Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Dragonchilde — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 23:58:45 +0100

The clickety clack of the keys isn't easily replaceable by some fancy tablet's sound effects. Nothing is like the feel of an old-school typewriter. Rolling old-school? Talk about it here!

Re: Typewriters

invdrzim — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:12:26 +0100

A few months back I tried writing my screenplay with my typewriter. Worked really well, so I'm going to give it another whirl and hopefully the clackity-clack-clack with shoot some inspiration into my novel. Mine's a pink 1950's Royal, if anyone is curious :) Here's a picture on one of my blogs.

Re: Typewriters

Selene_Hart — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:59:22 +0100

Welcome to a fresh year Typewriter Brigade!! I can't wait to see everyone again this year, and the machines we will be working with.

Re: Typewriters

BullRunBear — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:48:48 +0100

Ahhh! The aroma of NaNo is in the air! Now to begin the delicate task of deciding which typewriter will be my primary machine. I made an unofficial decision to use portables this year and give the massive desktops a month respite. The current candidates are an Olympia SM4 and the Olivetti 21. The SC Silent-Super is making a strong case for VP in charge of outside the house efforts. Of course, this is all subject to change, as always. And a Lamy Safari fountain pen, along with a pad, is available for those typewriterless moments. Now I just need a story idea. Hmmm! I couldn't participate last year and have been looking forward to this for months. Welcome back, everyone. Jeff

Re: Typewriters

Selene_Hart — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:22:22 +0100

Has anyone noticed that this year's badges have typewriters on them? :3 At least one set of them. I have honestly been looking forward to this since last November. Countdown and everything! I've even convinced several members of my family to join in this year; as if my insanity didn't scare them off last year. I agree though, choosing which model to be my main typewriter for this NaNo season is quite daunting but I do know that it will be portable. Big Bertha, my Underwood Noiseless, is just not appropriate for this NaNo season. I'm leaning towards my Royal QDL that I adore. Not to heavy to lug around and types lovely! Another option is my Smith-Corona Galaxie Deluxe named Ziggy. A third contender in this NaNo guessing game is the Royal Aristocrat that I purchased this summer. However, due to a sudden death in the family and driving out to California for a month I have yet to test this machine extensively.... BullRunBear, I've gotta ask now. How does your Lamy Safari pen write? I'm thinking of purchasing one either shortly before NaNo or after it as a prize to me for winning.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:18:39 +0100

Got my Lettera 22 adjusted for commute use and plan to use the HH a lot at home, but will probably mix a lot of others in. Can't wait to start!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:33:43 +0100

I'm back for another year!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:47:31 +0100

Woo hoo! The 2011 edition of the Brigade! You know November's around the corner for sure now. I've got some trouble this year, with a possible business trip smack dab in the second week of Nano. I've got a couple portables, but I have my doubts on my ability to transport them to the site and back. (Puts thinking cap on) Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:48:00 +0100

It's good to be back with the Brigade! I tried Camp NaNo this past July, and it just didn't happen for me. Why? Because there was no Brigade around, that's why. I'm not going to be trampled by the Rhino this fall like I was this summer.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DuffyMoon — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:04:58 +0100

Welcome back everyone. Y'all realize this is YEAR NUMBER FIVE for the Typewriter Brigade? (sniff) They grow up so fast, don't they? Since I apparently don't know when I'm licked, I'm back for another try at this. I'm busy calibrating my Electromagnetic Plot Snatcher on the Moon Family roof. Should be receiving a signal any day now.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 17:38:18 +0100

Booyah! I've got my Remington and Smith-Corona waiting, and might even enlist my poor old Olivetti with the busted lever.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:05:53 +0100

Well, my post is missing, but this year, I'm heading up the Typewriter Mafia yet again. I don't got a working NaNo caliber typewriter, so you know, I'll be representing those who are still members just not active, if that makes sense.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BullRunBear — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:06:25 +0100

Selene, The Lamy Safari is an astonishing value. I bought one with an EF nib for about 35 bucks wich included the converter. I prefer to use bottled ink. It is smooth and absolutely reliable, never fails to write immediately. I liked it so much I got another one the same week. It is my go-to pen when away from the desk. One of them is now the best editing pen I've ever used, filled with Noodler's Widow Maker red ink. They don't match my Pelikan fountain pens (my favorites) but they are excellent and cost less than one tenth what a good Pelikan or Waterman will set you back.. I haven't tried the broader nibs (yet) but only because the EF nibs suit me so well. Jeff

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Selene_Hart — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:31:04 +0100

Thanks for this. :) I've been eying the turquoise one they have with a fine or extra fine nib. Its just....love. The pen speaks to me. I've heard some really great things about Noodler's inks as well, so I plan on picking some up eventually. Especially the Nikita red.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:32:11 +0100

If you're close enough to Puget Sound area to pick up, I will loan you a typewriter. I want them used for writing and I can't use them all.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:51:02 +0100

Sadly, that's far away from me. But thank you. :) I'll eventually find a gem or get my SCSS fixed, but right now, I'll be writing on paper and comp...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

rosiecotton — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 19:51:24 +0100

I have declared the Lamy Safari the official pen of the typosphere. They seem to go well with typewriters... I have one of the aqua variety, with a fine nib. It's purty.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

rosiecotton — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:25:07 +0100

Hi, I'm RosieCotton, known elsewhere as Little Flower Petals, LFP, or Elizabeth. I've been here forever: this will be my tenth year, which is either really cool, really sad, or really scary, depending on your perspective. I will likely do most of this year by hand (pencils are my weapon of choice for starting out, though I'll likely use fountain pens as well), but have plenty of typewriters around for when the mood strikes. At home, the best is a giant Olympia SG-1, and when out and about, lately it's the plain little grey Lettera 31 that gets the most use.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

cornage — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:47:56 +0100

I'm Candace, or satchmotypes, and this is my 7th year of NaNo, 2nd using typewriters. :D I have a Smith-Corona Skywriter as the super-portable favorite for most of my writing...and I'm going to try to borrow my friend's Royal KMM for desktop madness. Now all I need is a plot...or maybe a character...or...something! Then again, maybe not. ;)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:49:08 +0100

If anyone in or near southern New Mexico needs a typewriter, I'm also willing to lend, though I recognize that the logistics could be prohibitive.

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wordrebel — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:58:35 +0100

Ahhhhh...... It's good to be home!! Still not sure what machine I'll be using this November. SC Classic 12? Royal HH? It's good to have choices!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:10:50 +0100

Hey, we're the same! It's also my 7th NaNo and 2nd year using a typewriter. :-D I'll be using my trusty Olympia SM-9 again for writing at home, and my Lettera 22 for write-ins.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:34:01 +0100

All my favorites are pica, so much like last year, I can sit at home and write with my Olympia SG1 in my closet (yes, my closet is where its set up on a typing table) or a Hermes 3000 on my lap (or on the road or "in" the car, I suppose) or toss my Olivetti Lettera 32 in my backpack and write out and about! Add in an Olympia SM9 (my 2009 nanowriter) and I've got many options for many moods, but all look and formatted identically on paper. This worked well for me last year and made my page counts really easy to gauge. 3.5 pages, single spaced / day and all is good in my house!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 02:45:05 +0100

Similar system, here, but I gravitate towards pica machines and use double-spacing for edits after-NaNo. 6-8 double-spaced pages per day will easily make the 50K mark in a month. Plus, there's something so satisfying about seeing that paper pile up. You don't get that kind of warm feeling from watching a file size get larger. If I get into a pinch, I switch to an elite or an 11-pitch machine (some Olympias) and keep lying to myself that I still need to make the 6-8 daily pages. That's usually good for a quick wordcount boost.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

butchcraft — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:31:20 +0100

I think this may be my first year creeping into the Typewriter Brigade. Do I still qualify if I also use my laptop and tablet? I owned a typewriter when I was a kid, but my parents donated it to a museum while I was at summer camp (cue sad music). I bought an electric typewriter at a Goodwill recently and fell in love. A Coronamatic, but I have my eye on several manual typewriters at the antique shops downtown. Do want. Waaaaant.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:13:34 +0100

Even wanting to be in the Brigade is good enough qualification to be in the Brigade. Welcome aboard! DOn't know what kind of ribbon the Coronamatic takes (is that the cartridge on the side?) but most manual machines used a standard 1/2" wide ribbon which you can find at most office supply stores, disguised as printer ribbon or the like. Here's a link to a semi-official Brigade FAQ: https://secure.flickr.com/groups/typewriter_brigade/discuss/72157624810912703/ Among other things, you can learn about the joy of respooling ribbons, which you may have to do, depending on where you buy your replacements (and what form they take.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

cornage — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:53:12 +0100

Er...just realized it's my 6th year, not 7th. :( Oh well! Still my 2nd with the typewriters. Good luck to us both! I would like to own both of those typewriters, someday, but I don't find many in small-town Idaho and rarely can afford the shipping to buy one from somewhere else! :P

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

MyBucketGone — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:13:08 +0100

Hello! This is my first year here and I was pleasantly surprised to see that there is already a group of people dedicated to using a typewriter. Hopefully, I'll be using my Smith Corona Super Coronet Super 12. I can't wait!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:04:29 +0100

I double-spaced my first year (2009, for those keeping track at home) and did love the pages piling up. After the fact, I found that I did better editing by retyping or keeping notes in a journal and then retyping. So, I save some paper and psychologically, getting 3-4 pages out a night is so much easier than 6-8. I do like your elite trick. Anything I can do to trick my brain is welcome!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:44:19 +0100

Dude, it must just be our swath of the country--I live south of you and can't find typerwtiers either... Although Jeff (Bullrunbear) (if I remember right) might be close to you, and his town is very productive...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

butchcraft — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:08:28 +0100

It takes the proprietary Coronamatic cartridge, which I have to buy online (ugh). I work at a Staples, so I am familiar with the manual ribbons. My parents thought they wouldn't be able to find any, that's why they gave away mine without actually trying to look. Thanks!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 15:35:06 +0100

Staples is where I buy my ribbons. There's an all-black one meant for an Okidata printer that I purchase (I don't need the red side.) It's about the same length of a "classic" typewriter ribbon -- 12 yards -- and comes on plastic spools that fit in many machines. Do not buy/use the one labeled "universal typewriter ribbon" which is half black/half white correction material. The white stuff flakes off and gets into the machine, which does nobody any favors. Besides, the whole point of NaNo is *not* making corrections as you go. Let those mistakes shine until editing, much, much later.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

stet — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:15:58 +0100

As this is my first year as an ML, it won't be my year to use a typewriter. But my daughter (she's 12) has a gorgeous pre-war German manual typewriter that I'm itching to novel on, so some day, when I've got nothing left to prove, I will use that as my NaNo machine. (We have a couple of electric typewriters sitting around, too, but, being an old fogey, I learned typing on a manual and that's still what says "typing" to me. It even smells like typing.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DuffyMoon — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:39:35 +0100

I'm afraid we'll need visual evidence on the German manual typewriter. Gorgeousness must be confirmed. (Okay, I just enjoy gratuitous typewriter shots!)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:11:00 +0100

howdy all. this new setup is purty. yes, let's see that prewar german machine... i'm working on practice pages. this aztec 500, postwar east german machine, is an interesting option if i can just get the bottom of the case off... [how many aztecs are there in germany anyway?] i'm drooling to do pages that mean it. the group seems goodsized already. let's bang on keys!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:14:49 +0100

wow.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Generalist — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:52:08 +0100

I really need to get my college typewriter up and running again. It is an Olivetti Praxis 48, an office grade electric typewriter with an aftermarket carrying case. I typed a lot on it, including a number of stories.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

stet — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 19:36:30 +0100

Missa's typewriter can be seen at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lexington-Fiction-Writers-Group/156642527722729 where it serves as the totem animal for Lexington Fiction Writers' Group's Facebook page. Obviously, Aztecs in Germany needs to be *some*body's NaNo novel.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:00:09 +0100

To each his/her own, of course. I personally like the joy of scribbling all over the draft afterwards: shows those words who's in charge. All those pages do feel like a lot some days, though, especially if I'm behind. My NaNo word counts are all based on self-deception, though, like I'll "pretend" not to have typed anything that morning, so I need to do an extra page or two at lunchtime. By mid-month I'm usually so brain-weary that I'll believe anything.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:29:42 +0100

Scratch that, It's not Jeff (bullrunbear.) Different person I'm thinking of.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BreezyShrugged — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:33:00 +0100

I bought two typewriters this summer in anticipation of using them for NANO but neither panned out.. :'( Good luck and godspeed Typewriter Brigade

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:05:55 +0100

Whilst I shan't be novel-writing this year (am working on a non-fiction researchy book at the moment) I shall be cheering on all you Brigadiers. As as the owner of 12 portable typers, I'll be able to feel your joys and pains from afar. (Am actually thinking of using my Studio 44 (affectionately named The Iron Duck) for my notetaking!) A not-so-gratuitous blog post showing my collection is here: http://bit.ly/nNgvRz Write On!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:25:50 +0100

How does being an ML keep you from using a typewriter? Not picking a fight, I'm just curious. You know that few (none?) of us actually validate our typewritten drafts, right? That's just crazy. Wordcount in the Brigade is all done by estimating and then chugging out something with the Lorem Ipsum generator for the official word count robots. I ask mainly because I've entertained the idea of MLing for our own region at times, and I'm dedicated to NaNo on the typewriter.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:32:19 +0100

Hi guys! I've been challenged to do my entire novel this year on my typewriter (a yellowed, sticker-covered Brother manual with a habit of putting spaces in the middle of words). The bit I'm not looking forward to is lugging the little rotter to meet-ups and back. How do you guys handle the weight when taking typewriters places?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 23:38:32 +0100

You're not out yet. Have you tried posting a "wanted" ad on your local Craigslist and Freecycle? Someone is bound to have a typewriter sitting around in a closer or attic. If you mention it's for a writing project, that may even get more pity. The Brigade is not above appearing pitiful to get what we want.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:00:37 +0100

First, we need to see a picture of this marvel of creative energy. Second, I don't know that there is much of a solution other than 1) Buying a small, "travel" typewriter (Skyriter, Hermes Baby or Rocket or the like) for the road or 2) Just lugging your regular typewriter around Your reward for going the typewriter route is that you have your choice of seats at write-ins, when everyone else is huddled around the electrical outlets, jockeying for a comfortable position within the range of their power cords. But! You've got nearly three weeks to get your arms into shape. Assuming this is a portable (please tell me it's a portable!), try casually walking around your apartment/home/neighborhood with the typewriter until you can manage to pretend that your shoulder isn't being dislocated. Maybe carry something in your other hand for balance, like a pet, a gallon of milk, or a sackful of bricks. Come November 1st, you should be packing the biceps of a superhero. You could also look into getting an AlphaSmart for write-ins: they last for ages on a few batteries (seriously, we're talking a year at least.) They're quiet, and you can always say that you bought it for transcribing your typewritten draft after NaNoWriMo is over. At home, you type, and in the write-ins, you become an AlphaSmartie. Just remember where your true loyalties lie, kiddo.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:12:51 +0100

Pictures will come as soon as I can have typewriter and camera in the same place. :) I had a feeling it would be something like that. At the moment I don't intend to buy another device, typewriter or other (if I have more than one I fear it will open the floodgates to many more than one...) so lugging it is. I'll just have to get to lifting weights, I guess!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 00:33:04 +0100

When the two are united, please consider adding the photos to our flickr group: flickr.com/groups/typewriter_brigade/ Once posted, you can share the photos within a post by including the HTML link that flickr helpfully provides under "Share > Grab the HTML/BBCode" -- the Small or Medium size is probably a good choice. Copy and paste the HTML code into a post box, and presto!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 02:18:32 +0100

the aztec. i'll take some fresh action shots soon enough. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindbum/3806014943/in/photostream/ perhaps a character. or a chapter or story. or bmw aztec. jetpowered typewriter car.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

stet — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 03:51:05 +0100

I haven't used a typewriter since, oh, the early nineties, and I know my fingers are out of practice. So I'll wait to join the Brigade until I know I can successfully write 50K on the machine. I'll be attending a bunch of local write-ins (including an all-nighter) and I guess I'm just too dependent on light and portable technology this year (especially since I don't have a car, so I'm carrying my iPad with me). But one of these years, when I know I can do it, I want to officially cast my lot in with the rest of you and use Missa's Micewriter.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DownToTheWire — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:01:44 +0100

Goodness, we're off to a fast start. Page 2 already? I seem to have crossed the threshold of Typewriter Critical Mass (TCM), as they're showing up of their own volition now. A huge Royal KMM desktop machine just showed up the other week. I'll have to do a few warmup pages on that beast to see if I want to use it for NaNo. Good to see everyone again, and some new faces already!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Prince_Shadari — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 08:51:39 +0100

Hey everyone, this will be my second year doing NaNo and first year attempting it with a Typewriter. I actually just recently got my Type Writer, my parents were just about to throw it out when I rescued it. It's a Smith Corona SD250 Electric Type Writer. I'm fully expecting to go through my manuscript and find a whole bunch of spelling errors, as I'm a terrible speller. Still, it's a beautiful machine, and as an added bonus it was my grandmother's. As such I'll be writing my novel on my grandmother's Type Writer. I'm also not sure how ironic it is that I'm writing Sci-Fi this year, seeing as I'm quite certain that all of my favourite sci-fi novels were written on typewriters.

Links Ahoy!

mclemens — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 18:13:48 +0100

For Brigadiers new and old... er, "veteran": The Brigade brag book: a flickr photo group for showing off your typing machines, workspace, drafts, pens, cats or other NaNo-related paraphernalia. A FAQ about life in the Brigade: finding typewriters, ribbons, pointers for repairs, and (new!) how to digitize your work when you're done. You saw Ari's post on the OLL blog about using a Smith-Corona electric, right? Of course I linked back here, so the web will swallow itself. Bwah ha ha ha!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:03:13 +0100

Hi everybody this is my third year doing NaNo and first year trying it with a typewriter. I got my Remmington Model 5 streamline over the summer and I'm really excited to try using it for NaNo. It's a wonderful typewriter, the only trouble is the carriage doesn't like to go all the way to the left when I type. I've been able to get it to move all the way over by sliding a book under the right side. Would anyone happen to know a better solution for when I take it to write ins?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:12:34 +0100

Offhand, it sounds like the spring drum is a little unwound, or perhaps the drawband (the cord that pulls the carriage) is stretched out. If you have any way to measure it, about how much force does it take to pull the carriage to the right, as if you're starting a new line? It should take about 2 to 2 1/2 pounds of force, typically. I've done the propping-up trick when I'm replacing a cord.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:17:21 +0100

It doesn't seem to take too much force to pull it to the right, though I can't measure it and give you an actual number for force.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:27:38 +0100

You can hang a (known) weight from the right-hand knob to see how much force it requires to move the carriage. That should at least help narrow down the problem. Also, never underestimate the value of a good cleaning. Some well-meaning people used lubricating products in typewriters that, over time, gum things up. WD-40 is one of the worst offenders. If you wipe down the carriage rails -- the parts that the carriage moves along -- you'll probably liberate it from a lot of grime and gunk. Many typewriter users were also smokers, and aged nicotine crust isn't exactly a slippery substance. The rails can be spiffed up with a very, very thin application of light oil, like sewing machine oil. Working the carriage back and forth along cleaned and oiled rails may be enough to fix the problem.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 20:43:23 +0100

I cleaned the rails off a bit and oiled them and there didn't seem to be much improvement. However while looking at the underside I checked the drawband I think, and when it got to the point where the carriage no longer wanted to move I pulled on the band a bit and the carriage came over easily.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:36:19 +0100

I searched around a bit and looked up how to wind the spring drum. Thank you so much for your help, the carriage moves perfectly now.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

JimiJam — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 23:58:14 +0100

I have to make a point to come back here when I have more time, but sign me up for the Typewriter Brigade!!! I've got 7 wonderful machines, even though only 3 of them are currently in working condition: two Royals (a Safair and an HH), and an SCM Super-Sterling. Here's a shot of all 3 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=208957662495128&l=6674ea164f

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:20:58 +0100

Awesome! Glad it was a relatively simple thing. Spring issues can sometimes mean the difference between Brigade Happiness and Slumming it with a Laptop. This is, by the way, exactly how you can justify getting a spare machine or two. "What if some crucial part gives out on me?! I'd better have a spare machine."

