Writing can take many forms now a days. Some prefer pen and paper and others prefer word processors. I am curious what !writing@beehaw.org uses for their own writing.

For me I have used Scrivener before but found it too powerful for my style of writing. I now find myself using Google docs since it can sync to so many places and I can write wherever I go. (If anyone has a FOSS Google docs alternative I am all ears)

So, !writing@beehaw.org, what is your software of choice? If you prefer pen and paper, what does your process look like?

  • Morgie@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
    2·
    2 years ago

    Do you feel a bit more connected to your work when writing with pen and paper?

    • Maerman@beehaw.orgEnglish
      2·
      2 years ago

      To a certain extent, yes. I just find that the pacing works well for me. I think of a sentence, and I can edit it as I write, trying to balance the words properly. I find that I do less editing overall if I write more slowly the first time.

      • Morgie@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
        2·
        2 years ago

        Anything to save time while editing is never a bad thing! I may have to give that a shot next time I am working on something, but first I need to make sure my handwriting is legible.

        • Maerman@beehaw.orgEnglish
          2·
          2 years ago

          My handwriting is barely legible, especially when I get excited. But I’m the only one who needs to read it, because I type it up before showing it to anyone. If you do try it, I would suggest getting a nice pen. It really makes a difference; trust me. Fountain pens are a whole rabbithole, so that might be a bit daunting. But a rollerball pen is a great alternative to ballpoints that doesn’t break the bank but writes so much more nicely.

          • Morgie@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
            0·
            2 years ago

            I have looked into fountain pens before and my head started spinning lol. It may be something that I need to check out, do you have any fountain pen basics or starter pens to look at?

            • Maerman@beehaw.orgEnglish
              1·
              2 years ago

              Get yourself a Platinum Preppy, with a Fine nib. You can get them on Amazon (or, preferrably, a more ethical site like Goulet Pens) for under $10. It’s not a mortgage payment, but it writes really well, and the Fine nib is good for many people’s handwriting. I would also suggest you start with ink cartridges rather than bottled ink. The cartridges are more expensive for less choice in terms of colour, but bottled ink is a whole world on its own. You do not want to dive into that unless you feel ready.

              Also, there is now a fountain pen community on Lemmy. I am not sure what the URL is, but it should pop up in a search. You can make a post there to get some more input from people who probably know better than me.

              • Morgie@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
                2·
                2 years ago

                Thanks for the suggestion! I will check it out and look for that community.

                • Maerman@beehaw.orgEnglish
                  2·
                  2 years ago

                  No worries. And sorry for the wall of text in my previous comment. I get excited sometimes.

                  • Morgie@beehaw.orgOPEnglish
                    2·
                    2 years ago

                    I get the same way so no worries there! I think I found one but gonna refine my searches to see if there are any others out there.

                    Edit: Looks like the only one I can find is !fountainpens@sopuli.xyz