Okay, okay, okay. I admit it. I want one. I want a shiny, new, unfortunately named I-Pad. I want to slip it in my bag and Hulu WEEDS whenever, wherever I am. I want the full board version of Lexulous to show up when it's my turn. And I want to access Facebook, Twitter, Ning, Verla's and all my blogging buddies 24/7.
But I know my limits. And I already spend way too much time on the internet. That's why I'm sticking with my AlphaSmart Dana. It's a lightweight, portable word processor. And it's distraction free.
Now when I hit the road for a carpool, a doctor's appointment, or an overnight to Grandmom and Pop-Pop's, I take my AlphaSmart and leave the laptop at home. It weighs in at a sturdy two pounds, and has a twenty-five hour rechargeable battery and a full-size keyboard. There's no boot-up time. You take it out and turn it on. And when you turn it off, it automatically saves. And one more thing -- because I can't go cold turkey on technology, it does have Wi-Fi connectivity for e-mail.
For drafting, you can't beat my AlphaSmart. The screen shows about six to eight lines of type, so I can review what I've written, but I stay focused on moving forward. I particularly love it for journaling as my characters. And when I want to add my AlphaSmart files to my Mac, I'm just a USB cable away.
We bought mine used on E-Bay for ninety dollars. It works like a charm.
I'd love to hear about other favorite first draft "writing instruments." Who drafts longhand in marble notebooks and who won't leave home without a stack of index cards. Is anyone drafting a book on their Blackberry?
Monday, February 1, 2010
You Say I-Pad, I Say AlphaSmart
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I've drafted on my Blackberry. It's not a pretty sight, but it works in a pinch. At the very least, I jot down ideas and recreate them later. I also keep a notebook with me.
ReplyDeleteI have a tiny spiral notebook in my purse for inspirational emergencies, but I'm such an impatient writer, I hardly jot down notes anymore. It seems that inspiration needs to wait until I can get home and use my computer. I'd love an iPad but your AlphaSmart sounds very handy.
ReplyDeleteI used to draft longhand, but that's pretty much over. I'm chained to a desktop. I'm not complaining, since when I started back in the stone age, all writers were chained to typewriters. But I'd love something portable. I'd probably want Internet and the whole shebang since our household has one computer. But I like the sound of your AlphaSmart, and the price.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to have one of those AlphaSmarts. Sounds like something I would enjoy a whole lot.
ReplyDeleteMeg: When inspiration strikes and I'm in a pinch, I call my voice mail.
ReplyDeleteMG: I also buy those tiny spiral notebooks in bulk at Staples and keep them in every purse and bag I own.
Marcia: I still do most of my writing at my desk, but I love portability -- especially in the summer months.
Bish: You always have summer months, right? You need portability!
Hmm. I thought I knew the screen market, but this is the first I've heard of an AlpaSmart. Sounds cool but who's Dana anyway?
ReplyDeleteJL: It runs on a Palm system. Very big in the education market. Lots of students tote them around -- especially those in younger grades with handwriting issues. I used it on the train tonight. I love it.
ReplyDeleteThe less distractions for me the better! I'd be off and running with an I-Pad I think - too much like a toy (love the idea of Hulu-ing Weeds!). I like to keep it simple - Word or a marble notebook. That usually gets me to where I need to go. I think I've jotted things on napkins too in a pinch when I didn't think I'd remember, but they get lost so easily. (and are sometimes grease stained)
ReplyDeleteI'm a dark ages index card girl. I guess it's a remnant from my librarian past when I always had extras hanging around. I keep them in my purse and they suit me well because in my case I'm usually only pondering the short stuff - one sentence or a word choice.
ReplyDeleteI have an AlphaSmart 3000 that I bought YEARS ago. I love it too and use it when I can't seem to ignore laptop distractions. I also like that the viewscreen is too small to see what's being written (beyond a few lines). It's great for fast-drafting. But although I use it, my favorite writing instrument remains my good ole trusty MacBook. I confess that I'm drooling over the iPad as a possible READING instrument. I'm waiting to see how comfortable it is, as compared to e-ink, but do I really want an e-book with built-in distractions? And twice the cost of a Kindle? Hmm.
ReplyDeleteMy oldest son saw Stephen Colbert holding the iPad up at the Grammy's. He said, "Whoa! That is cool! I want one!" Keep dreamin' little guy! ;)
ReplyDeleteGale: I'm finally leaving index cards behind -- getting used to using all the options in Scrivener. It's another one of my newest loves. It's so easy to keep notes, outline and drafts together.
ReplyDeleteRobin: Forget about the napkins! One good spill and your notes are gone!
Susan: Finally! That's what I'm talking about! Distraction-free fast drafting.
Kelly: My husband is on his I-Phone non-stop. My son is on his I-Pod Touch non-stop. But if I ever went for the I-Pad, they would definitely fight me for it.