Finding the Best Writing Method

The word writing itself is a little outdated. Or shall I say generalized? Yeah, that sounds better. After all, many different forms of writing don’t involve the physical act itself. Sometimes it’s typing. Sometimes it’s speaking aloud and allowing a device to type for you. Sometimes, yes, it is writing by hand.

In other words, writing refers not so much to the act of putting pen to paper but the creation of words, whether it be an essay, blog post, or story. But which is the best method of creating?

 

Handwriting

Once upon a time, I read somewhere that the best way to write a novel is to write it all out by hand, then type it up and make corrections from there. So I tried and failed. Miserably. I got halfway through the book before I couldn’t take it anymore. My brain works faster than my hand, and I need all ten fingers to type. What’s more, the story stunk, so I ended up scrapping the whole thing.

Besides, there’s no Ctrl + f (find) in something that’s handwritten! How am I supposed to find a certain scene or name if I can’t remember where it is? At least I don’t need to worry about Ctrl + s (save)…

I also keep one of those little notebooks in my purse because somebody said you should write down ideas as they come to you. I never do. Sure, I may pull it out sometimes when I’m bored, but I don’t really use it to outline or keep track of quotes or anything useful.

Every now and then, if I’m out and feel the urge to write, I may use a scrap of paper to start a scene, but that’s no longer my primary method anymore. I like to keep a journal in a physical book, but that’s about it.

 

Google docs

Whenever I have a scene that I want to jot down really quick, I prefer to use Google docs on my phone. That way I can access it anywhere, and I don’t have to worry about tracking down a random piece of paper. Besides, it’s a little easier to copy and paste words than it is to type each and every one.

The last time I was traveling, I had a lot of fun writing on a Google doc because I didn’t bring my computer. Besides, I was writing poetry, so I didn’t have to worry about the paragraphs looking huge on my screen.

Microsoft Word

Ah, my favorite method of all! Complete with the ability to type with all ten fingers. Ctrl+f and Ctrl+s. The ability to create chapters and manipulate fonts. Copy and paste. Word counts. Pages. Italics. Chapter formatting. You name it!

Now, I have incorporated some methods from other pieces of unhelpful advice. Like that type up the second draft bit? Yep, I rewrite everything when transitioning from draft 1 to draft 2 instead of simply copy and pasting it so that I can catch more mistakes while typing everything out rather than reading over it.

Blogging is slightly different, though. I’ll type everything up on a Word doc, copy and paste it on Blogger, then proofread it from there.

 

Other methods

4theWords/Wattpad/Scrivener

There’s plenty of online resources for writers, I’m just cheap and never invest in any of the paid options. 4theWords is a fun one where you can level up your character by defeating monsters by typing a certain number of words in a certain amount of time. I enjoyed using it during NaNoWriMo. The only thing is, I’m that kind of person who would rather study and tame a monster rather than kill it. What is it with our world and killing things?

Wattpad and Scrivener are also options I’ve heard of, but I’ve never tried writing on those sites.

 

Dictation

There are also options where you can say the story aloud and allow a computer program to type it up for you. My sister uses an app on her phone for that method, though I’ve never tried it myself.

 

Typewriter

You know that stereotype where the writer is so obsessed with the aesthetic of writing that they go out and buy a typewriter? Yeah, no, I couldn’t do that. I like my backspace key, thank you very much, and used it maybe 500 times writing this stupid paragraph.

 

The Best Method

You may ask, What is the best method? I would say, The one that works best for you at the time. That method may change from story to story or even from time to time within the same story, and that’s where trial and error come into play. For me, it’s Word, but that may change.

 

Let’s chat! What’s your favorite writing method? Am I missing any? Does your writing process change, or do you have a tried and true method?

 

***

 

Similar posts: 5 Reasons to Attend WriteOnCon, How to Balance Multiple Writing Projects, and My Process for Writing Poetry