Ways To Make Your Writing (Somewhat) Analog From A (Somewhat) Low-Tech Writer

In the past few days, I've come across what seems to have been dubbed the "analog trend," which encourages decreasing your daily screentime in favor of tactile, low-tech activities. You may have seen "analog bags" containing things like puzzles, sketchbooks, or travel-size versions of popular board games.

The "analog trend" may be newly coined, but it's not exactly anything new. Last fall, there was a social media trend of people recording themselves setting a timer and doing literally nothing for that duration in order to recalibrate their brains and rebuild their tolerance for boredom. During the height of the pandemic, there was a rise in activities like knitting and baking. Adult coloring books are as popular as ever. Artists are back to releasing vinyl and cassettes.

As technology continues to advance, there's an increasing desire to unplug. There are environmental issues to contend with, as well as mental health and potential developmental concerns being noticed as the next generation gets older, and just the overall screen fatigue many of us feel at the end of the day. This analog trend also encourages evaluating how we spend our time and being present in the moment.

Screens are inseparable from many day-to-day activities, whether it's work or school, to leisure—even writing—and that can be hard to detach. Writing, however, is something that can be made analog pretty easily. I know this because it's been my preferred way to write for years.

A little bit about me if this is your first time stopping by: I started writing as a teen. Back then, I didn't have my own computer so my only option was pencil and paper. My first effort at writing a novel was on loose-leaf paper in a three-ring binder that got beaten up to hell and back until it had to be held together by duct tape.

Even though I do have a computer now, I still prefer handwritten drafts when possible. I edit on a printout of my WIP and transfer those notes to the digital copy. One of the primary reasons for this is that it helps me concentrate on my writing and feel more present in the process, something that the analog trend aims for.

It's not about cutting out technology entirely, but being mindful of how often we're engaging with it.

I do like the analog trend as a concept. However, I also agree with the criticisms regarding how its virality is shifting that concept towards overconsumption and excessive purchases, and how all of these videos about going analog are being watched on phones so it kiiiinda defeats the purpose...

That's why for this post, I'm mostly focusing on simple adaptations and items I use in my own writing.

Grab A Notebook

Perhaps the most ubiquitous mode of analog writing is a handwritten draft.

They might not be the quickest method for writing, and it comes with a few other downsides like eventually needing to type everything up anyhow and the potential physical strain, but the benefits I've found outweigh these negatives.

Shifting between a digital draft and a handwritten one every so often allows you to see your story from a new perspective and might make it easier to work through the problem you've been staring at for so long. Paper feels less clinical than a screen and less final, inviting the acceptance of imperfection and the freedom to experiment.

A key component of the analog trend is finding something for your hands and mind to do that isn't swiping on your screen, which is why many participating in the trend are picking up crochet kits or coloring books. Opting for a pen and paper when you write fits right in.

Analog Timers

Sprints are a popular way to gamify the writing process. Simply put, you set a short timer and get to writing until it goes off. They're fun for solo sessions and groups, and these short bursts are easy to squeeze into the pockets of your day.

When my writing group sprints, we pretty much always rely on Alexa to set the timer, but phones and smartwatches work just as well.

Unless, that is, you're taking a more analog approach to writing.

You could opt for an analog wristwatch, as is common with the analog trend, or go for the classic hourglass. Kitchen timers also get the job done (at which point, you could also try one of my favorite sprint timers and pop something in the oven to bake while you write). Candles are a favorite for study-with-me style videos, as is melting ice; more recently, I've seen people freeze their coffee and creamer into cubes and work until it all melts and mixes together in their glass.

Analog timers offer plenty of room to have fun and get creative. For a list of more unconventional, silent timers, head over to this post where I list some of my faves.

Earplugs For Tuning Out Distractions

I do a lot of my writing in busy environments and in a shared household, so it's pretty common to see me listening to music to stay in the zone. Scrolling through playlists or ambient compilations on YouTube to find exactly what you're looking for can be a little time-consuming, though.

If you're taking an analog approach to writing but still need to tune out distractions, consider earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones—or use the headphones and earbuds you already have without playing anything. Sometimes, just the sensation of wearing my headphones is enough to keep me grounded.

Brick Your Phone

The analog trend is all about reducing screen distractions, many of which involve getting sucked into apps and doomscrolling.

You might have seen a response to this known as Brick. I know several writers who swear by this device.

via GetBrick.app

The Brick creates a physical barrier between you and your phone. Paired with an app, you're able to permit access to a few apps or none at all. Users tap their phone to the device, which then restricts these designated apps until you tap again to deactivate the Brick. For example, you might choose to prohibit social media use while you're writing.