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:31:23 +0100

Hi, Brigadeers! It's good to be back! This will be my sixth NaNo and my third year using a typewriter. In 2009 I used my first typewriter, a Smith-Corona Coronet Automatic 12 electric typewriter, to do a couple of scenes and discovered that the words flowed much better. Last year I wrote my novel exclusively on typewriters. I didn't go to any write-ins because I didn't have a car, but I had three to choose from: a Remington Quiet-Riter, a Corona Silent, and an Underwood 450. Since November my collection has kind of exploded. Cornelius, the Coronet Automatic 12, is currently in retirement; something happened and the shift-lock key doesn't work anymore, so everything I type COMES OUT IN ALL CAPS LIKE I'M SHOUTING AND THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. (Besides, as someone pointed out above, half the fun of being in the Brigade is not having to jockey for a position at the outlets!) I have five portables that make the rounds: Remy, the Quiet-Riter; Tacey, the Silent; Carrie, the Underwood 450; Felix, a Swedish machine called a Facit that types in a really interesting script font; and Henry, a Royal of indeterminate species. I also have one desktop machine, an incredibly old Royal I've dubbed Justinian. I'm not a hundred percent certain what he is either, but thanks to Machines of Loving Grace I at least have some clue. I think Henry might be a Royal DeLuxe, and I'm pretty sure Justinian is a Royal #10 of some vintage. He's in bad shape, though, and I'm pretty sure he won't be in working shape by November. There's also a typewriter at my local thrift store originally priced at $39.99, recently dropped to $29.99, that my mother's been tempting me with...if it drops another ten dollars before Halloween, I might snatch it up, although it's another desktop model and I'm not sure where I'd put it. Still, it's in better shape than Justinian--looks like all it needs is a new ribbon--although sometimes you have to really pound the space bar to get it to advance. (All the other keys work like a dream. And yes, I've been testing it whenever I see it, although carefully--some yahoo put it on a table with some extremely old, extremely fragile-looking china that rattles whenever I hit the spacebar hard enough to make it advance.) So yes...I'm probably going to be writing exclusively on my typewriters this year again, largely because my computer goes a little crazy with the typing sometimes. Or at least I'll be mostly writing on my typewriters...I might do a little bit on the iPad I intend to buy within the next couple of paychecks, but we'll see...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Selene_Hart — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:10:04 +0100

Okay this may sound really really silly, and probably doesn't add much to the conversation, but does the Typewriter Brigade have a Twitter hashtag?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Vain|^| — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 05:07:52 +0100

Glad to be back again. Done six NaNo's, been in the Brigade for two (or three? I can't really remember the dark years before the typewriter) and this year I have two machines. I have my portable Royalite '64 named Harold after Harold Crick from Stranger Than Fiction. He started out a dull shade of brown but he's been repainted black and red and his keys glow in the dark! I might have to go to radio shack though and get a string of LEDs or something and backlight the keys... My other machine this year is a lovely Smith-Corona named Maude for the pun on the color mauve and the dark comedy film Harold and Maude. I haven't played with Maude too much since I saw her shining in the sun outside an antique shop and had to have her, but all the keys were smooth and the various levers and springs in perfect shape so I have high hopes. And of course I have pictures! Harold: http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q95/SVRaven/Typewriters/IMAG0106.jpg Maude: http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q95/SVRaven/Typewriters/IMAG0107.jpg (They do need some better lighting...will have to take them out for a photoshoot next time the sun is out) In any case, can't wait for NaNo to start and the sweet sound of clakkity-clak-clak-clak-ding-swoop!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 09:25:12 +0100

As requested, pictures of my bestickered Brother manual. :) I'm looking to increase the sticker count again this year, though I may have to resort to plastering the case with stickers as well if I can't get some smaller ones to put in the gaps.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:16:13 +0100

That's a good question. I have no good answer. There's always #typewriterbrigade, though I tend to use #typosphere the most (not to be confused with the software of the same name.) What do you think, typemos? #typewriterbrigade? #typosphere? #dielaptopsdie?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

butchcraft — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:06:58 +0100

Sharing is caring! My Pride Line Coronamatic. $12.50 from Goodwill. Works like a charm, except that it has this habit of returning all the way to the beginning of the page, not to the one-inch margin. Not every line, but I can't figure out to fix it when it happens.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

emilymayhem — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 23:25:36 +0100

I so wish I could join the Brigade this year, but my typewriter (a Brother electric of some kind that my mom bought me in elementary school from Office Depot) stayed at home on my desk when I went off to college this year. I really have no place to put him (not to mention he is quite loud) so I'll just be wishing this year. Although, I did decide today that my main female character, a quiet girl in her early twenties who works at a library, has a typewriter. She inherited it from her grandmother. Any suggestions as to what typewriter it could be? I might not mention the model in the story, but it's the kind of little detail I'd like to have in my notes just in case. I figured this would be a good place to ask!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Pen and Ink — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 03:27:09 +0100

Add me to the list of those willing to brave the task of writing (at least part) of their novel this year on a typewriter! I actually just recieved my first typewriter this week, but I think I'm already in love! Yes, it has its quirks, it makes noise, and I have to press down harder to type, but there is just something about it that adds a freshness to the act of writing. Whether it is seeing the words on an actual sheet of paper or the fact that it is much harder to get distracted, I'm just absolutely finding it to be so much fun! I've got 17 days to get used to my typewriter and I am definitely looking forward to the challenge!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BullRunBear — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 10:07:14 +0100

Emilymayhem, For your quiet girl librarian I would suggest a Royal Quiet De Luxe manual typewriter. It actually is quieter than most portables, although hardly silent. It is comparatively light weight. They have been made long enough so that a 20-something character could have inherited one from a grandmother. And they are tough. My wife and I have a friend who got hers in 1946. She uses it almost every day. She keeps it covered and it has been serviced (cleaning and lube only) exactly once in 65 years. Hope this gives you a starting point. Jeff

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:25:03 +0100

Check FJAProducts.com for that Coronamatic cartridge - they don't always stock them but when they do you can get them for about $8 a piece, which is cheaper than some of the other places I've seen!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:26:12 +0100

I'm with Duffy!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 16:34:40 +0100

I for one would be fearful to type "#dielaptopdie" into my laptop. Oh crap!! I just _ the remainder of this post removed by malevolent MacBookPro, a.k.a Holden_

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BullRunBear — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 21:52:39 +0100

A side note about using pens when a typewriter isn't handy. RosieCotton declared the Lamy Safari the official Typewriter Brigade fountain pen and I heartlily agree. I rarely use ballpoint pens these days but there are times when they are preferable, such as writing on a rough surface like a picnic table. Anyway, I picked up a Parker Jotter today in a fit of nostalgia. I hadn't had one since grade school in the 50s. Back then it was a big deal to get a clickable, refillable pen instead of the usual stick pens. I tried it out and was surprised at how smooth it wrote. It is better than the Phileas ball pens I normally use. A ballpoint, any ballpoint, is no match for fountain pens but the Jotter will do when conditions call for one. I now carry two pens in my shirt pocket when I leave the house: the Safari and the Jotter. That should cover any contingencies. At least I'm not at the pocket protecter stage yet. Jeff

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:34:16 +0100

Okay, I don't have pictures of all the typewriters in my armada, but here's what I do have: This is Carrie. She's the first manual typewriter I ever got. Balks a little sometimes, but overall quite reliable. This is Tacey. I actually think she might be my favorite. I try not to play favorites, but I like the way she feels. This is Remy. Currently I have a calculator ribbon in him, so he types purple and it's fabulous. He's probably my second-favorite; he's just a little heavier than Tacey and a little more awkward to carry around. And this is Justinian. As you can see, he is not a happy boy.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:16:49 +0100

My Underwood Touch-Master 5 is being wakened from its slumber... It's a brute, but a smooth one at that. It's my workhorse, and was the only typer that saw action for Camp NaNoWriMo in July. When it comes to typers, I find switching up is actually more distracting than anything. That having been said, I have no doubt that my Smith-Corona Galaxie and Royal Sprite will see some duty. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:37:47 +0100

We went on our annual fall leaf trip (to Wisconsin for apples and cheese!) today, and of course stopped at a couple antique shops along the way. The very first one we stopped at had no less than five typewriters -- two models I already had (Remington Standard No. 10 & Underwood Olivetti Studio 44), two that were way out of my price range (a beautiful Remington Portable Model 5 & a Royal desktop which, looking at pictures now, might have been an FP) , and... one little Hermes 3000 for $20 which I scooped right up! It's my first Hermes machine. Can't wait to try it out, but that will have to wait until Monday when I get off work as I work all day tomorrow.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Audentia — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 03:44:25 +0100

I would absolutely love to. However my type writer has been sitting in my room for half a year without a ribbon. I need to get around to getting one (Or finding WHERE I can get one) so I can actually use it. It's not the nicest type writer, but, type writers are typewriters and they are lovely.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 04:04:11 +0100

You should be able to get one at most any office supply store or online from a number of vendors - even eBay! Hope that helps!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 15:13:03 +0100

Love the names, and especially love Harold's paint job. I've thought about using glow-paint and adding some underbody lights on some of my plastic machines. Great minds hack alike. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

KauKatKay — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 22:19:34 +0100

I just bought an old typewriter at a garage sale and I'm still debating whether to use it for me NaNovel or not. It's so cool! AND my genre is steampunk so it fits per-fect-ly! <33

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

RicG — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:02:37 +0100

Back in my newspaper days I wrote on big Royals and Underwoods and loved the sound. The closest I'll get these days is using WriteMonkey with one of the typewriter sounds. The sound is like magic, keeps me sucked in to the work, keeps the conversation going between me and it. But good on all you for keeping the old bangers going.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:21:49 +0100

For those who may not know, there is a group over at Facebook called The Typewriter Collectors Alliance . Come by and tell us about your machines!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Selene_Hart — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:22:10 +0100

I think I've settled for the time being on which of my jewels I'll be using this year. Until I change my mind again. My Royal Quiet Deluxe which is sadly nameless. I love the feel of the glass keys beneath my fingers and the machine moves so smoothly. (Knock on wood). And the case doesn't feel like I'm hauling 50 pounds in my hand! I did drag it out for some quick plotting last night and noticed that the paper wasn't moving smoothly as I moved advanced to the next line. I couldn't tell if it was due to the humidity affecting everything, or if the little roller things were deciding to act up... Pictures of my NaNo jewel soon to come! Once I find the sd card.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:21:04 +0100

I think it's fate -- you need to write at least a little bit on it for sure. The universe is conspiring to make you a Brigadier this year!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 19:08:57 +0100

I am participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time, using a typewriter to write my novel. I'm curious to find out from you typers what kind of typeface you prefer to use, pica or the smaller elite? Double or single space? The only typewriter I have which could be termed "dependable" is my Remington Model 17, which has elite. The other typewriter that I hope to get working is an Olympia SM3, also elite. I'm concerned that my vision is going to go all cross-eyed trying to read the small elite typeface. Just curious to know what the rest of you prefer. I know it depends on the individual, but I'm curious just the same. THANKS!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:20:50 +0100

Last time I did this I typed double-spaced, but this year I'll do single-spaced, since this isn't a serious novel. I'm going to use both sides of each sheet too (I love onionskin, but I'll save that for another time) and try to fill three sheets - six pages - every day. At a conservative average of 400 words per page, that should give me a nice lead for Thanksgiving week, when I might not get any writing done.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DuffyMoon — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:42:46 +0100

Oh Emm Geee. There's a lot of y'all out there. it gives me warm fuzzys knowing there's this many people using the machines I love to bang out novels that - let's just be honest - I probably won't love all that much. But good on y'all. I plan to switch liberally between a dozen or two machines. This is the time of year where, even if I go down in flames (again) I get to play with all the typers I've been neglecting. Onward, all you hypertrophic-finger peeps.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BullRunBear — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 23:51:27 +0100

Cameron, Welcome to NaNo and, especially, the Typewriter Brigade. I hope you find manual typewriters as useful and fun as the rest of us do. We all have our preferences and here are mine. I like double-spaced text which is easier to read and edit. I used to prefer pica to elite, figuring it would be easier to read. (The eyes aren't they were 40 years ago, or even 20.) I've since learned that as long as the print is clear and crisp from clean typefaces, the type size doesn't matter. Your mileage may vary. Jeff

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:31:19 +0100

Checked out and cleaned my new Hermes 3000 today. :-D It's in great working shape, though the body's scuffed a bit. Unfortunately it didn't come with any ribbon so I can't use it for NaNo (I won't have money for it until halfway through November).

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 02:00:04 +0100

Thanks, Jeff, for your answer. I realize that this was rather a strange question to begin with, but somehow your reply reassures me (along with studentofrhythm's). It's good to know how other writers handle their text. After a bit of experimentation, I find that double-spacing makes elite easier to read. If I choose to write on other typewriters which have pica typefaces, I may decide to single-space. Heck, I've got only 12 typewriters to choose from! ;-) Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BullRunBear — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:11:26 +0100

DuffyMoon has hit on it regarding which machine(s) to use. I do 90+% of my typing on desktop typewriters. NaNo will give me a chance to assuage my guilt about not using the many excellent portables I have. So I'll just switch machines every day or two. That lets me use an Olympia SM3, SM4, SM9 and an SM8 (Yeah, an 8) with a script typeface; SC Silent; a Sears President which is an SC Silent-Super rebadged; an Oilvetti-Underwood 21 (this is the machine that got me started with typewriters); a Royal QDL. There are others but those will get me through the month. Had a chance to get a Hermes Rocket but passed on it. Those really small machines just feel tinny and like toys to me. The Royal QDL is the smallest/lightest typer I like. Given my preference for the Olympia SG1 and a Royal FP (both over 35 pounds), I shouldn't be surprised. Thanks for the suggestion, Duffy. Jeff

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

teripittman — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 20:48:33 +0100

Well, I think I just might be ready to tackle it this year. I have no idea which typer to use and I have no plot or characters yet. I seem to be following the usual timeframe.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:50:45 +0100

It's practically tradition for me to bring out the Beast for my at-home typing: the Royal KMG It's fussy when I go too fast, and the type isn't as clear as it was when new, but when I hit the right speed, that machine can turn out words like an engine. For lunch break typing, I'm thinking about going all Olympia this year, either an SM3 or SM9 here. If I feel like making a spectacle of myself, I'll grab my write-in machine -- the Skyriter -- and head down to the lobby. Nobody bothers me there when I have my Noveling Face on.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Selene_Hart — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 21:58:30 +0100

The Beast has returned! Good lord that is the clearest sign that NaNo is upon us. Forget having word counts cleared and stories freshened up for another year, THIS is the sign. May The Beast provide you with hundreds of thousands of words for many more NaNos to come. :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 01:03:39 +0100

Heh. You know it's serious when the Big Iron gets wheeled out.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 03:58:56 +0100

Your SkyRiter is one great smooth little machine, with a very agreeable, clear typeface. ! Wonderful to type on. Thanks for showing it to me at our mini Type-In!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

jodotha — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:08:35 +0100

Heya - I'm a ML, and I use my typewriter. If you find you're not going fast enough, you can always switch back, but there are a lot of good reasons to use a good typewriter. Being a ML is certainly not prohibitive!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

jodotha — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 05:25:41 +0100

Okay, guys. I'm back for another year. No idea what I'll be writing, but I know I'll be writing on a typewriter. I'm vacationing in NYC at the moment - hoping to find a "new" writer here to take back home to Alaska. Otherwise, it's back to my Gus (Smith Corona Silent Super) who I love just fine but has not had the best restoration. If anyone has any Manhattan or Queens shop suggestions, let me know! Otherwise, I'll continue wandering. It's so good to see y'all again, Brigadiers!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:08:15 +0100

Here's my main machine this year to start with: Signorina Elettra, the elite Lettera 22.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Argobargo — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 18:19:58 +0100

See if you can find a Hermes Baby Typewriter to bring along your business trip. The typewriter is really small but a very good typer.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Selene_Hart — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 22:04:24 +0100

Thats a very gorgeous machine! I've a fondness for Lettera 22s; it was my first typewriter. Because of its condition I've never been able to do a lot of work on it. Its been through a lot with three, sometimes four, generations of my family using it.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:32:08 +0100

Wow, you can't blink around here. Three pages in already. Good to see so many new faces...er, avatars. Soon NaNoWriMo will be all typewriter! So personal intro...I've participated in Nano a few times before, used a typewriter each time. Flamed out last year due to various things. Doesn't look too optimistic this year so far as I've got a move to a new state and a new baby on the way. But I'll try not to let excuses get me down :) I had been writing from Arizona, but now will be joining in from Colorado, outside Boulder. So I have no idea at all where my writing space will be or what it will look like. My current typewriter stable numbers about 9. I used to sort of favor writing pica, double spaced for easiest editing. However, I've found a reliable source of onionskin paper: The Paper Mill Store. On the onionskin I sort of prefer the elite type, both for saving precious paper and aesthetically.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:36:51 +0100

At least you're consistent. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:40:39 +0100

Brady & Kowalski have gotten some press recently, and they're in the NYC area. Looks like you'll be paying NYC-level prices for a machine, though. Unless Gus has serious mechanical issues, a Silent Super is a great machine to use. Very smooth, nice and solid, and a real workhorse.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:40:17 +0100

No excuses! Failure is not an option! Well, actually, moving and a baby are pretty good excuses. So, you just need to write double-time and finish early! [Pause for hysterical laughter/tears] It's almost better not to have an ideal writing space: anywhere you can shove a typewriter on a flat surface near a light source is good. I dream of getting a Big Fancy Desk someday, with a typewriter shelf and drawers for paper and pens and inks and so on. But I think that would put too much Pressure on. Better to stuff myself behind the sofa and facing the boring coat closet (see Beast photo, above.) It's the only way things get done.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

yatsu — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:51:22 +0100

well, i guess i'm not seriously thinking of attempting it, but i do own a Brother EP43 (a teensy little electric thing) that has a habit of looking at me forlornly... i can't get any cartridges for it anymore, so i type on a 96' roll of thermal fax paper. (^_^) and it takes 4x C batteries, so i certainly could take it to my local write-in... and i guess having to retype it would be good for my editing... oh man, i am not getting sucked into this... (yes i am...)

Re: Typewriters

crookedHalo — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:49:45 +0100

Nice pic... I love typewriters (collections) great blog, too!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:14:27 +0100

Resistance is useless!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:16:46 +0100

My ribbon advance is having troubles and keeping me from using mine. Sad day! Have fun using your 22 - she's a beauty!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 16:18:33 +0100

No retyping needed so long as you have a scanner at home - there are a lot of websites that will convert your scans into an editable document! Hey Brigade: what are your fav sites for this??

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Selene_Hart — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:09:50 +0100

There are several nice antique desks on Craigslist that have been looking for a home for months now. But I'm assuming Iowa is a bit of a drive for you... -laugh- Its too bad though since the desks are gorgeous. I know one comes with a machine already in the typewriter drawer. If only I had the room....

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:14:51 +0100

There are some locally, too. The owners have been trying to give them away on Craigslist. I just don't have the space for a massive oak desk, though I very much have the desire for one.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:59:33 +0100

Resistance is futile....

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:04:34 +0100

That's pretty clever, re-purposing fax rolls. Like a modern-day Keroac! Be sure you scan or photocopy those rolls as a backup, though. Thermal paper doesn't age well at all. Retyping does wonders for your draft. I scrawl all over my plain paper copies over the winter holidays. It's very therapeutic.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

rosiecotton — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:06:15 +0100

I've done the scan/OCR thing and it worked pretty well, though it was a lot of work (if less work than retyping everything). And I had a certain amount of trouble due to my tendency to scribble all over my drafts. I gotta say, at least on paper, the idea of using dictation for transcribing typed and hand-written text is really growing on me. I haven't yet experimented with it, though, so it might not be as nice as it seems in my head. MClemens--have you played with this option any more since you blogged about it awhile back?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:39:47 +0100

I haven't done any more tests or training since that blog entry, but I've all but convinced myself that this is THE way my draft will get digitized this year. I'm also a scribbler supreme, and often rewrite whole sections in the gaps between lines, or grab sections from other parts of the draft. I know that Mr. Speegle of Just Write fame used the built-in speech-to-text (STT) software that comes with Windows 7 to turn out a short story, and start transcribing an old draft that he'd been ignoring.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mixandmatch — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:55:11 +0100

Well, I've finally got my butt in gear and I've officially signed back on to NaNo! This year, I WILL WRITE A NOVEL. I'm still a bit ashamed I didn't even try last year.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:53:07 +0100

I'm fortunate enough to have found a very nice writing desk last year. However it has been until recently in the corner of the living room. High traffic and high distraction. I'm supposed to have an office in the house we're moving into this week. Since I'll be working from home a lot. That's what I'm really looking forward to, even if my writing desk ends up in the living room with the bookcases again. I just want a door to close.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 06:57:18 +0100

You could also pick up a non-photo blue colored pencil. I've picked up a few from a local art supply store and they work great. The particular color of blue doesn't scan (at least when doing a black-and-white scan), so you can scribble all over it to your heart's content and still scan in the original text with no problems.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

JonathanS223 — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:09:08 +0100

I LOVE typewriters! When I told my mom I was going to be a writer at the age of 12, she gave me my dad's old college typewriter and I'm still addicted to this day. Love getting to type out the first draft the old fashion way and not as many distractions on the computer (can't surf the internet on a typewriter). Though I do my second and third revisions on the computer, nothing will every replace a typewriter in my eyes!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:58:05 +0100

this is the one I used last year: http://www.onlineocr.net/default.aspx my scanner at home will do ocr but not as well as that site.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:14:46 +0100

If you use pica, one inch margins all around and double space, you should be pretty set at estimating 250 words per page. Dialogue heavy pages will be slightly less, while a lot of narration will be more, so it all averages out. If you use that estimate, when you hit page 200 you win! If you single space, again with pica and one inch margins all around, 475 words per page is the estimate I use. I prefer pica.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:19:42 +0100

Last year, Richard Polt found a really good online OCR site. It costs a few pennies a page, but for a few bucks it handled a couple hundred pages for me. What I did was use my work copier to scan to PDF and then just uploaded the PDF to this website to OCR it. It took about 10 minutes and then I had a word doc that was pretty accurate. I'd certainly do that again for anything I was thinking of retyping.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 23:37:53 +0100

Today I set out to see how long it would take me to type six pages single-spaced. After an hour and 15 minutes I decided to eat lunch, even though I had only typed not quite four pages. But behold: on those (not quite) four pages were 2440 words! And that was with a bit of verse included. I then proceeded to lay out a stack of 45 sheets of paper, which will be my quota for November. My goal will be to fill four pages (average 2500 words) within 90 minutes on weekdays, leaving three days' worth of typing to fill on weekends or after hours. Very pleased.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:14:59 +0100

Hmm, I should probably see if my old scanner is compatible with my new computer. If not, I'll have to wait until I have the money to buy a newer one and my pages won't get scanned and converted for quite a while.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 11:07:54 +0100

So, interesting story about typewriters in my area...I live in Hampton Roads, and we just got a light rail system called the Tide. All over town they have signs for it, about half of which say things like "The Tide is here. Are you?" and the other half of which say "People didn't know they'd like ____ either." There is one that I see almost every day that says "People didn't know they wanted computers either"...and it has a picture of a typewriter on it. I think it's an interesting analogy, although they probably didn't mean this when they put up the sign, but...the Tide only goes through the heart of downtown Norfolk. To get to it, you have to either drive and park in the park-and-ride lots, or connect to it with the bus. They clearly intended it--originally, at least--to replace the bus systems honeycombing the city, but it hasn't. Yes, it's much faster and smoother than the buses, it's not quite as much work to maintain, and it's definitely enjoyable--but for good old-fashioned distance travel, you still need the buses, and you can't beat them. Now think about computers and typewriters...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

JonathanS223 — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 16:19:18 +0100

That's a great analogy, WrittenWord. That sums of typewriters and computers succinctly.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

yatsu — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:28:12 +0100

i was just watching a movie where the main character was a writer who was doing the same thing, and i was like, "dude! that could be me!" maybe my typewriter is sending me signals? (^_^)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

jodotha — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 05:03:09 +0100

Regarding OCR: If you have Microsoft Office, there is an optional install called Microsoft Document Imaging. I find it does remarkably well with OCR. The trick is to scan it at a very high resolution. The lower the resolution, the lower the accuracy. It still has a few bugs, but they're easy to bulk find/replace. For example, it places "Urn" where I've typed "Um" - I guess because Um isn't a real word. On the scanner where I work, I've found that using the highest resolution, grayscale, and a setting called "Original Dot-Matrix" turns out beautiful OCR results. The main complaint with OCR is the loss of formatting - each paragraph break is treated as a hard return. Again, though, this is pretty easy to fix using find/replace in Microsoft Word. Hope that helps!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

LoonyLivesOn — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 14:22:34 +0100

Hey all, It's been a long time since I ventured into the land of typewritten NaNoWriMo but I'm back! This year I'll be using a mysterious portable (manual) typewriter with no further identification than "Hil" on the front left hand side and "No. 80040572 made in Japan, Welco Electronics GmbH" on the back. I was wondering, however, if there was any cure for a particular malady the typewriter has? If I type too quickly or vigorously some keys (most notably the "A", other keys only occasionally) type the letter and then add a space afterwards. While this isn't a dire problem, it is sufficiently irksome! mostly because by the time I realise that my word has been split into two around the a, it's already too late and I've continued on to another word.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 22:00:14 +0100

