Wow. That was a really fun read. I wasn't sure what direction you were going to take when sharing your thoughts on this subject, and I was happy when you took an approach that touched on the evolution of computers and word processors as you wrote throughout the years.
Here's a story from some of my time in school. I remember typing a paper and electing to use the generic Windows Write application of all things as opposed to the illustrious Word Perfect 5.0. This was in a time where people still asked the teacher questions such as, "Do we need to type this one?" Up until that point, you turned in two things - your "rough draft" and your "final copy." The rough draft would get edited, and your final copy was created using that rough draft and its edits. When it was time for the final copy, it was time to break out your nicer (bic) pen.
I turned in my paper after using Windows Write. What was the highlight of this moment? My paper got passed around class! Yes! I was a great writer! Except....no. Not really. It got passed around because "Guys! Chris managed to put a word in ITALICS!" Yes. It was true. There it was. I had managed to use Write to put a word in Italics. Not ONLY that...but that Dot Matrix Epson FX-86 managed to pull it off! It's really funny to think about what a big deal that was back then compared to the resources we have now.
I am not a writer. Specifically, I am not a writer in a professional sense of the word. I do hope to write a few books in the future. My father wrote for UPI, a local newspaper for 25 years, and continues to write as a freelancer today. My mother taught English for several years. My sister got a degree in journalism and currently has a job in her field. Me? I got a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Computer Science and "write" software for a living. I like technology. I always have. I ended up getting a degree and pursuing a career in the field. I am quite different than the rest of my immediate family. That said, I still feel the burn to write every now and then. Maybe I can write something significant someday. I hope to reduce my use of parenthesis and ellipsis when that time finally comes. I may write a book based on a video game. Not a fan fiction, but more of an analysis. I've been concerned about the number of people that would be interested in reading the book in addition to what sort of publisher would be interested. Witnessing the two of you churn out your book served as a bit of an inspiration and proof that it *can* be done. We'll see.
So the odd thing about me and writing would have to be the fact I still use paper and pen. The same guy that writes software and spends so much time on the computer goes old school when it comes to writing. Hmm. Perhaps the reason I use paper and pen is because I am on the computer for extended periods of time and want to treat writing as an escape. My handwriting isn't too bad, and using a pen gives me a feeling of freedom when writing. Having the ability to easily write sideways in a margin, draw arrows, scratch something out, or add question marks above thoughts or sentences (i.e. mention this or not??) really helps free my mind and fuel the brainstorm. When I reach a point where the thoughts are a bit more coherent, I hit up the computer and transcribe the notation-based paragraphs into what I hope to be legitimate ones with some sense of order. From there, it evolves exclusively via computer.
Hey Bill -
Wow. That was a really fun read. I wasn't sure what direction you were going to take when sharing your thoughts on this subject, and I was happy when you took an approach that touched on the evolution of computers and word processors as you wrote throughout the years.
Here's a story from some of my time in school. I remember typing a paper and electing to use the generic Windows Write application of all things as opposed to the illustrious Word Perfect 5.0. This was in a time where people still asked the teacher questions such as, "Do we need to type this one?" Up until that point, you turned in two things - your "rough draft" and your "final copy." The rough draft would get edited, and your final copy was created using that rough draft and its edits. When it was time for the final copy, it was time to break out your nicer (bic) pen.
I turned in my paper after using Windows Write. What was the highlight of this moment? My paper got passed around class! Yes! I was a great writer! Except....no. Not really. It got passed around because "Guys! Chris managed to put a word in ITALICS!" Yes. It was true. There it was. I had managed to use Write to put a word in Italics. Not ONLY that...but that Dot Matrix Epson FX-86 managed to pull it off! It's really funny to think about what a big deal that was back then compared to the resources we have now.
I am not a writer. Specifically, I am not a writer in a professional sense of the word. I do hope to write a few books in the future. My father wrote for UPI, a local newspaper for 25 years, and continues to write as a freelancer today. My mother taught English for several years. My sister got a degree in journalism and currently has a job in her field. Me? I got a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Computer Science and "write" software for a living. I like technology. I always have. I ended up getting a degree and pursuing a career in the field. I am quite different than the rest of my immediate family. That said, I still feel the burn to write every now and then. Maybe I can write something significant someday. I hope to reduce my use of parenthesis and ellipsis when that time finally comes. I may write a book based on a video game. Not a fan fiction, but more of an analysis. I've been concerned about the number of people that would be interested in reading the book in addition to what sort of publisher would be interested. Witnessing the two of you churn out your book served as a bit of an inspiration and proof that it *can* be done. We'll see.
So the odd thing about me and writing would have to be the fact I still use paper and pen. The same guy that writes software and spends so much time on the computer goes old school when it comes to writing. Hmm. Perhaps the reason I use paper and pen is because I am on the computer for extended periods of time and want to treat writing as an escape. My handwriting isn't too bad, and using a pen gives me a feeling of freedom when writing. Having the ability to easily write sideways in a margin, draw arrows, scratch something out, or add question marks above thoughts or sentences (i.e. mention this or not??) really helps free my mind and fuel the brainstorm. When I reach a point where the thoughts are a bit more coherent, I hit up the computer and transcribe the notation-based paragraphs into what I hope to be legitimate ones with some sense of order. From there, it evolves exclusively via computer.
Chris Kennedy, Editor
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Email: chris@armchairarcade.com