This encourages awareness of distractions and requires a little more effort to access them, making it harder to get off task.

If you don't own the actual Brick, you could consider placing your phone out of reach, putting it screen-down, or placing an object on your phone to establish that physical barrier. I've been experimenting with placing a tube of my favorite lotion on top of my phone when I'm meant to write; whenever I'm feeling that urge to scroll, I have to move the lotion off first, which usually has me applying a little of the lotion instead—which has been especially good for my dry winter skin.

Browser Blockers

Writing is a largely digital process, which is why I'm not expecting you to totally ditch your computer. That's not the point of this post, and why I want to include a handful of options to make your digital tools feel a little more analog. We still need to function, after all!

One of the main reasons I prefer handwritten drafts is the lack of distractions. A notebook doesn't come with the temptations of social media and rabbit holes. However, handwritten drafts aren't always practical.

My writing these days happens in Google Docs. Contentious, I know, but as someone with a Chromebook that can't run the fun writing apps like Scrivener, it's the option. I use the browser version, with the tab often sandwiched between whatever ambient compilation I have playing on YouTube and whatever I'm researching.

And as far as the blog goes, that's through Wix.

Suffice it to say, my digital drafting is browser-based, and yours might be, too. And we all know how quickly browsing the internet can become giving in to diversions.

Depending on your browser, you might be able to install extensions or plugins that act like the aforementioned Brick device, prohibiting distracting websites when you need to work.

Matte Screen Protectors

Even though the analog trend is all about stepping away from the screens, there are times it can't be avoided. You can, however, lessen the impact of the glare.

Some devices already have settings to reduce harsh lighting. Sometimes, that doesn't feel like enough.

I'm a wannabe Kindle girlie. I read eBooks on a Samsung tablet. And about a year ago, I got a matte screen protector for it. It has been SUCH a game-changer for me. Overall, it's made it easier to read for longer stretches because the brightness of the screen even at its lowest setting is reduced.

Screen protectors are good to have in general. Getting a matte one, at least in my experience, helps with that screen fatigue. And they're not just for tablets. Chances are, you'll be able to find one to fit your laptop screen.

Scrivener (And Other Programs)

I'll be honest: one of my biggests gripe with my Chromebook is the fact that I'm unable to use a majority of the cool writing software and apps you hear about so often. The most popular among them is Scrivener.

I've dabbled with Scrivener in the past and enjoyed many of its features (even though the number of them was overwhelming), especially its Composition mode. Here, all that appears on screen is your text.

Scrivener also allows for customizable backgrounds, so some writers will personalize it to capture the vibe of their current project and make it even more immersive.

I know so many writers who enjoy Scrivener, with its distraction-free interface being one of the main reasons. If you're looking for alternatives, you could look into Dabble, FocusWriter, or Qyllscape.

The NEO2 And Other Low-Tech Writing Gear

At the top of this post, I mentioned the concerns about the analog trend prompting folks to make unnecessary purchases and my intentions to keep my take on analog writing simple.

I do have to make an honorable mention here, as there are several low-tech word processors on the market, and many people find them helpful when they want to step back.

Longtime readers of the blog know I have a NEO2 and absolutely love it. Back in the day, these were a popular gadget in elementary school classrooms used to teach typing. More recently, they've experienced a resurgence among writers looking for a distraction-free approach to writing without losing the efficiency of digital drafting. The NEO2 stores text on the device itself, which can be transferred to a computer via a standard printer cable (or, if you're able to get your hands on one, a wireless receiver).

No bells. No whistles. No distractions. No screens apart from a tiny window.

I don't have experience with similar devices (such as the Freewrite or the BYOK), but I will say that if you're looking to make your writing analog, picking up a word processor might be worth the investment. My NEO2 was secondhand and considerably less expensive than its more modern counterparts, and as I often say when it comes to buying tech gear, refurbished listings are a good way to go if you're looking to try a new tech tool on a budget.

Modern conveniences have made writing so much easier. In a lot of ways, they're necessary. Digital drafting is typically more efficient. Laptops allow us to take our writing on the go, and some authors even draft their books on their phones. Agents and publishers won't accept physical manuscripts, and correspondence with them happens digitally. Social media is a tool not only for learning and marketing your books, but also for finding your community.

That being said, bringing the essence of the analog trend to your writing habits every so often has its benefits. Yes, it can mean your writing may be a little slower (and involve the hassle of having to type up a handwritten draft eventually anyhow), but I often feel more connected to my stories that way. It creates a more intimate experience that makes it easier to focus. Embrace this stillness.

Are any parts of your writing process analog? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!