I’m coming to you this time with a bit of a heavy heart. My Father passed on Martin Luther King Day (1-19-26) and I woke up to the news and my world has changed a bit. I had planned out this post beforehand and I wanted to add a special note about this moment in my life.
I’ve thought a lot about writing tools lately. I’ve used several to write my books and other material. I started out using Evernote for my writing (and my whole life!) and then I transitioned the books to Scrivener (which I never really took to using) and then to a special tool called Ulysses that was a blend of Scrivener and Evernote that I’ve enjoyed using. However, I got to thinking about writing tools and technology when I opened Scrivener again to look at it for working on a book I’m stuck on. I have a big sweeping fantasy series that has been stuck for a while and I thought, “Maybe I should try Scrivener again.” And that got me thinking about writing tools.
Some people claim that they can only write using a certain program or tool. Others just open any word processor and start typing away. Still others still write long-hand and type it up later. The most complicated one I say was someone who wrote long-hand, typed it all up on a typewriter, and then transcribed it again into his computer. This system combined his editing/revision process into the writing process so that the last copy was the best and most complete version.
I used to write long-hand, but I found the transcription to be far too tedious after producing so much material and I eventually learned how to creatively write on a keyboard. It was hard, but it is nice to have to ready to use elsewhere, especially when I’m working on things that will be published digitally. I can also make quick notes on my phone as well which is quite handy too. I am old enough to remember when we carried small paper notebooks around for such things, and now I have all of my projects, in Ulysses, in my phone (or tablet) and they can be with me wherever I go.
Technology is powerful, but I will give everyone the same advice I give to my students at The Cameron Journal Academy: don’t let a tool (or lack of one) be a barrier to writing down your story and thoughts. If you have to write long-hand, do it. If you want to use a tool, do it but regardless of what you do, you need to write. A tool will not create your story (and yes that includes AI). It will not revise your prose or make things any tighter. A tool can help you do grammar edits before line editing (which is great!). Tools are nothing without a master to wield them. So if you’re stuck on a project or stuck on using a tool, remove any barriers to getting the word on the page. I am following my own advice on this too. Scrivener won’t solve the problems that I have with my fantasy project. It might help me see them in a new way, but that’s the best thing it will do. It is up to me to do the writing.
What writing tools do you use? Let us know in the comments!
Happy reading during this frigid mid-winter!
Cameron Lee Cowan
VP of Brand and Creative
SOOPMedia