Many students, whether undergraduates or graduate students, struggle to get started or make progress with their writing. The blank computer screen can feel intimidating and final, creating unnecessary pressure to get everything right the first time. If this resonates with you, it might be time to rediscover the power of writing by hand.
Why I Wrote My Dissertation by Hand
Recently, writing clients were amazed when I shared that I wrote my dissertation, a 100+ page document, by hand. In today’s tech-driven world, the idea of handwriting such a significant project may seem unimaginable. But for me, pen and paper are essential tools for creative and productive writing.
Simply said, handwriting my projects helps me think and flow more naturally as a writer. My writing becomes malleable, as the paper becomes a canvas filled with arrows pointing to new locations, crossed-out words that didn’t quite fit, and carets adding those powerful can’t-miss words. This process allows me to see my train of thought and engage with my writing in a way that feels flexible and forgiving.
Handwriting, born out of necessity because I didn’t own a computer until high school, became a tool for me to thoroughly process my thoughts and sharpen my style. It’s now a deliberate choice. I’ve realized that I’m kind of writer who needs the freedom to explore, make mistakes, and experiment. The blank computer screen, however, feels like a demand for perfection: “You better get this right the first time!” Composing on the computer consequently hinders my creative flow, as I tend to write slower and feel less confident.
The Mental Traffic Jam of Typing
I see this same struggle with students. Whether they’re working on essays, research papers, or dissertations, many writers freeze in front of their laptops, their fingers painstakingly hover above the keys, waiting for the “right” word to finally descend. “It has to be PERFECT. I can’t mess it up,” I read in their concentrated yet frozen stares at the white screen. The computer screen often feels like an all-or-nothing proposition, where mistakes seem permanent and progress feels impossible.
But once we follow my suggestion to switch to pen and paper, something amazing happens. Students tend to feel relieved. They stop obsessing over perfection and start writing more freely. On paper, there’s flexibility and forgiveness and visible growth. Once they shift to paper, they start making progress and feeling good about that progress. This shift often leads to breakthroughs, as they realize that writing doesn’t have to be a rigid, high-pressure process.
What Kind of Writer Are You?
So, I ask you: What method helps you feel better and more effective as a writer, thinker, and communicator? When you’re stuck, stressed, and defeated as you stare at that computer screen, consider stepping away from your keyboard. Grab a pen and sheet of paper instead.
Handwriting might seem old-fashioned, but it can be a powerful tool to help you:
- Free your creative flow
- Overcome writer’s block
- Process your thoughts more deeply
- Feel less pressure to be perfect
Next time you’re struggling to move forward with your writing, ask yourself what you need to succeed. You might find that the answer is as simple as returning to the basics of pen and paper.