Loony, it could be your technique: if you let your finger linger around the key after striking it, it's possible that it's bumping your finger on the return trip and slipping that extra space. It's possible that it is a mechanical issue as well, but being a terrible typist myself, I'm inclined to blame the operator first. Here's a test: using just one key that doesn't normally show this problem -- say, "M" -- type a whole line of that letter, all the way across from margin-to-margin. Did it skip anywhere? If there's an escapement problem, you might see a regular gap every tenth letter or so, corresponding to problem. (The escapement runs off a toothed gear down in the guts of the machine that lets the typewriter skip only one space per keypress.) If your line of "mmmmmmm" looks OK, try it again, but this time with the "A" key. Any problems, or is it magically fixed now? If the problem is truly intermittent, chances are its your technique. It could be some gunk on the rails -- the part the carriage slides along -- and you can wipe those off with a cotton ball soaked in some alcohol, or another cleaner. Cleaning fixes many ills. And make sure you're typing quick, even strokes, and getting your fingers out of the way after you type letters. This mainly comes with practice. The big Royal I usually use for NaNo skips like a schoolgirl when I first start using it, because I can over-type it: I am sloppy, and rush some words, and the escapement can't keep up so I get bunchiness and strange spacing at first. Once I slow down a touch, though, and work to press the keys properly -- a fast poke, not a lingering push -- suddenly my problem typewriter isn't a problem anymore. It's humbling. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Argobargo — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 11:44:17 +0100

I found this thread way down on the second page of the forum. So, let's bump it to the top again with a question. What color of the typewriter ribbon do you use, do you mix different colors in your novel - if so, why? A couple of years ago I managed to find a box of old typewriter ribbons from an old repair shop. They were colored the normal black/red and there were also ribbons in the colors green, purple, brown and blue. In this years Nano I'll probably use the purple ribbon. It's easy to read and the quality of the ribbon gives crisp prints on the paper together with my typewriter of choice an Olympia SM9.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:09:00 +0100

I'm not a fan of the mixed black and red ribbons. Besides, I can get double the use of a solid black ribbon by turning it upside down once I hit the end. I guess I wouldn't mind any solid color other than red, since red is what I use for editing.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 15:35:55 +0100

I'm auditioning typewriters, have done about 7 so far. I will definitely use the Lettera 22 and the SM-7 and the HH. maybe the KMC also and there are some others I may bring in for a change of look/feel.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:16:29 +0100

Here's the two bad boys I'll be rocking Nano with this year. The first is a brown Smith-Corona Galaxie Twelve. It's condition is exquisite. I only had to pop in a new ink ribbon and I was off to the races! It's my quickest typer, and it's rhythm is steady and smooth. http://mattvelic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/sc-galaxie-12.jpg The second machine (an Olympia SM4) definitely has got it in the looks department, but requires a bit more muscle and training to use well. I'll probably switch over to the SM4 once I've built up my typing muscles again. http://mattvelic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/olympia-sm4.jpg

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:17:29 +0100

Don't worry, I'm in exactly the same boat. Trying to figure out plot today so I can use the other 6 days for preparation and fleshing it out.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

milly — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:24:52 +0100

AWESOME DISCOVERY ALERT Step 1. Google 'usb typewriter'. Step 2. Watch demo video. Step 3. Freak out because you want it so much.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:27:27 +0100

Very nice! Would definitely solve the issue of multiple backups, wouldn't it?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:58:52 +0100

My SM-4 looks identical to yours and I'm using it exclusively for Nano this year. I've been using it for a few months and I feel like the carriage shift makes me type a little slower and steadily. I kind of like that. I think that making my word count won't matter if I do it typing 50 words per minute or 45, so I should use the typer I enjoy the most.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:31:16 +0100

Absolutely. I feel a bit out of practice, so I know the G12 will help tune me up for the SM4. Honestly, they are both wonderful machines, and I am very lucky that I haven't had any issues with either of them.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:33:16 +0100

I checked out his site -

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:35:03 +0100

Wow, that didn't work at all. I linked to USB Typewriter.com, said he sold his kits on Etsy. $75 for the modification chips, which won't wreck your typer and you can still use paper, or you can give the guy $700 for a pre-configured machine!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

midnight_abyss92 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:25:56 +0100

I have a typewriter, but I didn't have enough room in my car to bring it to college with me :'( Ah well. Just the same, I only got it this August (birthday present from my family; they got me a Remington. They say it's from 1936 or 1939, but from my research, it's probably from 1956), and I still haven't figured out how to change the ribbon, and I probably would've bothered my roommates with that wonderful clicking noise the keys make... I miss my typewriter!! D':

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 20:38:28 +0100

Note that on most manual typewriters, there's a ribbon selector switch (normally red/blue/yellow or red/blue/white) that allows you to set what part of the ribbon (top, bottom or none, also called the stencil setting) so you don't have to flip the ribbon manually. I usually set mine to the top setting until it gets a bit ragged and then to the bottom. Once the whole things is kind of beat up, I change to a new ribbon.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Argobargo — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 21:31:00 +0100

The Hermes 3000 has four ribbon settings; Blue, the top part of the ribbon Red, the bottom part of the ribbon White, cutting stencils and..... Yellow, the central part of the ribbon. I really like that the Hermes has four settings. Using the blue, red and yellow setting I can make a solid colored typewriter ribbon last three times longer than the black/red ribbon. And I really like my Hermes 3000. Perhaps I should use the Hermes 3000 instead of the Olympia SM9. Or should I use both. So far I think I've spent more time choosing typewriter then planning my story... ;)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:41:35 +0100

i got a new machine the other day so i can really ride the meme. woodstock 1938. the summer of lug. it's nice to have a desktop machine. but it's pretty brutal on the ribbon. brown on this machine. blue ribbon on the monarch 5 & groma gromina. red & black on the hermes rocket. and there's a purple around somewhere. i like as many colors as possible in life. i'm too messy for an efficient ocr. and typing the whole thing again is a great way to edit. plus i'm definitely faster on a computer so the second time thru isnt so painful. ok another go at cleaning this machine up. it's smoother each day. http://www.flickr.com/photos/mindbum/6272975044/in/photostream/

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

dccub83 — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:51:26 +0100

Very true. My typers are of this variety. But still, solid ribbon = much more typing FTW.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:39:28 +0100

That looks like a beast! You have to love how they made typewriters to last. Even those aluminum laptops these days are no where near as close to the stability of one of those.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ScyFygirl — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 02:08:53 +0100

I have a pre-Great Depression typewriter, I'm not sure which type. I would use it for NaNo, but it needs repairs. I love it and always feel most creative when I sit at it. I also have an antique sewing machine and collect antique cameras. FYI, my pic is NOT a pic of my typewriter, it's just a photo i found online.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

winsbe01 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:44:20 +0100

Greetings typist friends! This is my first NaNo and I'm going to try it on a mid-fifties mint green royal I bought recently. let's hope the ribbon (and my spirit) holds up throughout November! Now to brainstorm an idea that I can run with for 50,000 words...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

penumbraegirl — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 18:22:45 +0100

This thread is probably the only safe place on the internet that I can admit this, but to be totally honest: I'm mildly tempted.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mixandmatch — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:30:41 +0100

Want. Badly. Though, it's really superfluous for my needs!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 22:48:24 +0100

Sat down at el Beast last night to put some of my scribbled notes on index cards -- my preferred "outline" technique -- and my characters got all excited and started telling me details about their lives, all out of story order. One week, guys, one lousy week left. Patience!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:55:06 +0100

Been studiously avoiding this thread because I've shamefully let my fleet atrophy and none are in working NaNo condition... but guilt is an effective motivator. Maybe I will focus on the pretty Underwood that I never got to work. Or that Remington that needs a new carriage cord. Or the elephant-sized Royal that has ribbon troubles... oh, crudmonkeys. I do love writing on typewriters though, and when combined with historical fiction, they seem to give me a distinct pattern of winning. Hm. In the meantime, here's a set of photos of my fleet: Typewriters! (One new acquisition— a desktop-size Smith-Corona from the '30s— and the above-mentioned Royal and Remington are absent. And I think I sold the cursive Olivetti, like an idiot.... but I was an idiot with far too many typers.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 00:20:06 +0100

Welcome to the Typerwiter Mafia, Yoshi! We're the ones who have typers... that just don't work quite right enough for NaNo.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 15:36:58 +0100

it's certainly heavy enough. desktop machines are always smoothest. and its not gonna drift far on the tabletop ever.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

maschinengeschrieben — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:12:04 +0100

I just decided to participate in NaNoWriMo and I'll see if I manage to do it. I just wrote a test entry (to see if I get 1000 words in about half an hour) about a woman who gets kidnapped by some mysterious guys and then is locked up in a cell with the order "Write 50'000 words in 30 days". I got the 1000 words, thanks to my Hermes 3000. It's a great machine to NaNoWrite on. http://maschinengeschrieben.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:47:46 +0100

If you're a fast typist, you can get NaNo done in one to two hours a day. I waste at least that much time with TV, honestly. The harder part is typing daily even when you have nothing to say. Luckily the Internet has given me much practice. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

xcmer — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:39:42 +0100

Ahh, if i had thought of this earlier! I salvaged an old typewriter from my grandfather's place. the lines i typed as a kid are still on the paper. :) It needs a fair amount of fixing up, so, perhaps next year.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Mr. I — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 03:55:15 +0100

"The summer of lug." Gotta remember that one!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

MTCoalhopper — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:23:57 +0100

Although a long-anticipated Underwood #3 just came into my possession, it probably won't be cleaned up in time to start NaNo. It's going to be a Remington-based month for me, I guess, with four wartime-vintage machines to choose between.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

MTCoalhopper — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:32:34 +0100

It seems like the Lamy discussion has happened elsewhere... :) I concur, though, that a Lamy Safari feels like a perfect companion to a typewriter. Sometimes, you just have to jot down something in handwriting while you're in the middle of type-composing.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:43:59 +0100

carried it the better part of a mile. whatta lug. i actually took it to jimmy's diner on the way home. where they did not protest its sitting on the table. the waitress sd she had a portable.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:48:41 +0100

It's nearly here! What's everyone's writing space like this year? Any special noise considerations for housemates/roommates/neighbors? Are you going to attend any write-ins with a typewriter in tow, and if so, which one(s)? At home, I type on the end of the house farthest from the bedrooms, since I try to get up early (before the kids) so I can get an hour or so of uninterrupted writing in. Admittedly, it's half-asleep writing, but still. I've got the typewriter sitting on a thick felt pad to deaden the noise, and my view is limited to a closet door to deaden the distractions. I also try to get some typing done during lunch at work. In the past, I've hauled a Skyriter down to the public lobby of our office building and typed away with very few interruptions. There's enough background noise from the coffee cart and outside traffic that I have to focus. Last year, though, I decided to hide out in my office with one of my better portables -- close the door, shut off the phone, and just work. I'm less of a spectacle that way, and I get to use a better machine. I just cleaned off all the junk on my desk and brought out my pica face Olympia SM3, to match the pica of my Royal at home. It's also on a felt pad and some rubber floor protector-disks meant to go under the feet of a sofa. That pretty much dampens all the vibrations. A local bookstore opens up special on Sundays just for write-ins, and the Skyriter goes along with me to those. It's lap-sized.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:59:52 +0100

It's on my agenda to begin prepping my writing space this afternoon. Well, I actually started last night, making sure I had all my music on my desktop copied over to my laptop; I prefer speakers to headphones. The laptop will not be on my desk where the internet can distract me, though! My little space is set up in the basement, adjacent to my crafting corner. There's a big metal shelf (full of typewriters) that separates the two areas. I've got a big desk, the kind with three drawers on each side plus one across the middle, that I got at a garage sale for $10. It's kind of crappy and the drawers stick, but it looks decent enough and it's pretty solid. Opposite the shelf, on the other side, I've got a sheet hanging from the rafters as a wall, and another sheet tacked behind the desk against the wall to hide that ugly yellow insulation. I've got a wooden rolling swivel chair I got off the curb for free to sit on. On the desk itself, I've got some sweet mini globe bookends holding up my writing reference books (No Plot? No Problem! among them, of course!) and a neat industrial metal lamp I found at Goodwill for lighting. For writing at home, I will be using my trusty Olympia SM-9, as well as trying out a few of my other machines throughout the month. For proper write-ins (our midnight write-in at Perkins and Saturdays at the coffee shop) I am considering taking one of my mid-size portables, maybe my SC Super Sterling or Royal QDL. For breaks during work, I intend to use my Lettera 22 as it's the smallest and most portable of my typewriters.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 01:34:24 +0100

I'd be tempted too, but only if it can fix my mistakes as they happen. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

jodotha — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:05:05 +0100

Workspace? Oh man. I'm still working on plot! Or at least the name of the main character. Or...okay, I have no idea what I'm going to write. I don't really have much of a place to write at home - not on my SC Silent Super, anyway. My laptop in bed, but not the same...I do almost all of my writing at write-ins throughout the week. And Gus goes with me. I know my story takes place in NYC. I just don't know anything else. >.<

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 05:37:48 +0100

I'm just starting to outline NOW! I feel that it's never too late to start. Many Brigaiders don't even bother with an outline and just go at it blind. I'm not nearly that brave! So chin up jodotha - you're doing just fone! ;u)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:11:33 +0100

I"ve got my SG1 setup in my bedroom closet. Its got a sliding door and a window, so it blocks all noise and cracking the window gives me outdoor sounds and a little coolness. It rests on a Cole-Steel typing table with a drawer full of paper, so that's my Setup A. The Lettera 32 gets taken to local write-ins and I can also set it on the kitchen table or my lapdesk when I write in the living room. So, that is my Setup B. Any other Pica machines are candidates this year and could be on my lap, on my kitchen table or out in my garage workshop. Most of my writing is done after 7:30pm (kids go to bed), pretty much any room in the house, except for their bedroom, is a good place to write. Our walls are thick and the kids are heavy sleepers.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DuffyMoon — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 14:44:23 +0100

Deek - don't you have a diaper to change?! I don't have a setup. I make do here and there. The desk in the loft always has a project machine on it - one that I'm working on, usually in a state of partial disassembly. Often I find myself on the sofa with one of the smaller machines on my lap. The Cole Steel is great for this, because it's light, has it's own lap-desk case bottom. And it's a great typer. The Webster is also great for this, but doesn't have the firm case bottom to use. Still searching for the tiniest hint of a plot. Or a character. Or a setting or something.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:11:58 +0100

Yeah, diaper has been changed, so I am good for another couple hours:) The new baby, Colin, is a pooper!!! I've already broken him in a little with a journal and Lamy Safari. We're going home in a few hours, so maybe he'll give me some help finishing out my outline:)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:30:55 +0100

Good Luck, Everyone! Write On! *********************************************** http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:33:23 +0100

Ha! Look out Blick!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:35:25 +0100

Awesome. I nominate the NaNo Rhino to be the official mascot of the Brigade. mclemens has truly struck a chord. ... which ironically you can't do on a typewriter because the type bars jam. Funny, that. Simon "He who remains plotless with only three days to NaNo 2011"

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:21:06 +0100

Hey guys have a quick question. I just got another typewriter, a Royal KMG I think, and I was wondering what the best way to clean the thick layer of dust is? My Remmington portable was easier, just take off the body and clean away, but this I have no idea.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:07:03 +0100

If you're dusting the insides, you can use a can of compressed air like they sell in electronics stores for chasing the cookie crumbs out of your laptop keyboard. Take the typewriter outside or into a garage and set it on an old towel just in case any Vital Parts come out. I think the shell of desktop Royals is part of the frame, so you'll have to clean the works in situ. The good news is that it has an open bottom, so all the nasty stuff can fall out. Any tricky areas you can dust out with a clean artist's paintbrush.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:20:17 +0100

Another good method is a small shop vac and a little electronics cleaning attachment kit. The narrow pieces and brushes are great for getting gunk out.

Re: Typewriters

invdrzim — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 23:07:23 +0100

Thanks for checking it out! You've got a very inspiring tumblr :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DuffyMoon — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:00:28 +0100

That's a fine kid you've got there. And so advanced for his age!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

MTCoalhopper — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 16:01:03 +0100

Because I "travel the road of life alone," my whole house is my workspace. A full-adjustable, portable table was built specifically for typing anywhere I want to. However, my "official" workspace will be a Stickley-style library table, which was supposed to have been completed before the 23rd of June, this year. There are quite a few names, here, of people who will know the significance of that date. On the to-do list, leading up to 1 November, is posting a new blog entry with a better view of that desktop... and my "new" Underwood #3.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Mr. I — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 18:35:51 +0100

Sweet image, Ledeaux. Will the rhino go Postal? Only November will tell ...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:20:29 +0000

Child labor. Don't attempt a NaNo without it.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 14:22:51 +0000

Thank you both for the cleaning tips, I ended up remembering that my grandfather owns an air compressor and I used that to clean all the dust off.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:14:32 +0000

[quote=Sir David Attenborough] The rare Nano Rhino. A solitary creature, burrowing in the dusty recesses of human habitations. Seeking others of its kind, it makes a display of extraordinary proportions, arranging typewriters which weigh more than one thousand times their body weight. The clacking sounds of their mating call can be heard for phenomenal distances. Truly a wonder of the animal kingdom. [/quote]

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:05:04 +0000

I'm sorry for all the questions, I promise this will be the last one for a while. I seem to be encountering the same problem with the Royal KMG as I had with my Remmington, the carriage needs a little help to get all the way over. I've tried checking the spring drum on the royal but I'm not sure if the piece I found is actually the spring drum or how to go about tightening it if it is. I apologize I'm not actually sure what the question is here, I suppose it would be is it probable that it is the spring drum that needs to be tightened again or would it be something else?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:33:27 +0000

The spring drum is the part with the drawband attached -- the cord that runs to the right-hand side of the carriage, as you're facing it. The drum will always be on the left-hand side, since it has to pull the carriage that direction. (Unless it's a Hebrew or Arabic machine.) I don't know how to tighten the drum on a KMG, but I haven't looked either. For standard desk machines, try asking on the TYPEWRITERS Yahoo list if nobody here has an answer.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 23:37:33 +0000

We've got a crash of nano rhinos on our hands! Let's hope they're friendly.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 00:31:26 +0000

Mike, your probably awesome link isn't working. :P

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:22:37 +0000

That's weird. Anyway, it was a link to a page showing that a group of rhinos is called a "crash," which is just about as awesome as can be. (It's also called a "herd", but meh. "Crash" is far better, and much more nano-y.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:30:24 +0000

Typewriter Acquisition Disorder alert! My wife spotted a Smith Corona Clipper on UsedVictoria today and to make a long story short, it's mine, all mine! I've done a bit of typing on it since bringing it home, and it requires a firm touch, but I can really get on a roll with it. My first glass-key typer! (happy dance) The fellow I bought if from was concerned that I was just looking to have it as a decoration: "You are planning to type on it, right?" He was relieved when I assured him that yes, it would get a workout. It's in wonderful typing form, with all the rubber bits nice and pliant still, and no sticky keys. Just a wonderful find. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

David John Wellman — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:01:45 +0000

Didn't the last typewriter manufacturer in the world finally shut down earlier this year? :-(

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

scaramouche — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:33:17 +0000

I'm in this year with my Olympia SM3.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 13:00:22 +0000

For those still undecided . . . . -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mvelic — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:11:27 +0000

That's awesome! And I love it that he was concerned for it's use. I bet he wouldn't have sold it if you had been a key-chopper (for instance), and that makes me feel warm inside.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:25:38 +0000

nope. just a rumor. check out the typosphere.net arrives... theyll set you straight.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 15:24:02 +0000

Seeing a Smith Corona in such great shape does my heart good - and seeing it used by someone who can really appreciate it just makes me do a happy dance! Enjoy her!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:40:54 +0000

It's great when these things work out, isn't it? Now, to the business at hand: panicking because it is Oct 31! :-) Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:45:36 +0000

That's how I knew this baby would find its way home with me before I even laid eyes on it. Anyone showing that kind of concern has their heart in the right clackety place. Turned out Kris was a great guy and I told him about the Brigade and type ins and you could see him thinking it over. Maybe he and his Remington Model 5 will show up here soon! Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:47:10 +0000

Very nice, Ledeaux. The rhino must be obeyed. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:46:21 +0000

Thanks, Simon! I figure if I can't DO NaNo this year, at least I can entertain the folks who are. ;-) Judith

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:58:08 +0000

I've been dusting off the armada (figuratively, of course--I don't allow dust to get into my machines!) and gathering the supplies for NaNo, which starts (for me, anyway) in about ten hours. Lessee, where's the checklist... - Typewriters? Marshaled for battle. (Carrie, Tacey, Remy, Henry, and Felix are ready and rarin', and all vying for which one will get to go first. Justinian is sitting on the front porch waving his cane at them and calling them young whippersnappers and mumbling about the good old days through ill-fitting dentures. Cornelius is sulking because he doesn't get to play.) - Planning? More or less complete. (I have an assortment of notes ranging from "165 dead in Pentagon" to "Not-Marco = Kane Mallory" and filling about a tenth of a notebook.) - Paper? Sitting in a box, patiently waiting for November. - Backup plan? Notebook and Le Pen on standby in case of typewriter failure (unlikely) or inability to use in certain areas (more likely). - Back-up plan? Carbon paper in box on top of paper box. Source of additional carbon paper located should need arise. - Wite-Out? Lost in the miasma that is my room, and likely to stay that way...at least until December. - Spare ribbons? Shit.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:33:04 +0000

I'm excited! I went out and bought a new scanner today to scan my typed pages. Tested it out, and then I went to find a good OCR program to use. Instead, I found out I pretty much already have one, using One Note's "Copy Text From Picture" option.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:30:34 +0000

That's pure handsomeness, Simon. Good find! I bet it'll start to loosen up if you use it a lot for NaNo. Clearly the benevolent rhino has smiled upon you.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:38:51 +0000

An SM3 is half of my setup, too. It's a testament to how great these machines are that they compare favorably to using a standard machine. They aren't any little tinny potable, skittering all over the desk. Technically, I think you have an SM4, since you've got the tab-set keys on either side of the space bar. Same basic machine, but slightly more high-tech. A winner no matter what, though. May it bring you thousands of great words.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

paxety — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:49:15 +0000

I almost forgot to sign up this year. Oh, oh, oh, which typewriter to use? Maybe the Smith Corona like the one the Unabomber used. juan

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DuffyMoon — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:31:07 +0000

I just now realized that I have a blessed three-hour window during which, if I actually type something in the midnight hours, I can actually be ahead of Clemens. That'll likely be the only time in November for which "I'm ahead of Clemens! I'm teh WINN!" will ever be accurate.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:48:52 +0000

Now, now, it's not a competition within the Brigade. I already know I'm going to have a serious candy hangover tomorrow morning, and my lunch hour has been reclaimed by outside forces. Not an auspicious start, but I WILL come on strong, oh yes.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:45:53 +0000

*high fives duffy* Sounds like a good plan, sir... Then again, I am at times glad to be part of the Mafia and not working solely on typewriter--makes it easier to update teh wordcount!!!! *win*

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:40:12 +0000

Holy cow! My muse just skidded in the door at the last second, hungover, reeking of gin and a stump of a stogie in her teeth. But she delivered. Now I have an idea, a cast of characters and 75% of a plot. I'm a bit overwhelmed, but grateful she came. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Velour Trousers — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:12:46 +0000

I have the cutest little Smith and Corona Super G I found in a thrift store for $7 to write a good chunk of it on :3 I also have a couple others my friend found me while cleaning out a house, I think only one will be able to be restored, the other I may turn into an art project. :p I don't know how much work I'll do on the typewriter though. When I'm stuck with a one hour break at school the computer lab is convenient. >.<

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Patar — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:27:26 +0000

Ah, nice to see the brigade up and all. Missed you folks! I *don't* think I'll be doing a lot of clackety-clack on the Silver Seiko this year but yeah I said that last year too. I did buy a printer though so it's like having options! Well and five new ribbons...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:22:27 +0000

You found a Super G for only $7!? Nice!! Have fun with her - and good luck this month!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:14:15 +0000

alright let's do this

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:47:31 +0000

I'm ready to go!! Fresh ribbon, snack, totem and coffee! Still I feel I'm forgetting something...hmmm..oh yeah - character development! Ah well...it'll come! ;u)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:51:53 +0000

Out rhino wrasslin', no doubt. She sounds tough -- I like her. Happy wordsmithing!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:53:52 +0000

Kickoff is gonna have to wait until morning for me, when I've metabolised all this lovely refined sugar. (Oh peanut butter and chocolate, why must your alliance be so delicious?) When I've shaken off the insulin shock I'll be right there with y'all, staring into the eyes of the beast.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

jnickelsen — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 06:21:31 +0000

Hey all! I'm going to be doing the hybrid approach this year :) I've got typewriters, Lamy Safaris and laptop all on the go!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Vain|^| — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:16:13 +0000

Maude made an excellent debut with a respectable 645 words on my first page of NaNo. Harold is packed away and ready to travel to work later on this morning after I've had some sleep... So far so good.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ampelos — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:01:27 +0000

Hello! I was kindly invited here after being dumb and posting a new thread on what is clearly already a thriving subject. I really hope I can write most of my novel of my typewriter (which ain't half as pretty as some of the ones posted ;_;) , only problem is that my family don't know I'm doing nano and I don't want them to find out, and theres something pretty telling about the clacking of typewriter keys.

