I would love to get one of those. Distraction free writing at its best. Unfortunately, I'd probably still have to retype what I write on the computer to send it out for publication.
In my experience, getting the keyboard at the proper height is much more important with a manual typewriter than it is with a computer. My normal desk is just way too high, I end up with t-rex arms.
I use my fountain pens more than my typewriter, but I do enjoy the physicality of both.
I actually have a typewriter desk with a hidden compartment the typewriter pops out of on a spring-loaded little table. Although, it's built for a 1940s lady typist, and I am much too large for it. I actually work out better with the typewriter on the desktop.
I think the same case can be made for writing the first draft in longhand. No distractions and the tactile feel of the pen on the paper and I can see how much I've actually written.
My parents bought me a typewriter from Searsas a gift when I graduated from 8th Grade that served me well through college. I also have a Brother electronic typewriter I bought for myself. Both are hiding in the attic. I may have to bring them down, dust them off and order some ribbons!
I know Rick Cutler does the long hand bit. I tried it, at one point, but found it was too slow. I like the faster process of a typewriter, myself. But to each their own; no two brains work the same way
Interesting. I have the same problem with writing on the computer -- distraction. And it's even worse know with substack notes. So I've started doing some drafting with longhand, pen and paper. And I do exactly the same thing with typing it into the laptop once I've written it longhand. Lots of editing during the typing it into the computer phase.
I learned to type on an actual manual typewriter, and then in college, got a fancy electric typewriter. I might actually consider getting a typewriter again after all these years. Although for now, I think I'll stick to starting with the longhand.
The late Lou Antonelli (ANOTHER GIRL, ANOTHER PLANET) was a newspaperman long before he started writing SF. He wrote on a portable manual typewrite, and then OCR’d it for editing. He’d set his typewriter up at his table in the dealer’s room at conventions, and work on stories during the slack periods.
I’ve often thought the idea setup for an office would be to have a reconditioned IBM Selectric adapted to work as a computer keyboard, so you could simultaneously type a paper copy and create an editable file. If I had that, I’d mark up the edits on the paper copy—your eyes will catch things on paper that they’ll miss on the screen—and then enter them on the computer using a conventional keyboard for that stage.
Dear Lou...we miss him and his wonderful, acerbic commentary. Gone too soon. There are computer keyboards you can purchase now that give the sound and feel of a good typewriter, but there's nothing quite like the sound of a Selectric. I have a friend with several he rescued from the university scrap pile, and he keeps them in good condition, having a solid relationship with the repair guy who worked for the same Uni.
I learned to type on what I consider to be the best typewriter of all time. The IBM Selectric. Those things were a dream to type on. Smooth. Powerful. klackataklackatahklackatak [DING]
I loved those old things. I cannot use these modern "silent" keyboards some people like to grab. There's just nothing there. Give me a good mechanical keyboard that klackatas at me as I go because that is what I need to keep going. Now if only I could replicate that [DING] I would be in heaven. :)
This is delightful. And if anyone ever needs a transcriptionist, that's my favorite thing. I excel at it. I've actually been the recipient of the greatest adventure ever--asked to transcribe a novel, a novella, and 21 short stories which were found in a long-deceased author's files when his heirs passed them along. Two are published, the third is in edits. (I'm also an editor.) Transcription is my first love, but editing is also a blast! (I know, I'm a rare, weird bird!)
I learned to type in high school, on a typewriter (ca. 1979). I typed on an old manual machine at home, then got an electric machine at some point in my senior year (Christmas present?). That machine got me through college. I have an old typewriter out in the garage. I think it was Gordon's dad's. 1940s? 30s? I'll have to dig it out. Maybe it needs to go to Writer's Cantina next year. I can just set it up in the cantina and people can have fun with it. Everybody should try a typewriter. It's such a kinetic way to write.
I would love to get one of those. Distraction free writing at its best. Unfortunately, I'd probably still have to retype what I write on the computer to send it out for publication.
That's exactly what I do. I think it helps, personally. But there are people who do the OCR route, as well.
I miss the old portable manual typewriter we had when I was a kid.
Makes me want to pull out the Underwood portable (four-banks) I got off eBay nearly 20 years ago. I did need to take it to a local repair shop to get it running smoothly. I only just now found out that Tom is getting out of the game. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/17/business/cambridge-typewriter-new-owner-retirement-tom-furrier/
In my experience, getting the keyboard at the proper height is much more important with a manual typewriter than it is with a computer. My normal desk is just way too high, I end up with t-rex arms.
