Friday, October 14, 2011

Thinking Outside the Laptop

Most of us use our laptop as our guide to the outside world and the stories we want to write, but how many of us take it outside the laptop?

As you all know I'm newest to the outlining world but rather than mapping it out on the computer I'm a notebook kind of girl.

I've heard of scrivener and several other places where you can map out chapters, sequences, the works, but for me the notebook does the same. Not to mention it's much easier access when sitting on the couch with ice cream in hand...  less distractions.

Right now I have six notebooks, each with their own story idea. I fill the notebook full, the ideas, the plots, the character development. Anything and everything that comes to mind is in that notebook.

Also, for me, once I've written the book on the computer (yeah, that's NOT happening in the notebook), I'll add the dedication and acknowledgements to let me know that I've completed the work and thanked everyone for all their hard work and thoughts!

So... do you ever think outside the laptop? If not TRY it also keeps you away from all the distractions you'll find online!

HAPPY WEEKEND PEEPETTES (I would have said peepers for the guys but that would have been weird)!

36 comments:

Laura Pauling said...

Even though I use Scrivener too, I do initial plotting and mapping in a notebook. I can't go to the computer until I have a solid idea of where the story is going.

Laura S. said...

I write in longhand first! I keep a notebook for each project I'm working on. Then I copy it over to the computer. That's a good way to edit, too.

I have Scrivener, but I tend to use Pages more.

Jennie Bennett said...

I have awful handwriting, so while I would love to do this I would probably thank georff before I thank Jeff, lol :)

Christine Danek said...

I used to write in journals only. I never used to write on a laptop. I know, weird. Now, I only write ideas and loose outlines in journals the rest is on lappy.

Elsie Love said...

I'm a big note scribbler. How else would I get those random thoughts that strike at inconvenient times out of my head? I lost a notebook once (during my first novel...ugh). It was quite scary.

Anne Gallagher said...

I keep mine in the car. Problem is I have so many and when a random thought strikes about one story, I'll grab any pad and write it down. I'm actually still looking for a scene I know I wrote down, for a book that's totally finished.

Happy weekend.

No One said...

In my teen years I wrote nonstop, but I didn't have my own computer. I wrote half a novel in two notebooks.
Now I have a Mac, but I switch back to a notebook when the writing isn't flowing on Word.

Sarah Tokeley said...

Once I have an idea, it's all outlined on paper before I start on the computer. It just feels right that way :-)

Unknown said...

I love writing on paper in a notebook. For my novels I usually use my laptop but I'm also wimpy and don't like to carry it around all the time, a notebook is so much lighter.

Kimberlee Turley said...

I switched my notebook for a small 1" binder with lined paper. Now when I make scribbles I can rearrange the pages and put them in the correct order.

Pat Hatt said...

For me its all in my head from start to finish, just have to write it down. Yeah it is quite full up there..haha...blog hopped here too.

Nicole Zoltack said...

I use notebooks too - for ideas and sometimes for writing and for research. So convenient sometimes.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I've recently become pretty faithful to my little notebook. Too much great stuff I was sure I'd remember--forgotten! :-)

Brinda said...

I have a few things jotted into notebooks, but most of my outlining and drafting take place on the computer. I use a program called Manuscript on my ipad for making virtual notecards, etc. It also has a way for me to summarize each chapter before writing it, so that helps when I write a synopsis.

DRC said...

I always jot ideas down in a note book. I have loads. For some unknown reason I can really plan in typed form...

LynNerdKelley said...

Hi Jen - Just stopping in to say during the blog hop! Have a great weekend!

Christina Lee said...

Ooh yeah, plotting and notes. I like your method! Happy weekend!

Christa Desir said...

I'm notebook too for plotting, and I tried Scrivener but sort of broke up with it after a week of dating. I just can't think in that way. I like my pink sparkly note book:)

Liz Reinhardt said...

My writing is actually scary! I do sometimes just forbid myself online time until I hit a certain wordcount!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I write everything by hand first before entering it into the computer.

Kenda Turner said...

I keep story notebooks, too--but don't have near as many as you! Just three at the moment, but I do a smaller notebook of picture book ideas! Thanks for your recent comment over at my place :-)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm trying to outline o index cards. I'm a new Pay It Forward follower.

Sarah Allen said...

Fabulous advice! I think one of the advantages of using notebooks for part of the process, too, is being able to sit outside and breath the fresh air once in a while.

Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)

Nancy Thompson said...

I totally write out my outline in longhand in a notebook. But even before that, I write down all my characters and relationships and notes about the plot and subplots and all that. It's getting it all in order to type it all out that's the challenge!

TirzahLaughs said...

I have notebook volumes going back to my preteen years. :) Those never get deleted.

Tirz

Wanton Redhead Writing said...

There is no way I'd be able to read that chicken scratch later.

DL Hammons said...

I do all my outlining, plot notes, and character traits in notebooks as well. I'm actually not a fan of laptops. I find them restrictive. :)

Anonymous said...

I use notebooks for writing down ideas and plotting (before I put the plot on a spreadsheet). Other than that, everything's done on my computer or laptop.

Nicki Elson said...

You are so right about the distractions on the laptop. I used to use notebooks a lot more, but for me the computer is best for outlining---I start w/ very basic info that grows as I flesh the story out in my mind so my poor notebook would be afflicted w/ too many asterisks and arrows to be of any real use.

I did bring a notebook w/ me down to the pool one day at Disney though---and managed to scratch out a whole entire paragraph. Wow. By the way, I am SOOOO excited to get to hear about the impending meet up at Wizarding World! (And I agree w/ you that Orland should be taken in specific segments per trip rather than trying to squeeze it all in at once.)

Juliana L. Brandt said...

New follower here! I love writing by hand, there's something free flowing about it :)

I'm hosting the Warm Fuzzies Blogfest, starting next week, it'd be amazing if you'd stop by!

http://aspiretobejuliana.blogspot.com

Matthew MacNish said...

Hi Jen. I just wanted to say thanks for signing up for our blogfest, and for visiting so many blogs. I'm seeing your comments everywhere! Yay.

BBC said...

I scribble sometimes on odd bits of paper here and there if something strikes me and I don't have access, but mostly I use the laptop. There are a lot of reasons - I type really fast, so my typing hands keep up with my brain quicker than my writing hands, but also I tend to lose those little bits of paper. Have yet to use the laptop.
*fingers crossed*

Shelley Sly said...

I write the actual novels in Microsoft Word (except for when I'm on the go, then I carry a notebook with me and just pick up where my Word document left off, then transfer it to the laptop later.) I write down plot and character ideas in an actual notebook, though.

Melissa Sugar said...

I purchased Scrivner & others, but when it comes down to really getting my creativity from brain to story, I am also a notebook kind of girl. I take mine with me everywhere. My problem is that I am the MOST unorganized person in the world. I have 100's of notebooks that are full, half full and what not. I have managed to narrow it down to about five that I am careful to keep next to my desk & bed. I also spend a full day once a week transferring notes from paper to laptop.

I love your blog

Unknown said...

I do all of my planning, out lining, character development, etc in a notebook. Always have, always will! It's easier for me to just quickly jot down my thoughts without worrying about formatting or font or font size or bullet points.

For actually writing, I use Word.

I tried Scrivener once and it confused the crap out of me! No thanks, I'll stick to my spiral notebooks.

Laura said...

I'm with you on this - notebooks and a fountain pen for the outlining and then I write directly into the laptop. I'm lucky though, we don't have wireless internet, so I can unplug and keep the distractions at bay!
Lx