Re: Typewriters

Ampelos — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 09:05:56 +0000

Oh your typewriter is GORGEOUS!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:34:56 +0000

As the old song from _South Pacific_ goes: "There's nothin' like a dame." Sounds like your Muse is a dame first class! May she continue to be a wrasslin' roustabout. Good luck!, Simon.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:39:46 +0000

Looks like all you need is one of those old fashioned, 'spinny' office chairs - you can put it in the middle of all your machines and just whirl from one to the other as inspiration strikes. Good luck!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Velour Trousers — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:41:06 +0000

Yeah, mint condition too. All I had to do was get a new ribbon. :3 Thanks for the luck and I wish you much as well!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:52:02 +0000

Welcome! The Brigade is here to give you strength. I don't know how to hide the stigma of being a secret novelist from your family. Maybe tell them you're writing something benign like an angry political manifesto? Barring that, you could try to set up your typing station away from everyone and place something soft under the machine to absorb the vibrations. Quite a bit of noise happens when the typewriter makes the table boom like a drum. Just resting it on an old towel may work wonders for deadening some of the noise. Or, just put on headphones and block out their shaming comments.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:10:28 +0000

Not so dumb: after all, you ended up here which is where you probably wanted to be, right? Don't be self-conscious about the looks of your typer. While it's true that there are some vintage models that to modern eyes have that certain "something", they all are products of their age. The prewar Remington might look awesome today, forty years ago it would have been seen as hopelessly old-fashioned compared to the modern streamlined plastics. I've got a typer from each of the 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's and they all tell a story. It's my 1962 Underwood Touchmaster 5 that sees most of the action in November, despite the fact that it is the epitome of utilitarian looks. It's a sweet typer. Some people give particularly pedestrian models a hot paint job, but I can't speak from experience. You won't be able to hide 30 days of clacking for two hours (or so) per day. Come out and be proud. Send your parents here. Then they'll realize you're hanging out with a bunch of weirdos. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:14:48 +0000

Yep. The sugar crash hit me about 10 and I decided sleep was the better course of action. Now I feel like I'm standing at the starting line and was the only one who didn't hear the starting gun. And standing in my underwear. No, wait that was the sugar-warped dream I had. Never mind.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:39:44 +0000

Welcome aboard, Ampelos! Your comments reminded me of a story I wrote for my Advanced Fiction workshop about a girl who had a serious addiction she tried her hardest to hide from her mother, until her mom found the evidence in her sock drawer...I took four thousand words, of which I am very proud, to reveal that the girl's addiction was to the Almighty Typewriter. My classmates said it was one of my best works. I feel bad that I didn't bring any of my typewriters with me today to work. I've been working in my notebook while I'm at work, and when I get home I can type it up on paper and make a carbon copy and revel in the feel of a typewriter under my fingers. Also, I might be going to a write-in tonight, which means one of my armada is getting an outing...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:23:23 +0000

@Nickelson: Awesome setup. @Ampelos: You could just say you're using it for schoolwork, saying that you've got this assignment and typing is one of the only ways you can get past the writers block.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Switchblade — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:36:54 +0000

Hello, all! I'm a bit late getting to this thread, but I'll introduce myself anyway. I'm Jerri Lynn and I've lurked around the Typewriter Brigade before but never really posted. I have 11 typewriters (it's an obsession, ya'll), which I loaned out to my roommates and close friends this month so that they too can be infected with Typewrimo fever. The sound of four machines typing is so glorious. Anyone else living with a fellow typewrimo?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mvelic — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:56:45 +0000

Wonderful wonderful wonderful! I am writing! I am stacking up pages! Yay!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:11:58 +0000

Four pages so far today and I feel I must go back and type more.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ampelos — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:26:06 +0000

Thanks for the welcome and advice guys! Well, tomorrow is my day off and I am home alone so I can happily click away for a few hours and make a proper dent in my word count :D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:47:23 +0000

Ugh. I took my S-C Super Sterling to our midnight kickoff, and turned out 760 words of crap. So after scanning it in and converting it, the majority of my afternoon has been spent re-writing on the computer. Not supposed to do that, I know, but my re-writing is adding words. A lot of words.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:44:49 +0000

I've cranked out nine double-spaced pages on my Smith-Corona Sterling (1945) portable today, a total of 2727 words. I am VERY pleased with the novel so far, which of course you can all relate to, is taking on a life of its own, seemingly independent of me. But it's only the first day and I sincerely hope that I can maintain this good pace throughout November!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 00:21:25 +0000

That's it! That's the feeling... that the novel has taken over and you're just along for the ride. Nourish that feeling, as it will lead you through the lean times to come, that time somewhere around Week 2 when you just feel like smothering your characters and chucking the typewriter out the window. The feeling passes, I promise. Estimated a respectible 1600 words today, which is not bad for being sugar hungover and operating on about 5 1/2 hours of sleep. Crashing early tonight to jump back in tomorrow, for the introduction of the protagonist, and the unfolding of the plot. Whoo hoo!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:23:26 +0000

rode arnd on my bike in brooklyn with the hermes rocket in my backpack today. i had to hang an art show so the words were limited. but the penance paid i'll sit down now to an evening's respite of clickettta clacketta. gd luck all. and bravo!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 01:39:17 +0000

Ah, my trusty SM-9, how much better your action is! Just finished 2 and 1/3 pages single-spaced, or about 1,400 words to bring me up to 2.5k.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:03:50 +0000

Very nice writing space and excellent collection of typewriters. But where do you sit? ;-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

jnickelsen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 02:41:05 +0000

So exciting reading everyone's updates! Things started out well on the Royal Safari, but it's started having some problems with slippage when I try to turn the platen knob. I've never had that before, so have been cautiously poking around. It's so weird - all will be good, and then I'll turn it and nothing. Then suddenly something will catch and it'll be fine :-( I've managed two single spaced pages of ~700 pages each so far. Going to push for one more page today!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:04:47 +0000

Word count is word count!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:36:44 +0000

As I commented to my friends in the Typosphere on Google+ a few minutes ago, it is very interesting to participate in NaNo so soon after reviving my interest in typewriters -- because it really does separate the men from the boys as far as solid, dependable typeWRITERS is concerned. I've collected 17 machines over the past few months, but only a handful of them are really dependable enough to be my workhorses for NaNo. I've got a few wonderful typers which tend to skip spaces, or conversely, to strike over letters. When a member of the Typewriter Brigade is under pressure to write a 50,000-word novel in thirty days, one does NOT want to battle a capricious machine! It's sort of like The Great Race. Which typewriter will make it to the finish line?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Queen NekoChan — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:49:24 +0000

My family owns both an old-school typewriter and an electronic typewriter. I'm not using either of them for nanowrimo, but I personally prefer the electronic one, considering the fact that I don't have to scrap a page for one simple mistake (if you've never seen an electronic typewriter or don't know how they work, I suggest you go and find out.) But I do love my typewriters :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:59:01 +0000

What are these "mistakes" you speak of? During NaNo, anything barely resembling a word is a good one. I'd never use a manual machine for anything more serious than a draft these days: I'm just too poor a typist.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:20:59 +0000

That's why typecasting is such a challenge for me: trying to get out an entire post with as few typos as possible: unpossible!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:25:39 +0000

Six pages tonight. Two before dinner, two while the kids were in the bath, two after they went to bed. Started with the Clipper, and that went pretty well. But then I wanted to lay down some serious verbage, so heaved the Underwood onto the table. I've got two business trips this month including the 28th through the 30th, and activities on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. I gotta get ahead on the word count! Good start. On a side note, I had a bit of an epiphany this evening. If you have a stupid character, you can spew out whatever drivel comes to mind. Major fun and lots of words to boot. On the other hand, a lot of the words were ones I wouldn't show my mother.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

scaramouche — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 06:17:03 +0000

Got out 2,000 words on my Olympia SM4 yesterday. I'm already at a loss for what to say, so I had my MC have the same conversation with about 4 different characters. And the Philosopher has shown up. This is an emergency word count character that asks about the Meaning of Everything and generally provides his own answers. Great for word count. Not so great for story. Can't believe I'm in story trouble already.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:14:11 +0000

I've got Remy out and working today. She's breezing through without a problem. I've only had to untangle jammed typebars once! And the ribbon's still going strong.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:31:27 +0000

The Great Race, eh? Maybe we should conclude NaNo with a pie fight. Or at least toss the broken machines.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:37:17 +0000

[quote=sjb] On a side note, I had a bit of an epiphany this evening. If you have a stupid character, you can spew out whatever drivel comes to mind. Major fun and lots of words to boot. On the other hand, a lot of the words were ones I wouldn't show my mother. [/quote] Yup, lots that I wouldn't show to my mother either... Course, I also have characters who can't think without swearing (name that book!!) so they tend to get hilarious. Thing I've realize is that I've spend way too much time writing scripts--I am having trouble writing those internal monologues, as well as descriptive scenes and certain types of action... it's interesting, for sure.... hopefully I can get this figured out... else anyone who ever reads my stuff is going to have to slog through a shit-ton of dialogue. I really like dialogue.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:39:22 +0000

[quote=theanab] Yup, lots that I wouldn't show to my mother either... Course, I also have characters who can't think without swearing (name that book!!) so they tend to get hilarious. [/quote] I can honestly say I've never tried to write these sorts of characters before. It's strangely liberating. Instead of trying to figure out a PG version of what they might say, I just let it rip and move on. In past years I've censored, let plot drive, and the characters took a back seat, ending up "nice" or "evil" or "exposition relief".

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

acover4422 — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:28:58 +0000

Man, I WISH I could write my novel on my typewriter! Sadly I had to leave it behind in England, and seven months later I'm still waiting on my family to ship it out here. Grrrr! Anyone know where I can find ribbons for my beautiful Smith-Corona Zephyr? I'd like to have some ready for when it finally gets to me!

Re: Typewriters

invdrzim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:05:39 +0000

Thank you :) Good luck on your novel, & degree course!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

invdrzim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:06:55 +0000

While typing in my boyfriend's bedroom last night, someone from the adjacent room muttered through the walls, "no typing at night." It was 9:30. Are typewriters really that annoying? Or are we just biased? :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

invdrzim — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:07:23 +0000

Good luck :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

VZed — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:47:06 +0000

So the routine of pounding the keys continues, the only major change is the view outside my window and the number of pages produced each day. Aside from the new story, progress towards leveling the chair missing a leg in the other room seems to be on track. Greetings to all, with kudos to the brigade for another year of manual lusting.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:13:52 +0000

I had to chuckle at this. We have a house rule: no typing before 8am or after 8pm. Yes, they can be annoying to people not doing the typing!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:34:19 +0000

Did you all notice that there are over twice as many posts on the Typewriter Brigade post than the "Do you write on an ipad" post! Take THAT ipad!!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:54:08 +0000

If we had that rule in my house, I'd end up with about 6,000 words for the month. 8 pm is when the kids go to bed and Daddy starts pounding at the typewriter. The kids are good sleepers, and no complaints in three years of typewritten nano. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Switchblade — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:59:49 +0000

Well, my Coronet just put himself out of commission. The comma key is unresponsive for some reason and I can't have that. My roommate is having the time of his life on my Galaxie II, though. I've won a convert! He swears that it's the best thing that's ever happened to his writing. Do you think I should give him a typewriter for Christmas? I don't know if I can bear to part with mine and/or find an affordable replacement so quickly. On a different front, my outline is still the best part of my novel and I can't outline to save my life. It's too early to be frustrated!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:06:03 +0000

Give the Galaxie to the roomie and then shop for a new one for yourself. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:24:05 +0000

Tapping away pretty slowly so far, but I'm satisfied even if I only just made the first day's wordcount. I'm still way ahead of where I was last year! I was out and about yesterday, so I took my Brother with me and banged out a page or so at a cafe and some other places, and I got quite a bit of attention, of the "Is that a typewriter?" sort. :) Quite satisfying, but it also spurred me on to keep typing when I wasn't too sure where to go next.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:52:00 +0000

mclemens' words about skipping are proving true: I'm in the ZONE with my Remington Quiet-Riter, man, and hardly a single skip today. I'm not going quite as fast as I hoped, but I've managed my four single-spaces pages a second day in a row!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mvelic — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:27:53 +0000

The mistakes are the funniest part! Turn off the Inner Editor and join the fun of the Brigade!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:46:34 +0000

Made it to Denver. Tested my machines to make sure they made it without damage in the move. They all took the easy ride up in the trunk of the car so no horror stories to report :) Got my office mostly set up. Still have to unpack a lot, but my typewriters and paper are there. I was on the fence about NaNo still until yesterday, but I decided at the last minute that I have to do this, so I'm going to. Anyone else using the heavy iron in Denver?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Magnus919 — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:28:44 +0000

Magnus in Raleigh, writing my first novel with a vintage 1947 Royal Quiet De Luxe portable typewriter. I think it caused a little bit of a stir when I got set up at the kick-off meeting last night. No other analog writers there.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mvelic — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 00:51:33 +0000

They can be a little annoying. I had sort of a similar experience last night with a roommate. I went to grab my SM4 to do some late night typing, and he asked, "Wait, so you're *actually* writing your novel on typewriters?" I replied, "Yes." "Oh. I thought it was a joke." Needless to say, my mood for writing failed me in that moment, and I simply went to bed. Rather, tried to go to bed: I couldn't fall asleep until 1am.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:26:21 +0000

Here's a question: how many of you count/estimate your words versus scanning and converting? And for those of you who scan, do you go day-by-day or do it all at the end of the month (or after)? Personally, I scan (I bought a brand-new scanner Monday just to use for NaNo because my old one isn't compatible with Windows 7) and convert my pages every day, because I'm silly like that and have to have an exact word count to work with. Plus, I do some extra writing here and there, and occasionally I'll also do some typing on my Alphasmart. It really helps to have all the words up to date and in one place!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:33:07 +0000

I know that with a pica font, with 1" margins all around and single spaced, I am guaranteed to average 475 words/page, so that is what I use. I do still scan a page here and there and using onlineocr.net to convert the PDF to Text and check actual word count. So far the two pages I've scanned have had counts of 571 and 581, well above my 475 average. So, of the seven pages I have written thus far, I've scanned two of them for accurate counts and estimated 475 for the others. I'm likely several hundred words above the word count I am using, but I don't worry about it. At the end of my novel, I can run the whole thing through my work scanner, which dumps the text to PDF and then run it through a text converter and upload it to this site for my official count.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:16:30 +0000

I estimate all the way. I figured out the average number of words in a full line, then count the full lines per page and multiple. Word count per page goes on the back of each sheet, and I have another where I keep a running total of words and pages written. It sounds like a lot of work, but done daily, it's not so bad. I ran off a cheat sheet of typical line counts with the words next to them so I don't even need a calculator until the end-of-day totalling up. Speaking of OCR, I'd heard that the free tesseract OCR engine was better, so I installed it and gave it a run today. It is better than the previous major revision, but not by much. It still can barely read the typeface of my main machine, and it even made a minor hash of the output from a crisper one. Worse yet, though, the OCR'd document gave me a highly inflated word count, adding about 1500 to my current total. I'm still scanning the pages as backups, but no text will be in the computer until well after NaNo is done. For not-at-a-typewriter pages, I can handwrite them and insert into my draft as necessary. As long as I can read them in a month. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Mr. I — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:21:16 +0000

So far so good, but this is still the early breathless bit before every word feels like garbage dropping into the abyss. Here are my Olivetti tools of the trade: http://writingball.blogspot.com/2011/11/olivetti-team-installment-1.html This evening I used the little guy in the car, which has a special charm. (No, not typing while driving; I sat in the passenger seat in a park and ticked out a couple of paragraphs while the local geese ignored me.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:21:54 +0000

I estimate. This year I'm writing my story, or at least the first part of it, entirely in haiku (I know, I'm insane), so I estimated four words per line, or twelve words per haiku. Then I just count the number of haiku on each page, multiply that by three, then multiply it by four. It gives me what I think is a pretty good estimate.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:39:43 +0000

I've set up a typewrite-in at Sizizis in Olympia, WA at 11 am, Sunday, Nov. 13. Any typers within range please come and type your novels with other typewriter users. We can even exchange tips and advice or borrow paper in between sprints. http://typosphere.blogspot.com/2011/11/olympia-wa-nanowrimo-typewrite-in.html

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 02:52:12 +0000

Since I have more time than some people, I do a manual word-count every night after I finish writing for the day, using a pencil and a calculator. So old school! I've scanned plenty of pages for my blog but have never used character recognition stuff. I am totally inexperienced in using OCR software and know that I'll need to learn how to do this, very soon.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:49:15 +0000

I've done every variation. in '09 I scanned, OCRed and let the computer count the words. Last November, I counted every word by hand. When I had done enough of those, I realized that double-spaced elite averaged 500 words per page so I used that for Camp NaNoWriMo this year. This year, I'm back to the scan/OCR/count. I like having the scans of the pages, just in case something happens to the original sheets. Takes about the same time to scan as count, and it feels more "honest" than estimation. I say that mostly because my wife can get a bit... competitive in November and she'd be the first to accuse me of cheating if my word count started to pull away from hers... Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:52:41 +0000

Glad you made the move and the typers weren't damaged. Come on in, enjoy the smell of machine oil and imagination! :-) Sorry, nowhere near Denver. I'm on an island off the rainy coast of Canada, only 175 feet above sea level.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:56:12 +0000

That's awesome. I met my first other typewriter author in the flesh last weekend, when I bought the Clipper off him. He hasn't made an appearance here, so I guess he's not taking part in NaNo. Otherwise, I'd totally arrange to go to the local meetup with him and show the electron junkies how we roll. My wife shows little interest in my typers, other than aesthetic, but both of my kids have potential, especially the little boy. He's typed many many pages of iiiiiirrrrtrnnnnnnn8888888 in the last few days, just to be like daddy! Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 05:12:23 +0000

Switched over to my HH this evening, leaving my usual goddess Phoebe (my Classic 12) on the shelf. The action of the keys always makes me happy but something about my Smith Corona keeps me coming back! Looks like it'll be back to the blue lady tomorrow night - with maybe a pit stop in Olympia SM9 country first! ;u)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:22:22 +0000

I scan, clean up hastily, keep track in Word and upload at the end.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:59:55 +0000

[quote=sjb] [quote=theanab] Yup, lots that I wouldn't show to my mother either... Course, I also have characters who can't think without swearing (name that book!!) so they tend to get hilarious. [/quote] I can honestly say I've never tried to write these sorts of characters before. It's strangely liberating. Instead of trying to figure out a PG version of what they might say, I just let it rip and move on. In past years I've censored, let plot drive, and the characters took a back seat, ending up "nice" or "evil" or "exposition relief". [/quote] I'm with you--I tend to stay towards more censored, more PG characters... and letting the cussing fly (like I do at the gym) is kinda fun. Of course, it means I have to watch who sees my files, but... yeah... We'll see how this char works out. In the original version, he was a lot more mild-mannered. Damn Hayduke... you're a bad influence.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Switchblade — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:47:40 +0000

I'm one of those that counts by hand. I used to think that I could re-type everything I'd written for the day into a Word document so much faster than I could count the words on the page for some reason, so I tried that one year. All I got was sore fingers. >.< I know I'll be able to comfortably estimate by page count one day, but for now the nightly counting soothes my OCD and helps assure me that I'm not exaggerating my productivity. I keep a little running count in the top left corner of the page updating my overall wordcount to date.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:13:21 +0000

Oh my Baty. I had forgotten that I changed out the ribbon in Carrie (my Underwood 450) either back in April during Screnzy or in July during Camp...probably the former. Anyway, she's got a brand-new shiny ribbon and I had forgotten until I saw the deep black inky words punching into my page. I'm in heaven. Typewriter heaven.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 22:33:00 +0000

Since I'm ahead wordcount-wise, after getting out a page as usual on my SM-9 I decided to give some of my electrics a whirl. I pounded out a page each on my SC Coronet Super 12 and my Selectric II. Man, that thing is a BEAST, but it still manages to have a quieter motor than the Coronet. There's just something so very pleasing about the crisp, uniform text of an electric compared with a manual.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:13:38 +0000

In a short while, I'll be heading for a type-out... so to speak. My daughter has a karate lesson tonight and I'm the chauffeur. But will that stop me from piling on some words? Not on your life! I am going to take along the Royal Sprite and do some typing in the car while I'm waiting. The Sprite doesn't get a lot of love during NaNoWriMo, because it is a plastic fantastic, and with the carriage shifting it is a very different experience. But it is the most portable of my typers, so perfect for the task at hand. Last year I cleaned up the type slugs and it actually makes pretty nice copy. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:25:33 +0000

Because I'm a silly girl, I just took an hour and a half to manually count up all the words on my typed pages. Turns out my initial goal was correct: 2,500 words is just over 4 pages single-spaced on the SM-9 (or about 600 words per page).

