I´d go with the pen and paper.
Usually I feel more freedom and more creative when I write things down on a paper. To obtain such feelings, you need to use a big paper! Like a A2 or something. This let you spread out different thoughts all around the paper, as soon as you come to think of them!
But if you're writing a real design doc, you should probably use your machine, makes it easier to understand. But for idea development and not so exact instructions, use a large paper!

[edited by - Jippi_programming on March 13, 2002 12:55:21 PM]

go LaTeX ;-)

I use Word. I don''t write on paper cause I always end up editing my stuff during the whole design process, it could get real messy on paper. Besides, Word lets you insert images in your design doc, does tables and such

I guess it depends on if other people are going to be viewing your game designs. Personally, I do think notebook designing is the best becasue you can take it anywhere and spend hours on it, as appose to trying to think and type at the same time heh.
Word processors great for the actual design document, and you also might want to look into professional writing programs for the plot itself such as Dramatica. These programs help layout a general story and force you to think about all the options, it''s acutally a great way to get some multi-branching storylines organized.

OK, hope that was helpful.

peace

-Sage13

For small home-made games I don''t see anything wrong with notepad.

Keep it well laid out and you''ll be okay.