Writing without rewriting

[starmessenger]

I've been thinking about how people wrote before we used computers and word processors, when we had no drafts or undo and when editing your text meant rewriting or retyping entire chunks of it.   Has easy editing made writing any better?

I decided to try and write as if the option to delete or easily rewrite is not available to me.  Starting now,

Comments

[tyedie]

It's fine to insert text into a previously written sentence, you just have to use the ^ and then write in half-point font in the space above the lower-case letters of your original words.

Woohoo! I made it through this comment with no revisions!

[cellio]

The ease of editing has made writing different, but I wouldn't say better. Many people have sacrificed planning and outlining because re-arranging things (or totally changing direction) is much easier. Even when we do still plan, the flexibility tempts us -- sometimes to the good and sometimes not. I think the net effect is that it's easier to write something with less thought, and while some people craft fine prose anyway, many people stop at the less-thought-filled first pass.

(Written without edits.)

[lllove]

with the advent of computers,
i cannot write by hand. everything i write for creative reasons i use a computer, i just cannot get my ideas out correctly by hand...