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:41:41 +0000

I find the activity of counting my words manually at the end of the day very relaxing, and an important part of the writing process for me. Who knew? It takes only a few minutes. (I write the word counts after each line in pencil, then love to punch on my oversized calculator, anyway!) ;) Since my various typewriters render different word totals on each page, I'd rather know the exact word count anyway. Now the SCANNING and OCR part of all this -- I am totally in the dark as far as the latter is concerned. I'll probably make my first attempt this weekend.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:56:15 +0000

I just took a red pen and put a mark after every 10 or 25 words, then counted the marks plus the leftover at the end. I don't know what kind of scanner you're using, but I found mine scanned better for recognizing when I let it go on "auto" rather than setting it to the included text/OCR setting. For the OCR part, I am using Microsoft OneNote and its "Copy Text From Image" feature. It actually works better than I expected it to. Last year, I think I used www.free-ocr.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:07:44 +0000

Take a look at onlineocr.net. You can take your .jpg scans of text (what you would normally do for your blog) and run it through this website to convert the image to text. Without having to sign up for a single thing, you can convert 15 images (i.e. pages) per hour (which even if you do them daily, should not pose a problem). Cut and paste the converted text into a word processor (I just use Scrivener) and Presto!, you have your word count.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:11:59 +0000

Yeah, that is what I am finding, too, but I am estimating conservatively, at 475 a page. So, my 4 pages, single-spaced estimates are 1,900. I don't mind undercutting my counts, although I might be pleasantly surprised if my final count ends up several thousand more than my estimates. Really, that is not a bad situation to find oneself in:)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:20:36 +0000

My estimates are probably a bit short, but I know I'll hit the 50K if I do six pages a day, and so far I'm averaging more like 7 or 8. It's still that Early Nano rush, when all the characters are bumping into each other and demanding time on the page. I don't let them get too slack, though: there's breakdowns and trouble slated for their little road trip. And then: flashback time, to plot #2! Just when one part of the novel may get boring, I'm letting myself start all over with two new characters, one of which is going to be a complete creep. Should be fun to write. :-) Brigade shout-out: I just found out my protagonist belongs to a local hackerspace. Even better, I found out they offer a class on typewriter repair. Oh! And I think "Rhino" might be a good name for a large animal I have in mind for later... hmmmm...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 03:55:02 +0000

It's been three days now, Brigadiers . . . is your QWERTY still hopping along? (For those of you who did not learn to type on those monster machines in high school, the original phrase one typed -- that included all the letters on the keyboard -- was "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.") -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:16:13 +0000

There's nothing like a fresh, new, dark typewriter ribbon. Always a new lease on life!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:20:03 +0000

Radio, I agree about the crispness of electrics. I've got an SC Electric 10 (pica) and SC Coronet (script) and they both type very well. I also like the blazing speed, but that could get me into trouble. The only thing I don't like about electrics, other than having to depend upon electricity (ha ha) is the humming sound of the motor. Even the most quiet ones are insistent and nagging, as though the machines are pushing me impatiently to write something down. The motor on my SC Electric 10 has an extra little sound over the hum, which is a bit annoying but I'm going to rotate it into my NaNo typing stable later this week anyway. Keep up your good pace!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:25:56 +0000

I'm running Apple OS -- Macbook. My scanner is a Canon LiDE 60, and the OCR software bundled with it is OmniPage SE. I haven't any experience with the OCR program. Thanks for the tip about using the Automatic setting; I think that simplifying matters is the way to go, if at all possible.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:27:31 +0000

Ledeaux, my QWERTY is alive and well, thanks for asking -- and what a great Rhino graphic!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 04:38:24 +0000

Thanks! The image from the University of South Florida's Clipart Etc, a clearinghouse of free images for educators. (URL: http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/) I jazzed it up, of course, for our fun.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:29:45 +0000

*puts on nerd cap* Actually, the phrase that includes ALL the letters of the alphabet was "The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog's back." The phrase most people know (The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog) actually omits the letter S. *takes off nerd cap* Anyway, my QWERTY is still jumping and jiving, and they all love that I'm rotating them out regularly.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:36:08 +0000

Ledeaux, you're awesome. We should create stickers of all of these NanoRhino images.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:56:17 +0000

You are right - it may be 'jumps' rather than 'jumped.' It's been awhile since high school! And for those a generation earlier -- I found that the sentence typed out was "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country." Missing x and z - but more patriotic. I like to think our NaNo Rhino mascot is as patriotic as the next Brigadier!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 14:56:18 +0000

I had a pleasant discovery yesterday: after counting a page from the Quiet-Riter I found 790 words on it. I therefore upped my average estimate of words per page to 700 for this machine and had a nice boost in my word count. No wonder it was taking longer to get my four pages done. I'm putting the Rhinos on my desktop.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:20:09 +0000

Thanks! I am looking into creating some buttons, cards, etc. with the images I am posting. Will hobnob with The Clemens to see if he's into the idea as well since he's been posting some cool stuff too. :-D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:24:24 +0000

I was traumatized by a Selectric II back when I was a college student intern at a local business. I worked the front desk and the typewriter sat behind me on a desk, ready for file folder labels and other administrative things. I always had to shut it off when I was done or it would sit there, over my shoulder, menacing me with its hum. For those that have never used a Selectric before: it types *fast*, the little ball doing its whirl/smack/whirl dance at a rapid pace. More than once I got a finger in the way when I was trying to steady a shipping label and got bitten for my trouble. Scary critters. I've sworn off electrics since (and I don't need the headache of trying to find new belts.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:27:16 +0000

Run, Royal, Run! My own Rhino has been demanding regular sacrifices:

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:34:40 +0000

The Rhino is ready for his close-up.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 15:55:15 +0000

Feed the Rhino! Reminds me of Audrey II in _Little Shop of Horrors_!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:17:35 +0000

Yes, its jumps.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:13:03 +0000

(Um deek, it's it's not its.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:27:44 +0000

ALL THIS GRAMMAR IS MAKING ME HUNGRY

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:32:44 +0000

Something interesting happened. At least to me. Before November I had every intention of using my Olympia SM-4. There was NO way I was using anything but that. I don't know why, I just wanted to. Well, as soon as November 1st hit I grabbed my Olivetti Lettera 32 (for no reason!) and started using that. I've used it for the past three days, at 2 hour sessions a night, and have over 9000 words. Now I can't bring myself to use the SM-4 at all. I'm doing so much better than I thought I would and my superstitious self tells me its all because of the Lettera 32. Do certain typewriters do that for you? Can you write better on one over the other?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

xxCoFxx — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 18:55:06 +0000

I love using my typewriter to work on novels. It just feels so much more authentic than using a computer and I feel like it helps my ideas come to me more naturally.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

LoonyLivesOn — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 22:17:17 +0000

I'm growing increasingly frustrated with my typewriter... It's working fine, but it adds spontaneous spaces in the middle of words. While this is supplying me with character names (whatever partial word looks handy) it's getting annoying for hand counting when I keep having to pause to find where the next word is xD

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:01:59 +0000

I just figured out how to set the margins on my Clipper! Yay me! Now, if only I could figure out the carriage lock. There's gotta be one. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Manderz — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:47:40 +0000

Hearing the clickity-clack of a typewriter is the most surefire way to get me in the writing mood. So, I decided to go hunting in various thrift stores this past spring and lo and behold - I found a Smith-Corona Coronamatic in pristine condition for only $13! I love it so much. Will upload a picture soon :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 00:19:32 +0000

uhgreen, I think the real test would be to try another typewriter tomorrow and see how that goes...and yet another one the day after (if you've got it)...and THEN go back to your Lettera 32 to see if there's any difference in your word count. If so, then you've got a winner, and you might consider sticking with it as long as your Muses approve. I've used a different typewriter for each day of NaNo so far, to see which ones best suit the task at hand: Smith-Corona Sterling portable, Olympia SM3, Remington Quiet-Riter, and today, my Smith-Corona Silent-Super. This last machine has been GREAT today; I had my highest word-count ever, and I think that it's because this particular machine is the easiest, smoothest and best overall typewriter to use, and it is a pleasure to write on. More pleasure, higher word count! ;-) I will try my Remington Model 17 desktop model tomorrow to see what THAT'S like. I enjoy switching machines from day to day, but probably as I get through November, I may narrow down my selection to 2 or maybe 3 of the best typers for this crazy stunt. Best wishes, CameronScott

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 01:30:44 +0000

[quote=mclemens] I was traumatized by a Selectric II back when I was a college student intern at a local business. I worked the front desk and the typewriter sat behind me on a desk, ready for file folder labels and other administrative things. I always had to shut it off when I was done or it would sit there, over my shoulder, menacing me with its hum. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Mommy, I'm scared! Please take that electric THING away, and please bring back my manual!" (shudder)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 02:57:58 +0000

I've written over 12000 words and my main character is just now hitting puberty.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Mr. I — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 03:24:20 +0000

OK, Cameron, you've officially typed 100% more than I have. Good luck getting him through adolescence!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:26:20 +0000

We're driving through Ohio. I could spend the rest of the novel describing that. And hey! Look at all the Brigade wordcounts! (Available if you add people as writing buddies.) I'm used to being a little ahead, but some of you guys are freaking machines. Well done, Brigadiers. This may be the year we shame all those other Wrimos and their battery-operated whozits.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 05:11:40 +0000

I'm at about 12,000 words and my MC is still in prison like he was at the beginning. I really need to break him so he can solve some problems.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:39:39 +0000

Hey Mr. Clemens, be nice. I"m one of the wrimos on one a dem battery operated typewriter clones. Iz I gonna have to get dem Mafia boys dat work for me to steal a machine for me? That said, I'm heading to the same antique show where two years ago, I picked up the Remington #2... maybe, maybe... the blog will have a full report... Later.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:54:15 +0000

AlphaSmart, battery-powered typewriter, or device with an Operating System? I have no issue with alternate writing technologies, I just find it funny/sad that there's always at least one thread every year entitled something like "HALP MY LAPTOP ATE MY NOVEL!!!1!!" while the Brigade just grabs another sheet off the pile and keeps going. Speaking of battery-powered typers, I've been sorely tempted by the appearance of a Casiowriter CW-10 at a local thrift store -- a battery-powered electronic typewriter that can print to thermal paper (says the Internets) or uses a tiny ribbon like a cassette tape and forged from unobtanium. I need it like I need a hole in my plot. Clearly this the NaNo fates throwing temptation in my path, knowing that my reasoning centers are subpar right now. It's just crazy.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:14:45 +0000

Dear lord! We're almost falling off the first page. Yesterday was a good day: eight double-spaced pages off of the SC Clipper. I'm really diggin' that little typer. I've got the Underwood perched on the dining room table right now to launch into my daily quota, but I can easily see the Clipper taking a large part in the rest of the month. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 23:42:15 +0000

Hey Mike, thanks for reminding me to back up my novel!!! And sadly, snow foiled the antique show plans... Now just need to jerryrig a new spring for the SCSS...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Vain|^| — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 01:09:16 +0000

Maude must just have inspiration embedded in her keys because we did four pages today in three and a half hours with a least one great new plot point a page and finishing over the 10,000 mark. I love typewriters...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 02:14:02 +0000

Suckage! It's the killer. I know a few of your are starting to battle this now: the whirlwind romance of the first week is giving way to the spectre of Bad Decisions. You're starting to doubt the direction the story is taking, maybe, or regretting making your lead character the son of a secret Mongolian tribe of fire-dancers. Or maybe you are plagued with my problem, terrible pacing, when it seems like your characters are just going to sit around all day and not actually do anything. We're on the cusp of Week Two, the infamous week of sucking. This is about the point at which your Rhino will want to sit down and wallow around. What you probably don't realize is that this isn't your Rhino speaking at all. It's your inner editor/inner critic, pointing out how really, really bad this writing is, and honestly, are you serious about writing a novel? On a typewriter?! ARE YOU CRAZY? Well, yes. Yes you are. And you have the Rhino's permission to get a little crazy with your novel, too. Write a page or two or ten of stream-of-consciousness, about what you're thinking about, and what you hate about your draft so far. Go ahead and do it, AND COUNT THOSE WORDS. Any progress is good progress in week two. Come up with a back-story for each of your characters and write that down in excruciating detail, and omit nothing, like descriptions of the mole on their left shoulder, their love of asparagus, or their allergy to rubber cement. Go into long-winded, boring detail. AND COUNT THOSE WORDS. What does each of your characters want most in the world? What do they want the least? Take some time to explore that, and be as contradictory and florid and overly descriptive as you can. COUNT THOSE WORDS. The only way you're going to get past this block -- if you are blocked -- is to write. Write about the block, write about anything and everything, but write. AND COUNT THOSE WORDS. That's all you have to do. Kick that Rhino out of the wallow and get typing.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:19:23 +0000

My father in law saw they were getting rid of a selectric at work and before he could get to it they had scrapped it for $.25. I cried a little when my wife told me. I figured only members of this forum would understand and share my grief.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:37:04 +0000

My mom just informed me that she had to do both. (She graduated high school in '79.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:39:39 +0000

And you aren't writing an Official Pep Talk for NaNo this year because...?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 03:41:17 +0000

Twenty-five... for scrap... a Selectric... *frothing* That's bleak news indeed. We share your pain.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:14:46 +0000

[quote=mclemens] What you probably don't realize is that this isn't your Rhino speaking at all. It's your inner editor/inner critic... [/quote] Got that right. The rhino is your friend. The inner editor phears the rhino. Be the rhino. BE THE RHINO! One direction: FORWARD! One speed: FULL! Pity the inner editor who gets in the way. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 05:55:12 +0000

I am by no means a praying man, but tonight I'll light a few candles and say a few Hail Mary's for the dearly departed. Sad day, indeed.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

impozible — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 08:56:38 +0000

Hello Brigadiers! I think I've joined you during Script Frenzy maybe a year back, but failed with it miserably pretty much in the beginning. I accuse having no domestic peer pressure then, as compared having fellow-wrimo in house have helped in two wins. Not sure if I ever stopped by during Nano, oh well.. This year I haven't yet took any of my three manual typewriters in use, but probably will at some point of November like years before. My current portable collection consists of -54 Rheinmetall, -64 Underwood and approx. 80's Brother with elite type (and Asterix and Obelix stickers on it). Actual reason why I wanted to peek in now, is that I though that some of you might share my joy of the knowledge that I will get a new typewriter soonish! And it will be a red Olivetti Valentine! And I get as birthday/christmas present! How exiting is that? How this happened is that my brother-in-law got a commission to empty a property and it is full of all sorts of interesting stuff. So my sister asked me it there is anything I'd be interested in particular and I told her to look for typewriters. This place is located in another city so I wont be able to go and check it out my self, as you know, I have some writing to do this month. Couple days later my sister called me and said there had been some red Olivetti's. My head went *bling* right then but I didn't want to get my hopes up for nothing.. so I waited for the pictures and yesterday I got proof that my first haunt was right. And the funniest part, there is total three (3) pieces of these red beauties! Well, I still don't know for sure in how good condition these are, but luckily I have a repair shop close by. I think the two remaining will be sold in local ebay. So, if any of you are interested and do some e-shopping in Finland, this is your chance :) But for now, I salute you Brigadiers and wish you all good and strong fingers and frequent need to feed in new paper!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 14:51:29 +0000

I will gladly take the fame and fortune that comes with pep-talk authoring. Actually, I'd settle for Office of Letters and Light swag. I'm pretty close to OLL's offices, I should set up shop outside their offices. OCCUPY NANO

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:54:14 +0000

What can I say? The Clemens brings out the Imp in me! -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:02:32 +0000

Ledeaux, yet again, wow. You should make one with the legs of the inner editor sticking out, like those stuff gators who have eaten half a dude...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:25:24 +0000

Your wish, O Valorous Brigadier, is my command! -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:27:59 +0000

LOL ROFL.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:42:11 +0000

LOL. And "berps" just had me on the floor.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:20:19 +0000

NaNo, day #5 (yesterday's session, didn't have time to post til today): I used my dear friend Laura's Remington Model 17, which is one of my most dependable typers. I managed to crank out 4281 words in one session, the most so far. So the Rem has good Ju-Ju! I'll hit it again today (want to give the Olympia SM3 another chance), but also want to write an overdue blog post, so I may not get quite so much done on the novel on this snowy day in The Woods. **MAY THE MUSES STICK WITH YOU ALL!**

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:21:34 +0000

LOVE this!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:36:44 +0000

I <3 this. You're amazing. This is brilliance. I especially love the look in the rhino's eye...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BullRunBear — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:15:50 +0000

I started out using portable machines but switched to standards after a few days. Problem was the SG1, my favorite, was actually penetrating the paper. Obviously, adjustments are needed but there isn't time now. What appears on the local Craigslist? A Royal KMM and it looks good in the photo. I picked it up this morning and it was even better than expected. The serial number says it's from 1939 but I suspect it was refurbished in the 1950s. The keys are green plastic(?) tombstone shaped and it is a light gray color. It sat covered but unused for at least 30 years. It didn't matter. A new ribbon and this thing types like it just came out of the factory. Even the typefaces were clean, not clogged with ink. I'm really impressed. It has a completely different feel from the SG1, not as snappy, but with a very steady and consistent cadence. (I know understand why David McCullough likes his so much.) A real typist, which I am not, could crank out a lot of text. But it is so good it will even let me do my best. I cranked out over 1,000 words this afternoon with little effort. Sometimes it helps to be lucky. Yours in words, Jeff

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:57:32 +0000

Congrats on the find! You never know what will come along. Of course, I'd love to see a picture of the new acquisition. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DuffyMoon — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 23:19:19 +0000

Wait, we were supposed to be starting?! Hmmm. I figger I better do something about that. After I just sit a spell. Seriously, y'all seem to be doing great. At least I think so - what happened to the Suck-o-Meter - I mean, the word count thingummy?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:25:44 +0000

I'm scanning today's pages now... I got three pages and a paragraph on the SM-9, and then tested out my little Sears 268.526 for about half a page. Then my brother came down to pester me, and wanted to test out the Selectric II and change the fonts. I have three type balls: Courier 10pt, Courier 12pt, and Orator. Unfortunately, the springs on the Courier 10 and the Orator balls are busted; they won't lock onto the shaft. Is there any way to fix these, or should I just buy some new type balls?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 03:57:29 +0000

The disappointment happens here. C'mon man. Fifth anniversary of the Brigade! At least you could clean up and take us out for pizza.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:27:16 +0000

Hmm, more numbers to write down! Looks like so far I've done 9,403 words out of 18,561 on my typewriters, which is slightly over half my words! Much better than last year's 1/5th typewritten.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

wordrebel — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:40:15 +0000

I've been slacking. A lot. I have a good reason but even that isn't doing much to calm down the guilt monsters at play in my head. Sadly said monsters enjoy prodding my muse with a sharp stick until she gets pissed and floats away. (That's right - my muse can fly!) Just broke the 10k mark last night so it isn't as bad as I am making it but I would love to be ahead. Wouldn't we all.....

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:47:18 +0000

I can't decide if I like the fact that the word count bars aren't on the forum posts this year. On one hand, my only path to success is getting ahead and staying ahead so my green bars were usually healthy and I liked showing them off. On the other hand, I would be confronted every time I came to the forum with people like mclemens with significantly LONGER green bars and I would feel... inadequate. I think the sucky part will be come winning time and we won't have purple bars to show.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 15:49:01 +0000

Awesome. I have a couple of trips this month that I can't really take a typer on, so I've decided that as penance, I'll be handwriting pages on those nights.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:39:59 +0000

Inadequacy and Public Humiliation are the dual whips to NaNoWriMo motivation. My word count is driven by my lack of ability to be terse while drafting, and the desire to crush those ahead of me. Nothing personal, Cameron, but I'm gunning for you next.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:02:31 +0000

Not one to shy away from jumping in with both feet, I've if there's any folks out there on Plus. I'm still figuring out how to use the pages thing, so if I've done something stupid, feel free to heap on the abuse.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:19:21 +0000

Hi! This is my, I don't know, 6th or something year doing NaNo, but my first on a typewriter! I have an Olivetti-Underwood Studio 44. I actually started my novel this year on the computer and began hating it, took a few days off, and today pulled out the typewriter and sat down and typed 3,071 words. I think it's working! I have long wanted to join the Typewriter Brigade, and I'm glad to be here now. I am way, way, way behind on the word count, but if I can consistently have 3,000-word days—IF—I think I can still catch up. Thanks for the inspiration, everyone!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:27:04 +0000

Hammered out another 1k on the Selectric II tonight, and that was just for warm-up as my friend's coming over to do some writing with me. Maybe I'll let her try out a few machines and convert her, who knows?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:22:44 +0000

You can do it! You've already discovered the secret word-multiplying magic of the Brigade (sourced from a rare mountaintop well guarded by a ring of angry rhinos.) Look at how many pages you wrote, and then tell yourself to just add 1/2 page more, the next time you sit down. And then a 1/2 page the time beyond that. Think of that end-of-line bell as your personal word-cheerleader. And welcome to the Brigade!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:44:14 +0000

Hi Brigaders! My update for Day #8, early stages of Week #2: I'm learning so much about my typewriters as I put them through their paces for my first NaNo. I've been collecting typewriters actively for only a few months (up to 17 at the moment) but only a handful of my machines are truly up to the job of pounding out a novel, I am discovering. Here are some of my observations so far: (I'd truly enjoy any reactions or responses you may have.) 1. Do not settle for anything less than near-perfect mechanics on your word-cranking machines. No skipping spaces, no strike-thrus. Use your other typewriters which WORK. We don't have time to mess with finicky typewriters during NaNo. 2. Do not estimate word counts. Count every word! My session today of nine pages ranged from 298 to 350 double-spaced (on my Smith-Corona Silent Super, with large 10 pica). That's kind of a large range, isn't it? I want to make sure my word count is accurate. 3. Each typewriter feels different and seems to offer up varying degrees of literary quality. It seems that some take longer than others to "feel" and figure out, how to connect the mind with fingers. There is a surprising variety of writing styles depending on the machine used for the day. An interesting phenomenon, yes? Are we all channeling or something? Maybe it's best to stick with no more than three typers for this kind of intense project. Unless you want many voices, many mansions, which can be great too. But I'm starting to think that a consistent writing style is best. May the Force continue to be with each and every one of us! KEEP WRITING. Best regards, Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

yatsu — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:06:26 +0000

okay, you guys have the best pep talks here. and lolrhinos are too much. we have obviously hit upon the HIP INTERNETS MEME OF THE FUTURE.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:16:30 +0000

I'm with you on gunning for Cameron. He's the only one of your writing buddies ahead of me. >:-) This weekend, We will hit 35K. Easy. Go Mafia. And Mike who's a true brigadier.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:36:02 +0000

Personally, I goad myself with chocolate. Half a page and I can have 4 peanut M&Ms. A full page for 4 more. And so on, until I reach the magical candy bar at the end of the fourth page!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:42:45 +0000

[quote=Isotope] ...took a few days off, and today pulled out the typewriter and sat down and typed 3,071 words. I think it's working! I have long wanted to join the Typewriter Brigade, and I'm glad to be here now... [/quote] And we're glad you're here now. Enjoy that staccato mechanical music. Feel the vibe. Unleash your inner rhino. I second mclemens on the MOAR PAGES idea. Tonight I typed the minimum (six pages), but was on a roll, and heck it was only 8:50, so I put in a fresh sheet and banged out another, and then I was STILL on a roll, so what the heck, I put another page in and filled it with words. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:40:14 +0000

Hey, I'm feeling CHASED.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 06:48:09 +0000

Wow, your 6th NaNo...all you folks who have done this for years amaze me. I can't imagine doing this more than once, and I can't imagine NOT doing it again. (Does that make any sense?) Isotope, you've made the right decision this year! Typing is the best. May your Olivetti Underwood Studio 44 serve you well for the rest of the run!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 12:36:46 +0000

