Will there finally be a generation not enamored of paper? Will books feel unreal if they’re not spread upon a shiny screen instead of laid out on dull matte pages?
I’m addicted to paper. I love notebooks, journals, sketch pads, and books. Few things cheer me up like a blank piece of paper and a pen. Preferably ink that bleeds into the page. Ballpoint pens, you see, lead to frustration. When I voted in the caucus here the other day, the ball point I had to sign in with almost made me change my mind about the whole process–what? I wait for too long in the cold with a disgruntled child and you give me this pen? But I voted anyway, and afterwards regretted that I didn’t take the time to dig my pen from the bottom of my purse.
But I digress.
Paper! Forget diamonds, gold, and silk, and give me paper. Last night I printed my novel out, and this is when I fall in love with the story. I sit with my feeble efforts etched on the page and it all seems possible, like I can make this work, like it may be awful but it’s mine and I’m holding it in my hand. The feel of a computer screen does not suffice.
Now I hope that reading the beast from beginning to almost end will give me the ending I’ve been looking for. Here’s wishing paper may always work its magic!
Marta Bacon 
Printed your novel??? Does that mean what I think it means? Are congratulations for completion in order? Don’t be so subtle…we want to know!
And I’m loving this post in particular today as I am working on a review of a series of art history books for young people. The writing in the books is very good, but what I can’t get past is how much I love the shape of the books (square) and the thickness of the paper inside. All I want to write about is how the books feel to hold.
No, it doesn’t mean what you think it means. Trust me, when I finish, everyone will know. What printing it out does mean is that I think I need to read the thing on real paper to figure out where the story is really meant to end.
But, SBW, I’m with you. I love books that have just the right shape and feel. Funny how tactile a story can be.
Oh, I love paper, too. I could buy it all up … and yet I hate how it clutters my home. It’s a love-hate relationship, I guess.
You can make this work.
I feel the same way, about paper, and pens.
I need to see it, hold it, touch it.
celebrating this moment with you, to have YOUR novel in your hands.