You can do a lot with pen and paper
When you're stuck or struck + more things
Hey, this is Josh and I write about writing, culture, creativity, and productivity. Today’s is a blend of writing & productivity, let’s go:
I write plenty with digital tools, but I often turn back to pen and paper.
I write on a legal pad for my to-do list each day, and I’ve even written initial drafts of two novels by hand as well.
Yes, that’s right. I bought a notebook and I wrote in it. I think I bought a blank journal to start and then I finished it in a lined notebook that I got at CVS.
The flow feels freer, the space seems more open yet focused, and the distractions are limited.
Those are just a few of my reasons.
But I did a little research to see if any of it was justified.
Writing by hand helps you with conceptual thinking, better than notes on digital devices
Yes, studies show this. Take a look:
A behavioral neuroscience study conducted by researchers at the University of California and Princeton University published in 2014 showed that students who take notes by hand perform better with conceptual questions than students who record notes on digital devices. According to the study, one explanation for this exciting discovery is that writing with pencil and paper allows people to summarize and organize information in their own words and ensures more profound and natural coding. In contrast, the use of electronic devices inclines them to write passively.
Writing by hand helps you know where your notes are.
… the use of paper improves associating what and where of information, specifically in the hippocampus (the part of the brain involved in coding and memory retention that can be studied at a neurological level).
This can also apply to when you’re writing long-form as well.
When I did that, I was able to better remember when and where I wrote things down and in what order things occurred. I could better remember what characters did what, when, and how, and I wrote notes in the margin of the legal pad.
That doesn’t mean I wrote the perfect novel. But it actually saved me time organizing it later on.
Do I write every article with a pen and paper? No.
No, I don’t write everything by hand. But this is why I like to write by hand:
It’s physical. Doing stuff with your hands is amazing!
It’s separate. You don’t need fancy Internet blocking software. There’s nothing to distract you on the paper except for your own thoughts and your surroundings, which can then actually help you write without interruption.
If I’m not sure what’s next, I will turn to writing by hand. It’s another way of freeing my mind and helps me connect to the words differently than on the screen.
There’s energy to it. Once you see the lines and the pages pile up, you feel better about the project.
Using pen and paper gave me a fresh perspective once I started typing it on a computer. Typing it became another form of revision and editing. I was re-reading what I had already written and I felt the inconsistencies.
If I were doing another novel (someday!) I would write longhand, type it and then maybe re-copy it by hand as well and then re-type it again. I think that would be enough to have a suitable draft to pitch or publish.
Pen and paper for being stuck or struck
I’ll admit. It’s not necessary for every writing project, but you should definitely think about it for more complex projects and for brainstorming.
Using pen and paper should definitely be in your arsenal for trying to write more.
It’s something to pull out when you feel stuck or, conversely, are struck by inspiration and want to capture it immediately.
Don’t overlook the power of the pen.
And paper.
More Things
The TikTok Girl is Right: Modernity and the 9 to 5 by
I don’t agree with everything here, but a good topic I’m always interested in
- podcast
When these guys talk about media and culture, thumbs up. Interesting points about unbundling and then David Foster Wallace + mimetic desire?
When your son loves your favorite band too by Barnabas Smith at Medium
I liked this piece because Barnabas likes one of my favorite bands.
The Makings of a Literary It Girl at Nylon
I’m currently reading “Chronic City” by Jonathan Lethem because it fees like one of the most New York novels ever.
A few weeks ago I wrote about my kids finding Calvin and Hobbes. Turns out Bill Watterson is coming out with new work for the first time in a long time. Doesn’t look like my thing, but I may buy my children this 6x9 new Calvin & Hobbes compendium.
Last Thing
“I can always live by my pen.” — Jane Austen
Get this free Notion Writer Starter Pack if you haven’t already
Keep going,
-Josh Spilker