I'm writing a novel and I find the quality of my

[superman2000]

I'm writing a novel and I find the quality of my prose is better when I write longhand. For some reason, I'm able to get absorbed within the handwritten pages of my story as opposed to clacking away on a keyboard. The downside is the double duty it takes to type those handwritten pages into Word later.

The Tablet PC seems perfect to eliminate this duplication. I'm curious to hear other writers' experiences using the Tablet PC. Some of my questions are:

How easy is it to drop your converted text from the handwriting recognition into Word? I'm assuming you have to go back and perform formating for the paragraph breaks.

Is the heat generated by the tablet distracting to you when you are writing creatively? I'm worried about being pulled out of "the zone" by the excessive heat.

When editing I currently print my pages, make handwritten corrections and annotations and then type those in. With Word 2003 beta, can you convert the hadwritten editing you perform in a document to text easily or is it complicated (assuming you can do it at all)?

When I write longhand, I cross through any mispellings I make and spell the word correctly right after the line-through. When I tried this on a tablet I demoed in a store, the software still attempted to convert the lined-through word. Is there any way to tweak the software to omit these mistakes?

I'd also like to hear about tips and tricks any writers have discovered while using there tablets to increase their productivity.


Thanks,
Chris

[pkhuong]

<- Not a writer.

You can use gestures to erase words. You have to cross the word three times (horizontally, back and forth, iirc), and it'll erase it; pretty similar to the gesture we all use on Real Paper :)

[superman2000]

quote:Originally posted by pkhuong

<- Not a writer.

You can use gestures to erase words. You have to cross the word three times (horizontally, back and forth, iirc), and it'll erase it; pretty similar to the gesture we all use on Real Paper :)


Thanks! Makes sense. Good to know it's that easy to do.

[Big Lar]

If it is the ACT of writing that seems more natural to you not the appearance of the ink on the page, you might consider using Word and the Tablet PC input panel. This would allow you to write in script and have your text immediately converted into text. Once you get good, you can have close to 99.9% accuracy.

I have my input panel set to two lines so I can continuously write. Once I complete one line, I move to the second and the first is converted to text and inserted into my document. When I've completed the second I move back to the first line, and so on. I go on like this for pages and pages of text. Once I've completed several paragraphs or pages, I usually look back over what I've written and correct any minor mistakes on my part or on the part of the handwriting recognition software.

It might be worth trying out. If not, you will spend quite a bit of time selecting ink in Journal, converting it to text and formatting it once you get it into Word.
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/uploaded/Big Lar/20034187399_sig.GIF

[yvilla]

[quote]Originally posted by superman2000
How easy is it to drop your converted text from the handwriting recognition into Word? I'm assuming you have to go back and perform formating for the paragraph breaks.[quote]

You are going to want to write directly in Word--either using the input panel, the native Write Anywhere, or even a 3rd party app like RitePen or PenOffice. Although you can convert handwriting from Journal into text, it is really meant for handwritten notes or other handwritten workproduct such as sketches or drawings etc. It would be really inefficient to use Journal for handwritten work you intend from the outset to be formatted and converted to text. However, handwriting (and formatting as you go) directly into Word will accomplish what you want without the extra wasted steps!

[yvilla]

Hey Lar, I guess we had the same thought, at the same time. Only you were quicker! :D

[pkhuong]

Oh, yeah, and there are gestures for tab and newline too. So you won't have to break the flow to correct the formatting.

[digitalcage]

Good questions, Superman. I am a writer, and while I don't write longhand to the extent that you do, I will write on anything handy when I have something I need to get down. This can be as little as a word or as much as a few pages. In almost every case, the text has converted from Journal into Word just fine, with only a few minutes of formatting at most. Much less work than typing it later, at least with a lot of text. I do not use the tablet input panel much, except for filling out fields like forum posts, etc.

Like you, however, I do need to edit on page, and that is where the tablet has been most useful. I'm still happy with Word 2000, so when I'm ready to edit, I print my document to Journal, where I can marke it up to my satisfaction. Then, using the tablet in landscape, I open my edited document on one side of the screen, and Word on the other, and make corrections while moving through them simultaneously side-by-side.

Incidentally, proofreading and other minor editing is very easy to do in Word with only the pen, using the tablet in portrait mode. Much better than doing it the other way, at least for me. But for general input, I need my tablet to be convertible. The ability to shift between modes has been very useful.

[superman2000]

Thanks to all who have responded. Great input! I did think of one more question I want to ask. What design are most of you writers gravitating towards: slate or convertible? Also, is one particular brand more popular with writers out there?

Chris

[digitalcage]

For me, a convertible is essential. The Toshiba has the most comfortable keyboard.

[yvilla]

As for me, I love my Motion! Really don't need that keyboard much, but when I do want it, the Motion keyboard is fine. :-)

[Big Lar]

I struggled with the decision of slate vs. convertible for quite some time. I eventually decided I'd settle on a slate model. Then, I saw the Compaq TC1000. It's hybrid design which allows it to be both a convertible and a slate has worked out GREAT for me.
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/uploaded/Big Lar/20034187399_sig.GIF