How do you write?

[serria]

Technically, I mean. What kind of computer do you use? Or do you write freehand/some other way? Do you use any special programs? Microsoft Word, or something like Write or Die? Do you care about the font you use?

I'm one of those cliche aspiring authors who bought a Netbook. I heard that's kind of a stereotype, but mine really has been perfect for me. My normal laptop is too big to carry around, and the Netbook fits in my handbag and has a 7+ hour long battery life. I purposefully don't have any other programs except for Open Office on it, and it isn't hooked up to the Internet so I can't be distracted.

I use Open Office because it's free, and my Netbook didn't come with Microsoft Word. Actually, I've done a lot of writing just on Wordpad because it loads so quickly, haha.

Comments

[inkdust]

MacBook, Scrivener, Times New Roman 12 pt, zoom 125%. Haha.

I used Word up until last year when I decided to actually learn Scrivener and realized that it made writing a 300 page novel 300x easier. I had barely started my current project, so it wasn't hard to transition.

Once in a while for a scene I'll hand write a bit on college ruled paper with a blue papermate pen, but now that I'm writing mainly at home and not before/during/after class, that's only for when I need a jolt.

Plotting, on the other hand, MUST be done with pen and paper.

[serria]

Very concise answer, I love it. XD

But what is Scrivener? Is that a Mac program? I've never heard of it, but I am very intrigued by anything that will make writing a novel 300x easier. O.o

I wrote freehand back when I had a customer service job in high school (it was a movie theater, and you can't imagine how dead it gets between showings). I couldn't bring a laptop, obviously, but a notebook was fine. These days, though, my hand cramps too quickly - alas, I'm not a student anymore, my hand muscles have withered.

[inkdust]

Scrivener started out for Mac only but there is a Windows version now: http://www.literatureandlatte.com/

Their free trial is I think 30 days, and it only counts the days you open the program, so I highly recommend trying it out, and going through the tutorial to see the features. I knew the first day that I would have to get it. The organization, being able to create a separate document for each scene and drag and drop to reorder them, create folders for chapters, and then export the whole thing in basically any format, for a long project I will never use anything else again.

[serria]

Wow, thanks for the recommendation. That sounds interesting. I actually could really use something that compiles and lets you reorganize scenes... if I download this and instantly pop out an epic novel, your name will definitely be in the dedication page! Haha. :)

[inkdust]

I hope you like it! It seemed a little unwieldy at first, but it's highly customizable.

[siofrabunnies]

I looked into Scrivener a while ago. The only thing stopping me from getting it was the cost (I never plan on publishing, so I was waiting until I did grad school to justify it). Having one document to link all the different parts is indispensable, and I can't wait until I can justify buying it.

[inkdust]

Oh yeah, it would be so helpful for grad school too. I hope that's soon for you!

[siofrabunnies]

Not remotely, unfortunately. There's a lot standing in my way. I hope to eventually, but I'm keeping up my studies on my own in the meantime. I just needed a big break from academic stress.

[inkdust]

That I understand.

[ljwrites]

Yay another Scrivener user! I use the Windows version on my home laptop and love the hell out of it. So much that I read the entire 120+-page manual, lol.

I agree with you it makes life a whole lot easier. I've written a 160K-word fanfic on it, and at least one chapter would have been impossible without Scrivener because I had to rearrange dozens of scenes before the chapter came out right. I've also written academic papers on it, and the ability to pull in research files and web pages saved me hours of work.

Away from the home I use a tablet (Nexus 7) with a Bluetooth keyboard on Evernote, and copy any drafts from the Evernote Windows program where my notes are synced. I don't carry the tablet around as much anymore, though, since I have an office computer where I have Scrivener installed and have access to my writing files via Dropbox.