The Ipod as Writing Tool (Don’t Worry This is a “Clean” Post)
My Ipod’s become an instrumental (ha ha) part of my writing.
Charles Simic said something like “Chance is the key that gets me out of the prison of myself. Well, then in this way and in others also, my Ipod’s a key.
First, I use it to generate poems. I record bits and pieces and save the files on to my Ipod, organizing them into appropriate playlist. Bits of the news, pieces from magazines. Bits of fiction and pieces of poetry. Things I’ve heard people say. Descriptions of landscape. Whatever. Etc. Then using the Ipod’s shuffle feature I generate 10-12 piece units (the number can and does of course vary). This is a starting point block of text that I then manually edit on the page.
I also use my Ipod for editing pieces that I think are done or close to. I record these pieces and put them on a playlist. Then (in bed or walking around or using the bathroom–damn, this was supposed to be “clean”–etc etc) I listen to them and make the edits in my head.
When I’m stuck manually revising and need a bit of color for example (like Jean Follain said) I’ll use the Ipod’s shuffle to generate me plenty of word/phrase/image options from which to choose. And then I’ll play around with those “colors” and see if I can make something work.
Of course I also use the Ipod to listen to music while writing or revising.
And the Ipod’s also useful when I’m organizing a book or chapbook. I put the poems (pieces) in a playlist and then using the Shuffle I get these strange and sometimes useful sequences that I would have trouble coming up with on my own. And, in the end, I sometimes use some of these orderings the machine creates. At the very least it’s amusing.
I’m wondering who else may be using the Ipod in similar ways. Or differently?
And I’m also interested in knowing what other methods of chance composition you guys (and gals) may be using to lead you out of the prison (or into the labyrinth) of the self.
(Simic I think just used to randomly take books off the shelf and open them to random pages. And sometimes did this with James Tate. Perhaps in the nude, with pastries. Perhaps.
Damn, this was going to be “clean”!!!)
Tags: charles simic, ipod, james tate
I use the notes program to write while I’m in bed or waiting on something.
I use the notes program to write while I’m in bed or waiting on something.
These are really awesome ideas. I don’t think my 160 gig classic will do a lot of them, but maybe the record and shuffle thing.
These are really awesome ideas. I don’t think my 160 gig classic will do a lot of them, but maybe the record and shuffle thing.
Sometimes I use the burroughs cut-up generator on my stuff to discover new and interesting phrasings
Sometimes I use the burroughs cut-up generator on my stuff to discover new and interesting phrasings
You’ve given me some really great ideas.
One thing I do with my iPod is use Evernote to record ideas or stories or observations for later. This tool is especially useful when I’m bed and I don’t feel like writing, I’ll dictate stories as they come to me.
You’ve given me some really great ideas.
One thing I do with my iPod is use Evernote to record ideas or stories or observations for later. This tool is especially useful when I’m bed and I don’t feel like writing, I’ll dictate stories as they come to me.
I meant iPhone. It’s all about the “i.”
I meant iPhone. It’s all about the “i.”
i stare at the particles in the air that is directly in front of my face
i stare at the particles in the air that is directly in front of my face
When I got my iPhone – and despite being a sad Apple fanboy – I was seriously worried about whether my big clumpy fingers could manage to type anything, let alone anything that might be classed as ‘writing’. However, I have used it occasionally for jotting down thoughts. Not many thoughts, obviously, because I just don’t get many. But a few. Roxane’s right that Evernote is really good, because it syncs to your computer so easily. I tried to use the Notes program, but that awful ‘handwriting’ font and the eyebleeding yellow background just put me right off …
When I got my iPhone – and despite being a sad Apple fanboy – I was seriously worried about whether my big clumpy fingers could manage to type anything, let alone anything that might be classed as ‘writing’. However, I have used it occasionally for jotting down thoughts. Not many thoughts, obviously, because I just don’t get many. But a few. Roxane’s right that Evernote is really good, because it syncs to your computer so easily. I tried to use the Notes program, but that awful ‘handwriting’ font and the eyebleeding yellow background just put me right off …
i’ve been wanting to get an iphone for exactly this reason. by the time i lay down to go to bed i always have like 15 or so randomly found scraps of paper in my pockets that i’ve written down ideas on that i don’t want to forget. i come home drunk and they end up everywhere. seems like an iphone would be convenient for stuff like this.
