Electronic Writing

I have blogged on and off since 2005 and, fairly recently, in 11011 last spring. It wouldn't be too far of a stretch to say that in the last 10 years, I haven't gone more than 10 days without writing electronically. AOL instant messenger, email, Xanga, Myspace, Facebook, text messages, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint...All of those things I've used quite frequently at some point in the past or present.

I have written substantially more electronically than I have on paper, and spend more time writing electronically. Since high school, my main reason for pen-and-paper has been to write down my homework in a planner, make a to do list on a Post-it Note, or answer questions on loose leaf for homework assignments. I do prefer checking things off of a list with a pen because I physically have to cross it off the list and I feel more accomplished than if I just highlighted the word and pressed strike-through. Other than that, typing is the way to go for me. It looks cleaner, is more eco-friendly, and it's harder to lose things when they're on my computer or phone.

Writing electronically speeds up the writing process for me sometimes. If you don't like something you write, you just delete it. No messing with erasers or crossing it out. Although, I also edit as I go when I'm typing something out, which sometimes takes longer because you're not writing as much. Pen-and-paper isn't as good of a medium for editing as you go because there's just not enough space (at least with my large hand-writing). As far as getting my ideas down, I have the same thoughts whether it's pen-and-paper or typing it out. I guess I just use electronic writing more because I can't get away from it, and a lot of times, am required to use it.