Which instrument is best for writing a first draft—the pen or the computer?
The pen, for me, is a little more physical, visceral, tangible, tactile. I believe I can dig deeper into my mind and explain myself better with a pen. Plus, I can jot down notes with a pen anywhere and at anytime.
On the other hand, writing on a computer is a great timesaver. I can write twice as fast on a keyboard than I can with a pen. Cutting and pasting on a computer is another great timesaver. Also, I don’t have to transcribe my handwritten work onto the computer—it’s already there.
I remember when Michael Phelps won one of his eight gold medals in swimming at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by the length of a fingernail. That’s how much a pen wins out over a computer for me—by a fingernail.
Of course, it’s up to each individual to make up his or her mind whether to write a first draft using a pen or computer.