Full-steam-ahead writing
Those of you searching for the ideal writing program will be interested to know about the freeware Writer, which is based on the idea of a typewriter. Yes, a typewriter.
There are many reasons why you might want such a thing, but it boils down to creating an environment where you can simply bang out a first draft without having to worry about the niceties. For example, if you make a mistake, you just strike it out. It’s messy, but at this point you’re essentially spilling out the contents of your mind. You can fix it up later in a full-featured word processor.
Writer is based on an idea proposed by designer Khoi Vinh, who explains it in-depth at his Subtraction blog. (You should pay this website a visit regardless of your interest in writing—Khoi Vinh is one of the top-notch designers of our time.)
I understand to a certain point why people want programs like this. They have a problem (the need to write something) and they look to software to solve it. But like any other human endevour, good writing can only be helped along so much by outside influences. What it really requires is learning and practice.
The learning comes from books, classes, mentors and the like. The practice you can do anywhere at any time. I’ve been writing for such a long time that I’ve almost forgotten what it was like to struggle to get a few words on a page. But I can offer a couple of strategies that require no downloading whatsoever.
First, think of writing as a conversation going on in your head. Imagine you’re talking to someone who is very good listener and pretty much agrees with everything you say. What you tell that person makes a good beginning for an article.
Second, after you’ve written a sentence or two, try reading it out loud. We all know how to talk. And once you get talking, you’ll find the next sentence comes more easily.
By all means, though, have a look at programs like Writer or WriteRoom. Just remember that writing is a skill like any other—it takes time and effort to learn how to do it well.
Posted Friday, November 3, 2006 in How-to
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