Writing is a unique task that can be accomplished through a variety of different tools. We've gone a long way from the pen and paper, but the funny thing is, the pen and paper is a still a viable method. I used to draft out my ideas in a notebook , but in the interest of avoiding carpal tunnel, I decided to go for a more progressive and multi-faceted approach.
My number one instrument of creativity has got to be my phone. I acquired this not too long ago, but it has increased my productivity by a huge margin. The advantages of using a phone are plentiful. It's always on me, so whenever inspiration strikes, I simply turn it on and write it down. Whenever I need to do research, I just jump into a browser and look something up. I can never run out of pages, lead, or ink. When it comes to generating content, my phone is without peer.
You're probably thinking: "How can anyone write effectively on their phone?" It's all thanks to Swype. Although the concept sounds impractical (drag your finger across a virtual keyboard to type), the word recognition is pretty damn accurate, and you can add your own words to the dictionary so you can Swype fictional names with ease. It's not as fast as typing, but it's quicker than handwriting. In some ways, the lower speed helps me. When I type on a keyboard, I blaze through it. My typing speed is around 80-90 words per minute. I catch up to my thoughts so fast, I don't have enough time to think about the next thing. When I Swype, it's slow enough that I can think out the next line of dialogue, the next scene, etc..
Where exactly do I type in everything? I've used several programs to write before, from GoogleDocs to eBlogger, but the best solution I've found is Evernote. I have it installed on all my computers and on my phone. It synchronizes my "notes" across all platforms. It's highly convenient and ensures that I'm always writing no matter where I am. It can also record images and sound. I don't use those functions, but it's nice to have the option.
That isn't to say that it's completely perfect. I can't copy and paste from Evernote into Word smoothly. It has weird formatting properties, but it's easily solved by pasting into Notepad first, and then into Word. I don't know if the program is poorly optimized, or my phone isn't strong enough, but when a Note gets too big, it starts to lag severely. In order to get around this, I simply split the chapter, but it would be great if I could just keep going when I'm in the zone. The number one thing that annoys me, however, is that it doesn't remember where you last left off. Every time I synchronize and go back in, I have to scroll all the way down to start writing again. It's a minor annoyance that turns into a big headache since I go in and out of the program a lot. It sucks to keep scrolling down over and over again.
The one and only word processing program for me. It's simple and does what I need it to do. I compose rough drafts in Evernote, but I finish everything in Word. Once I import the text, I change everything into Verdana font and change the size to 9 (it's how FF.net displays their text). At this point, it's all about editing, adding, subtracting, and refining. I regularly use the spell check and word count features to keep track of my progress. When everything looks good, I save it as a doc file and upload it to the Document Manager. I'm a dinosaur, so I use the 2003 version.
Document Manager
FanFiction.net isn't the only place on the internet where you can read fanfiction, but it's probably the most well-known. If you don't use it, you can skip this part, but if you're here, it's probably because you do. Once I upload my chapter to the Document Manager, I do my final edits here. I check for formatting issues since the site likes to prevent you from doing certain things (like put in web addresses or multiple exclamation marks). I catch a fair amount of errors and try to smooth over rougher sections with more description if necessary.
The Brain
The most important tool in writing? The brain. I'm always thinking about my stories, and with my phone in hand, it's easy to add in more ideas. Everybody has their own unique "creativity zone," a time and place where they are at their best. For some, it's being one with nature, and for others, it's inside a nice, warm, and comfortable room. For me? I'm at my best in bed. Half my stories are probably written right before I sleep. This is perhaps the most important step for any writer. Try and find your own creativity zone. Any place that can reliably get the juices flowing is invaluable for any aspiring writer.
Find Your Own Tools
Like I said, everybody has a different way of doing things. I've tried out a lot of different tools before settling on the ones I use now. Try exploring the options you have. You can type with tablets, iPads, good ol' fashioned pen and paper, or even voice dictation. It's becoming easier and easier for someone to write these days. Maybe in the future, we could all just write with our minds. Wouldn't that be the day?
