I used to write my monthly magazine on a typewriter when I was about 10. Took me all day, including illustrations. And the crossword always took a while to create. Happy days! Thanks for reminding me and giving me a peek into your morning routine.
Here I am reading first thing in the morning when I should be meditating! But my Terrier has been sick during the night and I feel too jangled. I always enjoy reading about people's different writing/early morning rituals and yours sounds perfect. I have a portable yellow typewriter in my study. It's no longer functioning but I am hugely sentimental about it since I watched it in a newsagents' window (in the UK) for weeks, before my mum eventually purchased for me. I was 14. Really enjoy your writing, thanks for this little lift today.
I much prefer journalism by hand first thing. For me it seems to be much more Freeing. My thumb in particulars a bit inhibiting, so wear a support which helps.
Thankyou for your article. My Typewriter goes back to 1965, bought as first acknowledgement I wanted to write. I was 17
I also think you would enjoy Kent Peterson’s Substack.
I remember we had a black Underwood typewriter. Thinking back I’d have to say I liked it better than the newer electric ones. But then I’d rather do long division than user my phone’s calculator.
There’s something about rituals that grounds a person. I enjoyed you telling us about yours. Here’s to the beginning of another day tomorrow. Maybe the snow will be gone. 😊
I would like to suggest that you look at Kent Peterson's substack, Notes From a Rolltop Desk.. Kent collects manual typewriters and is a skilled carver. He writes and posts something on Substack every day, always typewritten on one of the machines from his collection. It's called Kent's Substack.
It was a peaceful interlude in my already serene day to read about your shed, daily meditation, and efforts on your typewriter. I took typing in high school, a long time ago, and got up to 120 WPM. I enjoyed it but never had a need to utilize that skill. I remember WhiteOut, for correcting mistakes, not the kind that can occur during a snowstorm.
I used to write my monthly magazine on a typewriter when I was about 10. Took me all day, including illustrations. And the crossword always took a while to create. Happy days! Thanks for reminding me and giving me a peek into your morning routine.
Wow. At 10! Impressive.
It only had a readership of 4! :D
I love this. I still remember learning to type on a manual typewriter. You need strong fingers, but the sounds are wonderful.
Same ✌️ Learned on a manual
Here I am reading first thing in the morning when I should be meditating! But my Terrier has been sick during the night and I feel too jangled. I always enjoy reading about people's different writing/early morning rituals and yours sounds perfect. I have a portable yellow typewriter in my study. It's no longer functioning but I am hugely sentimental about it since I watched it in a newsagents' window (in the UK) for weeks, before my mum eventually purchased for me. I was 14. Really enjoy your writing, thanks for this little lift today.
Take care fo that terrier. :) And find a repair shop that will get that typewriter humming.
I will do both of these - thank you!
I much prefer journalism by hand first thing. For me it seems to be much more Freeing. My thumb in particulars a bit inhibiting, so wear a support which helps.
Thankyou for your article. My Typewriter goes back to 1965, bought as first acknowledgement I wanted to write. I was 17
Lovely!
I also think you would enjoy Kent Peterson’s Substack.
I remember we had a black Underwood typewriter. Thinking back I’d have to say I liked it better than the newer electric ones. But then I’d rather do long division than user my phone’s calculator.
There’s something about rituals that grounds a person. I enjoyed you telling us about yours. Here’s to the beginning of another day tomorrow. Maybe the snow will be gone. 😊
Oh I get it. I make coffee the old fashioned way — the ritual of grinding— the Moka pot — the ramping. It’s a tactile thing, right?
Exactly.
I would like to suggest that you look at Kent Peterson's substack, Notes From a Rolltop Desk.. Kent collects manual typewriters and is a skilled carver. He writes and posts something on Substack every day, always typewritten on one of the machines from his collection. It's called Kent's Substack.
It was a peaceful interlude in my already serene day to read about your shed, daily meditation, and efforts on your typewriter. I took typing in high school, a long time ago, and got up to 120 WPM. I enjoyed it but never had a need to utilize that skill. I remember WhiteOut, for correcting mistakes, not the kind that can occur during a snowstorm.
I’ll check that out. Ali read “The Typewriter Revolution” — great book. Tim Hanks is a big fan. And yes — WHITEOUT!
Whoops predictive text..journalling
Quite a history with the typed word. And I admire the freehand. I find my hands get really sore writing cursive these days. Muscles I don’t use much.
I had school typing also. A room full of clacking for an hour!