Comments on: Unitasking the Good Old Fashioned Way http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way Creative, conscious living. Sun, 06 Feb 2011 07:17:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Zoë http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-2116 Zoë Wed, 08 Jul 2009 03:54:19 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-2116 @ Sean - Fountain pen, now that's really old school! Yes, I'm trying my hardest to stick to uni-tasking too... helps that I carry around a couple notebooks everywhere I go, cause they're really good for zooming in focus. @ Sean – Fountain pen, now that’s really old school! Yes, I’m trying my hardest to stick to uni-tasking too… helps that I carry around a couple notebooks everywhere I go, cause they’re really good for zooming in focus.

]]> By: Sean http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-2107 Sean Sun, 05 Jul 2009 12:16:14 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-2107 I love it! I get most of my writing ideas by writing in my notebook in the morning using my grandfather's fountain pen. From those scribblings come blog ideas to be typed on the computer. For me single tasking makes the most sense. I like to say that I can do many things at once half-arsed, or I can do one thing at a time very well. I'll go back and read your old post now. I did a post the other week called How to Simply Write. Keep up the great work. .-= Sean´s last blog ..<a href="http://simpleproductivity.com/weekly-wrap-up-iii/" rel="nofollow">Weekly Wrap Up III</a> =-. I love it! I get most of my writing ideas by writing in my notebook in the morning using my grandfather’s fountain pen. From those scribblings come blog ideas to be typed on the computer.
For me single tasking makes the most sense. I like to say that I can do many things at once half-arsed, or I can do one thing at a time very well.
I’ll go back and read your old post now. I did a post the other week called How to Simply Write. Keep up the great work.
.-= Sean´s last blog ..Weekly Wrap Up III =-.

]]> By: Zoë http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-2039 Zoë Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:59:50 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-2039 @ Melissa - Oh, poetry is another one -- though I've not been writing poetry since living in Thailand, I've never been able to write poetry on the screen. Now that I say that, I'm thinking of reading some poetry to infuse my mind, then give it a go... it's been so long! @ Melissa – Oh, poetry is another one — though I’ve not been writing poetry since living in Thailand, I’ve never been able to write poetry on the screen. Now that I say that, I’m thinking of reading some poetry to infuse my mind, then give it a go… it’s been so long!

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-1970 Melissa Donovan Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:03:08 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-1970 Pen and paper just cannot be replaced. I do most of my writing on the computer, but I still need pen and paper for poetry writing and for any kind of brainstorming. I think it's the tactile nature of holding the materials in your hands... it's more conductive to creativity. Pen and paper just cannot be replaced. I do most of my writing on the computer, but I still need pen and paper for poetry writing and for any kind of brainstorming. I think it’s the tactile nature of holding the materials in your hands… it’s more conductive to creativity.

]]> By: Zoë http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-1969 Zoë Fri, 26 Jun 2009 05:08:11 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-1969 @ Michael - Thanks for sending the link to your article! Yep, it's that kinda-original-but-not-groundbreaking type of word :). We'll see if it ever makes is into the OED...! @ Icy - That's a good point about writing quality. When I do longhand creative writing, it's very hit or miss. Sometimes I'm quite happy with what comes out, but sometimes it seems like a flood of crap... I suppose the crap has to be let out somewhere, though :). @ Jeb - That sounds so wonderfully simple and effective. Like I commented to Jen, I think longhand is a must for doing those lists, especially important "life lists." Makes me feel honest. By the way, love that quote -- guess the bottom line is that we all need to keep our tech in check! @ Michael – Thanks for sending the link to your article! Yep, it’s that kinda-original-but-not-groundbreaking type of word :) . We’ll see if it ever makes is into the OED…!

@ Icy – That’s a good point about writing quality. When I do longhand creative writing, it’s very hit or miss. Sometimes I’m quite happy with what comes out, but sometimes it seems like a flood of crap… I suppose the crap has to be let out somewhere, though :) .

