Do any of you get extensive writing done away from home? While you’re riding in a car? If so, what device do you use to capture your thoughts? I’m especially interested in how you keyboard-writers handle writing en route. Do you have a netbook? Laptop? Any success writing on an ipad or cellphone? How do you transfer your files?

I’m a keyboard writer, and I’m considering purchasing some kind of device that would allow me to write away from home, especially while riding in the car. Steal those spare moments here and there. I’m thinking a netbook might be a decent option, but I’m curious what the rest of you use.

I use a laptop and a USB drive when I'm crushed for time (The Sword).

IPAD! iPad, iPad, iPad, iPad! *cough* My bad... I mean... I use my iPad.

I love long road trips because the wifi withdrawal forces me to work on my books. And since I raised up money and got my iPad, it makes it really easy for me to write quickly and not have to carry around my huge laptop (which my mom never let me do because it's supposed to just be for school. ). Therefore, I get a lot of writing done when on the road.

Then I typically just leave my books on my iPad until I'm done with them then we transfer them (via email because I'm too cheap to get a device for this sort of thing. ) to my mom's computer and portable hard-drive.

Thanks for the responses!

I've heard typing on an ipad can be a nightmare. Did it take a lot of getting used to, Bethy?

iPads are pretty cool.
I have written a lot in the car. I usually use a spiral notebook (the kind you can get for 25 cents at Walmart when the school year starts; I have about ten half-used ones), but riding in our old-ish 12 passenger van can be too bumpy for writing by hand. That is why, when Daddy got me a new cell phone, I specifically requested a qwerty keyboard and a Notebook feature. I am able to type in the car now, so no more unintelligible, wobbly scribbles.

P.S. My signature is a product of wobbly scribbles. I typed it down when we got home, revising it as I typed.

Well, before I got my iPad I was an avid typer on the computer, so I was already really familiar with typing. I just had to get used to not touching all of the keys at once which, if you're writing all day, you get used to it really quickly.

Then again, though, it may be different for different people because my mom used my iPad to type an essay once and she was complaining that it was impossible afterwards... Of course... She was using her index fingers.

And as a small side note, you can get a wireless (or not wireless) keyboard for the iPad and use it instead, if you really find the on-screen keyboard that difficult. Personally, I sort of have small hands, so the on-screen keyboard fits me perfectly so I like it.

I usually do the spiral notebook. . . . during a two-state trip last November, I did extensive writing in a spiral notebook in the car. The trip was about 9 hours one way. So I did quite a bit of writing, maybe 30 pages or so. Later, I typed it all up (which took a while ), but I did get writing done.

I use a notebook, and put various ideas but I don't get any "real" writing done in them. I'm a keyboard writer.

Thank you, everyone! And thanks for explaining in more detail, Bethy. I'm sure I could get used to typing on anything, but if I have a full-size (or netbook-size) qwerty keyboard, I could maintain my regular typing speed and not have to adjust.

Right now I'm thinking about a netbook... anyone here own one of them?

Netbook... is that kinda like an Ereader (a nook or kindle)? I have one of those?

A netbook is basically a small laptop. I thought about a Wifi ereader, but the typing pads on those are small.

Netbook... cool!
My aunt got my mom an android thing... I wonder if that'll work...

I use my Laptop for everything. I used to use my phone for when I was in a place I couldn't take my Laptop (I'm talking the subway type places), but no longer have my high-tech phone, so I am solely a Laptop user now. I love it.

Languages are fun to create when you are out and about! I just made two in one trip.

(not completely made of course!)

Philli, Elanhil has a 10 inch netbook. You should talk to him Personally, I find typing on it quite impossible.

I use my 13-inch laptop everywhere we go The keyboard is a full size and really good to type on. If you're going to buy a netbook especially for typing, make sure you can find the biggest keys possible

eru

Yeah, that was something my Daddy hated about his netbook sized ToughBook. He would mistype things because the keys were so much smaller.

Where has that brother of yours been, anyway? Haven't seen much of him. *looks in the closet and under the bed for Caleb*

I've typed on a netbook before, at Melody's. It's hard at first because the keys are smaller, but not impossibly so. I think I'd adjust pretty well by using it a lot.

I don't know if I'd say it was on the go, but while I was at work... There was a mini lined-paper notepad that I just randomly started writing on last week and suddenly a new fantasy story was born. ^^

Of course, writing stories on paper are not foreign to me.

~Calen

I use a notepad and pen. I don't like travelling with my laptop in case it gets damaged.

*Has also put this topic on HWSF* Hope you don't mind. I transfered it into your name.

No, I don't mind at all! I was just too lazy to do it myself as of yet.

I think I have settled my heart on a netbook... *is excited*

To second your decision, I do think you should get a notebook. While it may not be as nifty as an iPad or Macbook Pro, it's a lot cheaper. One of my favorite things to do with any small-screen laptop is to hook up an additional monitor (you can pick one up for five to fifteen bucks at Goodwill). Tah-dah! Double the workspace!

Thank you! I did in fact buy a netbook (on a very good sale) and I am thoroughly in love with it. It's great for home use and extremely portable - typing in the car on long trips works great! I haven't needed an additional screen yet, but I might experiment with that.

I really want to get a netbook, but for now I'm stuck with your average spiral-bound notebook that follows in when I climb trees to write. Oh well. At least I can't break a notebook if I drop it out of trees. I'll probably still get a netbook someday, though.