Midweek and it's a grim, grey, and rainy day here in Milwaukee. Had to post something . . . . ;-) (Perhaps the Rhino heard Cameron's advice to go with the best machine!) -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:34:20 +0000

Good! Very good... We like chases...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 15:38:01 +0000

They're great for wordcount.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:11:39 +0000

Love those MOAR PAGES moments. My narrator is a journalist, and he's mostly a silent observer to the goings-on around him, but every now and then he stars waxing rhapsodic about driving down country roads, or the ecosystem of truck stops, or the many ways gingham is used at a county fair. I just let him go when he gets in these moods. It's healthier for both of us.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:16:45 +0000

[quote=mclemens] the many ways gingham is used at a county fair. [/quote] Oh wow. I want to meet this reporter.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:25:15 +0000

YAY! Word bars are up on the forums!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:03:00 +0000

I am disappoint. D: I finally thought to look under the hood of my Selectric II today, as I was looking at a manual and it told me where the serial number was. Imagine my disappointment when I saw -- horror! -- that there was only this little bitty bit of ribbon left. Of course, I immediately pointed my browser to eBay and purchased 3 new cartridges, but they won't get here until later this month. And while I was at it, I bought a lot of 4 different type balls, too... And then, of course, Bluebell ran right out of ribbon at the end of the day's first page. (Funny how this big blue beast insists on being a 'she'... and of being named after a delicate little flower!)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:47:06 +0000

Good! I can stop being the poster-child overachiever for a change. *whew* Now I can get back to padding my pages with interminably long carousel rides In Which Our Heroes Spend A Lot Of Time In Expository Dialogue.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:16:38 +0000

Hey, thanks, everybody! It is so much more FUN to write on the typewriter. It doesn't feel like work, and you can't check your word count every five minutes and of course, no Internet, and what's more satisfying than operating a noisy machine and seeing your novel appear before you? Downside of the the typewriter: it attracts my kids to the office. I'm getting them their own for Christmas, I think. Their own typewriters, not offices. Cameron Scott, I've only won two of those years, and I took two years off completely, but I do try to do it every year.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 03:19:10 +0000

I'm on my very first typewriter (well, not counting the electric one my family had when I was a kid), and the lack of choice may be a good thing. I've only had it since this past spring. Luckily it seems to work pretty dang perfectly.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:02:07 +0000

This is my fifth proper NaNo, and I'm going for a fifth win. (I choose to ignore my failed Camp NaNo attempt this July.) The first win was by the skin of my teeth, and last year's story required padding at the end, but they were wins nonetheless. Fourth-time Brigadier, and I don't think I'd do NaNo any other way now. (The Rhinos won't let me.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:31:44 +0000

Seventh NaNo, seventh win, but only my second year in the Brigade. Last year I did about a fifth of my novel on a typewriter; this year I'm aiming for half.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:36:46 +0000

Damn, Cameron just updated his count. :P And this is my fifth year as well, and hopefully, I'm going to make it five for five. 2009 was the roughest year for me, with a flashback being the only way I won, but yeah. I blame the 200,000 word summer of 2008, along with a lot of other factors. (Yeah, you heard it. 3 months and that many words. It was insane. One day, I posted almost 7,500 words.) But since then, things have been better. I've been able to stick with two or three ideas, rather than ten, which is happy. (Yeah, it turns out I"ve been a rebel for a log time before I made it official.) I've done bits nd pieces of these on a typewriter, but truth is, I don't have a NaNo quality machine. I messed up the Silent Super in the Pre-2008 or 2009 NaNo spring--I tend to get inspiration in October and go crazy with it. In that case, I don't know how many words it was ina week, but the stack of sheets in impressive. But that's when the SCSS went south. Okay, enough of my rambling. I'm going to go study and try not to fall alseep on my books.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:37:12 +0000

Oh noes! Now I know exactly how far behind my fellow typemos I am! XD Seriously, that's awesome. And you all are doing really well. Obviously, I have to have my characters break out into song more often as a means of padding... Suddenly, one of my characters gets obsessed with learning all the words to "It's the End of the World as we know it" by REM. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:38:05 +0000

Those Nano Rhinos. Is there anything they can't do? Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:50:50 +0000

I think we should train them to be homework and exam-study motivators. They won't do that as of yet. Trust me, I've tried.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:34:28 +0000

Hi all, Not to distract from your fierce typing sessions . . . but you might find interesting a well-written and insightful article on Salon about writers and cultural reworkings of Tolkien. Titled "If Tolkien Were Black: - the URL for it is http://www.salon.com/2011/11/09/if_tolkien_were_black/

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:04:04 +0000

MIKE IS NEARLY CAUGHT UP! THANK YOU FOR MOTIVATION!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:19:18 +0000

Your wordcount makes me want to write another 500 before bed... >:D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:29:42 +0000

Don't ya hate it when you are zooming along and suddenly a key starts sticking and WILL NOT work when you need it to? -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:29:54 +0000

YAY! I'm motivation for someone too!!!!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:37:08 +0000

Random observations: * My kids can move really, really quietly when they want to. Practically gave me a heart attack when I was typing this morning in the family room and they sneaked up behind me. ("DADDY WE'RE HUNGRY!") The Rhino was so startled he fell off his perch. * Oh no, dry ribbon! The Beast is getting fainter and fainter. Had to press another machine into service this morning until I can spool a new one on those funny Royal spools. Conclusion: we need a Brigade pit crew on standby to service our machines. * My narrator started channeling a low-budget Mark Twain this morning as he went into great, euphemism-packed detail about a pivotal game of cow pie bingo. Never before have I contemplated the strange beauty and ritual of poo-based betting. This is all happening way, way off-outline. (Shout out to the NaNo Pantsers.) * Did I just see Cameron's word count cross the 30K mark? *seethe* That's awesome, and scary at the same time. I still don't know when this story is going to land, with all these digressions. My main characters are due for a breakup here soon -- perhaps in the Wal-Mart parking lot? -- and then they need to get lost for a while, and while they're doing that, I switch over to plot "B" and flashback around 30 years or so. * Love, love, love seeing people discover the Brigade, especially the new-this-year folks. Keep forging ahead, everyone. The week is almost out, and the peak of the novels are nigh, even if they're atop a mountain of cow dung.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:39:02 +0000

CRAP HE'S AT 40K NOW. THIS WILL NOT DO OH NO PRECIOUS THIS WILL NOT DO AT ALL.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:27:56 +0000

Mike, do not be alarmed. I may be writing a lot of words, but most of it is crap. Sort of discouraging, really. I wanted this to be better, and am suddenly disappointed that it's not very good. Hopefully it WILL be, after much revision. But that comes later. I'm learning so much about the writing process doing NaNo for the first time this year, for sure. So at least THAT is a good thing. It is very challenging to combine Quality with Quantity. Unfortunately I've been too focused on the latter for NaNo. (I'll do this much differently next year.) May the rest of you actually write WELL this month! (the tortoise wins the race)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:39:32 +0000

We can take him, mike. see, Cameron, we all write crap. Quality isn't even in my vocab. you luv write it faster. *grumbles about lack of typer.* *contemplates writing.*

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:40:43 +0000

I'm writing fast too, at least for how I normally write. But I think its great. This month has given me a new sort of confidence. I was a person who never stuck with a project, could barely finish a short story and always fell back to poetry because I could write something in 5 minutes. I've actually set up a routine for my writing and I haven't veered off of it since the 1st and I have over 100 typewritten pages to account for it. By far the single largest prose project I've done in my life so far. Is it all great? Doubtful. But that's what editing is for, right? I'll just do that in a couple months!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:42:46 +0000

So last night I used my '30s Remington Noiseless #7 which I haven't touched in over a year. What I'm amazed at is how it's nearly impossible to get the typebars stuck no matter how fast I type. I can make the typebars stick in my Lettera 32 like nobodies business, but the Remington just wants me to keep typing and doesn't let me trip up. Maybe Mr. Remington will be my new typing buddy for the next couple of days.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:52:08 +0000

Methinks Clemens is the Rhino Muse! -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:11:13 +0000

@uhgreen: I'm a fan of Remingtons, too. They are solid machines. The only little annoying aspect of this brand is the strange ribbon spool. But I'm getting better at threading standard ribbons onto them!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:15:28 +0000

@uhgreen: CONGRATULATIONS on your breakthroughs this year! It sounds like you're doing very well. May the Rhino continue to smile upon you this month, and help you achieve your goals.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:15:42 +0000

No, frustratingly, you've nailed it on the first try. Quality comes AFTER the first draft. If you start fretting with it as you write, I honestly believe you're hamstringing yourself. Let the crap flag fly for that first draft. You find out all sorts of things you wouldn't know otherwise. I'm big on outlining and planning, but there's always a point (at least one) where I completely depart from the outline and wander off into uncharted territory, knowing I can steer my characters back on track if I have to. Those unplanned spaces between my outline's furrows are where the really interesting stuff sprouts. Be merciless in your edit, but generous in the draft.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:47:27 +0000

Your Rhinos are so helpful! Mine grumbles a lot and can't see very clearly.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:01:45 +0000

LOL! Love this whole theme/meme. (Just bought a new ribbon yesterday for a recent estate sale typer find. Hate having to rewind 'em onto the old spools though. I always make a mess.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 18:27:17 +0000

I need a Rhino. I'm out of inspiration.stupid nerves.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 19:29:29 +0000

The Rhino may not have inspiration for you, but it does make a mean Hot Fudge Sauce! Perhaps that will help? ;-) Real Good Hot Fudge Sauce 8 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate 7 tbsp butter 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup heavy cream (or canned evaporated milk <-- NOT sweetened condensed milk, though!) 1/4 cup hot water Melt this over a low heat (or use a double boiler), stirring gently all the while, for 5-8 minutes. It will be fairly thin at first, but then will thicken up a bit. Remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Makes about 2 cups. Store in fridge; reheat in microwave or kettle. Lasts a couple of weeks (I think . . . it never gets past a week in our house!). Good on ice cream and cake. The Rhino sez: "Do not porz on teh typerz!" -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:53:20 +0000

I suppose that means I'll have to take this opportunity to pass you, then! :D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 04:53:34 +0000

ledeaux, you sir are a gentleman. I will have totry this hot fudge.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:26:42 +0000

ROFL. It took me a minute to figure out.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:29:02 +0000

Oh, man. Nothing like some good rhino humor after a long evening's typing. 3400 words, that's a new daily high for me this year. My wife challenged me to hit 30,000 by Sunday. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 18:28:50 +0000

I think I've settled on two machines to alternate between for the rest of NaNo--Felix and Carrie. Carrie still has that crisp new ribbon, and she has a smooth action that makes me happy. Felix also has a new ribbon, writes crisply and cleanly, and the script font is distinctive enough that I can tell where I left off the day before if I don't get to the end of a page. The others can wait a while. Remy's ribbon is fading, but she's got those weird spools that have to be re-spooled by hand. And it doesn't help that there's only one spool, so I have to wind the other around the winch (I'm not explaining this well, but I think you know what I mean). I don't know what happened to the other spool. I may be hitting up eBay for a replacement. Henry has a new ribbon, but he's got a heavy, awkward feel to the carriage. Tacey's ribbon is also relatively new, but she has two problems: One, the spool doesn't always advance, so every so often I have to lift the hood and do it manually, and two, she blurs, badly. I think I need to clean out the typebars, but I just haven't had the time. (I have a small, stiff brush that came with her--is that its purpose, to clean ink out of the typebars? Someone with more expertise on this matter than I would be appreciated...) And Cornelius and Justinian are not in any kind of shape for NaNo. (They're not really in shape for much, to be honest.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 02:12:34 +0000

@WrittenWord: It sounds like you've got quite an entertaining array of typewriters (cool names!) to keep your fingers moving briskly for NaNo. Thanks for the "status update" -- definitely stick with the typers that WORK the best. Keep those words coming!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:30:45 +0000

OH LOOK, HE POSTED JUST SO WE COULD "HAPPEN" TO SEE THAT HE CROSSED 50K. Seriously, though, congratulations on the first Brigadier to cross the magic milestone! I think my fastest took something like 17 days, but you've got me beat easily. To all who doubt the power of the Rhino, kindly check Cameron's stats page. That, my fellow Brigadiers, is the sign of a well-caffeinated Rhino at work. HE MUST BE STOPPED AT ALL COSTS.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 05:35:43 +0000

Hi, Mike & Brigadiers, Mike, thanks. I didn't want to post immediately when I happened to reach 50K today, because it's a mostly a personal validation and should not in any way be compared to anyone's "word counts". We're all on this road together! Everyone can finish. In order for us all to fully celebrate the victory of NaNo 2011, everyone needs to cross the finish line. My own milestone today means very little if the rest of you don't make it, too. We like to type our words, and we're proud of it. Isn't it the best way to write? Uh-huh -- THOUGHT so! Sending you all clacky energy. There's something a little awkward about the whole "contest" thing, but it does serve a wonderful purpose: it gets us to WRITE! That's the most important thing, after all. Best regards and may your fingers fly over the keytops, Cameron P.S. I really wasn't all that caffeinated, actually. One cup of coffee an hour or two before I started writing. I was just wired.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 06:29:56 +0000

Feh, don't worry about the modesty thing. It's overrated. The 50K is just a Big Arbitrary Number meant to goad you into writing something. The bigger challenges lie ahead, in finishing the draft, transcribing it electronically, and editing it. There's no real contest among anyone in NaNo, it's just you and the words, man, just you and the words. (I personally feel proud that you went through the exercise at all, since you were still on the fence about participating just last month at lunch.) It's the power of the Brigade, I tell you... and the jab in the ass that only a well-aimed Rhino can provide. Now... who's next to 50K? I want to see the profiles in this forum lit up with full blue bars.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 13:23:37 +0000

I'm personally going to beat my 17 day best. At least I think it was 17. That was my first year, and I remember how proud I was. But seriously, congrats Cameron. For your first NaNo, this is awesome. Yup Yup Yup Yup Yup. I hit my #35kbysaturday goal... Now to come up with one besides #50Kbywednesday. I don't think I'm going to be able to do that.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:53:02 +0000

Congrats on crossing 50K! Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:55:00 +0000

[quote=mclemens] It's the power of the Brigade, I tell you... and the jab in the ass that only a well-aimed Rhino can provide. Now... who's next to 50K? I want to see the profiles in this forum lit up with full blue bars. [/quote] Heh. Rhino. It won't be me crossing next, but I have to say that this is my best year yet. I'm laying down the words like never before. I think I might cross that 30K tonight. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 03:55:39 +0000

I don't know if I'll make it or not this year. Now that I have kids, I don't know if I'll ever make it again! But I'm not giving up, and I did write more than 3,000 words today. Cameron, there's nothing unfortunate about your first NaNo being all quantity and little quality! That's EXACTLY how it's supposed to go. (And I bet it's not as bad as you think…if you put it aside a while, maybe until after the new year, you won't remember writing some of it and you'll be shocked at how inspired some of it is.) The whole point is to get that first draft done. Criticizing it is for later—or never! Congratulations on hitting 50,000!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 04:00:21 +0000

I am pleased that I passed the 5-digit mark tonight!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:32:45 +0000

Congrats! NaNo with kids around is extra-challenging. I get up early and suck down the coffee to try and get some writing in before they wake up. Once they're up it's a lost cause, though the youngest is getting big enough that she'll at least let me finish a page in-between making parenting demands.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:11:10 +0000

Dang, I let a few days go by and this is what happens?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 18:38:39 +0000

These kids are a special case--they're NaNoing themselves! They're 12 and 15, but I've only been their mom for two and a half years. We adopted them from foster care, and they have their share of the old "special needs." But their novels are so fun and we're having a great time doing NaNo together. This is their third year.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:31:11 +0000

That's the best writing-environment story yet. Good luck to you and your kids.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:22:17 +0000

Some days, I can be a little slow... I was driving home from work (after stopping at Target to pick up some new pillows) and was contemplating which typewriter I was going to use to turn out 6 pages today. I thought about the Coronet, because it's electric and the type is larger so I could fill pages faster (whee, cheating myself!). Not five minutes later, I arrived home and got out to get the mail. OMG PACKAGES! YAY! But I completely forgot what it was I ordered. It makes getting packages more fun, anyway. Going back across the street to get my pillows out of the truck it hit me: OMG IT'S INK AND TYPE BALLS! I said "SELECTRIC!" very loudly and the jogger who was coming down the sidewalk probably thought I was weird.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:57:10 +0000

Well, THAT just killed all my desire to type tonight. Went down, got the new ink in fine, and went to test out my new fonts. What's this? They don't fit on properly? That's because they're Selectric III type balls. Not II. So now I am out $30 and have 4 type balls that are completely useless to me. And I am eyeing this lot of 10 type balls for $49...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 23:58:41 +0000

Heh. "Balls" Hur hur hur. (Sorry about the wrong buy, though.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:18:49 +0000

I dare you to type "balls" into your NaNo and not have it be a double entendre! Now, excuse me while I go bang away in sorrow on my Alphasmart.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 00:54:39 +0000

There's a bar fight coming up: I get to use balls as a single entendre!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 04:59:22 +0000

[quote=radioactivealchemist] So now I am out $30 and have 4 type balls that are completely useless to me. [/quote] That's what *she* said. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:03:29 +0000

I have a confession to make: I didn't use my typewriters today. I handwrote 850 words and used my laptop to bang out another 950 tonight. Before you lynch me, let me explain: the 850 written was 3 1/2 pages were airborne, flying from Vancouver to Toronto. And now I'm on the road sans typers and my story won't let me rest. Laptop plus Q10 to the rescue. I throw myself on the mercy of the Brigade. Don't throw me to the rhinos. DON'T THROW ME TO THE RHINOS! Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 06:31:54 +0000

YOU WIN THE INTERNETS. Everybody else: go home.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:15:16 +0000

If Charles Schultz's Snoopy were doing NaNoWriMo . . . -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:51:00 +0000

Simon... I don't think you'll be thrown to the Rhinos. You're actaully writing. That's a good thing, although using Q10? I dunno about that one--it messed up my formatting.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:51:18 +0000

LEdaux, yet again, your images are amazing.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 19:48:14 +0000

You're absolved for your sins. If we had to start kicking people out of the Brigade for a little dalliance, there'd be nobody left. All you hand-writers earn serious respect from me. I can barely make it through a shopping list, and then heaven help the person who tries to decipher it later.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:29:55 +0000

Augh, my wrists are dead. I've only typed three pages today, but they were all on different machines. First was the Royal QDL, then the Royal Companion, and finally my new Hermes 3000. The action on the QDL is nice, but I don't know how long I can stand to stare at the crayon marks on top. I really need to get those cleaned up. The Companion is meh. The Hermes isn't quite as snappy, but it has a nice solid action. I'm thinking it might become my second main machine, after the SM-9.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:44:35 +0000

I just picked up a Smith Corona Super Sterling at Goodwill this afternoon. Am figuring it's about 40 years old or so - and , dadgummit, the ribbon is still fresh! But the typing action is pretty stiff - less so by the second page of a letter I tested it with. But all my SCs have that boat-anchor feel to them when I type. Definitely feeling it in my wrists too - and upper back. (I gotta find someone who has an SM 9. You all go on so about it -- I gotta see what it's like!)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:49:30 +0000

Simon - never fear the Rhino! ;-) -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:56:44 +0000

My Super Sterling came from Goodwill as well. :D The SM-9 was my very first manual typewriter. I've been spoiled from the very start.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:58:24 +0000

Another evening in a hotel room on my business trip with no typewriter in sight. Tomorrow night I spend another five hours on an airplane, so I hope to get a moderate amount handwritten on that flight. It's an interesting NaNo-writing on a laptop for the first time in three years. I keep watching that damn word count. You hardly get any cardio with this stupid keyboard. I can feel the muscles in my hands and wrists atrophying. My poor rhino is pining. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:22:14 +0000

Mike, I officially concede you the honor of being the second to finish.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 04:58:17 +0000

Must... stay... ahead...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:12:23 +0000

Appears I'll take fourth behind RAC.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:43:52 +0000

I'll hit 50K soon, but it ain't over until I get to type THE END. That's a little ways off yet. I did a lot of plot idling over the weekend that gave me words, but not real progress. YOU HAZ MUCH TO EDITZ

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 07:07:05 +0000

... Wow. I surface midway to find another war going on that I didn't know about. Exciting! I'll just be over here in the corner with Marvin, chugging along at a snail's pace. I seem to have mastered the art of faster typing at last though, and I think I must have been abusing the poor darling before now, smacking away at it like the dolt that I am. (P.S. Yes, I decided to press Marvin the Amazing Royal Portable into service, and currently have 32 pages of rambling that, strangely, I'm pretty satisfied with.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:22:19 +0000

Oooh, that is one mournful-looking Rhino! ;-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 19:08:01 +0000

Well, I think I'm the Brigadier Who Is Furthest Behind. I'm glad I type fast or who knows how much bigger this pickle would be? I love my Studio 44's soft little "ding," though, and typing on the typewriter is just so much more fun, it really is.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:08 +0000

RAC? Where did that C come from?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Lilia Sparks — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:35:48 +0000

IT DIDN'T PAN OUT!!!! Just like Tim Hawkins said... Yeah, no one knows what I'm talking about. Whatever. He's awesome. Look him up. Tim Hawkins. Homeschooling jokes from Tim Hawkins. It didn't pan out for me either...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 23:04:59 +0000

RA, sorry. but you knew what I meant.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:32:08 +0000

THe C came from CHemist. I saw Radio Active Chemist

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:42:34 +0000

It's good to be reminded that the rhinos are our friends. Sometimes they get that hungry look in their eyes. I'm a little worried about arriving home. My rhino hasn't been fed with words for three days. I think I'll let my kids go in first, just in case. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:06:41 +0000

I've just never gotten that on before, that's all. Usually it's RA, or occasionally radio. Must be because I don't have the space in it like I do on other sites. And alchemists are totally cooler than chemists, anyway. ;P

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:37:37 +0000

Dude, chemists are better. Alchemy isn't so much a science as an art.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:40:48 +0000

700 Words until I beat Mr. Clemens. 700 Words until I beat Mr. Clemens...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

winsbe01 — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:31:10 +0000

snail's pace is nothing to sneeze at, my friend! that said, i've began partially blaming my slow word accumulation on this Royal's tendency to skip ahead if i don't hit the keys juuuuust right. and when i'm in a frenzy of tip-tapping, my typing posture goes out the window. oh woe is me! of course, it could also be my fear of 25,000 more words of god knows what looming before me. sweet rhino, have mercy on this poor humble servant!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:01:01 +0000

One page on my Hermes 3000 tonight, then 3.5k on my Alphasmart sitting alone at the library. ...what? My wrists still hurt from yesterday. ;_;