@ Jeb – That sounds so wonderfully simple and effective. Like I commented to Jen, I think longhand is a must for doing those lists, especially important “life lists.” Makes me feel honest. By the way, love that quote — guess the bottom line is that we all need to keep our tech in check!

]]> By: Zoë http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-1968 Zoë Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:51:08 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-1968 @ Jen - I'm with you on that. I always do to-do lists by hand, and I just can't do big goal lists on the computer ever. It's as though holding the pen in my hand allows a very personal stream to rise up... @ Natalie - I don't believe the written word can wither away! Well, not anytime too soon, anyway :). I think there's something about physically drawing out the language on paper that can never quite be captured by technology... though I'm sure in the future, it could become an art that only those who take the time to learn can master! @ Emma - I suppose it's good that we go through these phases of wanting the "detox" of tech... because it reminds us to focus on the core of value that these tools offer. Ah, the ebb and flow... :) @ Ryan - I always did notes by hand in college too. Tried the laptop a couple times, but it never really did it for me. It's interesting when profs incorporate tech into their classroom -- especially when they manage to maintain students' attention! @ Stace - Very cool...love that you switch between pen and keyboard to balance your speed and flow. I'm also impressed that you're doing much of your novel longhand. I haven't written anything novel-length, but I imagine that makes it a really different experience. @ Jen – I’m with you on that. I always do to-do lists by hand, and I just can’t do big goal lists on the computer ever. It’s as though holding the pen in my hand allows a very personal stream to rise up…

@ Natalie – I don’t believe the written word can wither away! Well, not anytime too soon, anyway :) . I think there’s something about physically drawing out the language on paper that can never quite be captured by technology… though I’m sure in the future, it could become an art that only those who take the time to learn can master!

@ Emma – I suppose it’s good that we go through these phases of wanting the “detox” of tech… because it reminds us to focus on the core of value that these tools offer. Ah, the ebb and flow… :)

@ Ryan – I always did notes by hand in college too. Tried the laptop a couple times, but it never really did it for me. It’s interesting when profs incorporate tech into their classroom — especially when they manage to maintain students’ attention!

@ Stace – Very cool…love that you switch between pen and keyboard to balance your speed and flow. I’m also impressed that you’re doing much of your novel longhand. I haven’t written anything novel-length, but I imagine that makes it a really different experience.

]]> By: Jeb http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-1956 Jeb Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:53:58 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-1956 Hey Zdub... I always find it interesting coming here after some time away. It seems we're on a similar wave-length often times, and you're always so good at articulating it. So thanks for that. I have been noticeably (or so it seems to me) absent from technology these past weeks primarily because of productivity issues. I just felt like it (twitter, reading blogs, etc) was slowly whittling away each day and, though I remained busy/active all day, I hadn't really accomplished anything. Not ideal when you're trying to make significant changes in your life. So I got a pack of black and white composition books and started writing things down. To do lists, crossing items off as I go. My vision for where I'm headed, what I'd like to see myself doing in the months/years ahead. A schedule for each day that at the very least provides a guide for action. More than anything, just clarifying for myself what I'm doing here. There's nothing like pen and paper when that's the goal. I feel a bit more in control now, and am slowly coming back, to some extent, to the things I value most that only technology can deliver (which is why I'm here). When I was in VA, I frequented a pizza place (Dr. Ho's - if you're in Charlottesville, you owe it to yourself to drop in for a pie) that had a sign over the kitchen area that read simply "Keep yer kids in check, yo!". Lately, I've been working hard to keep my technology in check...yo. Hey Zdub…
I always find it interesting coming here after some time away. It seems we’re on a similar wave-length often times, and you’re always so good at articulating it. So thanks for that.

I have been noticeably (or so it seems to me) absent from technology these past weeks primarily because of productivity issues. I just felt like it (twitter, reading blogs, etc) was slowly whittling away each day and, though I remained busy/active all day, I hadn’t really accomplished anything. Not ideal when you’re trying to make significant changes in your life.

