The case against digital writing
A journal entry:
I’m starting to use this notebook because I want to master the craft of writing.
Doing so requires, you know, writing. Lot’s of it. Writing in here is, as the word suggests, writing. So simply putting pen to paper will be good practice. Most of what I write will remain private. That’s ok. Actually, it’s desirable. It’s far easier to write privately — without consideration for what other’s will think. But I also see this as the starting point for published writing.
I’ll use it to experiment with ideas, structure articles, take notes, draw, store inspiration (e.g. physical clippings). I may even write first drafts of publishable writing on paper and move to the laptop for editing. That’s what it’s best for. Speed. The laptop, and the internet it connects to, is also great for sharing writing, meeting other people, and building relationships. All important elements for creating my desire to master writing.
With that being the case, there is a part of me that wonders, ‘would it be better to do this all digitally’? Should I write my private thoughts - that would typically live in a journal - online, e.g. on X or Substack? The platforms encourage it. They seem to prefer, and promote, accounts that share and socialise a lot. So obviously there would be advantages to doing all of my writing in public. That said, my instinct is that this would be a mistake.
My goal is to master the craft — not to master social media, and grow an audience. And experience has taught me that the more time I spend on social platforms (and on my laptop and the internet in general), the less I write.
So, paradoxically, writing online — or, at least, completing all of the writing process online — is unlikely to help me reach my goal of mastering the craft. It certainly doesn’t seem like the best path, knowing what I know now. So, I will experiment with staying completely offline for ideation, reading, note taking, outlining, and writing the first draft. Separately, I’ll go online to socialise, publish, and read what other’s are writing — which will, in turn, support the offline writing processes.
My hypothesis is that the separation will result in better writing, more writing, and more enjoyment of the craft. Consciously staying offline will make being online a better experience for me and whoever reads my work.
Plus, who says I can’t share my offline, private work on the inter-web from time to time?