Do Androids Imagine Electronically?
Traditional Writing vs Android-writing
Recently I switched from how I normally write - quite literally with pen (after pen, after pen!) jotting down my thoughts, writings, and ideas in a notebook. (No, not a computer Notebook - an antique structure composed of a material constructed from the pulp of trees into thin leaflet collectively combined and bound by into a strange object called a ‘book’. It requires no wi-fi and no electronic power source). In February I switched over to a portable keyboard, using my android as its screen. That was about 2 ½ months ago. The differences? Many. Practically, it became about time management. I could streamline my busy life and limited time, taking advantage of travel times to write.
It has also made me technology-dependant. Generally not a good thing. But it has also made me available (24-7 if I should so choose), and much more interconnected. I must have written over 40,000 words (guesstimate) on my new novel, The Refuse Chronicles, not counting many comments, correspondents, blogs, posts, and articles. But these really aren’t where we see the most influence and major changes. The real changes are within my mind - within how I think and function. Within the methodology of how my imagination works. Often times, when I write, it really isn’t the writing part that is challenging or tricky. It’s the organizing and coordinating my thoughts into something functional and coherent that’s the most challenging. This is free flowing thought and creativity.
Something that doesn’t lend itself well to the very structured layout and format of a keyboard-typewriter-screen. (I wish you could see some of my ‘notes’ (and I use the word very loosely here) from my last novel Necropolis.
(These are some of the more coherent ones.)
I find, in its odd way, it actually limits my imagination. When I have a blank piece of paper in front of me, it is both literally and figuratively a blank sheet of potential. Imagination is its limit. It is edgeless and limitless. Although it is finite in physical form, there is no limits, no real outer edges, no “box”, no boundaries. It is the physical manifestation of potential. When I ‘write’ in my android boxed frame it is quite literally that. Writing within a structured boxed frame. (And a frame I must add that’s only approximately 2” x 3”.)
Does it work as a ‘mobile’ or portable writing device? Absolutely. (I have also abandoned my need of a MP3 player as I absolutely cannot abide being forced to suffer the incessant whining and delusional complains from my fellow (Government employees) during transit.) Yet another distinct divide betwixt the creative-writing aspect and the technical-formatting-editing facets. They are most definitely different things. I’m interested in hearing how my fellow local authors write - or more importantly - how you imagine! Thoughts?
