them up.

For a while I used to carry around a role of index cards and write on those. I was really fond of them and the only reason I still don't do it is because I can't find them anymore. I especially liked using them for writing drabbles/one sentence type things.

As for programs, I'm really fond of DarkCopy. I find the minimalist ting works well for me when I'm really trying to get words out. WriteOrDie is another one I am a bit partial to but that's a recent development.

Jumping back to notebooks, I usually have about three on me at any given time. One for ideas one for quotes and one for writing. I'm actually starting to carry around for since there's one particular idea that's been hounding me a lot lately and I wanted to try and keep everything separate for that. I would probably carry more but I know I would receive many a facepalm, so I try and resist.

....Though now I want to try and find a roll of index cards. I sort of really miss doing those, now that I think on them.

Re: See me. See me babble. Babble me, babble

[azuire]

I use index cards quite interchangeably with post-it notes. I somehow like the idea of sticking an idea somewhere, losing it, and then rediscovering it when I'm cleaning my room. Gives me a fresh perspective on things.

WriteorDie is quite good for wordcount goals! I found it indispensable during NaNo.

[kylaye]

i think i may be alone in confessing that i prefer to write in LJ. i start a post, and if it turns out good i'll make it viewable to everyone; if not i'll keep it private until i find it complete.

and of course, notebooks are good too! i've kept about 20 so far? ye-ah (:

[azuire]

you are not alone! I do the same when I'm tired/in a hurry <3