Pencils to Pixels

One of Dennis Baron's points in his article "From Pencils to Pixels: The Stages of Literacy Technologies" is that technology is changing the writing process - whether for the good or for the worse, he leaves up to personal opinion. He notes that after using computers, it's hard for him to draft anything on a simple piece of paper. I wholly disagree.

At least for creative, fictional, narrative pieces, I feel like I need a pencil and paper. I need to be able to feel the paper, and physically writing the words allows my brain a few more moments of meta-analysis of whatever I'm scratching on the paper. Most of my editing when it comes to syntax and diction happens in these brief moments between pencil strokes. I can touch type much faster on a computer; this in combination with my lethargy when it comes to editing means that stuff I write on paper is probably better, more whole, than junk I fling into cyberspace.

However, access to this technology has it's benefits. Having the internet at your fingertips is a very useful tool for any writer, actually, anybody. However, I have a little pocket gadget that can surf the web, so my best set up is legal pad and pen, with my 3G six shooter primed for action.