NaBloPoMo 2011: Is the pen mightier than the keyboard?


Friday, November 4, 2011
When you are writing, do you prefer to use a pen or a computer?
– NaBloPoMo

I can barely believe it, but there was a time that I didn’t even want a computer in our home.  I worked all day on the computer at an office, so I had no desire to type away on a keyboard at home.  My, how times have changed…now, I have to force myself to get off the computer so that I don’t neglect my other duties!

I love to write. Since I was a little girl, I have loved to use pens to write down lists and to keep my personal journals.  My mom jokes that I used to make “lists of lists”.  I must say that I’m guilty as charged and I’m glad that I did.  It has been so enlightening to look back over past lists and journals over the years to see which dreams have come true.  Besides, there is just something special about connecting a pen with a fresh, crisp new sheet of paper or journal, that makes me smile every time. (Oh yes, I have a “thing” for paper of all types and pens go best with paper!”) So, when it comes to personal writing, I prefer to use pens for list-making, calendar keeping and journaling.

The exception is when I’m doing informational writing.  Then, I prefer to use a computer.  It’s easier to gather all of the necessary information on one page, delete what is unnecessary and edit the rest of my writing.  It’s just simpler to use the computer for this type of writing.

For me, the answer to the initial question depends on the writing situation.  For personal writing, the pen is mightier. For informational writing, the computer is best.  Which do you prefer?