What is your preferred method of writing? (by hand, on a computer, dictate it?)
This is a very easy question for me. My whole writing process is computerised. I write using both my laptops, one for writing and one for research and I often use my big screen too. At the moment I am using it to display the developmental comments I received on my new obsession WIP, A Ghost and his Gold.
I create notes on my plot outline in excel together with details of each character, including their full name, basic looks and sex. I then consider their role in the story and assign their charactarisation i.e. What kind of a person are they? Do they play by the rules of society or do they try to make their own rules? Are they idealistic, romantic, a reader, a dreamer? What characteristics do I need to assign them to make them work in their role i.e. in Through the Nethergate, Father Merton needed to be a bit superstitious and come from a background that accepted the idea of ghosts and demons. Without these characteristics, his character wouldn’t have performed convincingly in his role in the story. In A Ghost and his Gold, the main character, Pieter, is a reader and a bit of an academic. This is a bit unusual among his peers and he has been mocked for it in the past, but it is necessary for him to have an ability to question the circumstances of the war, to expect a negative outcome and to be able to feel great remorse and self depreciation for perceived wrong decisions. For me, the characterisation of my characters if vital so that I can get the emotion and description of situations and circumstances in the story correct.
I could probably create these tables by hand, but I haven’t really grown up in a “by hand” world. My whole working life has involved excel, word and power point so writing by hand doesn’t come naturally to me. Anyhow, my computer reliant generation can’t spell for toffee sticks and I am completely dependent on spell check.
I write in word because I am very proficient in that programme and it enables me to mark up changes, indicate movements of text and make notes and comments. These are for my own benefit and, sometimes, for the benefit of my editor.
I create my adverts in power point using my own photographs, which I change using a design programme. I then insert the book cover and a quote from the story into the advert. Once it is complete, I covert it to a jpeg and it is ready to go.
I use a designer to create my book covers so I don’t have a computer programme for those.
What are other blog-hoppers’ preferred writing methods? Click on the blue button below to find out, or simply add a comment or even your own blog post.
Rules:1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
roberta-writes.com 
So far i plot or take notes by hand, but write in Word!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is a popular method, Ritu. I hope you are feeling better now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Getting there Robbie… I think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always a computer for me, although I grew up with pen and paper.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Computers make it so much easier, Stevie. They are a truly great invention.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes indeed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
YOu work way too hard. I sit down, I say I need a bank robbery caper with a little romantic tension. The characters sit on my shoulder and start talking. Some days I can’t keep up.
However, and I stress this, I am not a shill. But if anyone is two stepping your writing process across even Microsoft screens and programs you owe it to yourself to try Scrivener. Everything you need, one program. No matter if you’re a visual organizer or want your data in spreadsheet or postit notes. Plus your WIP is organized, by scene and chapter, visible at all times (if you desire). Check that. Scene and chapter. It can’t be any easier to find holes. Word count by scene, between scenes, from point A to point C.. It’s amazing. I can’t write the old way except to sketch in Word and paste it into Scriv. Just like I can’t work without at least two monitors. That was not an ad, you asked. It’s free to try and cheap to own. And I’m an old dog, but Scriv was my one new trick. Because I can chase bunnies and Scriv stops that by making it obvious.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your comment, Phil. I have heard of Scrivener and many authors swear by it. I must look into it as it sounds like it could make my life much easier.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I am comfortable with paper, but after so many years of traveling, I need my stuff in the cloud so I can access it from anywhere on whatever device I happen to have. If I do put notes on paper, I quickly put them in lists. I write in Word but I use Trello to organize.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t know Trello, Dan. I must look into it. I don’t like using paper as I misplace my notebooks and other bits of paper. I never lose my devices – well, sometimes I do, but at least I can track them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Trello is a pretty cool service. I use the free version, but it has enough features to make it very useful. I’ve explained it on my blog. You can search for it and find that post if you like. But there are plenty of videos on their website.
LikeLike
For it all depends on the situation. I still write on paper when the situation calls for it. I use Word when my computer is available. For poetry I have written some in my cell and emailed it to myself.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have also written poetry on my cell and emailed it to myself. It is a great way of doing it I think. I always have my cell handy. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLike
I love to see how you organize your work, Robbie.
I grew up in paper and pencil or pen. My job in the last ten years before retirement required me to be proficient in Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint. When I travel, I write on the Note app. on my phone or iPad and share with my email so I could retrieve them and put it in Word.
I use Excel to organize my WIP.
I used to be very good in spelling but now I got lazy by using computer for too long and rely on the spell check.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I can’t even type a short text message on my phone without hitting the wrong keys, let alone a document!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, P.J. I learned from my daughter to swipe the spelling, just use my finger touch lightly on the letters and wipe in the direction of the spelling. As long as the direction is okay, it has auto correct to give me the right words. If I swipe the wrong letter, just delete and do it again.
