The White Stripes recorded their last album (not pictured – instead, it’s the live album from that tour) in a studio that had more bells and whistles than their previous studios. Despite all that technology around them, they knew they didn’t actually have to use it.
They hung a picture of blues musician Charley Patton in the studio to remind them how the music they aspired to make music was about songs, not technology.
There are times for using technology. Then there are times when that detracts from what you’re creating.
Different clients talk to me about their writing processes, and some look for different apps to help their process. Sometimes they want something new and fresh. A latest approach that will make writing easy. My view has always been that the tool has to help the process. That expands to AI too… but that’s another topic.
For my writing, I always opt for the minimal apps. Over the last decade I’ve used Nisus Writer Pro for a few reasons but a key one is how you can minimize the layout and focus on the words in front of you. It can just be the text full screen with nothing else.
When writing, I pull it back to what is essential.
I still use a pen and paper diary. When ghostwriting or editing. I print off drafts and edit, then rewrite. And on my own writing of novels, poetry, or song lyrics, I do the first few drafts long hand and on typewriter. The typewriter works for me for a few reasons – the first is that I sit down and work on the piece in front of me. It’s a machine built just for writing. Instead of deleting half a sentence, I have to finish the idea before I edit or rewrite. And there’s something about the physical act of writing on a typewriter that I enjoy. Watching the finished pages pile up is also satisfying.
I couldn’t imagine writing everything just on the computer. I have trouble when I have to be online or on a GoogleDoc in order to write something.
Finding what works for you – the process and limitations you’re comfortable with – and sticking to it can inspire creativity. A writing machine doesn’t have to do everything. It has to do what you need it to do.