The Software in Your Head
November 25th, 2009
I was thinking about changing from Vista to Windows 7. But I decided not to as changing everything in the middle of a major writing project could be a shattering experience. I don’t want to think about anything other than my characters, the setting, the plot and what is going on in my head. Some of you who are more computer literate may have raised your eyebrows at this point. Well, lower them. I work on a strictly need-to- know basis. I don’t know how my car works, and I don’t need to know, I only need to remember where I parked it. The same principle applies to telephones and gadgetry of all kinds. Either it does what it’s supposed to do, or it doesn’t. If it’s the latter I hand it over to someone who can fix it – for money or love.
I don’t want to be overwhelmed by my software. Simple is good. I use a laptop with Windows Vista and we have a good working relationship, so good I don’t have to think about it. I have a way of working that involves scribbling on scrap paper, arranging this paper around my desk, gradually building up layers - with bills and Post Its falling into this melange occasionally – but it works for me because I know how far I have to dig down to find the relevant scrap. I don’t want to change that.
I have read about writing software that allows one to add notes and comments, formats your chapters, keeps track of this and that and generally has you producing fiction at a streamlined peak of efficiency. I’m not against this sort of software, but I don’t think I’ll be investing in it. I’d consider it a waste of money because it’s not going to turn me into a better writer, nor is it going to help me keep track of everything, because apart from the paper carnage, (and the new fangled whiteboard I allowed myself), I keep it all in my head.
I did read somewhere, (as you do), that some older mathematicians considered younger mathematicians, those who have always used calculators, to lack a ‘number sense.’ The article used the example of adding a long list of numbers in your head or on a calculator – something is missing if a calculator is used. I found this an interesting observation, and as I am not a number person I have to take their word for it. I wonder if the same can be said for word processing or writing software. If you rely on it too much does it interfere with, or somehow dull one’s instincts, for what is happening in your manuscript?
My way of working involves reading and re reading what I’ve written until I can see it in my mind as a whole and I can sense what is lacking and where I need to build up or flatten out. I don’t know how others do it but I’d be very interested to know
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Categories: on writing | Tags: creativity, culture, writing
3 Comments
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Looks more like a hardware problem to me… but I think there’s freeware available that has repetition checking etc.
I did buy a couple of programs when I first started and they do keep everything in one place but I preferred to write in word anyway. Their tutorials were interesting then and they gave me ideas on what to ask my characters but they are only for absolute beginners. Plus, in word, it’s easier to save on disc or usb.
Just another tool you have to learn to use. Good for gadget freaks. Anyone who writes in a “tatty old notebook” isn’t allowed fancy software anyway.
If the choice was Windows or anything else, I’d write on toilet paper with a dull crayon.