The tool that a writer uses to put word to paper (or to computer) greatly influences the quality and style of prose. Many authors don’t realize it, but the speed of writing has a direct impact on the quality and rhythm of prose. And, speed is a function of the tool that the author is using.

I could say that I have already tried most writing tools out there, and I have tested how they influence my own style of prose. Slow tools create a more fluid text, with less errors, and less need for constant editing. Rapid tools make me write as fast as thought, without thinking, and though they allow me to output up to ten thousand words a day, the rhythm is not as good, and I have to constantly read and edit my work to fix mistakes.

I will list every tool that I have ever used, and will write my impressions of it. This information may be useful for you, if you’re still exploring the possibilities for your writing style and technique.

1. Pencil on paper

Any kind of handwriting has a few interesting attributes:

• It’s slow and requires thought to compose sentences
• It forces thought to slow down and keep up with handwriting
• It demands constant bodily awareness, to avoid physical strain
• It must be typed into a computer later, allowing an opportunity for revision
• There’s a kinnetic “satisfaction” to it
• Requires calligraphic technique to avoid strain and make a readable text

Pencil has other unique traits:

• Requires occasional stops to sharpen the tip
• Allows line width variation, making a prettier calligraphy
• May be hard to read later if the pencil is hard

As such, writing with pencil creates an experience that’s slow, rather pleasant, and rewarding, but only when you use proper techniques of calligraphy, like sitting in the right position, holding the pencil properly, and relaxing your body intentionally.

The use of mechanical pencils is similar, but you don’t have to constantly stop to sharpen the tip.

I like how pencils create a pleasant feel when writing, and how they force me to slow down and think before writing. But, the experience is improved a lot if I use coarse, good quality paper, rather than cheap office paper.

2. Ballpoint pen

Ballpoint pens share the traits of handwriting, but with a few important differences:

• No width variation for the line; calligraphy is a bit ugly
• Very readable, especially when using thick tips
• Faster than pencil, there are no constant stops
• Cheap and accessible
• Work well on office paper

In my experience, ballpoint pens create a prose just like pencil, slow and paced. But, the ink makes it easier to read the text later, for typing. I also use red pen too make markups and corrections, creating a neat contrast with the text.

Elmore Leonard and Quentin Tarantino are notorious for choosing these tools as their main writing device.

My favorite scenario for writing with a ballpoint pen is:

• Thick ballpoint tip (1mm)
• Cheap recycled paper. I used to buy a huge roll, used for packaging, and cut A4 pages from it to write. That way, the text feels cheap and expendable, so I could be a bit detached from it and throw away stuff without feeling guilty

3. Fountain and dip pen

These types of pens create a very unique experience. First of all, the writing is very pretty if you know what you’re doing. Second, they force you to write slowly and carefully, otherwise you would stain the page and mess it up.

You need office paper or better for these types of pens. After writing, the ink needs time to dry up, so you couldn’t just write and throw your text into a pile. It would be “hanging” there, forcing you to take other few looks at it.

Fountain is quicker, and dip pen forces you to slow down even more to dip the tip into the ink and remove the eccess before writing new words. So, the text is very slow to write. Your brain must get used to slowing down.

4. Typewriter

I’ve had three typewriters already. Unfortunately, my mother managed to throw all of them into the trash, as she tried to convince me that being a writer was a stupid idea. They were a Remington 25 and two Olivetti Lettera portable.

Typewriters are a very interesting tool for writing for many reasons:

• You must slow down to prevent key jams (unless it’s an electrical typewriter, like IBM Selectric)
• You must take pauses to replace the paper
• Reading later for revision and computer typing is very easy
• The final text is aesthetically pleasing
• You can take portable typewriters with you and write in the open
• Very tactile, it forces you to concentrate
• Very noisy, muffles environmental noises
• You need good typing technique to prevent strain

The experience of writing on a typewriter is quite unique. It creates a text that’s faster than pencil and pen, but much slower than computers. As such, you gain some productivity time, while still being careful with what you write.

There are, however, a few disadvantages:

• Hard to write at night because of the noise
• Hard to find maintenance nowadays
• Hard to find tapes and spare parts for some models
• Can be clunky without proper maintenance
• Quite heavy to transport around

5. Computer

Writing on a computer is an experience that most people have. I’m considering here the experience of someone who knows how to type with all fingers, without looking at the keyboard.

• Extremely fast
• Easy to correct text
• Text is cheap to erase and rewrite
• Skips the revision step—it’s already on the computer
• Must use a computer display to read (strains the eyes)
• Potentially full of distractions

Now, to write, one needs a software and a kind of text format. The choice of software and format drastically affects the experience and the speed of writing. The operating system and work environment also affects the experience.

1.1. Word, LibreOffice, word processors

The first option is the classic word processor. Most people are familiar with the processor’s basic functionality, but they don’t know how powerful these tools can be. When used to the fullest, a word processor is an interesting tool.

• It’s very fast to write and edit
• It has very opinionated spell checkers and grammar checkers
• It offers systematic headings and facilitates navigation
• It’s WYSIWYG, so the visuals are pleasant and reading the text may be easier on the eyes.

1.2. Text editors, lightweight markup language

Text editors are tools to write plain text files. These files are much simpler than the ones used by word processors. They don’t have formatting, so the only way to indicate things like paragraph, bold, italics, and links, is by using some kind of markup language like *bold* text.

The process of writing with plain text editors is quite agile, and it’s easy to write rapidly. To maintain a good slow pace, an author needs to intentionally slow down and think before putting word to paper screen.

In my experience, text editors work best when you’re able to take control of the fast paced thought during peak of concentration. One way to do that is by speaking outloud whenever typing or doing some sort of action.

So, if you’re going to type, speak while typing. Force your fingers to write only as fast as your mouth can speak. And, if you’re editing, speak up, and describe what you are doing. Describe it to yourself, however you like. You can whisper or talk out loud, but whatever you do, force your fingers to move only as fast as your mouth.

Also, make sure to make pauses between clauses and phrases. Hear them. Hear as you speak them, and think before typing the next clause. It will slow down your work a little bit, but you will output a better quality text that will require less editing later.

Conclusions

Speed when writing is the most important variable that affects the quality and rhythm of prose. The tools that you choose will affect not only your writing, but also your productivity.

There is also the matter of text readiness. If you are able to write a text that’s good enough for publication as it comes out of your fingers, requiring little to no revision, then you will become extremely productive, even if you write slowly by hand, or with a typewriter.

In my experience, revision takes much longer than writing. It requires a different type of concentration and a unique attitude, compared to simply typing or writing stuff. If you can reduce revision, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.

Regardless of all these tips, remember that writing is a subjective and personal experience. Every person will have a different impression with each tool and technique. The goal of this post is to convince you, writer, to test different tools and styles, compare your prose quality and rhythm, test your productivity, and find out what is best for you.