This post is part of the 31 Days of Writing for July. Click here for my previous posts or click here if you would like to join in.
Day 15: What is your favourite writing tool? Do you only use the computer, or do you still love pen and paper?
I can’t recall a time I ever enjoyed writing with pen and paper. I do love stationery and enjoyed seeing the vast selection of things I could order when I worked in a warehouse but I never much liked using them. If I were to enjoy writing, it would be on a nice ring bound notebook with a gel pen. As a left hander, there are 2 flaws to this plan:
- Ring bound notebooks are such a pain, it causes issues trying to get close to the margin because the rings are sticking out, so you end up with a ring imprint on the side of your hand.
- Gel pens are a bit wet, so if I’m not careful I can end up with smudged paper and a black hand.
Not only that but I remember back at school doing my HSC (year 12 exams) and there was so much writing. I had to have a bandaid on one of my fingers because my pen was causing a blister and it hurt so badly. My handwriting also gets worse and worse the longer I have to write.
I find typing on a computer so much easier than hand writing ever was. It’s fast and easy, if you make a mistake no need for crossing out, rubbing out or whiting out; Just a few presses of Backspace and you’re good to go again. Not only that, but everyone can read what I write if it’s typed up, this is more than I can say for my handwriting.
There are also the keyboard shortcuts you can use while on a computer, I remember times at school or work where I’d try and Ctrl + C my notes on the paper… and then I’d realise I was writing on paper and I couldn’t copy and paste.
Overall, I think typing is far superior to handwriting and it allows a wider audience to see and understand what you have to say.
2 responses to “How I write”
I actually used to really love writing by hand, but I share the same annoyance with spiral notebooks. I used to love them, but then grew to hate them. I went for Moleskine notebooks then promptly decided I was wasting my money. Most of the time I just throw away all my notes, unless I have written poems or something a bit more precious. Anything else just goes in the bin. Unfortunately I still have a habit of buying cute notebooks when I could be saving money.
I guess I still love writing, but only because I like the way it feels when I write. Sometimes I doodle because I find it a bit therapeutic. But I do prefer typing these days. 😀
Despite those problems that a spiral notebook and gel pens can cause, I still love writing with a pen and paper. I make my students write with pen and paper in class for informal assignments. I love looking at people’s handwriting. It adds a layer of personality for me!