In between working, taking care of poorly children and (trying to find time for) writing, I’ve somehow managed to buy two typewriters. Since buying them I’ve been tinkering and having a crack at drafting with both. I’ve also been dipping into some of the great typewriter blogs out there (more on those in a future post).
Along the way I stumbled across the typecasting flavour of blogging and decided to give it a go myself. My apologies for the typos, still finding my feet fingers again after too many years without a typewriter.The following was typed on this little beauty, a Bluebird from the 1950s:
Since typing that this afternoon, my eldest has indeed taken possession of the Underwood 18. I’m looking forward to seeing what he writes on it. He’s already typed a joke out on it which was actually pretty funny.
Suffice to say, they’ll be more typecasts from me, and I’ll let you know how the first draft of my latest short short goes once I make a start next week. Can’t begin before then as I’d forgotten how loud a typewriter can be, need to wait until everyone’s out the house and I have a writing morning to myself.
Until then, here’s a typewriter related video that made me smile:
Dan Powell 
9 Responses to Inaugural Typecast
Dan – this looks like my efforts at typing on my mother’s old typewriter! And the video is fab – I remember the tune from my childhood, so it’s great to see that it’s actually survived on film.
I certainly need more practice. The machine probably needs a bit of service too. Not having any luck finding someone nearby who can give it a clean and oil. Might have to learn how myself. Glad you liked the video.
Excellent stuff, Dan. I’m a convert too. Also, excuse the shameless plug but my typewriter and I will be “performing” our first residency soon: http://www.reauthoring.co.uk/oysterfestival/
I bet you have a few young’uns pop by who have no idea what a typewriter is. My lads were intrigued by the strange machine that arrived through the post at first – now my eldest is writing stories and creating wanted posters with his.
Nothing shameless about that plug. Looks like a great event. All the best for it. I look forward to hearing all about it on your blog.
Likewise, my kids are fascinated by my typewriter. Give them a machine made for writing and they use it to write. Who’da thunk it? Middle child starts secondary school in Sept and will be issued with…. an iPad.
Hi Dan. Your typewriting efforts look great. I’ve been drawn to the machines myself after sourcing various pics for novel research, but have settled for a nifty keyboard & stand combo for my iPad, along with a marvellous app called iA Writer. It provides an utterly blank page to type on, feels sort of like a typewriter (no noise though, and the ability to correct my endless typos). Check it out. Look forward to catching up with you and the group next week.
I will certainly check out IA Writer. As for iPad keyboards, perhaps you should get one of these: http://www.usbtypewriter.com/
Typewriters modded to perform as iPad/Mac/PC keyboards: the best of both worlds?
I remember the days of getting your typewritten scripts and text in your comics.
I started out using an old 1930s typewriter I bought from a junk shop back in the early 1990s. I had to bodge ribbons onto the spools because I couldn’t buy a modern ribbon that fit.
I have been contemplating returning to the typewriter, but that’s just because I want an excuse to buy one of those rubbers in the shape of a pencil with a brush on the end.
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