Thanks, Erica. Great to hear from you. No need to be impressed. I love to travel. I also adore New England. All four seasons. We're getting more snow tonight, and I'm like a little kid. I can't wait.

Nancy-- Good to hear from you, too. Congratulations for having the courage to write about your experiences--both as a crossing guard and a caregiver. You seem to want to help others benefit from all you've learned. How wonderful!

You asked whether it's better to type or write in longhand. I think it's a matter of personal preference. When my thoughts are flowing easily, I use a computer. When I'm stuck, I always go back to longhand. The physical act of putting pen to paper slows me down and allows me to excavate my thoughts and feelings. From that deeper place, I'm better able to pick and choose the words to describe as precisely as possible what I want to convey.

I’m not aware of any physiological research that supports using longhand when one is blocked, but I wouldn’t be surprised to discover such a study.

Regarding whether to include people's names or not, your concern is valid. For my book, I had the women sign legal releases before I published their names and stories. In my entry this morning, I even briefly hesitated to use Michael Woldenberg's name. But since I had already communicated the above information to him personally, and what I was saying was flattering rather than inflammatory, I decided to go ahead. I think he'd be pleased to see his name in print in this particular context.

When in doubt, ask the person if it's okay to use his or her name. In any event, proceed cautiously. If you don't have something nice to say about someone--or you're revealing sensitive information--I personally wouldn't use a name.

What do the rest of you think?

re the typing vs longhand

When I write poetry I use longhand - I want to see all my starts, and revisions, and crossing outs and going back to's . When I'm typing a story, essay, devotional I pour it out on the computer...

Interesting, I'd never thought before about why I use either!

I can't write as fast as I can type so if something has to get down in a hurry, I type it. I do like to see my 'longhand' on the page, so I do both -- depending. I get more out of me longhand. Sometimes I look at the screen and my mind is just as blank as a New Word Document.

I always write things out longhand first, I guess because I'm used to it. After the first draft and revisions are done, I type it up. Then future revisions are done on the computer.

To me the hand-written copies seem more special somehow. I save all the originals.

I'm with Meredith on this one. I prefer to write longhand first and then revise while I type it out on the computer. I never thought about why before but I think Prill has the answer to that within her post. More time to think about what I want to say.
As far as using peoples names, I try to avoid them in my essays. I change them for privacy's sake. I've been becoming concerned with this lately and have decided to concentrate more on my fiction. And have also begun considering using a pen name.

I am working with senstive information about these relatives and what they have done in the pass . So the names I will not use . They for shore would sue me. and say it wasn't so. What about my name should I change it also. Giving credits in the book for the lawyer who helped me thur trying for Guardenship be OK! I will ask her permission also. I still have lots of questions This is new for me. Need lots of help.

This is my goal for the new year . Write this book and get the word out . I do have a title for the book that this Boomerwomen Speak has helped me to decide on .. I might add so far this has been a wonderful help to me.

Help !

[ January 27, 2005, 12:50 PM: Message edited by: Nancy50 ]

I love all these different perspectives.

When I initially got a computer, I had to train myself to compose first drafts on it. It was almost as if I had to rewire my brain. But now, as I said above, I do the majority of my writing this way.

Here's what Natalie Goldberg in her book WILD MIND has to say about this issue:

"I do all my original writing by hand. I have greater mobility: I can write on planes, with friends in cafes. Plus it feels more connected with my body; my hand moves with my arm and shoulder, which is connected to my chest and heart. All good writing comes from the body and is a physical experience. Can you type or use your computer? Of course. It's a different physical act so a slightly different voice might come out."

I wonder if this last sentence is true.

Nancy-- I'll e-mail you later today.

Smile-- Make sure to tell us what, if anything, you learn. I bet I'm not the only one who's interested.