i’ve been wanting to get an iphone for exactly this reason. by the time i lay down to go to bed i always have like 15 or so randomly found scraps of paper in my pockets that i’ve written down ideas on that i don’t want to forget. i come home drunk and they end up everywhere. seems like an iphone would be convenient for stuff like this.
cmr – I wouldn’t recommend trying to use the iPhone keyboard when drunk …
cmr – I wouldn’t recommend trying to use the iPhone keyboard when drunk …
try it, man… works great for me…. best, Rauan,….
try it, man… works great for me…. best, Rauan,….
good looking out. i suppose i’ll stick with cocktail napkins and the inside of cigarette packs.
good looking out. i suppose i’ll stick with cocktail napkins and the inside of cigarette packs.
I don’t have the time or voice-acting power not to destroy even good words by saying them outloud. When I got my smartphone a few months ago (Palm Pre) I started writing a decent amount in the memo app (mostly ideas and phrases for micros). The phone does have a physical keyboard, which makes things easier.
People (in Japan) apparently have written novels exclusively on their phones. I’ve also read that teenage Japanese girls can type faster with their thumbs on phones then they can on an actual keyboard. Although I sort of hope that’s hyperbole.
Either way, now I can write easily while on the potty. Everyone wins.
I don’t have the time or voice-acting power not to destroy even good words by saying them outloud. When I got my smartphone a few months ago (Palm Pre) I started writing a decent amount in the memo app (mostly ideas and phrases for micros). The phone does have a physical keyboard, which makes things easier.
People (in Japan) apparently have written novels exclusively on their phones. I’ve also read that teenage Japanese girls can type faster with their thumbs on phones then they can on an actual keyboard. Although I sort of hope that’s hyperbole.
Either way, now I can write easily while on the potty. Everyone wins.
I’ve transcribed what people around me were saying on my notes app. Stories with absurd elements, one-up contests, even shitting in pants stories exchanged. Or there are some people who are gifted with explaining details in something they recently read in the news or saw on a nature show. Don’t tell them what you’re doing or they’ll get self-conscious or turn on a filter. Make them think you’re texting a to-do list for tomorrow. Then they might not think you’re AS rude.
You can make up a few stock questions too, in case you want to experiment with a friend.
What’s the strangest animal encounter you’ve ever had?
What would you do as a werewolf in a grocery store?
If you had the chance to get drunk and molest the sexiest person on the planet (with their permission) what would you do to them in a castle sculpted out of ice and candy?
Pretend you’re a starving cockroach watching a guy make dinner for his girlfriend. What’s in your head? Describe the apartment.
Then let the person ramble their answer. Catch what you can. Don’t interrupt. Don’t let them repeat. Save. Pull out the answers later an explore them when you’re trying to find inspiration.
I’ve transcribed what people around me were saying on my notes app. Stories with absurd elements, one-up contests, even shitting in pants stories exchanged. Or there are some people who are gifted with explaining details in something they recently read in the news or saw on a nature show. Don’t tell them what you’re doing or they’ll get self-conscious or turn on a filter. Make them think you’re texting a to-do list for tomorrow. Then they might not think you’re AS rude.
You can make up a few stock questions too, in case you want to experiment with a friend.
What’s the strangest animal encounter you’ve ever had?
What would you do as a werewolf in a grocery store?
If you had the chance to get drunk and molest the sexiest person on the planet (with their permission) what would you do to them in a castle sculpted out of ice and candy?
Pretend you’re a starving cockroach watching a guy make dinner for his girlfriend. What’s in your head? Describe the apartment.
Then let the person ramble their answer. Catch what you can. Don’t interrupt. Don’t let them repeat. Save. Pull out the answers later an explore them when you’re trying to find inspiration.
Oh sheeit, I forgot there a new voice memo app too. I haven’t used it yet. Go iphone.
And I’m not saying pens and papers aren’t great. A good writing pen is so nice to have. Fluid, dark. Mmm. Ink.
Oh sheeit, I forgot there a new voice memo app too. I haven’t used it yet. Go iphone.
And I’m not saying pens and papers aren’t great. A good writing pen is so nice to have. Fluid, dark. Mmm. Ink.