Maybe I’m old fashioned but I love a fountain pen. There is something so functional about their design.
Then there is the way they feel when your writing on the page.
But they are a bit like listening to music on vinyl.
If you’re into it, then its the purest way of indulging yourself and your hobby.
The main issue is it’s a pain to set them up and get going. Then there is the cleaning and the maintenance.
A keyboard is just much easier and quicker. Which is a shame because you don’t get the same feeling.
I used to try to write my first drafts with my beloved pen. It took ages, then I had to type it all out. By the time I had done that it was an hour or so wasted.
Plus I would be editing as I went which was a nightmare. I quickly changed to using the keyboard and haven’t looked back.
I still use my pen for notes and for day to day business. But it’s no longer a writing tool which is a shame.
I’m interested to know if you’re taking the time to read this what your opinion is?
Do you prefer a pen or keyboard?
Please leave a comment I would be interested in your opinion.
Poetry is another great way to flex your writing muscles. Its also one with few rule’s!
Poetry, the ultimate in short storytelling.
If you have been thinking of flexing your creative writing muscles. It’s a great place to start.
There are very few rules in poetry at least when you’re starting out. It’s more about free thinking and expression.
You need some structure to the verses but that’s really about it. What you do within those is up to you.
As a way to start writing short stories and fiction, poetry is pretty hard to beat.
Got writer’s block or need an exercise that gets you into the zone?
Poetry again is great for that, you don’t need to share it and it doesn’t need to make sense. What it will do is open up your mind, get you writing, and provide some inspiration.
Since there is no word count and minimal editing required, the pressure to produce the goods is not there.
If you have ever thought about trying it, I’d say give it a go.
Poetry as an art form for a writer is seriously underrated. It’s a very useful tool to get your mind ready for a day’s writing. It will also take you to places as a writer that you never thought you would go.
Poetry has taken me into the world of short storytelling and longer fiction pieces. Something I never thought possible.
Switching to poetry on my writing days when I start to struggle also keeps me in the zone for longer.
It’s a great tool to learn how to improve your writing
Let’s get this out of the way first. I’m not being paid by nor am I in anyway connected to Grammarly. I simply tried the free version and saw a huge improvement in my writing. Because of that I wanted to share.
Writing tools, they are everywhere. So is the advice on what to use. It can be confusing, there is so much information online.
As someone who started writing online recently. I resisted that advice for a long time.
Why would I want to write in a program where a computer tells you how good your writing is?
It’s a valid question.
There are people who will insist that it’s pointless and won’t help you in the long run. They believe that the computer will take over writing for you.
For the rest of us though, these free to use tools can be invaluable. Many of us who decide to write don’t have a formal education in it. Writing is hard enough without having to worry about structure and grammar all the time.
While we should edit our work without mercy. There is nothing worse than our internal editor showing up to ruin the writing process.
That’s where free writing tools come into their own. You can write in them without distraction. Knowing that when you are finished the software has run through your work. There is a list of tips there that you can action to start the editing process.
This approach works for me, for two reasons:
1. I love a long sentence. These programs train me to keep it short and structured. 2. I struggle with Grammar, if I don’t have help then my writing is hit and miss.
Once I’m done writing the story and reviewing it in Hemmingway. I move onto Grammarly.
Once that review is done, I move onto Medium and format it there. The last step is that I then read out loud, make any changes, and publish.
How Grammarly helps me in this process is:
– It gives me suggestions to clean up my spelling, grammar, and punctuation -It gives direction to the clarity of my writing. The direction, the engagement, and the clarity of what’s on the page come from the suggestions provided by the software.
As a free resource (there is a premium option) it’s fantastic. I don’t know of any other resource, that helps me as much in my writing.
Over time, my writing has improved. My understanding of grammar and punctuation has also increased and it’s helped me find my voice.
As a result, I spend less time using these programs to edit, which leaves me more time for writing. The engagement in my writing has increased and as a result, I find myself motivated to write even more.
If you have read the advice about these tools and thought it was all just hype. I would say take another look and spend 5 minutes exploring them.
I think you would be pleasantly surprised at what they have to offer and the lessons we can learn from using them.
Writing for thought - expanding creativity through the joy of writing 