I think using the pc is more convenient to use in writing because tapping the keys is not so tiring and you can also type fast without any noise. Finding an old typewriter nowadays is quite difficult and if you found one it's not sure if it is working well and the parts are quite rare.
Why in the world would "self editing" be a problem? I happily edit as I go. I used to write on a typewriter, waaay back in high school. I borrowed my sister's. Guess what? It's really noisy. I found that I preferred writing by hand, which provides all the "advantages" of writing on a typewriter, plus many more. I still often write by hand before dumping my stuff into the computer. You're going to have to word-process your work anyway. So why not write your first draft by hand? Better than typing, I think. You wind up with a manuscript that looks like a work of art. I want to take some pages of my early handwritten drafts and frame them and hang them on my walls because they look so cool. I'd never do that with a typewritten draft.
think of how many reams of paper you'll be going through as you refine and polish your ms with the numerous edits it takes even the best of writers... not to mention how many more it will take to deal with an editor's suggested changes, if you're lucky enough to have it accepted for publication!... and how many trees will bite the dust to feed your whim? perhaps more importantly to you personally, how many agents and editors who want sample chapters or complete mss submitted electronically, will you not be able to submit your work to?
I am actually really surprised by the all the negative responses to this post. I thought that there would be at least a few of you that write on a manual typewriter. The fact that you can not type as fast is an advantage for me. I feel like it would force me to focus more on what was being written. Also I love the sound that a typewriter makes when you are punching away on the keys. As far as editing goes and submitting to publishers, I would not be typing every copy. Obviously I am not a Luddite. I am posting on an online forum. I would re-type my first drafts into the computer and then do editing there. I type over 100 words a minute, so typing it into the computer wouldn't really be a problem. I just really like the idea of the typewriter for a first draft. No one else feels this way???? If a typewriter lover does come along I would love to hear recommendations on what typewriter to buy. Thanks!
I'd like to have a go with a typewriter. I'm not sure how convenient it would be, exactly, but it looks fun.
I recently purchased a Remington Model 5, from 1938 I believe, in gunmetal and black (case and everything!). I've typed a little on it to build up some experience, as my only time using a typewriter of any variety was when I was a child. My main purpose for buying the machine was to replace my handwritten note-taking and scribbling. Also, if you're anything like me, you'll experience a strange pleasure from just stroking the keys with your fingers. And that sound! Magical. For practical purposes of course, I format, correct and print from my laptop computer, equipped with the Office suite.
I use a full screen text editor that also has sound effects, if you like having them. There is also a momentum writer tool that is free online and it has back-spacing capability disabled so you are forced to continue writing and unable to edit.
Wow, how about a hammer, chisel and a flat piece of stone? I used a manual typewriter(built in 60's) back in the mid seventies, had to hit the keys hard, then we got a newer one, still had to hit them fairly hard, and the ribbon ran out quickly. Editing was terrible. I think I chucked it at a t-rex on the way to school one day(up hill...both ways in blazing sun, dodging tumbleweeds.)
Wow, I salute anyone willing to bash out their writing instead of using a computa. I'm picturing Nicholson from The Shining..
each to their own I just have to say, I love typewriters, my mom managed to pick me one up from a charity shop about a month ago. My writing has increased ten-fold in my opinion... like others have said, you really do have to concentrate on what you want to say before letting your fingers fly, like you would on a pc because at the end of it, you really only have one chance, if you want your work to say what you wanted first time.....and I'm sure we can all agree that's a damn hard task!! My favourite thing I get from typing on a typewriter though, is seeing my words appear on paper before my very eyes, it feels almost magical in a sense. Bear in mind that I was born in '88, so by the time I was six, computers were really coming into their own. I remember when my family got our first pc, the only thing I did on it was learn to touch type, not even the internet seemed appealing to me, I just wanted to learn how to write as fast as I could. I got my first typewriter six weeks ago, and it's made me one hell of a better writer. Everyone who has said it makes you think more is right on the money!....The amount of times I've sat at my laptop, staring at a blinking cursor with not a clue as of what to write, used to scare the hell out of me. Then, I got the typewriter and everything just sort of fell into place, not sure whether it was the thinking time involved or simply the sound the keys made upon striking the paper but I've found my writing has significantly improved since the purchase and what's more, I enjoy writing a whole lot more lately! x
David, if you found that writing on a typewriter makes you a better writer, you should try writing by hand. Have you done that? It's actually kind of amazing. At least it is for me.
if you want to be lazy just write in pen. i wrote an entire creative essay with i quill i made myself and paper o pressed myself.
