51stcenturyfox (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
51stcenturyfox) wrote2010-01-12 10:28 am
51stcenturyfox) wrote2010-01-12 10:28 am
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(from Sam's Cafe)
I tend to use word processing systems, whether in email or an actual file, because I'm lazy and don't want to fix my own typos.
Even the Spellingcheck in GDocs catches "teh" and "hre" for me, and I like having a wordcount function, though I've found that they vary pretty widely.
But I carry a notebook with me all the time. Most of what I write in it is, well, notes to myself - where I parked the car at the airport, an idea for a gift for my sister-in-law, costume sketches and the like -- for when I'm computer-less, but sometimes those notes are bits of dialgue that i want to use or a fix for a scene that I think of in the car and don't want to lose. So I don't usually compose on paper, but I do use hard copy quite often for both creation and revision.
Most of my betas and most of the writers I beta for now use GoogleDocuments. It's been a while since I shared something in hard copy. A friend preferred IM/chat prgrams for beta-ing but I found the technology frustrating.
For co-writing, other than the memory limits that GDocs has, the only problem we've had is when it's down. Smaller stories, single scenes and such, we can toss back and forth in email, but we tend to create a file in GDocs when an idea goes from "Wouldn't it be funny if..." to "Are we really writing this?" mostly as a way of consolidating the bits and pieces we'd been discussing in four different email threads and two LJ comment threads and the idea she had in the shower that morning and putting them all in one place.
Storage: I only wish I was so organized. I started out saving stuff on my hard drive, and lost that computer to the Blaster virus some years ago. I kept it in email, and that server had a hiccup. Most of it's up on Skyehawke or lj and eventually, I'll transfer it to AO3 as well, and there's bits floating out of my reach, including comment-fic and such.
Heh, way more than you wanted, eh?
I tend to use word processing systems, whether in email or an actual file, because I'm lazy and don't want to fix my own typos.
Even the Spellingcheck in GDocs catches "teh" and "hre" for me, and I like having a wordcount function, though I've found that they vary pretty widely.
But I carry a notebook with me all the time. Most of what I write in it is, well, notes to myself - where I parked the car at the airport, an idea for a gift for my sister-in-law, costume sketches and the like -- for when I'm computer-less, but sometimes those notes are bits of dialgue that i want to use or a fix for a scene that I think of in the car and don't want to lose. So I don't usually compose on paper, but I do use hard copy quite often for both creation and revision.
Most of my betas and most of the writers I beta for now use GoogleDocuments. It's been a while since I shared something in hard copy. A friend preferred IM/chat prgrams for beta-ing but I found the technology frustrating.
For co-writing, other than the memory limits that GDocs has, the only problem we've had is when it's down. Smaller stories, single scenes and such, we can toss back and forth in email, but we tend to create a file in GDocs when an idea goes from "Wouldn't it be funny if..." to "Are we really writing this?" mostly as a way of consolidating the bits and pieces we'd been discussing in four different email threads and two LJ comment threads and the idea she had in the shower that morning and putting them all in one place.
Storage: I only wish I was so organized. I started out saving stuff on my hard drive, and lost that computer to the Blaster virus some years ago. I kept it in email, and that server had a hiccup. Most of it's up on Skyehawke or lj and eventually, I'll transfer it to AO3 as well, and there's bits floating out of my reach, including comment-fic and such.
Heh, way more than you wanted, eh?
Mostly I hand write in a notebook, then type it up in Scrivener. Sometimes I put things in GoogleDocs for my out of state friends, or I export a Word Document for some of my betas, print out for another and for me to carry around for editing. So basically, I use a lot of paper.
I write in word then dump it to notepad before I post since word just Loves to Help with codey bits otherwise. If I don't have a handle on the story or it's something big like what I did for reel_tw then I will do a hand written sketch to wrap my brain around my thoughts.
The possibility of sharing your stuff with your beta via google-wave is missing :D. But I guess that's understandstable since it's still in beta-phase.
I only use google-docs if I have to (because duh... might not be my computer I'm currently using or something), mainly due to the lack of formatting options (like indentation).
I actually only write with pen and paper when I'm pissed off with the computer (because hard drive went to nirvana or something and all my files are lost again) because then I always think: damn, if I wanted to destroy it completely, I'd have to burn it! :D
Or sometimes I have a little notebook to keep ideas and dialogue fragments or something whenever they pop into my mind.
I only use google-docs if I have to (because duh... might not be my computer I'm currently using or something), mainly due to the lack of formatting options (like indentation).
