Unlike writers of the past, we own computers to make our lives easier. But the machines arrived with plenty of baggage. Have they been worth it?
For most of human history, authors wrote by hand with a scribbling implement making marks with ink on some form of paper. (We’ll ignore the ages of chiseling into stone or making impressions on clay.) By the late 1800s, typewriters became commercially available. Only in the last forty years have writers turned to computers.
The Case for the Pen
Consider the ease and simplicity of pens or typewriters vs. computers. No passwords, no two-factor authentication, no need for backups, no pull-down menus, no need to pay for software updates, and no viruses. No chance of some hacker stealing your manuscript. No need to recharge or (except for electric typewriters), plug in to an outlet. Most of all, with pens or typewriters, there’s little to learn first—you just start writing.
The Case for the Computer
To be fair to computers, we’ve gained much in return, compared to previous methods. We see our text instantly, as it will appear in final form. That’s something. We’ve also swept away the piles of paper and books, the fire hazard that used to clutter a writer’s office. Also, we use the same computer for research, mostly eliminating the need to pore through dusty tomes for obscure facts. We can search through previously written text more easily than flipping through pages.
Side Benefits
Yes, I’m aware of studies showing increased brain activity when writing with pen and paper compared to using computer keyboards. But for purposes of this post, I don’t care about brain activity. I’m concerned with overall ease of use.
Summary
Computers render certain writing tasks easier—storing, retrieving, searching, and researching. Pens and typewriters ease other writing aspects—ready access, cost, learning, and security.
Decision
Like so many other facets of writing, different writers find their own methods easier. You must make this decision yourself. Sorry if this seems like a copout, but what’s true for you may not be true for—
Poseidon’s Scribe
Well I guess computer is probably the best, I guess, however somehow I really enjoy typing, of course I haven’t typed in years, but in school I really enjoyed it, I think I prefer typing. So Steve what is your preference?
Thank you for visiting my site. Like you, I haven’t used a plain typewriter in years. For reasons I don’t understand, I prefer writing by hand with pen on paper. When I later transcribe to a computer file, I see things to change, so the computer version becomes my second draft. Further drafts occur after that, often by penning corrections on printed versions. As with most writers, you find what works for you and don’t question why it works, just go with it.