Notebooks Made of Paper

16Nov11

I want to write more because if you write more you start to write more, which flies in the face a bit of less is more, though there is a difference there between frequency and quantity. That is to say, you can write more frequently while still trying to say more with less in your word choice. Deep breath.

Ancient Flashback to Beginning of Semester

First day of class. Night workshop. Time for a writing activity. I pull out my laptop and look around. Everyone else pulls out notebooks made of paper, pens made of plastic and ink. I whisper to a neighbor, “Are laptops allowed?” She says yes yes.

Next day in another class, afternoon workshop on language poetry. I pull out my laptop to take some notes. Look around. Everyone else is pulling out notebooks made of paper, pens of plastic and ink. I whisper to a neighbor. Yes yes.

Third class, night, craft of creative nonfiction. The syllabus said up front no laptops after the 15 minute writing prompt. Professor reminds us in person, says, “I assume you’re on Facebook or the like.”

I completely support laptops being banned from the class, but when they aren’t explicitly banned, and yet a room full of mostly 20 somethings choose to write with notebooks made of paper, pens of plastic and ink, I am confused. I sorta kinda thought the newer generations didn’t compose except by clickety clackety.

Someone please explain.

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