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:45:35 +0000

Well, it's been a few daze since I posted last, so here's an update: After reaching 50K, I thought that it would be a simple matter of scanning the 136 double-spaced typewritten pages into an OCR program and VOILA! Instant novel, electronically ready to be "validated". HA! HA! This has NOT happened. My scanner and OCR software bundled with it (CanoScan LiDE 60 and OmniPage SE, running on a Macbook ) are very basic. One sheet at a time. And the OCR software doesn't have an "automatic" feature. The first page of my novel was almost totally gobbledy-gook. Four or five different fonts, in several different sizes. Weird intents. Some lines so squashed together that they're unrecognizable as a language from Earth. I determined that it would take longer to fix all this than it would for me to TYPE EACH AND EVERY WORD of my "50+K Thing2011", all over again, into Microsoft Word. SO, this is what I've been doing for a few hours each day for three days now (I had to go down the mountain to town for a woodwind quintet rehearsal & groceries today -- snowstorm coming this weekend! and couldn't type...but back at it bright and early tomorrow morning.) It's actually NOT SO BAD to type it all again. In fact, I am pleasantly surprised at how my computer typing skills have improved since I've been clacking away on manual typewriters since April. My fingers have never flown so fast over my poor Macbook's keyboard as they have these past several days. It's sort of like running with ankle weights and then taking them off. POWER TYPING. All we Typewriter Brigadiers are doing this! So far, I've entered in 37K, and should be done by Friday. Then I'll probably write a few more chapters with minimum daily word-count, because I'll need to type it all over again on the laptop. Hopefully with better syntax, but I'm not too focused on THAT, are you? ;-) I am reliving the disgust, the occasional horror, a chuckle, and rare flash of lucidity of my poor writing like an instant replay. What a rush! So let me ask you, fellow Typewriter Brigadiers, how do YOU all deal with this very substantial issue of having to scan your pages into an OCR program? (Is there any other way?) I'd really like to know how it's going for you, entering all your words electronically. We are the only folks nutty enough to TYPE our novels, then have to deal with getting them entered into the system. Are any of you CRAZY enough to be doing what I'm doing? (In a way I hope SO -- as reassurance -- but in a way, I hope NOT. It's a lot of work. ALL BEST WISHES for your continued writing! I'm very curious about your experiences with this. We really haven't discussed it in the forum. Regards, Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:53:53 +0000

Sorry to hear about your issues. Have you tried searching for a different OCR program, or tried one of the online ones? What does the image the scanner puts out look like, quality-wise? And the type itself could be an issue, depending on the font/clarity. As I posted before, I scan in my pages and convert them at the end of every day, so it doesn't pile up, and I haven't had any issues with OneNote's OCR conversion. Sometimes it does silly things, but on the whole it only takes me a minute or two to correct the errors.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:11:51 +0000

@radio: Thanks for your response! My scanner does 300 dpi automatically and looks reasonably clear to me -- I type my blog using it -- maybe Michael Clemens can chime in. Is that a standard resolution? I should do some research about online OCR programs. I'm on a very limited income at the moment so can't shell out any bucks for a decent program (I'd rather spend any extra $$ on ribbons, how typewriteraholic is THAT?). Are there any free or cheap online OCR programs that would work with Mac that you (or anyone else in the Brigade) could recommend? Thanks, Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:16:37 +0000

I don't know about any programs for Mac since I'm PC, but this is the site I used last year to convert my pages: Free online OCR It has a limit of 10 pages per hour, though.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:39:14 +0000

@ radio: thanks, I'll check it out. Meanwhile, please allow me to cheer you on as you near the 50K mark. That's fantastic! Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:40:44 +0000

tl;dr version of the following: Retype it after November, validate with a Lorem Ipsum document, OCR has failed me. For validation, always invoke the NaNoWriMo Luddite Clause: it doesn't matter WHAT you validate, as long as it has the right number of words. I use the online Lorem Ipsum generator to make a dummy document with the same word count and upload that. Like the honey badger of legend, the word validator don't care. Digitizing is the soft underbelly of the Brigade. I have tried a handful of OCR programs, and not a one of them recognizes text to my satisfaction. I keep trying, and I keep getting documents full of lovely hash that would need to be painstakingly combed through to reconcile what was on screen with what was on the page. Feh. Unless you have access to a scanner with a sheet-feeder, too, you're going to be spending some quality time with your equipment. I just throw up my hands every year and assume I'm going to re-type, but only after I make a lot of notes and edits on the page first. So it's more of a first edit, really. Nearly every year since I joined the Brigade, I mark up the drafts afterwards, usually over Christmas break when I'm feeling jolly and benevolent and suffused with goodwill and cookies. This also gives me an excuse to play with fountain pens, and to buy my self a bottle of "reward ink" for finished NaNo (which is then judged Too Nice To Use and set aside. Sigh.) One year I actually managed to re-type the whole scrawled-upon mess back into the computer, using my Trusty Dusty c. 1987 AlphaSmart Pro. That took ages, because I was also trying to edit as I went, and then I wound up editing yet again on the computer. This year, I'm going to read my marked-up draft using speech-to-text software, and then clean up from there.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:39:37 +0000

Last year, when I validated my kids' novels, which are handwritten in spirals, I just opened an old NaNo of mine (on the computer) and copied and pasted the matching number of words--similar to what MClemens says, though the Clemens version will work better if you don't have a big enough document on your computer. So you really needn't worry about retyping it all until later.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 06:40:07 +0000

Uh, spiral notebooks, not like they write in the shape of a spiral or something.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:55:13 +0000

As I tell my students: "Always assume it is the machine or the software, not you!". (OCR has a long way to go, IMHO.) -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:16:58 +0000

"RhinOCR" heh. NANO RHINOCR = HANDZ ON KEYBORD PLZ There's no easy way about it with the Rhino, is there? It all comes down to having to do a lot of typing in the end. (But not for validation.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

uhgreen — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:09:57 +0000

I did it! Last night I hit 50,000 words! And to think, I wasn't going to do Nano at all a week before November. So glad I decided to give it a shot. I've written all 50,000 words on manual typewriters, namely my '30's Remington Noiseless #7, 50's Smith-Corona Silent and Olympia SM-4 and a 70's Olivetti Lettera 32. Most was written on the latter because it was the easier on my fingers for long stretches of time. Now I've got to keep writing to finish the story... no stopping now!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:12:46 +0000

No, you're not. Then again, 15k out of my current word count is in haiku, so I think I can be excused a bit...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:34:05 +0000

Congratulations! Every time a Brigadier types their 50000th word, a Rhino gets his wings.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:26:17 +0000

See the happy Rhino. Fly Rhino fly! The Rhino knows that soon you will all be flying too! -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 16:37:40 +0000

Congratulations!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:30:00 +0000

mah rhino gotz his wings!!!!!!!!! And officially, I am sorry for getting so competitive on this... especially as I'm a Mafia member and lost my Brigade card. so now I'm turning into a cheerleader for everyone who is so close! yay rhinoz!!!!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:01:03 +0000

Not quite the behindest Rhino, but I'm getting there. The Brother has come faithfully to all write-ins and meet-ups, but I haven't managed better than two pages a day on it (that's single-spaced with minimal margins, mind you). All days with required or better word count have been managed in Write or Die instead. Still, I'm chugging along, and every word I add to the count is a new personal record. :) It's inspiring to see all you guys (and your vast arrays of machines ;)) getting the words out at such a pace, though! I may have stumbled across a temptation, however! I made the mistake of looking at some listings of typewriters for sale, and now I have my eyes on a sweet-looking Consul 232. I've said to myself that if I can get 3k words today I'm going for it. That's more than I've managed in one day so far, but I have confidence I can do it! :D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 01:18:39 +0000

WHOOP WHOOP

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:12:07 +0000

The reward is a great idea! Good luck, and congratulations to everyone who's hit 50,000 so far!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:41:58 +0000

WE HAZ LIFTS-OFF And like every NaNo, there's a lot of crap to clean up. So very much crap. Hoping all your Rhinos go airborne soon! Now to finish the story...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 03:43:09 +0000

POOPZ!!! Ack!!! Big guffaw here!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 04:16:35 +0000

It's never a clean takeoff, that's for sure. A few characters have changed nationalities and life stories four times in as many days. Trust in the Rhino, the Rhino will power you through...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:57:53 +0000

YAAAAY! WE"RE WINNERS!!!!! *spaz*

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:55:11 +0000

I got an unexpected boost in my word count Tuesday! I had been estimating about 12 words per haiku, but I did a manual count of the first two pages and discovered that, in actuality, I'm averaging 13 words per haiku. Since I'm averaging 36 haiku to a page (legal-size paper, two columns, single-spaced, double-spaced between haiku), that's a surprisingly large amount of words I was shorting myself. Woot!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:13:48 +0000

LOL. I needed that. Life prevented any writing yesterday.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:25:24 +0000

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who has hit 50K recently!!! Next: Best Wishes and Encouragements to the rest of you, typing away. Update: I just finished transcribing all 50+K of my novel into Microsoft Word, HOORAY! I decided to stick with the plan of entering it all in electronically, which has to be done sooner or later in any case. Thank goodness I had reached the 50K goal early so there would be time to "mess around" with this! I'm glad I did. Now the REAL work begins. I plan to add a few more chapters to the novel in the time remaining, but at a much slower pace (allowing extra time to enter it in electronically, which is somehow a very rewarding activity for me. I like to type!) This novel is so very far from being finished. It's basically autobiographical, and I'm only up to age 19! Perhaps I should divide this Tome into several different novels. This first one can be: "Randella Gets A Life: The Early Years". All best wishes for your continued word counts! Cameron P.S. I'm so sick of words, words, words! I need to take a break from writing words for a day or so.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:44:22 +0000

Sick of words you say? Check out the following for NonNaNo Entertainment: http://www.drawastickman.com/ <-- have fun watching your drawing come to life! I cheated and drew our Rhino Mascot; but it still worked! ;-) -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Cokkii — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:52:51 +0000

I would so use a typewriter if I had one. I'll have to keep an eye out for one for next year. Instead I'm enjoying the slap of my space key on my laptop.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 23:46:35 +0000

EXCELLENT drawing -- thank you, Ledeaux!! It made me smile. JUST what I needed!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 01:18:05 +0000

This site is GREAT!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 02:28:51 +0000

We're here every year, Cokkii. Try your local Criaglist, Freecycle, and thrift/charity shops, not to mention haunting yard sales.Good finds can be had for not much cash, but you need to look for them! The Rhino helps those that help themselves.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 03:04:48 +0000

November surprise: Underestimated words - Gift of the Rhino

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 04:02:00 +0000

So I was sitting at Panera tonight, typing away, waiting for the people who usually come to write-ins to leave me in the lurch, and about half a dozen people came to talk to me about my typewriter. Three of them were notable: The first one got excited when I said I was a writer and handed me her business card--turns out she works for a local women's magazine (as a salesperson, but still). The second one got excited about my plot bunny and asked if she could buy one, then gave me a $5 donation for OLL anyway because she "always supports non-profits". The third dragged her husband over and talked to me for ten to fifteen minutes before telling me that they both write for the Arts section of the local paper and "someone might write about you soon". She took down my name and number and said she was going to chat me up in the news room. So the Brigade might be getting some press...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:37:16 +0000

Ahhhh... I'm back with my typewriters. My rhino is nuzzling my hand and growling in happiness. So, here I am, I was approaching 33K words, and I could sense that my story was starting to lead towards it's climax. What??? Already??? I've got 17K more words to write, it can't be wrapping up! I either had to throw in some sort of complication, or I was going to have to stretch out the climax and the denouement for fully 35% of the book's length. Who do you think I am, Tolkien, or something? So I had one character shoot another. Sure, they'd been having marital problems, but I guess they escalated. After all, one of them had been spending the evening with his mistress. Such is the spirit of NaNoWriMo. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:21:14 +0000

@WW: How great that you made some good connections on your typing expedition to Panera! It is indeed amazing how typewriters can attract people in public places. Isn't it a rush to type in such an environment? (We have to be bold about it in order to pull it off). Typewriters are so expressive, not only for what we want to say, but for the sounds that reach all within earshot. Fellow Brigadier Mike Clemens & I experienced this at a Type-In-of-Two near Mike's workplace a few weeks ago. We had five typewriters between us and people kept stopping by. Everyone had a compelling typewriter story to tell, and they asked many questions about our machines and why the heck were we interested in them? Such a powerful force, the typewriter. It was many people's Personal Writing Machine for over a century, after all. It definitely connects with people, still, judging from all of our recent excursions. I wish you all the best for getting written up in your local paper! Yours in Brigadierdom, Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:20:19 +0000

This reminds me of a famous quote by author Umberto Eco who, when asked why he wrote _The Name of the Rose_, said "I wanted to kill a monk." --> Published in 1983 (English translation, that is), The Name of the Rose is an awesome first novel by Umberto Eco, [from Wikipedia entry] "an Italian semiotician, essayist, philosopher, literary critic . . . . The Name of the Rose (Il nome della rosa, 1980), an intellectual mystery combining semiotics in fiction, biblical analysis, medieval studies and literary theory." His FIRST novel and it goes bestseller! Man, what kind of pasta do they feed the Rhinos in Italy? ;-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:00:56 +0000

On the topic of OCR: I'm still an advocate of onlineocr.net. It lets you scan 15 pages per hour at no cost, without even having an account. I think its quite accurate. Last year, I took my entire novel, typed on onion skin paper, and fed it through my copy machine at work. Its scanned the whole thing to PDF and then I uploaded that PDF to onlineocr.net. I shelled out $6, I think, to process it all in one batch (as compared to the $300+ price quote Kinkos gave me). Ten minutes later, I had a 206 page word document. Now, I still needed to go through it and clean it up for typos and weird OCR artifacts, but the pages I looked at were 95%+ accurate. One year, I took my typed pages and typed them all into an AlphaSmart, and then transferred that over to computer. I spent a lot more time editing as I typed, but nothing major like moving scenes around, cutting or adding.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:05:28 +0000

Leadeaux, that site is hilariously awesome. Watching my stickman battle the dragon with an outrageously long sword was just great. So, I totally had a dream about finding a portable olympia for $25 dollars at this giant antique thing that had a ton of typewriters, all but this one out of my budget... Did Olympia make typers small enough to find under one's arm? And I think that there were brigadiers in this dream as well, but not positive... Kind creepy, I know.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

deek — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 15:49:42 +0000

Olympia made Splendids and the later Traveller de Luxe which are both in the ultra-portable class, if memory serves.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:08:46 +0000

I think that this might be it!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 16:09:08 +0000

(Oh and image from http://public.tfh-berlin.de/~hamann/typwrtr/oly33.html)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 17:28:46 +0000

That's great, WW. Just goes to show what a cultural force the typewriter was in its day. In thirty years, do you think people will be attracted to the sight of someone using a laptop in a public place? (A keyboard! How quaint!) Just a reminder to one and all that in the NaNo off-season, when the Rhinos are safely bedded down and the editing times come upon us (or not), the Typosphere is kicking around for your enjoyment. It's a very, very loose affiliation of bloggers-who-type, so if you want to keep your fingers in fighting shape for next year, or ogle some lovely collections, or find a type-in, or host a type-in, or celebrate Typewriter Day (June 23, mark your calendars!) or any of the above, come on by. You'll recognize many of the names from the forums here, and run into a few new faces. If you're lucky, you might even find someone in your general area for a get-together.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:38:50 +0000

Okay I had a bad work week and very low output, entered the weekend 1k in the hole, but so far today over 2000 words and I have some time left to increase that. I've used the underwood 319, Royal Aristocrat, Hermes Media and SCM Silent-Super so far (one page each), and will switch to the Adler Universal (the big gun) this evening.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 01:39:51 +0000

oops I meant 15k in the hole, as you can see by my word count...stupid pc keyboard.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:22:22 +0000

OMG OMG OMG OMG~ My new type balls are here! I can't wait until I actually have the time to try them out.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 05:05:29 +0000

Glad you qualified that. TYPE balls. *snicker*

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 07:50:02 +0000

I should have done pre-NaNo exercises... ow ow ow. Fingers, my hurting fingers. And arms. And wrists... On the sunny side, I'm a bit ahead, which is probably good as tomorrow looks to be a GO GO GO kind of day, and not of the writing variety. I know it's silly (and lazy?) but I don't like being inaccurate when it comes to word counts, so I haven't wanted to switch typewriters, even though it's the perfect excuse to play around. Curse my pedantic nature! (And no doubt the rest of my posse is cursing it as well. And shooting Marvin venomous looks when my back's turned.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 19:53:25 +0000

So - I'm curious . . .how exactly does one prepare, exercise-wise, for typing 50K words? Any ideas, oh Brigadiers?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sadlittlewriter — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 21:18:00 +0000

HAHA! Nano Rhino made me giggle. :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:17:16 +0000

@Ledeaux: Do you mean exercise the BRAIN, or the FINGERS? ;-) For the brain, we all know the answer to that already. For the fingers: TYPE EVERY DAY ON A TYPEWRITER. The more resistance, the better for power training. (Which means I need to pound out my next novel on my Underwood No. 5, made in 1911. The flat, glass-topped keys and the heavy carriage return are KILLER.) Best regards, Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:22:40 +0000

P.S. Or for those who seek the Path of Least Resistance, find a typewriter that fits the bill. My Smith-Corona Silent Super and battered Remington Quiet-Riter Eleven have the lightest touch of all my (17) typewriters. There must be a lot of others that I don't know about. Or...GO ELECTRIC!! :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 00:43:45 +0000

I find using electric typers to be very uncongenial. The sound is just too loud and the striking too 'smacky' for me to type comfortably. And it doesn't seem to be a matter of hand strength either -- back to manual now. My sister has very strong hands and I don't -- but I am the one who keeps typing away, while she says she can't type much because it hurts her fingertips too much. I would think some musicians - those who play instruments that require hand strength and/or flexibility might find typing easier. Do you find that the case, Cameron?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Mr. I — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:16:57 +0000

Checking in ... my novel stands at around 14,000 words and there is no way I'll make it to 50K this month. Life has been too busy. The good news, I guess, is that the story is getting told pretty economically and I might finish the story itself by the end of the month. Call it a novelette! I was planning to use only Olivettis this time but couldn't resist switching to my big Royals for some pages. The HH is a good machine, and the KMM is a dream machine. I don't know a snappier writing machine.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:14:17 +0000

Time to raid the office recycling bin . . . -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 16:47:07 +0000

@Leadeaux: I can definitely see why you don't care for electric typewriters for the reasons you mentioned. I prefer manuals but have had fun with electrics over the years. In fact, I'm very excited about getting a Selectric II from a friend's mother soon. She used it in her work for many years. But I digress... Hand strength does help with typing on manuals. I think that you are correct in that some musicians would find typing easier because of their hand strength, especially those who play piano. Although I "play around" with piano and harp, the French horn is my main professional instrument, which doesn't involve a lot of hand work. I wiggle the four keys with my left hand. Hand dexterity is important; strength is not, on the horn. (It's more of a lip thing!) Anything that you can do to increase your finger strength would help your typing. But I reiterate what I mentioned in my P.S., that you would probably do well to find a manual typewriter that has a very light, responsive touch.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 19:06:45 +0000

Funnily enough, I was just eyeballing my pile o' scavenged, hole-punched paper and thinking that it was looking thin. Should be more than enough to cross 50K, though... We're saving the world: turning scrap paper into art! :-) Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 02:47:31 +0000

Hi deek, Thanks for the recommendation, but it ended up not working optimally for me -- I suppose the biggest problem is that I don't know Word very well. I was unable to get the recognized words spaced correctly (horizontally). Hopefully the OCR thing will work better after I figure out how to use Word -- a relatively new program to me. It was almost as fast for me to enter in an entire page manually as it was to make all the adjustments necessary to fix the scanned/recognized pages.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:25:36 +0000

On this subject, tonight was the first night that I had trouble reaching my target partly due to my fingers getting tired. I was working with my Underwood Touch Master 5, which is a very smooth machine, if with a heavy 14" carriage. I started typing late and I was rushing to make my count today. The words were just rolling. Long stretches of staccato clacking, but by halfway through my fourth and last page, the errors started piling up as my fingers were getting tired. Unlike most other nights, there was not an extra page in my fingers. Need to pace myself better. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:12:31 +0000

Embrace those errors! My early-morning typing brings these out in force, because I'm too sleepy to care. Today my narrator talked about how he and his friend used to spend their "lunch monkey" at the arcade. Don't know how that extra "k" worked in there, but it makes up for all the other letters I dropped from other words. Nano Rhino and the Lunch Monkey: WORLD TOUR 2011

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:16:32 +0000

This needs an album cover. NANO RHINO and the LUNCH MONKEY! And songs.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:06:00 +0000

Are we going to only have ONE THREAD this year???? We're over 500 posts, but no lockdown yet. Time for a flamewar! If it ain't a Smith Corona, it ain't worth the pot metal it was made from. Discuss. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:07:14 +0000

I love their cover of Stairway to Heaven. The french horn solo really makes it. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Apollo16 — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:15:46 +0000

I just had to post for the sake of nostalgia. With the new Rudy on Rails system we do not have to lock threads that go over 500. They load quickly and are easily searchable. After all these years... not locking the Typewriter thread... sniff sniff... I miss you! (I have a Royal from the 1940s so I'm not a complete barbarian.) Apollo16

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:39:54 +0000

Am happy to put on the Design Hat for this one . . . but what, pray tell, is a Lunch Monkey? :-D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 20:02:08 +0000

I have vision of the a smallish monkey eating a sanwich... or a lunch stealing big monkey like a chimp... Or a BONOBO! They're the best.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:02:27 +0000

I was doodling around with non-writing things, you know, as you do when you haven't met your quota... anyway, one thread led to another and I looked up Norman Corwin on the Wikipedia, thus finding out about his death because I'm news-deprived as a rule— but the relevant bit is this photo I also found. I'd like some help identifying it, as Corwin deserves a mention on Richard Polt's page. So, here it is: (large version) It looks sort of like a Royal KMM, but I don't trust my own judgment on these things. (Oh, and re: my last post, I just meant it's been quite a shock to my writing limbs because I hadn't used a typewriter since last year... I really should be using my collection year-round and I know it.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 03:24:40 +0000

Hey, I missed Clemens' 'lunch monkey' ref above! Now I see what you and he are getting at - and am conjuring up a graphic as we type . . . pics at 11, as they say (or tomorrow anyway!)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 04:23:26 +0000

The narrator of these week's edition of Nature on PBS says: "The Lunch Monkey is a nocturnal animal. Here we see -- for the first time on camera -- their foraging behavior." -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

DownToTheWire — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:04:41 +0000

I would say that it is indeed a KMM, Yoshi. I have one, and it's a perfect match. Mine tends to skip spaces randomly though. Grrrrr.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:17:46 +0000

*Like*

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:02:11 +0000

WAKE UP, RHINO! They're stealing your lunch! Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:34:12 +0000

GIMME BACK SAMMICH Poor Rhino. Now he's got to worry about wordcount and a primate infestation.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:54:02 +0000

*Hoots* NO! MAH SAMMICH! I think i'll take a Evil Plot Monkey infestation any day.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:06:48 +0000

my nano hasnt gone well wordcountily. but i've written a fair amount. i've also been laying out books. & making collages & drinking too much ink. all in all i've been too slow. nano dino has taken over in a violent coup.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:07:12 +0000

I kind of miss the old lockdown days, when we scrambled to push the old Drupal boards to critical mass. There was always that delicious irony of a bunch of analog nuts taking out a web site. :-) However, I am loving the fact that we still have one topic, that it's threaded, and seemingly uncrushable. Oh, and that we still TOTALLY DOMINATE the post count, like a sack full of jabbering rhinos.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:53:13 +0000

Is NaNo Cat the evil familiar of NaNo Rhino? p.s. Tell NaNo Rhino to watch his/her back. No one can defeat THE RHINO!!! ;-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:55:11 +0000

Look at all the full blue bars! The Rhino is pleased. Validation should start on Monday, after the long holiday weekend here in the U.S.. My Rhino is going to use the the Lorem Ipsum generator to make a document that matches my word count, then he's going to get his sandwich back from those monkeys, and then take a two-month nap. I'll be facedown in a pumpkin pie over the weekend myself. Good luck to all in this final week! May your Rhino (or Dino, or Magic Plot Monkeys) be strong and generous. See y'all in the winner's circle.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:28:33 +0000

castro, the nanocat, is a brutal editor. the rhino's been through worse. he has a plan. & body armor.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mindbum — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 01:33:01 +0000

no way man. olympias are superior beasts... wait, no, the hermes adult size machines are buttery. but what about my monarch 5? it's just a remington anyway. or... the groma gromina... or.... ...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:31:27 +0000

THE. END. The level of hate I currently have for this story is approximately more than or equal to the hate which I felt towards my 2007 NaNo upon finishing it. Sadly, I think that time will NOT heal the wounds this go-round.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:46:11 +0000

-------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:38:28 +0000

Congrats for finishing! When the rage subsides and your skin returns to its usual shade from "Hulk-smash green", try to figure out what happened. I had to do that with my 2010 NaNovel. It started out promising, with a great premise. Then it devolved into a motionless plot. Then pointless action kicked in, sprinting for a unsatisfactory conclusion. The NaNo triple play! Root cause: boring characters. Lesson learned for 2011: make sure all characters are flawed. Let them make the "wrong" decisions. Chaos ensues. I will hit THE END either Friday night or Saturday morning. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:42:22 +0000

Nano Dino needs a monocle. "Nano Dino, do you expect me to stop writing?" "No, Mr. Mindbum, I expect you to DIE!"

