Writing longhand. Bleak House?

I suppose it was inevitable, but I think I may restart writing the novel in longhand. I also think I may do that in a new, large-format Moleskine. Why? Getting rid of screens unless necessary is something I’m trying to do a lot lately…and pretty much failing at, when it comes to the computer, anyhow. Trying to write with all the distractions is very tough. I was able to do it with last year’s NaNoWriMo, but that was a different kind of book and a different kind of writing venture.

This book takes place in an old-fashioned world and (I think, anyhow) deserves an old-fashioned writing. Slower, more deliberate, at the speed of thought rather than light. In that world, not staring blankly into some brightly lighted, garish cyberspace version of reality.

To that end, I will press on with Bleak House — a difficult book for me, not least of which because I keep trying to read it just before falling asleep for the night. Bah, humbug.

The sudden shifts in stories and characters also makes it hard to stay attached — emotionally and otherwise. I believe I know why Dickens did it that way (presenting the entire world around the Court and not just one storyline), but blimey!

As for my own book, I’ll need to prepare the transition. First, attempt to buy the journal at Barnes & Noble tomorrow (maybe swing by a nearer and affiliated B. Dalton’s first just in case). Next, and perhaps, copying the existing digital text into the journal, as well as creating portable versions of certain support/meta documents, like the chapter outline and timeline. Then, and finally, beginning the new process and seeing what happens. Sounds like a plan.

Then it’s just a matter of fighting the forces of time, screens, and negativity in order to complete the work.

But imagine this: throwing your journals, pens, and iPod into a bag or backpack, jumping on your bike, and traveling as far as need be, to write.

Now that sounds pretty good. Throw Bleak House in the bag, and I’m set.