Word Processor or Legal Pad?

[howandwhy99]

All my ideas are created in my head. If I can get them transcribed onto any medium, I consider it an accomplishment.

Pen & paper, computer, tape recorder, whatever...

 

[James Heard]

I keep a pen and paper next to my computer mostly because sometimes ideas just form better while doodling that don't always come quickly or easily on a keyboard. The worst is when I don't have anything proper - the original concept for one of my campaigns that lasted several years was conceived on a scrawling insanity that covered several envelopes, the cardboard backing of one of my sketch pads, and a truly bizarre diagram that I wrote on my left forearm. Then I didn't translate anything to any more proper form, I just remembered the basics that I'd wrote down and added to them for three years.

 

[Starglim]

Both. I write finished documents on the computer, but I take a paper notebook with me most of the time to write down ideas. I usually end up with several folded sheets stapled into the notebook from writing things down when I didn't have it with me.

Sometimes I draft out a few pages, especially stats, in longhand (it's more convenient to spread out a number of books and refer to them, and I can see the previous numbers on the page if a revision doesn't go right) but I'm doing that less and less.

 

[Mark]

I don't "require" anything, in particular but I find I get a lot more done with the help of electronics. I use my PC when I am at home, and a PDA when I am out and about. I also have a caollapsible keyboard that my PDA connects into to increase my speed when I am at a place where such is useable (helps to have a steady flat surface).

 

[The_lurkeR]

For the writing process I'm still a Pen & Paper guy myself.

I think it's mostly for the freedom of flow you have... you can doodle a diagram of a door or trap or whatever right in the middle of writing.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

My $0.02.

I think using a computer inadvertently causes the user to focus on analytic elements of the subject rather than strictly the creative elements. For example, when using a computer you may start tinkering with formatting, or start adding different sections/chapters, or any number of other nifty things that computer's do now (maybe imbedding pictures into the document).

Whereas with a pad of paper, you're much more limited and will probably focus more on the creative aspects of your ideas. Also, if you plan on typing up your notes then there isn't the need for proper spelling, grammar, formatting, etc., with a pad of paper.

I've used and continue to use both forms. I do find that my handwritten notes are more to the point, whereas my computer notes are much more elaborate and in-depth.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

I prefer to use a word processor. My computer came bundled with Microsoft Office, so I am set. For everyone else that isn't so lucky, AbiWord is a word processor freeware program.

 

[Bran Blackbyrd]

My $0.02.

I think using a computer inadvertently causes the user to focus on analytic elements of the subject rather than strictly the creative elements.
Whereas with a pad of paper, you're much more limited and will probably focus more on the creative aspects of your ideas.

See, because writing hurts my hand, I tend to do less on paper than on the PC. Actually, I was going to reply to the gnome thread about my campaign world's gnomes but what I was writing ballooned into a rather long-winded couple of pages. I decided it was too long to post, but couldn't be shortened without detracting from it, so I didn't do anything with it. On the other hand, I got some stuff written down that until then had only been floating around in my head. What tends to happen when I actually start typing in my "seed" ideas is that inspiration hits and I write a few pages on what was just a few notes I had thought up.

As much as I have in various files on my computer, most of my campaign exists solely in my head. Like howandwhy99, if I write down what I come up with it's a real accomplishment.
One of my problems is that I have a bad short term memory, and my ideas come at the worst times. Just recently I came up with a great name for a town in my world just as I was getting in the shower (no pen and paper in there I can tell you). I told myself to make sure to write it down as soon as I got out. A few hours after I got out I remembered that I came up with a name that I couldn't remember to save my life.
If I had a nickel for every time that scenario reared its ugly head I could buy a few more D&D books.

 

[philreed]

How did Michael Hammes convince you? Who is he? What were his reasons. I'm curious.

Michael has writen several PDFs for Ronin Arts.

As to how he convinced me, I have the problem of coming up with too many ideas and not properly making notes. This would mean that on an average day I'd lose about a dozen product ideas. Now that I'm taking notes it has become easier to expand my ideas on paper before typing.

I haven't yet made the move to keeping a notepad near the bed (though I really should). Jason Asala and I were talking last weekend and that discussion almost pushed me to drop a notepad by the bed -- but I'm not at that point yet.

 

[Aris Dragonborn]

I'm another one of those that uses both mediums.

You can never go wrong with pencil and paper, but sometimes I just get the itch to fire up the computer and type away. Initally, I was using Word, but I've begun looking at PCGen, and will be taking a look at Keynote.

An interesting thing that I've found out about myself: Whenever I try to take notes on my computer, I tend to wander and not focus on what I'm working on. I'm getting better about that, I think, which is why I still use pencil and paper (and yes, I do use a pencil; I've never enjoyed writing with a pen. Don't know why), but I hope that one day I'll be able to keep my focus when I'm working on the computer.

Another thing: When I was growing up, there weren't all that many computers around (at least where I grew up), so anything that I wanted to write had to be done long hand. When I got into high school and had to do term papers, I was able to type them up on my dad's Commodore 64 and print it out, but it took too long for anything else (dot matrix printers and all that). He also had a Texas Instruments something-or-other, but we mainly used that for video games along with the Odyssey (anyone remember those? KC's Crazy Chase rocked!).