I actually only write with pen and paper when I'm pissed off with the computer (because hard drive went to nirvana or something and all my files are lost again) because then I always think: damn, if I wanted to destroy it completely, I'd have to burn it! :D
Or sometimes I have a little notebook to keep ideas and dialogue fragments or something whenever they pop into my mind.
In the Jane Austen fandom, there are two main sites and lots of splinter sites and post my stories on the two main sites...and not on LJ at all (though I do post links). Hope that didn't screw with your stats
Where I have ticked "wax tablets", it's actually because I use KeyNote (http://www.tranglos.com/free/keynote.html), a nifty little program that has a text editor the equivalent of WordPad, but also tabbed and tree'd note storage system. So I keep all of my Narnia fic in one file, with tabs for my two big series, and a tab for standalone fic, within which there are trees for particular characters.
What I write on/in depends where I am/ what there *is* to write on, usually. Which is why I tend to get to work with screeds of dialogue written all over my palm and (once at least) up my wrist. (It was for my verse retelling of Cyberwoman! It was important!) I do try and carry a pad, but I've also been known to write on tissues. And sheets of kitchen towel. And loo roll, and old receipts. Those are better, although it gets a bit fiddly around the VAT number and printing. I don't forget and lean my cheek on those, and then have backwards writing on my face...
I actually use NoteTab (free edition) then sometimes, paste into email to run Spell Check.
That's, of course, if I ever write again. But when I did write, that's what I did.
I also, generally, only published to my personal website, WWoMB or something like TheGenGate.com or 852prospect archives. So, needed text only docs.
Tempted to do the burn all copies/toss the tablets over. But they are out on the net (or in old zines) so... there they are.
That's, of course, if I ever write again. But when I did write, that's what I did.
I also, generally, only published to my personal website, WWoMB or something like TheGenGate.com or 852prospect archives. So, needed text only docs.
Tempted to do the burn all copies/toss the tablets over. But they are out on the net (or in old zines) so... there they are.
I used to hand write a lot more, but since I got a netbook and have been enjoying it's portability, I haven't hand written much besides in my personal diary now and again.
One weird habit I have - I write all my fic in Open Office, and when I write it, I have to use Georgia font. Even though I never post stories to anything with that font (and I never save any fics besides what is posted on LJ, goodness, I hope LJ never crashes...) I still have to write the initial draft using it. I guess it's an inspiration thing. Georgia font is like my muse. &hearts
One weird habit I have - I write all my fic in Open Office, and when I write it, I have to use Georgia font. Even though I never post stories to anything with that font (and I never save any fics besides what is posted on LJ, goodness, I hope LJ never crashes...) I still have to write the initial draft using it. I guess it's an inspiration thing. Georgia font is like my muse. &hearts
Heh, I seem to be very much with the majority on all three questions!
I have used Googledocs for having my fics beta'd but I don't like it much. I prefer to get my beta's and then sit and think about them, rather than having to make decisions about them while she's waiting for me! I'm not good at making decisions. *g*
On the other hand, if something needs to be beta'd quickly and we're both around, then Googledocs is a godsend because we can have literal conversations there.
I have used Googledocs for having my fics beta'd but I don't like it much. I prefer to get my beta's and then sit and think about them, rather than having to make decisions about them while she's waiting for me! I'm not good at making decisions. *g*
On the other hand, if something needs to be beta'd quickly and we're both around, then Googledocs is a godsend because we can have literal conversations there.
I make the tablets from local clay, and use a stylus made from reeds that grow near the river a couple of miles from my hut. Then I bake them in the oven after my beta chunks them back at me (usually with a glare and grumbling about aching backs), which runs my roommate out for a few hours (so I didn't know the clay was from a field where horses used to graze - ONE little mistake and I'll never hear the end of it!).
This was fun - thank you! ♥
This was fun - thank you! ♥
My beta and I generally exchange documents over an Instant Messaging device - previously MSN. Skype at the moment and for the foreseeable future. Because you can send files on it. Sometimes, if we're not going to be online at the same time, we email. And then during the beta-ing process we generally send snippets of stuff over Skype - well, she does, I mark up the document on Word with those cute little comment boxes.
There's not an option for what I do after I'm finished with a fic. I just post it to LJ. I don't save them anywhere else...
Actually since I got my MacBook, I do most of my composition in Scrivener (instead of OpenOffice.org Write, which I used before and still use for editing). I also do some writing in WriteRoom, which is similar to Q10 that I used on Windows, both are great no-frills writing programs that really help with NaNo-style writing. Plus, since I got my iPhone, I frequently use either WriteRoom for the iPhone or My Writing Nook (which is powered by GoogleDocs on the computer end) to scribble out quick scenes when I'm on the go.
