Word Processor or Legal Pad?

[Mercule]

I seem to get better creativity when using pencil and paper. I'm a programmer, though, which is funny -- because I often write out pages of proper code on engineering paper (turned oven graph paper) and then transcribe it to the computer.

I much prefer to organize and index stuff on the computer, though. I'm just not a very physically organized person and a computer helps tremendously.

Right now, I'm trying to bridge the gap by using MS OneNote and the tablet PC I got a couple of months ago. It seems to help, especially because I have all my notes with me at the table. That's something I could never do with a normal computer because I hate even a standard laptop because of how it seems to get in the way.

 

[Psion]

I'll jot my ideas or adventure summaries or "things I made up on the fly so I remember them later" down in my trusty steno pad.

But when it comes to preparation, it's computer all the way.

 

[Nathal]

Right now, I'm trying to bridge the gap by using MS OneNote and the tablet PC I got a couple of months ago. It seems to help, especially because I have all my notes with me at the table. That's something I could never do with a normal computer because I hate even a standard laptop because of how it seems to get in the way.

Wow, a tablet PC. The Dell ones look cool. What a neat idea! It's like a giant PDA.

 

[arwink]

Both, although I'm another person that uses different tools for different jobs. I long ago found that although I can write spells on the computer, it takes me three times as long as when I start the process in a notepad. Doing Lost Books freed that up a bit, but out of twelve spells in every book almost all will have the mechanics detailed a spiral pad and about nine will be completely written up there before being transfered to the computer.

More story-based stuff I tend to work better on the computer, so it starts electronically and then goes to the notepads for rewrites and revisions.

 

[kigmatzomat]

I mix'n match. I use a legal pad for my combats since I can have maps and my own 3-line shorthand monster stat blocks in a nice, impossible to get out of order, pad.

I do a lot of my detailed work on a PC. Web browser more than word processor since I have a Y! group for my game.

The bulk of my game is kept on my Palm Pilot. I use Sketchy to draw quick maps and sketches for later reference. I've got a graphics viewer (fireviewer?) that lets me keep actual maps if I need them. I've got well over a hundred memo entries covering NPC names, place descriptions, travel times, item costs, etc for quick reference during games.

 

[Shadowdancer]

I've always written my adventure notes by hand, and probably always will. It's just more convenient. Sometimes I use a legal pad, sometimes 3X5 cards.

 

[Umbran]

My best work is done before the pen or keyboard are an issue. I don't do my brainstorming while I write. If, while writing, I want to brainstorm more, I put the pen down, or walk away from the keyboard.

 

[The Shaman]

There is a really cool spiral notebook that is two-thirds lined paper and one-third graph paper - that's my campaign notebook. Eventually everything gets transferred to the computer to clean it up and store it for the long-term, but most everything starts off in the notebook.

I am starting to make maps using software more frequently, but even these start out as pencil sketches in my notebook more often than not.

 

[shilsen]

Since my notes for any game usually consist of 3-4 pages of typed paper, I prefer to do the majority of my work on the computer. However, since most of my planning occurs consistently over the course of the day, it's more correct to say that when I'm at the computer, I'm just transcribing what I've already planned.

 

[VirgilCaine]

I've got more stuff down on pen and paper because I'm nearer to it than to a computer.