SCREEN VS PEN AND PAPER

I’ve been working on my novel for about six or seven years. Life challenges, especially when we cannot find a solid work-life balance or when we endure toxic obstacles that block our path, certainly put a dent in our creative process. It certainly does for me (more on this in a near-future blog post about how my being an Empath influences my life—personally and professionally).

I find that I first need to overcome those things before my fingers can start clacking away at the keyboard (or pen/paper if one goes the traditional route). As for the traditional route, I tried using only that for a spell. Being a writer and an editor professionally can make one feel they’ve stared at a computer screen long enough for the day, so one looks for other avenues.

Here’s what I found over the last year or so: I need both. I never shut down my laptop and I also keep my Moleskine notebooks (THOSE are divine and I simply love writing in them) at hand. Transferring what I’ve created to the screen from my notebooks also feeds into my editing geekiness—when you’ve been an editor for more than 25 years, as I have, editing as you read (whether for work or personal pleasure) is second nature.

The bottom line is that I am old school, but I also love how technology facilitates how we work, including the writing and editing process.

What works for you?

As for my novel, I’m glad to say it is back on track! I was having trouble with the development of one particular character, but a nice long walk in Montréal (during a beautifully cold winter morning) helped me push through and determine what I want and need to do with said character.

Until next time…