I use my fountain pens more than my typewriter, but I do enjoy the physicality of both.
I actually have a typewriter desk with a hidden compartment the typewriter pops out of on a spring-loaded little table. Although, it's built for a 1940s lady typist, and I am much too large for it. I actually work out better with the typewriter on the desktop.
I think the same case can be made for writing the first draft in longhand. No distractions and the tactile feel of the pen on the paper and I can see how much I've actually written.
My parents bought me a typewriter from Searsas a gift when I graduated from 8th Grade that served me well through college. I also have a Brother electronic typewriter I bought for myself. Both are hiding in the attic. I may have to bring them down, dust them off and order some ribbons!
I know Rick Cutler does the long hand bit. I tried it, at one point, but found it was too slow. I like the faster process of a typewriter, myself. But to each their own; no two brains work the same way
Interesting. I have the same problem with writing on the computer -- distraction. And it's even worse know with substack notes. So I've started doing some drafting with longhand, pen and paper. And I do exactly the same thing with typing it into the laptop once I've written it longhand. Lots of editing during the typing it into the computer phase.
I learned to type on an actual manual typewriter, and then in college, got a fancy electric typewriter. I might actually consider getting a typewriter again after all these years. Although for now, I think I'll stick to starting with the longhand.
The late Lou Antonelli (ANOTHER GIRL, ANOTHER PLANET) was a newspaperman long before he started writing SF. He wrote on a portable manual typewrite, and then OCR’d it for editing. He’d set his typewriter up at his table in the dealer’s room at conventions, and work on stories during the slack periods.
I’ve often thought the idea setup for an office would be to have a reconditioned IBM Selectric adapted to work as a computer keyboard, so you could simultaneously type a paper copy and create an editable file. If I had that, I’d mark up the edits on the paper copy—your eyes will catch things on paper that they’ll miss on the screen—and then enter them on the computer using a conventional keyboard for that stage.
Dear Lou...we miss him and his wonderful, acerbic commentary. Gone too soon. There are computer keyboards you can purchase now that give the sound and feel of a good typewriter, but there's nothing quite like the sound of a Selectric. I have a friend with several he rescued from the university scrap pile, and he keeps them in good condition, having a solid relationship with the repair guy who worked for the same Uni.
I also find I miss things on the screen that I catch on paper.
I learned to type on what I consider to be the best typewriter of all time. The IBM Selectric. Those things were a dream to type on. Smooth. Powerful. klackataklackatahklackatak [DING]
I loved those old things. I cannot use these modern "silent" keyboards some people like to grab. There's just nothing there. Give me a good mechanical keyboard that klackatas at me as I go because that is what I need to keep going. Now if only I could replicate that [DING] I would be in heaven. :)
The Selectric with the ball that could easily be chamged for different fonts was AWESOME!
This is delightful. And if anyone ever needs a transcriptionist, that's my favorite thing. I excel at it. I've actually been the recipient of the greatest adventure ever--asked to transcribe a novel, a novella, and 21 short stories which were found in a long-deceased author's files when his heirs passed them along. Two are published, the third is in edits. (I'm also an editor.) Transcription is my first love, but editing is also a blast! (I know, I'm a rare, weird bird!)
I learned to type in high school, on a typewriter (ca. 1979). I typed on an old manual machine at home, then got an electric machine at some point in my senior year (Christmas present?). That machine got me through college. I have an old typewriter out in the garage. I think it was Gordon's dad's. 1940s? 30s? I'll have to dig it out. Maybe it needs to go to Writer's Cantina next year. I can just set it up in the cantina and people can have fun with it. Everybody should try a typewriter. It's such a kinetic way to write.
❤️ get pics!
I learned to type on an IBM selectric. I can or could type about 80wpm on a typewriter. (Maybe a little faster on the computer.)
The manuscript for my first novel (The one I wrote with my best friend) is typewritten, double spaced, and error free. It's in the desk at home.
I sometimes miss sitting down at a typewriter and losing track of time.
Error free is impressive. I can type quickly, or I can type accurately, but rarely both.
There are moments when I wish I had my old Smith-Corona Manual, or my Brother electric. Thanks for the article.