Six Word Memoirs on Life Stories

Dean6805 says,

Keystrokes. I've tried outlining, but have found that the story takes turns away from what I'd planned, so I don't do that so much anymore. The exception is when I have an idea for a resolution or a conflict that I think really has legs, but I'm not yet at that place in the story. I'll make a note of it and put it in my "just in case" document.

RedStickWriter says,

There is no right way or wrong way, just ways that work for each person in each place and time. It never ceases to amaze me how many I discover as I read what people write about how they write. I like that "just in case" document. I have peripheral files such as that, as well as files for interesting turns of phrase, interesting words, interesting places, interesting names, interesting concepts, interesting quotes, and on and on and on. Everyone outfits their toolkits in different ways, but there are always similarities.

Pat Conroy, my favorite author, writes his novels by hand. His dad, who was his basis for The Great Santini, wouldn't let him learn to type. As a marine aviator, he thought typing was girly stuff.

I started my first novel on a keyboard then found it too easy to always be editing and formatting. So, I switched to writing by hand. At that point in time, story flowed out of the end of my pen to paper better than through my fingertips on my keyboard. Thank God, I've gotten over that. That first one was mostly written in the loft of the City Market Coffeehouse in downtown Kansas City, and yes, there were days when I still had story in my head and was out of paper. However cliché it might sound, there were some days on which I ended up with story on napkins.

accidentaltourist says,

I think the ease of rewrite with a keyboard often traps us in a vicious cycle of copy/cut/paste. But it's a tough call. There's no denying that I am much more prolific a writer with a computer at my fingertips. (thank you high school typing teacher!)

Dean6805 says,

RSW, I have several story ideas (seeds or saplings, if you will) in the "Notes" feature on my phone. I can see the benefit of using pen & paper, but my day job keeps my hands busy all the livelong day and writing longhand is beyond fatiguing. Maybe that sounds lazy but I just don't have the desire to do that when I know I'll have to get up in the morning and sign for 8 hours.

AT, I know what you mean about a vicious cycle; there's a fine line between editing and obsessing.

I taught myself to type. I never got to take typing in school - for some reason, the "vocational wheel" class I took didn't stop on typing, so I ended up learning the hard way in college and on the job.

RedStickWriter says,

Like I said, thank God I overcame the need to write by hand during the process of my first novel. Though I had already had typing in high school, it was a mandatory course for freshmen at Southeastern Louisiana College (now University) where I started my college studies and played a little basketball. I look back and think, "What foresight they had." I used my typing skills a bit in school and let them go mostly dormant until PCs came along. Praise Jesus! Can I get a glory? I discovered that they were still there ... just like falling off a log.

canadafreeze says,

I write notes by hand and on my computer or iPad, and have several perhaps journals on the go. I facilitate a creative writing circle (teach is too presumptive) and I always encourage participants to have paper and pen handy - by their bedside in their purse or pocket for those moments and thoughts you want to capture for use later. A smartphone note section works well, too. I use all manner of getting words on paper, but the finished product is done on the keyboard. I keep originals and revisions to compare. Sometimes the original is better ... Over-editing is a trap I fall into if I rely entirely on the keyboard. That proverbial, vicious circle ...

accidentaltourist says,

I prefer journal writing by hand.....but that is often just an exorcising of demons. And my unnatural addiction to pens, pencils, and paper assures that I always have something to write with and on within easy reach for a quick scribble. But I do love the luxury of being able to electronically create and submit via e-mail all my work writing (journalism). As much as I love vintage clothes and jewelry, I hated my rickety old manual typewriter.

RedStickWriter says,

AT: Your mention of journalism made me think of all of the sportswriters I knew when I played basketball. Quite often in gymnasiums located off the beaten path, I'd see those guys packing around small portable typewriters before and after the games. When press space was inadequate, you'd see them in the stands with those gizmos in their laps. Whenever they come to mind, I think of those being the original laptops.

accidentaltourist says,

Good call, Red. I have to say, having my laptop to take to locations for writing up reports has made my life so much easier. Likewise my tablet, for place where I need to take photos and make notes. I love technology more than a bibliophile should, perhaps, but there you have it.

TheAngstyPoet says,

Keystrokes. I used to write on notepads like the ones you buy at AC Moore and use for shopping lists. Then I decided to cut out the middle man. I don't outline, I go with the flow. But chapters or stanzas usually have one central idea.

RedStickWriter says,

Yep. I paid a lot of dues to that middle man when I wrote novel one. The process, though fun already, became more so when I dumped that guy. Nowadays, I involuntarily make the sign of the cross with my forefingers when I hear the word transcribe.