[lisasays]

Hey, I've posted about this before but wanted some more opinions so here we go!....

I waste so much time reformatting things and rearranging the wording of sentences. Often when I have a paper due I can't get past the first few sentences because they aren't concise enough for my liking or because one word looks out of place (but doesn't sound it). With a pen and paper I find it easier to keep going once you start.

Does anyone else experience this?

I'm the same with emails, sometimes text messages. I find myself redrafting messages and wasting a lot of time. Usually I give up on whatever the task is. Leading to pissed off friends and tutors. It's why I hardly ever post.

I've started writing my essays by hand and typing them up but this is a really inefficient use of my time. I'm quite concerned with things being efficient. Do you think this is the only solution. I try not indulge in these things (redrafting etc.) but it happens b4 i realise it.

Has anyone else had these difficulties, if so what has helped you?

Thanks everyone

[Flipper-music]

isnt there like a spell checker on the computer or something. What is it you are trying to do?

[Gabi925]

Originally Posted by Flipper-music

isnt there like a spell checker on the computer or something. What is it you are trying to do?

When you were born English wired brain maybe that check - speller helps; otherwise it doesn't correct a lot of mistakes. And don't ask about translators because they are worse!

Writing is about communicating. Redrafting is intended to allow better communication. Better communication is not a waste of time.

Perfectionism is a form of insecurity. If perfectionism leads to capitulation rather than communication, there is a problem.

Not every communication has to be perfect. Most times the communication is more important than the frustration that perfectionism engenders. Recognize not every communication requires the attention of a dissertation and get on with it.

Good luck.

[Perna]

I'm sort of like that and have learned to do things however I can. I would try to gradually move from pen and paper over to computer; maybe write and type paragraph by paragraph? It could be that once you're started on writing there will be enough momentum to keep you typing just to get it all down?

I would do a lot more typing, start a journal maybe and just type, for yourself and where it doesn't "count". I use to have trouble with having to have written journals perfect, no scratch outs or less than perfect prose :-) I always quit until I started using Julia Cameron's, Artist Way, book. http://www.rambles.net/cameron_artist.html

[(JD)]

It took me eons (or so it seemed) to get into being able to compose on the computer. There are still times when I need to sit and write with pen and paper though.

How I made the move though was this: I realized that first I had to just write down (on computer) everything that I wanted to say, without regard to order and grammar, abbreviations etc. (You might do this on paper with pen first, and then write on computer your second draft?)

I couldn't use just any program though... and found Open Office to be most suitable for me to brainstorm with...and then when the microsoft task launcher program came out, move over to that wp.

I found by using different colors on the computer, or bolding like topic sentences, that I could proof and find things that needed moving.

I hope this helps some... but don't feel lonely, I have many professional acquaintances that learned pen and paper that still haven't fully made the move. (Younger people who haven't truly mastered pen and paper might be doing better straight off with wp though?)

Peace.

it sounds like you are being kind of hard on yourself because you said you waste time either writing on the computer or by hand. i say do whichever is more comfortable. since i wrote my papers by hand when younger i still tend to do that and then type them in. maybe i'll switch some day but i just go with whatever is easier.

here is a mantra for perfectionists: done is better than good. i know, i don't like it either but it's really helpful if your standards are unrealistic.