British Comedy Guide

Anyone here still use pen and paper?

Just something I wondered given that I use computers all the time for my writing, and even when making notes if i'm by a computer i'll go and use that rather than my notepad.

How many of you actually use pen and paper for either the majority of your notes or writing full drafts/sketches? Do you think there are any advantages to the pen/paper approach?

I find it hard to use paper, I always think I'll end up losing it, so I never bother.

I always use computers, because my writing's really dire. Can't see the benifit in pen and paper, apart from it being harder to delete. But, of course, you can always just burn it.

Yes, a lot harder to edit.

I usually carry around a notepad to jot down ideas when i get them. Though, it is usually a jinx, because i think of my best stuff when i've forgot to pick up my pen and pad that morning.

I guess it depends on what kind of writer you are. If you get short, quick and witty lines or sketches, or whether (like me) you like to get really in depth with the idea before you decide if it's worth keeping. Also depends if you're a sketch writer, stand up or better at sitcoms I suppose.

I write a lot of notes on paper. (And pages from magazines etc etc.)

And depending on what mood I'm in, sometimes I write massive blocks of text on paper too. Or sometimes I'm only in the mood to use my laptop, or my PC.

Of course, it doesn't help that I have a massive stationery obsession. I'm always buying new bloody notebooks.

Im always buying new notebooks too...and files...and folders...oh dear :|

And pens!!!

If you're really stupid you can use the back of your fag packets!

I use pen and paper for making notes and planning the scene etc. I sometimes start writing down dialogue as well. The rest I do on the PC. I got into the stage of going down the pub with a pen and notepad to make notes, but I started to realise it was cheaper to sit in bed!

What, in the pub!

When I was away last week I had to write with pen & paper and came up with my Red Planet entry.

Whenever I get an idea I write it on some A4 paper. After 3 or 4 pages of A4 worth of notes, I transfer it to my computer. Very rarely do I put it straight on the computer.

I seem to have several notebooks on the go at the moment, all with covers labelled up for what they're supposed to contain. One's called 'SCRIBBLE', one 'THEMES', one 'CHARACTERS AND LOCATIONS and one for 'SERIES SYNOPSES'. Any others lying around are labelled up as dedicated to particular series or activities. I never use a pen, always carefully sharpened Staedtler HB pencils and an eraser. SCRIBBLE gets a lot of attention, mostly for germs of ideas, dialogue fragments, potential titles or anything else that might turn out useful for 'something' and is usually with me most of the time e.g. when in front of the TV or when I go out (my favourite writing haunt is sitting outside a bar by the Med with a beer and a coffee) ... or even when I go to bed! The computer comes in quite a bit later when I've hopefully firmed up an idea. I also keep long lists of certain other things on computer files (over 100 short descriptions of potential sitcoms for example). Once upon a time I used a typewriter ... horrible things .. no spelling checks ... no ability to re-format or insert stuff ... ugh!

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