09.09.07
More Typewriter vs. Computer
This site got so much traffic from our recent post on “Typewriter vs. Computer” that I couldn’t resist writing a few more words on the subject.
Apparently, a lot of people are typing “typewriter vs. computer” or “word processor vs. computer” into search engines. I have no idea if it’s because they’re considering upgrading (it’s definitely time to consider!) or because they are wondering whether the typewriter would be a better tool for creative writing.
Personally, I think the only advantage of a manual typewriter, such as the one I own, is its light weight and portability. If you plan on keeping the typewriter in one place, I would recommend an electric typewriter with mistake correction (like the IBM Selectric my grandmother used to have in her home office) much more than a manual typewriter.
As for creative writing, I can’t imagine that a typewriter would necessarily help you write anything you wouldn’t already write on a word processor or even on a cocktail napkin.
You are basically going to write whatever you are meant to write and almost nothing will deter you.
Link (to “Typewriter vs. Computer” original post)
waltzingaustralia said,
October 27, 2007 at 1:18 am
As I writer, I definitely depend on the capabilities offered by my computer. I gave my typewriter away years ago. That said, all note-taking is still done longhand, as is poetry writing — the note-taking because they still haven’t made a laptop as light as a spiral-bound notebook (plus, I can actually write in a jeep going down a rocky road, but I can’t imagine trying to type), while poetry just takes a lot more thought — and it just seems right to create poetry longhand. But all my writing for money goes through my Mac keyboard. I’ve trained myself to the point where, even if I have no ideas, sitting down at the Mac triggers an almost Pavlovian response to start writing.
Tommi said,
March 5, 2008 at 7:17 am
Give up my writing machine? No way. But the jeep thing in waltzingaustralia’s comment is interesting.
http://worstwriter.wordpress.com/2008/02/18/nova-idears-first-short-film/
-tgs-
Danny said,
September 1, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hi. I stumbled across this searching for lightweight manual typewriters.
I’d like to offer my reasons for using a typewriter instead of a computer.
With a typewriter, unless you use a lot of correction fluid, you get a bona fide first draft. When that’s done, you do a 2nd draft, and so on. But with a computer, you can work forever on the first draft, simply because everything can be changed at any time. I find that with a typewriter, I type and go. With a computer, I type and highlight and delete and type a bit more and backspace and re-type and cut and paste and on and on.
In the end, I get much more done with a typewriter.
There’s also something solid about finishing a page, pulling it out of the typer, and inserting a new one. It gives the feeling of accomplishment, much more than CTRL+S and CTRL+P.
Plus, the font can’t be beat.
escaperabbit said,
September 2, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Thanks for the interesting comments!
You make a good point. Maybe computers do make me a sloppier writer. I definitely would spend more time thinking before I typed if I was using my old IBM Selectric — which had error correction, but it definitely took longer.
I recently had an experience editing/rewriting a paper for someone who required a very minimal word length. It was fun trying to tell a detailed story in the fewest words possible, and being concise without losing any meaning or impact. It was a nice glimpse at a kind of “tight” writing that I rarely have the chance to do these days.
It’s amazing to the think that most of the world’s great literature was NOT written on a computer.
Yaz said,
September 21, 2009 at 8:19 am
I am currently working on a screenplay. A field revloved around the typewriter. However, I’m currently using a computer, as do alot of moderne – day screenwriters.
Unfortunately, when using a computer to write a screenplay, some things have to be taken into consideration:-
– font must be representative of the typewriter (courier 12pt)
– margins and spacing must be representative of the typewriter
– italics are to be avoided, as did not exist on the typewriter
Basically, screenwriting is a craft that refuses to evolve. Hence, the typical stereotype screenwriter is some American guy sitting at a typewriter puffing on a cigarette, flicking off some ash into an ash tray, still typing with the other hand.
The “spacing and margins” that I spoke about, and actually the general format of a screenplay, is quite simply; a bitch, on something like MicrosoftWord.
So, you need to purchase some expensive software (free software does exist, but FinalDraft is the industry standard).
Or…
By a typewriter.
I just might.