What program is this, and where can I get one? I had a typewriter for a while, but never got a ribbon for it or anything, so I'd just play with the keys for fun. The sound was so relaxing.
We can't discuss writing software by name apparently, so I am PMing you. As an aside, it seems silly in this computer age not to be able to discuss specifically a modern writer's chief tool (apart from the brain).
I have a 1950s Royal Quiet DeLuxe that I just got from a second hand store for 6 Dollars. I'm quite pleased with how good of shape it's in, even though the ribbon is quite spendy, about $10 a ribbon. I'm excited to start using it as soon as I get the ribbon
My first draft is lost in the mists of time because I wrote it in an ancient language nobody knows anymore. But it was BRILLIANT!
I've definitely considered doing the typewriter thing before. Not sure how well bringing one to my local coffee shop would go over, though. I think it would definitely help suppress my inner editor, though pen and paper has the same effect. A good scanner and OCR software can help out with getting it into the computer. Maybe I should look into this again... it's pretty easy to find them for dirt cheap or even free on online classifieds. Now the question is: electric or manual?
HappyMeal, a few things to consider when switching from computer keyboard to typewriter. Are you wanting an "old-world" manual as opposed to an electric "word processor" typewriter? If so, bear in mind that you will need some pretty strong fingers to do your typing. It is much more difficult to depress the keys on a manual than on a keyboard. You will have aching finger joints as well as sore arms for several days. Next. What happens when you have to do re-writes? You will have to completely re-type your entire manuscript everytime! If you have upwards of 70 or 80K you are looking at weeks of work just re-typing. And, if your typing skills are not exceptional, you are going to need to keep a typing eraser handy to correct your errors. It is terribly time consuming. And this on top of the already noted cost of paper and ribbon. I have a collection of typewriters, some dating back to the turn of the last century. All of them are QWERTY keyboard layout. (I am still hoping to find one of the many other formats utilized to varying success prior to 1900.) One of my typewriters does have a rather unique key design, though, in that the keys are located on what looks like a collection of arches of varying heights to the right and left of center, dropping down onto the platen (that rubber roller over which the paper rests) at the center. Very strange. At one point, though, I was actually pretty good on those old wonders of technology. I reached an optimum 65 wpm on a manual typewriter. I topped out at around 85 or 90 on keyboard (not near that fast now!) Just to show you the difference in typing speed, the average speed for a good typist on a manual typewriter was around 40 or 45 wpm. The average speed on a keyboard is around 70 - 80 wpm. Using a typewriter is a fun diversion, but, if you are serious about your writing, I would not recommend it as a full-time word processing medium, regardless of what McGee does. It's just not practical. Lou, how does using a pen constitute lazy? I often avail myself of a notebook and pen or pencil to write. Especially when I find myself waiting for someone - like in a doctor's waiting room or something. I get a lot of writing done that way which I then can take home and tranfer to my computer. (I simply cannot use a laptop. The keyboard drives me crazy, it is just too constricted.) And one other question for you, Lou. How does one oppress paper? Or is it the paper which is oppressing you? )
I got a typewriter a while ago, it's a big black IBM selectric. It's really weird at first, but it's a really cool thing to see the words you're typing print out on paper as soon as you type it. Typing on a typewriter has a completely different aura about it than writing on a keyboard. A keyboard feels... static, I guess. When you actually feel the words being chunked into existence underneath your fingertips it's a whole new dynamic thing going on. Although it's got its perks, if you're used to computers it's going to take a little adjusting in your typing habits to get the full benefit of it. What I mean is, you're going to fuck up a sentence and instinctively reach for the backspace key, except it's not going to be there. Which is sometimes pretty irritating, but you just gotta get used to it. I got my typewriter for $15 on craigslist, and they gave me another older one for free, plus a bunch of ribbons and other miscellaneous stuff, so there's some pretty good deals floating around, you just gotta catch em in time. Good luck
At least you can use a typwriter and use the courrier font. This goes in hand for screenwriters who cannot aford to buy Final Draft.
