I finally switched from writing on paper to typing first drafts and my output doubled in a month

For 10 years I swore by handwriting everything because it felt more creative, but after trying a free doc app for a 30 day challenge I churned out 3 completed short stories versus my usual 1, so has anyone else found their medium change actually helped or hurt their writing flow?

2 comments

2 Comments

dylanwilliams1mo ago

I swore by handwriting everything because it felt more creative" - I mean, did it really though? Like, is the medium that important to your actual output, or is this just one of those things we tell ourselves to feel like we're doing it the "right" way?

the_julia1mo ago

Oh man, I've been down this exact rabbit hole. For me, handwriting felt more creative at first, but it was really just the slower pace forcing me to think before I wrote. Once I timed myself, I realized I was getting maybe a third of the actual ideas down on paper compared to typing. My advice is to try both for a week each with a real deadline project. See which one actually lets you get the words out without getting in your way. For most people I know, the medium matters way less than just getting in the groove and writing badly on purpose until something clicks. YMMV, but I'd bet the feeling is more about the ritual than the actual output.