I don’t “type” the text or note any more!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a good tip, Miriam. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Robbie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find writing a message on my phone harder than a laptop. The keys are so small. My typos are usually because my spelling isn’t that good and I tend to use a mixture of English and America spelling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think it is the computer that has made me lazy too, Miriam. I was better when I was at school and I had to spell well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know, Robbie. When I was teaching, I had spelling tests for the students (for 15 years), and taught the spelling rules. It helped me with my spelling also. But I worked in the district office for 10 years and retired for 9 years. Too long from the spelling bees!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I usually plot using pen and paper. I always keep a notebook with me, it’s a must. I transfer everything onto word and then save on an external hard drive.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is good to know and very organised. I sometimes write notes in a notebook when I travel.
LikeLike
I do that too especially when taking photos.
LikeLike
I used to always have a paper writing journal and I loved it but I finally gave in a few years ago and went electronic. It’s just so much easier. Maybe one of these days when life slows down I will have a paper journal again. 🌞
LikeLiked by 2 people
I had a diary when I was at school. It was hand written and I still have it. I don’t believe I will ever write by hand now though.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Robbie, very interesting to learn your writing processes. You are very passionate. I am not an author, though I secretly wish I was. I am not a writer, never thought about it, only after I started to blog did it become a thought.
I write both ways, that is pen and paper, or straight on the computer, and spelling well typos galore. I don’t write fiction, and I am learning how clever those that write fiction are at story telling, plotting it is all very intrresting.
Thank you for sharing this.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My pleasure, Bella. I am sure you could start writing quite easily if you wanted to. There are lots of writers who write about the things that interest you like self help, meditation and relaxation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are far more methodical than I could ever be and I admire you for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Danny, it must be my accounting background. It lends itself to spreadsheets [smile]
LikeLike
Yes, I did notice the KPMG.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so envious of so many technically adept writers out there. I must be one of the few whose computer hates me with a passion and shows this every time I go near it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So do you write your books longhand? I have never tried to write like that because I am always changing things and moving them around. There is much recommending it though, if I think of all the famous authors that wrote by hand.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Over the years I have developed a system that works for me. Longhand first then typed up, which usually includes the first edit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I write in Word too, and make images in PowerPoint, Robbie. I didn’t grow up with computers and the transition from handwriting took place over a number of years and in a number of stages, but it’s complete now.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think it is great that you are fully computer literate, Norah. It keeps you in the hub of things. My mom doesn’t even have a smart phone so I can’t even Whatsapp her. I have to send her SMS’ and then remember to check for her response.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know about ‘fully’, Robbie, but fully enough for me, most times. I don’t have Whatsapp and have to admit that I’m not even sure what it is. I’m not fully functional in social media. 😉🤣😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are both organized and good at multi tasking, both traits I lack but admire. It shows in how prolific you are too. (K)
LikeLiked by 1 person
You don’t come across as lacking in organisation skills, Kerfe, and your poetry always has a lovely artwork which is multitasking in a sense of the word. We all find our own best way of doing things, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We do. I’m old so I always write by hand first, but I do revise on the computer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting, Robbie.
I write research notes long hand in spiral notebooks, but any pre-planning or character sketches I do, I create in Word. Often in the form of tables. It’s always fun learning how other authors work!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is interesting, Mae. I don’t like creating tables in word because I find them very cumbersome. It is also how you are used to working, of course. I am an accountant and excel is our best friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I work with a few accountants and they all love Excel, LOL. My job is graphics and web driven so I only dabble in Excel, but I’m learning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We write a lot alike, Robbie. I start in a spreadsheet–it’s now 550 rows long and 65,000 words for my Book 3. I have tabs for the stuff you mentioned–like characters. Then I move to Word. It works for me–and you! I love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I does work for me, Jacqui, and I am finding it a must for a series. You also need to maintain an accurate timeline of places, ages and other historical facts.
LikeLike
I usually brainstorm with pen and paper, but from there forward, I’m all on the computer, too. It’s always fun to learn how someone else works. Thanks for sharing your process.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pen and paper seems to work for a lot of writers, Staci. A computer is much easier for the leg work though. I enjoy participating in this particular prompt. I enjoy reading about other writers processes too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
great to hear your methods, knew you were computer literate due to your prolific posts / publications 🙂
initially wrote my first few hundred poems by hand only because I didn’t have a computer. Now they tumble out as quickly as I can type. I used to use excel etc heaps so I’m sure I could do that if the inclination arose 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You do share a lot of lovely poetry, Kate. A computer helps a lot. Thanks for joining in the conversation.
LikeLiked by 1 person
my pleasure 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s great to learn about your writing, research and planning style, Robbie. I’m a visual and hands-on person, but I also use my technology to its fullest because ultimately, it’s the most efficient (always crunched for time, it seems).
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we all feel crunched for time continuously, Barbara, and technologies both helps and makes it worse. I still prefer to have it and love my Blog friends. I am glad you enjoyed this post.
LikeLiked by 1 person