So I got a pack of black and white composition books and started writing things down. To do lists, crossing items off as I go. My vision for where I’m headed, what I’d like to see myself doing in the months/years ahead. A schedule for each day that at the very least provides a guide for action. More than anything, just clarifying for myself what I’m doing here. There’s nothing like pen and paper when that’s the goal.

I feel a bit more in control now, and am slowly coming back, to some extent, to the things I value most that only technology can deliver (which is why I’m here).

When I was in VA, I frequented a pizza place (Dr. Ho’s – if you’re in Charlottesville, you owe it to yourself to drop in for a pie) that had a sign over the kitchen area that read simply “Keep yer kids in check, yo!”.

Lately, I’ve been working hard to keep my technology in check…yo.

]]> By: Icy Sedgwick http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-1953 Icy Sedgwick Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:54:39 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-1953 I do a lot of my writing on the computer, and I do find that I get distracted by other things too easily. Having everything there in one machine makes it too easy to "quickly check your emails", nip onto Facebook or waste time Twittering about seemingly insignificant stuff. So every now and then, I will sit down with a pen and paper and write longhand. I find the quality of what I write is usually dubious but at least I've produced something concrete, something I can physically hold in my hands, and which I can edit on the computer at a later date. Of course, the other, more mundane, advantage to pen and paper is that its not subject to random crashes, power failures, incompatible software or Windows tantrums... I do a lot of my writing on the computer, and I do find that I get distracted by other things too easily. Having everything there in one machine makes it too easy to “quickly check your emails”, nip onto Facebook or waste time Twittering about seemingly insignificant stuff. So every now and then, I will sit down with a pen and paper and write longhand. I find the quality of what I write is usually dubious but at least I’ve produced something concrete, something I can physically hold in my hands, and which I can edit on the computer at a later date.

Of course, the other, more mundane, advantage to pen and paper is that its not subject to random crashes, power failures, incompatible software or Windows tantrums…

]]> By: Michael Greenlee http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-1942 Michael Greenlee Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:17:15 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-1942 I totally thought I had invented the word "unitasking," but everyone seems to be using it. There are probably like 1,200 people who independently came up with it and thought it was a clever new coinage no one else would think of. http://www.phoenixoflove.com/2008/12/02/unitasking/ I totally thought I had invented the word “unitasking,” but everyone seems to be using it. There are probably like 1,200 people who independently came up with it and thought it was a clever new coinage no one else would think of.

http://www.phoenixoflove.com/2008/12/02/unitasking/

]]> By: Stace http://www.essentialprose.com/write-create/unitasking-the-good-old-fashioned-way/comment-page-1#comment-1940 Stace Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:29:40 +0000 http://www.essentialprose.com/?p=917#comment-1940 I use pen and paper for first drafts almost exclusively and absolutely for my personal, creative writing. The reading responses and weekly synthesis essays I do for my master's work often starts by hand and winds up on the computer, mostly because I can type faster than I can write, and those ideas all stack up and need captured in some form of words quickly. But for the novel or for short stories, it has to be pen in hand. There is something about the connection between my subconscious and my hand, between the pen nib and the paper - a flow I guess, almost a physical sensation from my head down my arm and onto the paper in the ink trail. It also affects the pacing of my scenes. If there is one that is moving too slowly, I will occasionally try it on the computer, to see if that will help it along, but only when pen and paper fail. I use pen and paper for first drafts almost exclusively and absolutely for my personal, creative writing. The reading responses and weekly synthesis essays I do for my master’s work often starts by hand and winds up on the computer, mostly because I can type faster than I can write, and those ideas all stack up and need captured in some form of words quickly. But for the novel or for short stories, it has to be pen in hand. There is something about the connection between my subconscious and my hand, between the pen nib and the paper – a flow I guess, almost a physical sensation from my head down my arm and onto the paper in the ink trail. It also affects the pacing of my scenes. If there is one that is moving too slowly, I will occasionally try it on the computer, to see if that will help it along, but only when pen and paper fail.

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