The last story I wrote longhand was “Rain” & then I quit working that way for years. Yesterday I went back to the pen & it was such a pleasure I wonder why I stopped. But I know why: I told myself it was faster to begin on the computer. Only it’s not true! It takes exactly the same amount of time.
I gave it a try because @neilhimself.neilgaiman.com suggested I give it a whirl. I wound up writing all 900 pages of The Fireman in longhand. 9 great big Leuchtturm journals.
But how does one make the leap from longhand to type text actually WORK; I'd love to go back to longhand for everything but the transcription process is soul sucking even IF it provides the transition from zero to first draft.
The transcription process is another opportunity to reconsider each line, each moment—it’s a chance to rewrite as you go. It’s actually kind of magical.
While I've never published, this has long been my favorite way of writing. I kept a notebook at work that I would write in during any free time. When I would transcribe not only did I do simple editing, but it would also serve as fact checking and help me see where I needed to bulk up thoughts.
That kinda clicked into place as I was typing that reply but if you don't ask, especially pros like yourself or Neil, you don't know. I'll start shopping for the big journals ^_^