Backing up...well I'm neurotic. It goes on DropBox, external backup drives, SkyDrive, and GoogleDocs sometimes. I've lost too many files to computer crashes.
Awesome poll idea btw! :D
Backing up...well I'm neurotic. It goes on DropBox, external backup drives, SkyDrive, and GoogleDocs sometimes. I've lost too many files to computer crashes.
Awesome poll idea btw! :D
I post to my fic LJ(...s {eep}) and archive to Teaspoon, as well as keeping the HD copy and backing up to various physical media that I tend to carry on my person at all times... Why, yes, I did suffer a HD failure and bad internet issues last spring and I know a guy whose house burned down with his backups in it, paranoia is a way of life why do you ask...?
I've never used google docs, but I recently shared a fic with google wave. Didn't explore much, but it might be worthwhile once i'm used to it.
I write a lot of scenes on paper because I don't have access to a computer at work (well, not a computer with a word processing program or internet access) and occasionally get bored or overcome by an idea. Also, I put that I also write in Notepad, but that's a slight misnomer--I actually write in TextEdit because I have a Mac. But, you know, it's essentially the same thing.
I also send my BRs documents via IM - the 'send file' feature on MSN. Occasionally, I will paste live into MSN for an instant reaction.
As for storing fics, I also back them up on our home server.
As for storing fics, I also back them up on our home server.
Actually, these days, most of my writing gets done in Scrivener, which is my all-time favourite writing software, and the entire reason my most recent laptop is a Mac. I've got projects (with multiple files and folders and whatsits) for all my major writing projects, a couple for various prompt memes, and one where I stick random prompt comm prompts or things that I just start writing out of nowhere.
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copperbadge's LJ. :)
To write my fic, I actually use a neat Microsoft app called OneNote, which is like a virtual notebook with tabs and pages and stuff that I use to organise things by fandom. Also, it doesn't require you to save before exiting, so if the program crashes or I forget to hit save before I exit, it doesn't matter because the work's all saved anyway.
I also sometimes use Word and sometimes type straight into LJ, but yes, OneNote is my program of choice. :)
copperbadge's LJ. :)To write my fic, I actually use a neat Microsoft app called OneNote, which is like a virtual notebook with tabs and pages and stuff that I use to organise things by fandom. Also, it doesn't require you to save before exiting, so if the program crashes or I forget to hit save before I exit, it doesn't matter because the work's all saved anyway.
I also sometimes use Word and sometimes type straight into LJ, but yes, OneNote is my program of choice. :)
I usually write fiction in Word, but sometimes if I am not near a computer when an idea hits me (or if I am very bored at work), I will write a few hundred words longhand. I do a fair amount of non-story writing by hand, though -- mostly figuring out background information, making lists, or doodling little physical layouts of various settings.
As for sharing my work with betas, generally this happens via email, but if my sister and I happen to be in the same place at the same time, I always prefer to just sit her down with a hard copy and talk about it. And I have sent a couple chapters snail mail to my friend Cat when she was without email for a while, but that was a temporary stopgap measure.
As for archiving... everything goes on LJ/DW. Only stuff that I consider worth sharing with more than just my friendslist gets archived elsewhere.
As for sharing my work with betas, generally this happens via email, but if my sister and I happen to be in the same place at the same time, I always prefer to just sit her down with a hard copy and talk about it. And I have sent a couple chapters snail mail to my friend Cat when she was without email for a while, but that was a temporary stopgap measure.
As for archiving... everything goes on LJ/DW. Only stuff that I consider worth sharing with more than just my friendslist gets archived elsewhere.
I save my files in a .doc or .rtf format, but I don't use Word per se - I use Open Office :)
GPL FTW :D
GPL FTW :D
You left out Wordpad. I make copious notes with pen and paper, write in Wordpad, and do all the rewriting and editing in GoogleDocs.
I also do a lot of writing in WriteorDie. ^_^
Usually write in Word then upload to my website's beta section whilst I fiddle with the formatting.
Found if I past Word directly into LJ I end up with a dog's breakfast of missing paragraph breaks and italics everywhere so I normally use the html/xml coding.
That might just be my incompetence though. It normally takes me three edits after hitting 'post' before I'm satisfied.
Found if I past Word directly into LJ I end up with a dog's breakfast of missing paragraph breaks and italics everywhere so I normally use the html/xml coding.
That might just be my incompetence though. It normally takes me three edits after hitting 'post' before I'm satisfied.
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