Challenge,  On Writing

Dedicated Fiction-Writing Computer…

October 11, 2024 /

A Critical Part of Any Fiction-Writer’s Life…

Many of you have heard me at one time or one place or another talk about the critical nature of having a dedicated fiction-writing computer. There are a ton of varied reasons for this. But I have been sort of shocked this week at learning how few writers have them and then wonder why their production is not what they want it to be.

It is 2024 as I write this. Our computers are full of about a zillion distractions, from emails to YouTube to Facebook and on and on and on.

A dedicated fiction writing computer has one thing on it… A program to create fiction documents in manuscript format.

Writing nonfiction is a different skill set, that takes more of the critical voice and details and correct grammar and all that. Fiction writing you are making stuff up through a character. When you sit down at a computer and try to move on the same computer from nonfiction or letters or blogs to fiction, there is no signal to the brain that you are moving, thus critical voice stays in control. Not good.

A dedicated fiction-writing computer tells your creative voice it is home, shuts off the critical voice, and allows the creative voice to come out to play.

But you have to be very strict with yourself on your fiction-writing computer. No internet, no spellcheck turned on. Nothing but a way to put down a story.

If you want to write more words, distract the critical voice that makes you go do email or games, then get a dedicated fiction-writing computer.

You will be shocked at the difference it will make in so many ways.

 

5 Comments

  • T Thorn Coyle

    October 11, 2024 at 8:52 am

    A few years back I got an iPad mini that is my reading and writing only computer. I have nothing else loaded on it, and pair it with a nifty little ergonomic keyboard.

    All my publishing and business work is done standing up at a desktop computer (I also have a walking pad there, which is great). That’s on one part of my L shaped deck.

    I write sitting down at the other part of my desk, so my position also signals writing.

    Despite the fact that my office nook is small, the two different desk angles plus the different computers really does help.

  • S. H. Miah

    October 12, 2024 at 6:34 am

    A dedicated writing computer (or laptop raised on a stand in my case) literally transformed my writing. No more surfing the web whilst taking a break or anything like that. As soon as I switch laptops and boot it up, it’s like the creative voice takes control and doesn’t let go.

  • Kate Pavelle

    October 12, 2024 at 8:49 am

    My 2009 writing iMac is on the death’s door. I can just hear the fan grinding. I will do one more scan for files to keep, do a factory reset, and sell it at a second hand shop I know about.
    My somewhat deceased mothet-in-law’s smaller-screen iMac is ready to step into the breach. I will set it up at the counter behind my desk, where I will be able to just scoot over on my chair. I will keep the internet fot AirDrop, that’s just so convenient and I can do a secondary backup on my SSD on my internet computer.
    Different wall. Different artwork. Different vibe and signals.
    I was even looking for a refurbished one on Backmarket (well under $500,) but realized that my husband wasn’t using his mom’s computer anymore so I asked for it. He thought it was a great idea. She would have loved it.
    Problem solved!