Since we've got greater visibility here and we have a space to talk about process, I thought I'd start a thread on what we use to do what we do here in M:EM

I'm going to start out on the graphics end of things, actually, because... well... I just came across some information on Monoprice Tablets and I'm thinking of getting one, since it looks like they're compatible with Windows 8 (which Intuos may or may not be--reports seem to be mixed). I've been using a really old tablet that doesn't even have working pressure sensitivity anymore, which is ABSOLUTE HELL, let me tell you. It's been pretty frustrating for doing M:EM stuff, because I know I should be able to get brush width variation in Photoshop but I can't.

So, uh, yeah, I'm thinking of getting this and I'm wondering if anyone else (Barinellos, you around?) has opinions on this hardware.

For writing I've taken to actually using Blogger to write drafts, since I already use it for Storming the Ivory Tower. I sort of dodge between that and Written Kitten because both of them automatically save my progress. Plus, Written Kitten has kitten pictures, which is a valuable motivational tool. >_>

What else do folks use to do their work? What's worked out well for you? Any recommendations?

I use a terrible, small laptop (more of a netbook, really) for my writing and worldbuilding. I want to use google docs, but my laptop can't really handle it, so I use mostly LibreOffice software.

I'm considering buying a small (paper) notebook and doodling on that for future worldbuilding, see how that works.

Okay, that was a boring answer.

This isn't really going to help you, but you did say:

So, I'll tell you what I use to fiddle around with M:EM-prospective projects (and other creative ventures).

For writing stories, I mostly use my iphone and ipad, because the notes app syncs between them without any effort so I can take up writing on the go with my phone and have a more proper keyboard (and see the entire thing easier) at home. Sometimes, if I'm already at my laptop when the writing mood hits me, I'll open up Wordpad (for formatting capability with minimal extras (and also loads faster)) and be able to type at a decent speed since I can use ten fingers. Due to both the mentioned above advantages, I don't write stories on paper anymore.

I do, however, use a lot of paper for worldbuilding and other random theorizing, because I have 2.5 ciphers that I keep the notes scattered about in. To be clear, when I say cipher, I mean that I have created characters to substitute for my native alphabet, that being English (as well as numbers and some punctuation); and when I say 2.5, I mean I'm developing a third (that will actually have 31 characters (or more depending on how you count it) for the alphabet alone). So, when I build a world, I usually have a couple of bad maps, maybe a schematic, and a lot of notes written in code all over the place.

Oh, I also write all my voting-game ideas on paper, in code, and don't put them on any digital device until it's clear enough for me to have someone look at it. Getting people to look at it is another matter... but I digress.

While I haven't truly created a 'walker yet, but I've tried a few times and for me it always starts with my card collection.

I use Word for nearly everything; Short stories, poems, even most pre-writes (which I only do occasionally.) Sometimes, I will jot down notes or write a very vague outline on a scrap of paper, especially if I want the idea bouncing around my brain for a few days before I do anything with it. Long ago, I would only write poetry out free-hand in a notebook, typically a small, 9 1/2 x 6 notebook (it was perfect for my line length, but I've moved past that crutch now. From time to time, I suppose I still might, but I haven't in a very long time.