Comments on: Mobile Writers: Do You Really Need a Laptop? http://www.wordpreneur.com/2007/09/mobile-writers-do-you-really-need-a-laptop/ Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:40:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Graybyrd http://www.wordpreneur.com/2007/09/mobile-writers-do-you-really-need-a-laptop/comment-page-1/#comment-6231 Graybyrd Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:48:24 +0000 http://www.wordpreneur.com/2007/09/mobile-writers-do-you-really-need-a-laptop/#comment-6231 Check out the various forums on NaNoWriMo about "what we writers use to write," or go to the NaNoWriMo group on Flickr.com, and you'll find the almost universal thread that "we don't want to EDIT while writing!" because it stops the creative flow. So, the beauty of the small Neo (or Dana or AlphaSmart 3000 models) screen is that it discourages editing. That is such a simple, beautiful thing, really ... imposed discipline to keep on writing. The technique is to bang out a rough draft on the Neo, then stream it into your computer's word cruncher of choice, where you can edit, revise, rearrange, etc. The true beauty of the Neo, Dana, AS3K, etc. is the strict limit of NO peripheral functions. They are the perfect "magic typewriter" where the keys never jam and the ribbon never fades. Internet? Full screen editing? Nope. It kills your writing. Leave it alone, please. It's the closest thing to perfect for what it means to do that you'll ever find. Rugged? It was made for classroom use by elementary school kids. A drop to the floor from the table is no threat for this little machine. Gray Check out the various forums on NaNoWriMo about “what we writers use to write,” or go to the NaNoWriMo group on Flickr.com, and you’ll find the almost universal thread that “we don’t want to EDIT while writing!” because it stops the creative flow. So, the beauty of the small Neo (or Dana or AlphaSmart 3000 models) screen is that it discourages editing. That is such a simple, beautiful thing, really … imposed discipline to keep on writing.

The technique is to bang out a rough draft on the Neo, then stream it into your computer’s word cruncher of choice, where you can edit, revise, rearrange, etc.

The true beauty of the Neo, Dana, AS3K, etc. is the strict limit of NO peripheral functions. They are the perfect “magic typewriter” where the keys never jam and the ribbon never fades. Internet? Full screen editing? Nope. It kills your writing.

Leave it alone, please. It’s the closest thing to perfect for what it means to do that you’ll ever find.

Rugged? It was made for classroom use by elementary school kids. A drop to the floor from the table is no threat for this little machine.

Gray

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