When writing by hand, a writer uses primarily her dominant hand, although the non-dominant hand supports writing by respositioning the page. When typing, a writer uses both hands almost equally. Because language ability is centered in one hemisphere of the brain, writing by hand allows the brain to focus writing in its linguistic centers. Typing requires both hemispheres to work together on linguistic tasks.
A writer who is fluid in both handwriting and typing can write much more quickly on a computer than he can by hand. The slower speed of composing by hand gives the writer more time to think about his sentences while he is writing. Writing by hand also allows more time for revising while writing.
Handwriting focuses attention in one place (the formation of the letter), while typing focuses attention in two places (keyboard and screen). Typing thus requires the brain to focus on two different physical spaces, while handwriting focuses the brain's attention in one physical location. When typing, the writer's attention must go back and forth constantly between two different spaces. When writing by hand, she can focus continually on one location.
Handwriting requires the writer to create the specific shape of the letter; typing only requires the writer to locate the letter on the keyboard. Shaping the letter helps in learning letter recognition. When typing, a writer is more physically distant from his writing; there is no physical connection between the writer and the actual letters, as there is when writing by hand. According to media theory researcher Daniel Chandler, this distancing is one of the reasons why many literary writers have preferred to write by hand, especially those who think of writing as a process of discovery and do not plan the full composition in advance.