This study examines the experiences and perceptions of writers who composed text using “distraction-free” writing tools that stand as alternatives to standard word processing programs. The purpose of this research was to develop a clearer understanding of how digital writing tools may shape the activities and practices of writers, as well as what writing with unfamiliar tools and technologies might reveal about writing processes. Analysis of study participants’ reflective narratives of their composing experience suggests the extent to which writing tools and technologies influence routine practices, assist writers as they try to direct their attention (and avoid distraction), motivate writing, and impact writers’ “text sense” as they compose. Moreover, findings indicate how different tools and technologies may be viewed as more or less useful for different writing tasks. This article ends with a call for writing researchers, writing teachers, and software developers to attend more critically to the ways writing technologies shape the practices of writers.

中文翻译：

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工具很重要：替代数字环境中的中介写作活动

这项研究考察了使用“无干扰”写作工具撰写文本的作家的经验和看法，这些工具可以替代标准文字处理程序。这项研究的目的是对数字写作工具如何影响作家的活动和实践，以及使用不熟悉的工具和技术进行的写作可能揭示的写作过程有一个更清晰的认识。对研究参与者对写作经历的反思性叙述的​​分析表明，写作工具和技术在多大程度上影响了日常实践，在试图引导他们的注意力（并避免分散注意力），协助写作，激发写作以及影响作家的“文本意识”方面提供了帮助他们组成。此外，研究结果表明，不同的工具和技术对于不同的写作任务可能或多或少有用。本文最后呼吁写作研究人员，写作老师和软件开发人员更严格地参与写作技术塑造作家实践的方式。