Keyboards and digital screens are a luxury plenty of writers have adapted. And yet many still swear on writing by hand. Is it nostalgia, or are there real benefits to picking up a pen and paper?
The Benefits of Handwriting
Against typing, handwriting seems to lose on all criteria. It is slow, and messy, and your fingers tire faster. So why do writers do it at various stages of their creative process?
Here are a few reasons why.
1. Tactile connection with words.
There is something indescribably special about the physical act of writing. The feel of the pen in your hand and forming each letter gives you a deeper connection with your words.
This tactile quality might very well boost your creativity. Your brain interprets it as a more artful process.
You might even choose to handwrite because it is aesthetically pleasing. Your penmanship is, in itself, a way to express your creativity and personality.
2. Better memory retention.
When you write something down, your brain works harder to process the information. This is great for keeping track of ideas, scenes, and characters.
You also do a lot of research when writing. Taking notes by hand might save you time later when trying to recall important info.
3. Freedom from distraction.
Almost all digital devices are now connected to the internet. This has its advantages but also a lot of detriments.
It’s easy to detract from your writing when you have access to plenty of distractions. A quick google search when doing research could throw you down a rabbit hole of information.
Even the tools you use can be a distraction. Spelling and grammar apps are useful but can disrupt your flow with every correction.
And when you write by hand, you activate a part of your brain called the RAS (Reticular Activating System). It lets you hyper-focus and filter out distractions.
4. A more conscious way to hone your language skills.
Language is an integral part of writing. Creativity can excuse some mistakes, but it’s still important to understand the basics.
Handwriting means not relying on digital writing tools that spoon-feed you your mistakes. Which means you’re more conscious of making them.
That doesn’t mean you should be perfect. Do your best not to make mistakes on the first draft. Feed it through a grammar checker. Repeat.
5. Good for visual learning.
A lot of writing is often laying things out in a visual format, whether it’s creating diagrams, mind maps, or quick sketches. Doing this by hand is much easier and more flexible than using word processing software.
You can freely draw shapes, underline, or circle important points. In programs like Microsoft Word, you spend extra time with formatting, aligning text, or inserting shapes. Ever added one picture, and it messes everything up?
6. Slowing down.
Handwriting may be slow, but it forces you to be more intentional with your words. You also get to enjoy the process, without the pressure to finish quickly.
This leads to more thoughtful and precise writing. You can focus on word choice, structure, and the flow of your thoughts. You’re more likely to catch nuances you might miss when typing.
When you type, it’s easy to get swept up in speed. You write whatever comes to mind without considering your phrasing or structure. In the end, you spend more time and effort compared to handwriting.
7. More effort, more rewards.
It feels good to finish a draft. It feels even better when you know you’ve completed it without the conveniences of technology.
No autocorrect, no spell check, and no quick fixes. The process feels more personal and intentional, deepening that sense of achievement. You relied solely on your creativity and concentration.
8. Technology has its limits.
While technology offers many conveniences, it also comes with its fair share of drawbacks. The more advanced it is, the more things can go wrong. You might deal with software crashes, battery failures, or even internet distractions.
In contrast, you can use pen and paper anytime and anywhere without worry. They also don’t need to be set up or maintained. You only need to put your thoughts down and take care not to lose where you’ve written them.
Handwriting Vs. Typing
The question is not about which one to give up but when to use one over the other. The answer depends a lot on your preferences and writing process.
Writing by hand has obvious benefits, from improving memory to helping you connect better with your work. That said, typing is faster and more convenient for editing and long writing sessions.
At the end of the day, your goal for these two methods is the same: to write your best work.
Do you write by hand? Share them below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Should You Write Slower?
- Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Writing Outside Your Genre
- Bullet Journal Tips: Amazing Handwriting to Inspire You
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
