Quote:
Originally Posted by Maryann Corbett
What's remarkable to me is that the questions seem to assume that there will be folks who compose poetry, from the outset, with a word processor.
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I'm curious to hear from people who start out at the screen.
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What's the mystery? I start at the screen and stay there. Even before word processing became common, I always felt more comfortable writing with a typewriter instead of a pen. It removes all physical exertion, since I can type quickly, effortlessly, and with none of the stiffness and blisters and ink stains of the quill, and it's also easier than using a hammer and chisel to carve letters on cave walls.
For me the visual element of how a poem looks on a page is important, and I've never been good at picturing how handwriting will translate into typeface, so the instant gratification of seeing the typeface on my screen is invaluable as well.
The only exception to writing at the word processor for me happens on those rare occasions when I write something in my head and have no alternative. This usually involves an unexpected idea that comes to me unbidden, but sometimes I will work from memory on improving a line or two in something I've already written but have been having trouble nailing down.
These are my own methods. I wouldn't presume, however, to advise anyone that they ought to do the same, nor can I understand why anyone should be mystified that we all do not go about writing in the identical manner.