Tried this using 2 methods and was surprised by results. Fully expected that use of pencil/paper would create more flow, more words and “creativity”. In reality, I write most stuff via keyboard – from personal communications to loads of formal reports. (For which creativity comes in handy!).
Did go back and tidy up typos.
Freewriting, typed
This reminds me of an exercise I had to do for my recent-ish masters degree, when we were advised how to get over writer’s bock to complete dissertation.
I am experimenting – for some reason, when writing “creatively” I need a pencil and paper but when writing anything else I use Word, so now I’m trying direct via keyboard.
Missed so many sessions – lost the sight of my supposed novel which was an invention made up for the course – but did write a journal in China when on holiday there – busy, busy days and exhausted at end but somehow found the energy to write each day – motivation factor kicks in re really wanting to record thought and feelings and I knew if I did not report the mundane experienced each day – I would do it all retrospectively as a neat travel blog.
Freewriting, pencil and paper
Tried via word, less flow, more logic, so I guess that is why I attempt to use pencil. There is something about contact with the paper, more advice from uni was not to allow yourself to lift pen from paper when free-flowing – just go with it, not sure how this will compare with the word version. Wish I could just be a brilliant writer able to create something brilliant instantly. Advantage of pencil is rubbing out but extra restriction re not taking pencil from paper does not allow that sort of editing. Not got writer’s block, just writer’s options.
I found the free writing you did by pencil much more 'journalistic' than that which you completed on Word Sue. Interesting...........
ReplyDeleteThat last sentence is telling. That was a good decision to record your impressions day to day rather than retrospectively. (Philip Larkin said he’d go to China if he could come back the same day – just thought I’d throw that in.) There’s no reason why you couldn’t write a great book about circus life but if your experiences of China have drawn you closer to the country – closer than you are to the world of the circus – then that might be the one to go for. You would have a big job in research terms though, I would say, since it would probably mean learning the language if you don’t know it already. A novel about China has commercial possibilities and might be more attractive to an agent.
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