Friday, April 27, 2012

Things I write with

I talk about the software and computer-based goodies I use to write quite often. *cough*ALL THE TIME*cough* So I figured it was time to address some of the physical things.

  1. The steampunk headphones
    Music plays a HUGE part in making my brain happy while writing. I struggle without it. And as a person who used to be a big fan of earbuds (so small, so portable!), let me tell you, these monster headphones changed my life. Let me tell you why:
    • Earbuds hurt after a while--big happy headphones do not
    • The sound quality is like singing angels
    • People are theoretically less likely to talk to you if you look irritated about having to take the large headphones off to hear them speak
    • On a similar note, putting them on is a little like blocking out the world and all of its delightful distractions
    • Holy crap are these things are so comfortable they deserve two bullet points 
    • If you're like me, the headphones become something of a tradition--wearing them means it's time to get writing
    • Did I mention the steampunk aesthetic?

  2. Smiley face computer
    I don't know about you guys, but I find it incredibly difficult to write with paper. Seriously. I think faster than I write, so writing by hand always turns into an exercise of frustration. On the other hand, I'm a super fast typer (we're talking like 70+ WPM people). Also, Scrivener can have my babies.

  3. Notebook
    I know, I know. I just said that I don't like to write by hand, which is totally true. Then why do I need a notebook? When I get particularly stuck (and I'm talking REALLY, REALLY stuck), I like to brainstorm/free write by hand. There's just something about getting all of my messy ideas down by hand that actualizes them.

  4. Crappy pen
    This is an important one. I love crappy BIC pens. They don't bleed through the pages, they's about the cheapest writing implement you can find, and despite everyone's whining, the ink flow is actually pretty decent. Also, if I lose my pen, there's no writerly drama about my perfect pen.

Okay, so most of that was pretty clean cut. I'm lacking the highlighters and the colored pens and the post-it notes and all of that good stuff . . . but in my defense, I'm a pretty green writer. I do most of my editing on the computer screen. HOWEVER, I will be whipping all of that crap out when I get to the line-edits stage. Maybe I'll do another post then, eh?

So what items do you guys need in order to write? Do you function on a level that's even more barebones than my own? Or are you a nightmare color-coding and wite-out? Tell me in the comments

Comments (4)

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I can't write anything if I'm sitting at a computer. Even if it's unplugged from the internet. I'm old fashioned. It's gotta be pen and paper for me. I used to get most of my writing done at the most inopportune times. Like at work or during Finance class. I used to type away on my typewriter too (not in class, obviously). But, it doesn't get much use now because it's pretty loud and I don't want to bother the people I live with.

I don't know why I can't write at the computer. Maybe because I think slower that I can type, so a lot of the time I just sit staring at the blinking text line in my word editor waiting for something to come out. (does that make sense? blinking text line?) Handwriting things allows my brain to catch up with my hands.
As for the typewriter? Well, there is no backspace on it, so I have to be careful what I type or else it will come out as gibberish.
1 reply · active 674 weeks ago
Haha, we're exact opposites! :D

Hmm, maybe you're writing at inopportune times, but you can also write whenever the mood strikes. :) Actually, most people I've talked to really enjoy writing on paper, but I can never seem to appreciate the romance of the matter.
I really like this idea. I have the same, actually. To the T, other than the superlarge headphones. I have a pair like that, but find them less comfortable and have not quite as good sound as my bose earphones.
1 reply · active 671 weeks ago
I luff my steampunk headphones. *pets them*

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