8 Comments
User's avatar
Joseph L. Wiess's avatar

I've only recently returned to writing my books by hand, and I've found that the slower paces gives me time to think about what I want to say. Things that I would glossed over have become richer with deeper descriptions.

I don't usually have time to write complete chapters, usually writing two pages a day.

Expand full comment
Katelynsam's avatar

Nice! And I agree that the slower pace allows for deeper thought, which is definitely worth the trade off on speed. Best of luck with your writing!

Expand full comment
Thérèse Judeana's avatar

Thank you for this reminder! Every time I use a notebook instead of the computer or my phone, it feels so good, and it becomes hard to have to work on a screen instead! I’ve been doing the latter almost exclusively this year, so I’m going to try to get back to writing in my notebook when possible.

Expand full comment
Richard Glover's avatar

Great findings and I wish I could write at length by hand, it’s a skill I have lost.

The typing goes on and on evermore, but the pencil (or pen) is now only used for notes, ideas, and short entries in my life.

Best!

Expand full comment
Katelynsam's avatar

Totally relate, and me writing a whole chapter by hand like I did recently was definitely an outlier. I only do it several times a week, but I mostly type, especially for revisions where I have to scroll back and forth between different scenes throughout the story. I do love writing notes and ideas in my notebooks as well.

Thanks and best of luck to you and your writing too!

Expand full comment
Rye Youbs's avatar

Lovely post! I‘ve started always bringing with me a little notebook, at least to have the chance to jot down notes wherever I am - but I still need my laptop in order to write. I journal on a physical notebook though, and I want to keep it that way! The medium really makes a difference.

Expand full comment
Katelynsam's avatar

It really does! For modern day, I agree that my laptop is absolutely necessary but it seems like a lot of writers benefit from a hybrid of mediums: notebooks, computers, and I’ve also seen some of those freewrite keyboards that are literally just mini computers without internet. As always, wishing you the best with your own writing!

Expand full comment
Katelynsam's avatar

Love to hear this and thank you! There really is something raw and magical about it. I even have a fake candle and once when I was writing in a notebook beside it, I couldn’t help but feel a connection to the past just thinking about all the writers years ago who wrote by actual candlelight late at night or early in the morning when the rest of the world was asleep. Best of luck with your writing!

Expand full comment