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 17:13:11 +0000

Well, I do know one of the problems: I should have written it in 1st person instead of 3rd person. If (big if!) I ever decide to re-write it, that's the biggest thing I'm going to change. Davin simply stole the show.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Austruck — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:12:07 +0000

I used my gargantuan beautiful IBM Selectric for a few sessions this month, and it was awesome every time! The roar of the keys, the clanking of the table as it rumbles underneath the behemoth that is the Selectric -- the dinging of the little bell when I get near the end of a line! Music to my ears! And I'm even learning to be a better touch typist (I'm already amazing, but hey, perfect is even better, right?) because I hate having to correct the typing errors after I scan in the pages. But, as usual, the typewriter provided a great change-up in the routine just when I needed it. :) And it felt good to know I wasn't alone in my typewriter-love this month. :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

BullRunBear — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:21:52 +0000

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I won't make the 50K mark this year. I'll be lucky to get to 35K by the end of the month. Too many family matters and non-writing distractions. But the effort wasn' t wasted and I have a lot to be thankful for. A lot of what I wrote will be usable in other projects I have in mind. I acquired a 1939 Royal KMM and really learned to appreciate it. There was a strong catharsis in the story that was beneficial. (It really helps to write about things that would land me in jail in reality.) And most of all this year's NaNo restored my faith in free writing. Definitrly a good month. Jeff

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 05:47:36 +0000

Done! Crossed 50,000 and typed THE END in the space of a few lines. I had to work to stretch it out to 50K. A lot more internal monologuing going on in the last 10,000 words, where the first 40,000 was a lot of action and faster moving. Oh well. I didn't quite "pants" it this year, but this is as close as I get. Pretty happy with it right now. First time since 2008 that that has happened. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 22:01:46 +0000

Glad to hear everyone's doing well, either in word, writing spirit, or both! I've been hit with a bad case of "well, this isn't worth the paper it was typed on" but I'll press gamely on. It doesn't help that I'm almost positive this will end up being two separate books— not so much because of length but because these characters are following completely parallel tracks. Also, I haven't even touched 1847 yet. I see a lot of "BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA GOES HERE" in my future...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:42:10 +0000

Geez, I gotta finish this stupid thing. I know, I know... don't pay any attention to the word-count bar. I need to get "THE END" before the month runs out, and this two-day food-bender isn't helping. Haven't touched the keys in two days, and the Rhino is getting crabby. Maybe just a page or two tonight...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Mr. I — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:21:13 +0000

Congratulations!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Mr. I — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 03:27:05 +0000

Hi Yoshi, Richard Polt here. I confess I didn't know who Corwin was, but just did some googling and find him indeed worthy of listing. Thanks for the photo. I agree that it's a KMM.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 04:13:20 +0000

It looks like I'm going to turn into one of you multi-typewriter people now. :) Managed a 3k day eventually, which I decided was enough to justify going after the Consul, which I picked up yesterday, and went straight from picking it up to a write-in which lasted until 3AM. Fortunately I brought along a replacement ribbon, because the one that came with it was bone dry. It's been really enjoyable just getting the hang of a new machine, and those subtle differences that come with it. The only problem I've had with the Consul is that sometimes when I press specific keys, they stick and won't go back into position until I press the space or backspace, or sometimes I have to manually pull the typebar away from the paper. Typing loosened this up a bit, but it's a bit of a pain. Any suggestions on how to deal with this?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 13:27:30 +0000

WooHoo! Simon! Way to go!!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:32:13 +0000

If it's just one or two bars, they could be (slightly) bent out of shape. If it's larger section of the keyboard, though, then something could be out of alignment, like the guide. I always start with the simplest fixes first -- clean everything with a cotton swab and some isopropyl alcohol, then use it for a while. If that doesn't magically fix the problem, then I'd start asking the folks on the portable typewriter forum about the location of adjustment screws. Don't dis-assemble anything, though, and just try cleaning first.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 17:42:43 +0000

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:20:13 +0000

Well, I wasn't optimistic about this year, with the baby coming and the move. And it looks like I was right. The last week or so I've picked back up again on my writing, but I'm not really likely to hit 50k. Which is ok. I was writing a piece with more serious intentions instead of just a no-plot story this time, so I'd rather take longer than the month to do it. I picked up an old Royal model O and an Olympia SM-3 this month. So it's not been a waste of time anyway :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 02:01:48 +0000

LUV THIS!!! :-D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

studentofrhythm — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 05:31:15 +0000

Right, don't know if I'm doing this correctly, but I wanted to share: I got my own little Nano Rhino earlier this month and finally got a photo:

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:23:18 +0000

That looks like the extremely rare albino Nano rhino. The distinctive hide and single horn give it away. That and the penchant for classic Royals. An excellent find! Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 06:26:34 +0000

Ooooh, gorgeous. (Am I talking about the rhino, the Royal or both? You decide... But I am slightly envious of your Nano rhino.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:44:13 +0000

I know this must sound like a stupid question, but why are some word count bars blue and others purple?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 16:50:09 +0000

This looks to be an extremely Sneaky Rhino! Better watch out - it may add some new stuff to your novel when you aren't looking! ;-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:50:14 +0000

Validate your novel! Paste the text into the official word-counter, and your bar goes purple and you get your winner's goodies. Look for the link in Edit Novel Info. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:32:40 +0000

The Lorem Ipsum generator is a quick way to get 10,000 word (or smaller) chunks; run the web page, and then copy/paste into the validation box the proper number of times. For you, Cameron, you'd paste 5 times (5 x 10,000) plus run it a sixth time for the remaining 2,178 words.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:55:46 +0000

THANKS, Simon & Mike Clemens!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:16:17 +0000

The only keys I've had problems with are the U, A and Q, and the first two have moved into mostly stickless mode now that I've done a page or two's worth of typing on the Consul. The Q remains steadfastly sticky. From a look under the cover I think the typebars on those letters are slightly bent, the Q more so than the other two. Any further advice?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:53:35 +0000

The "mostly stickless" ones may resolve themselves with some more use. You can very, very, very, very slightly bend the end of the typeslug if you're sure that's what's sticking, but doing so may put the letter a touch out of ailgnment. Try working it up very slowly to see where it's sticking -- is it rubbing against the inside of the guide, for example? -- and then bending appropriately. It likely won't take much at all. Or just try not to type "queen" very often. :-) I used a Silent-Super for some of my at-home typing, and it has occasional ends-of-the-keyboard alignment issues, but they are just that -- occasional -- so I'm hesitant to do anything more drastic than just reach up and unstick it by hand. It comes and goes, so I've just chalked it up as "character." I hate the guilt that comes with making a typewriter worse with my ham-handed attempt at a repair.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:25:23 +0000

Tom Furrier of the blog "Life in a Typewriter Shop" has an interesting perspective on typewriter repairs. He says that trying to do your own repairs can sometimes result in making the typewriter worse. So I would recommend proceeding with caution, especially with treasured machines. I'm beginning to realize that some typewriters do have issues not easily solved, and as you say, Mike, it's 'character'. I justify having 17 typewriters by reminding myself that I *DO* need a few really dependable typers amongst the more capricious ones!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:28:01 +0000

Stopped by Goodwill today after going to the post office, but no typewriters. Disappointed. D:

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:34:55 +0000

With just the two machines (so far), I'm not too keen on having even one that's a no-go for regular typing on. However, I don't think my nervous poking at the typebar has done anything, positive or negative. I might just get used to pulling the key back up if I can remember to do that every time I type a Q. I'm keen enough on the Consul that I'm willing to do that, albeit with a bit of grumbling. I'll see if another clean does it any good, and after that I'll just have to see. And no, this is not doing my wordcount any favours, but I already knew I wasn't going to get to 50k ;)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ribbonwritten — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 22:15:06 +0000

Scratch that last comment about the poking not doing anything. Another very gentle poking has got the Q typing normally. Happy dance time!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:01:15 +0000

It's amazing how most of the sticking issues with typewriters resolve themselves by simply TYPING on them for a while -- especially when we first get them. I imagine that many of the machines we get weren't used for quite awhile (except for the ones passed around the Typosphere). So it makes sense that they need to be coaxed back to life!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:04:05 +0000

Wherein the NANO RHINO and friends celebrate the end of November with a game of Hide-and-Seek. Congratulations everyone! What a rollicking November it has been. Best wishes to all as you finish and/or edit your work in the coming months. -------------------------------------- This image may be shared: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons http://danteswardrobe.blogspot.com

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:40:40 +0000

Type samples. I HAVE THEM. IBM Selectric II - type samples #1 IBM Selectric II - type samples #2

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:21:16 +0000

The Old English one is neat! Not too useful unless you want your document to look like a badly done forgery of a medieval manuscript, but still seriously cool.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 01:32:45 +0000

That's one great thing about those Selectrics, and one thing that keeps me coming back to the idea of having a working Selectric someday. The font balls are just plain cool. Swapping fonts, watching the little golf ball thingy twirl and dance when you get going.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 02:19:52 +0000

Duuuude. Those rock. You should make us fonts...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 03:55:25 +0000

So I started retyping some of my novel, partly because I had zero inspiration and was hoping to jog my memory and partly to double-check my estimate against actual word count without having to manually count every page. I typed up the first dozen pages, give or take, got the actual word count, and divided it by the number of haiku I'd written (shut up). Turned out I was shorting myself by an average of half a word per haiku. I'd been estimating 13 words to a haiku, but I was actually averaging 13.5. Bumped me up almost another 1k. It's awesome. I actually stand a chance of winning, even though I'm 24k behind...I CAN DO THIS, DAMMIT.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:42:59 +0000

Go WrittenWord go. Nothing's impossible. Have entire scenes where one character is teaching the other the words to a particularly complex haiku. With a stutter, ADD and short-term memory loss. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:46:19 +0000

The Nano Rhinos have been the life of the party this November. Thanks to mclemens for sharing the meme with us and to you and everyone else for taking it and running with it. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:42:07 +0000

We'll have to print T-shirts for next year: RHINO TAMER or the like.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:14:08 +0000

An awful lot of purple bars this year around this Brigade. Can I mention how awesome that is? Ah... I just did. BIG FINISH, EVERYBODY. Type like there's a very angry rhino behind you, with sandwich-flinging monkeys right behind. WAIT A MOMENT... THOSE AREN'T SANDWICHES. (ew)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:09:42 +0000

Hurrah hurrah, a new typewriter on Thursday! Found one for $15 on Craigslist, an ugly tan Smith-Corona manual portable within acceptable driving distance.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

winsbe01 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:52:48 +0000

sweet petey of Tahiti, i've crossed the line! who knew i had it in me, and on the first go-round of NaNo? my typewriter carried me for more than half of it too! i, of course, was hoping for the royal to carry me to the end, but when i get to typing late at night in my apartment (whose walls may very well be made of paper), the noise is too much. plus the traveling to thanksgiving and the random spurts of handwriting, i had to do bang out the last 15k on the laptop. but 35k of good, old fashioned manual writing? feels great! (spiritually -- my wrist isn't too happy with me) now to begin my online hunt for a replacement ribbon. oh where to start?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 15:22:52 +0000

Come on, everybody! The finish line is in sight. Bump that novel past 50K today! And if you're far away: DREAM SEQUENCE. Can't go wrong with a free-writing-inflated word count. (See also: the middle of my draft.)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:55:19 +0000

The RHINO has never looked so beautiful!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Fiona W — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 17:44:42 +0000

I bought an Olivetti electric typewriter in 1976 that used font balls, and the available fonts for it were way cooler than the Selectric fonts. It was gorgeous to look at, too. I can't believe I gave it away! =hits head with hardback book=

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Isotope — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 21:04:00 +0000

Hi Brigadiers, A big old family crisis hit us on November 18th, and I haven't been able to write since. But congratulations to all of you who made it through clackety-clack-clack, and I'll join you again next year. Happy holidays! Jennifer

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:12:45 +0000

Add another purple rhino to the stack! 58 pages plus one lonely 1,884-word chunk on the computer. Now that the pressure's off, I'm going to keep going until I finish the beast, and maybe while I'm at it, I can figure out the whole scan-and-OCR thing...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

CameronScott — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:53:21 +0000

Hi Jennifer, 21248 words ain't too shabby! Hopefully you'll be able to finish your novel sometime. All best wishes for a resolution to your family crisis soon. Cameron

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Vain|^| — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:32:02 +0000

So much purple. Yay.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 14:45:18 +0000

Congrats to all the winnerz! I limped to 35,000 late last night, and came to a resolution of sorts in the story. So now I'm 1-1 in two years. I like this year's project and definitely intend to clean it up for publication.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:24:01 +0000

Congratulations, everyone, whether you got a purple bar or you took a run at it and real life stepped in. I think this is the best-ever showing by the Brigade. I think the Rhino was the difference. Same time next year. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:58:58 +0000

Hear, hear. This is a year of Big Finishes for the Brigade. Even those who took a swing at it made some serious strides. I hope everyone gets a good recharge in, and maybe makes a lucky find or ten in local thrift stores/church sales/curbside finds. Well done, everyone -- your rhinos smiled upon you in 2011.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:16:18 +0000

Oh my god, the new typewriter I got today is AMAZING. Its font is HUGE. 6 characters per inch. According to the couple I bought it from, her mother worked for the Iowa Chamber of Commerce and the machine was used for cutting mimeograph stencils.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:11:06 +0000

No excuses for OCR not working with that one. And imagine your page count!

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

radioactivealchemist — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:39:32 +0000

Here's the pics:

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:46:15 +0000

Congratulations to everyone who finished, and everyone at least who got to write some. I'll be continuing on my story from here, and hopefully get it to be something nice when complete. Remember, just because November's over doesn't mean the words have to stop.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 18:11:43 +0000

My machines and I made it to the end of the month! I did have trouble with my Facit the last couple of days, though. All of a sudden, the center keys started getting stuck almost every time I hit them--the Y, the H, the B, the N, and the 8. Is this normal? How can I fix it?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:28:56 +0000

Banging your head against the keys? Check to make sure nothing's stuck or gumming things up, I guess. Unless you spilled a soda on the segment, it's strange for a very focused section to suddenly stop working. Operator error, maybe? Do you touch-type? Maybe that finger is a little stronger than the others and you're poking the keys too hard?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 04:17:04 +0000

Or do you have cats? Or long haired dog that sheds and gets hair all over in the segments? The cats are banned from my office for exactly this reason ;)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Ledeaux — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:45:21 +0000

I find that keys will start sticking after I've been typing for awhile and it is due to my muscles tiring and me not realizing it. For me it tends to be the outer keys - which makes sense since my "outer fingers" aren't as strong. And it tends to be on the left side - I am right handed, which is my stronger hand. Is there anyone else that uses your typewriter?* I was once showing my young nephews the wonder of typewriters and the younger one immediately started smacking several keys at once! * I originally wrote "Is there anyone else that uses your machine?" Knew if I left it that way that the ensuing double entendres would be merciless! (Yeah, I'm looking at you, Clemens!) ;-D

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 16:59:31 +0000

Remington Model 5 here. I love it.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:11:03 +0000

Wow! I'm so happy you like it and that it has a good home. :-) By the way, you probably already discovered this, but I believe if you open the hood you'll find a 'sensitivity lever' that will make the keys lighter or harder to the touch. (Right side by the serial number?)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:13:12 +0000

"Key choppers"! Love the term. Hate the 'choppers'. If I see someone wearing their initials made out of keys I'll hold out my hand and politely (or not so politely) say "hand them over and nobody gets hurt. Pfffftt... fashion.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:24:46 +0000

Grats on completing the task, sjb. I did zero because of the move then not moving in the end. November couldn't have been a busier time. But now that you've introduced me to this group of like minded naturalists I'm already getting pumped for next year. Also as I pick up and nurse back to life more machines I'll let you and the others know. I don't do it for profit but rather to see the machines live again. I've been using the Remington Model 5 for some projects in the rare minutes I find to work these days and have been loving it to the extreme, probably because I started on a Remington in my youth and I'm partial to it. So you actually take your machines to the write-ins? That is so cool! It must be a blast.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 17:45:48 +0000

Hi all. Just wanted to introduce myself, late, as you can see, but next year I'll try to prepare for NaNoWriMo. Maybe I can talk my boss into taking a vacation somewhere far away. My real job is of a nature that I'm basically on call 24/7 so interruptions are a large part of my life. If you've ever watched "Fawlty Towers" I'd be the Basil equivalent. ("I'm sorry, is there something I can do for you? Perhaps move the building a little to the left?") I blame Simon for getting me to even consider joining this year, he just made it sound like so much fun. :-) The machine I use is a Remington Model 5. (Moderator: if the following is seen as advertising please feel free to delete) I liberate machines from thrift stores and garage sales when I can afford to do so and sell them at cost. I guess it would be tacky to advertise them here so just watch UsedVictoria as I post there when I have them. (I'm not saying I never tried to make a profit but I've soured to that idea so when I say "at cost" I mean "at cost") When I sell them they're in working order and have a new ribbon. Anyway, nice to meet you all and next year I hope to see some of you in person. As for now I have to go move the building a little to the left. Kris

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 08:11:07 +0000

Holy mung beans! How's that for service? (I on the other hand, could do with checking the boards a little more often...) Thanks for adding him. :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

sjb — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 18:55:39 +0000

Hey, Kris! Better late than never. Maybe next year will work out better, although for some reason something always seems to come up in November. Personally, NaNoWriMo is like Christmas for me: something keenly anticipated for the whole month, with (not enough) planning and last-minute ideas. The actual event is a lot of work and always memorable, and then I'm always happy when it's over. By the time it rolls around again, I'm ready to do it all over. I'll keep an eye on UsedVictoria, but will have to come up with new and interesting excuses to expand my collection. Simon

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

Yoshi — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 20:07:06 +0000

Hi Kris! Love your username, by the way. Clever. :) Not like I need more machines, but that never stopped me stalking the craigslist, etc. Besides, Victoria is close enough I might even be able to pick up any hypothetical purchase in person, so I'll definitely keep an eye peeled. Anyway, glad to see you here, and I hope you're able to return for next November's adventures! -Hannah

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:49:31 +0000

BUMP

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:03:25 +0000

oooh oooh okay finally I have a picture of the elusive Rhino! Said Rhino has teamed up with the Silent Super in an attempt to get me to attempt repair work...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:53:53 +0000

What's wrong with it? It's certainly a worthy machine to fix up.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:26:07 +0000

"Collection", lol, that's the frightening word. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:36:46 +0000

Hi Hannah, nice to meet you. "Yoshi"? The little green dinosaur or dragon or whatever from Nintendo games? Cute. :-) Thanks re my user name. I actually registered the domain name when I thought of it, with interesting results. I have to keep Google crawling the site so it shows up when searched for. If it's not in Google, Google says "Can't find anything for ProsingNude, showing results for Posing Nude instead" or some such thing. :-( Kris

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:24:51 +0000

So... ever since a frenzied Pre-NaNo over Fall break, 2008, in which I typed probably 20K in a week at a very rapid rate, it'd been working for about a half a page, then it would start sticking. Carriage wouldn't advanced. I thought I had isolated it to a specific spring being bad, and replaced the spring with a cannibalized spring from a pen, but it's still doing it. There are three pics in this set of mine on flickr... http://www.flickr.com/photos/25557879@N02/2956458852/in/set-72157608149725312 Hardest part is just when I think I've got it fixed, it starts doing it again. I'll get a page, if I'm lucky, and I remember just why I love this typewriter, and then the problem starts up again. It's very sad, and I would love any help fixing it. ((Oh, and yes, I should really check if I"m still a member of TPF on yahoo and ask them, although I think I already did...))

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 16:51:51 +0000

Wow, without seeing it in motion it's difficult to get a good idea of exactly how the parts work together. The only insight I can offer is that in most of the cases I've observed the advance is usually accomplished, at some point during a carriage return, by a lever pushing against a sprocket on the platen, forcing it to turn. Said sprocket can become worn and the teeth rounded off. It looks like you've backtracked to a deeper part of the mechanism so you've probably already observed what I'm saying and ruled it out. Also you machine may not operate in that way at all. The spring looks good. Have you tried lengthening or shortening it to change the tension? Advancing can also be hindered by flat spots in the feed rollers. These are the rubber rollers that press the paper against the platen. If there's flat spots they will not turn sometimes. Especially if all the flat spots of all the rollers happen to line up occasionally at the same time against the platen. Then the advance would be intermittent. If you suffer from flatspots you can sand them round again, trying not to remove too much material. Or another method is to use shrink tubing and sanding together. Aside from that maybe there's a typewriter repair shop nearby and you'll just have to pull out your wallet and admit defeat. :-)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:04:08 +0000

I don't know if it helps or not, but I've uploaded a short video showing the underside of my Silent-Super as I depress the space bar. This was shot as the typewriter was resting on its back, so the mechanisms are flipped over from the picture in the URL. Video link It looks like the spring you're having issues with is responsible for pulling the little catch out of the way of the escapement gear. If it's not all the way clear, the carriage will probably hang up.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:35:17 +0000

YUp, mike, that's the region. So the little spring is currrently gone, so I've got to replace it again... my mechanism is in the closed position when it gets stuck.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

ProsingNude — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 18:57:06 +0000

Ah, I read "Carriage wouldn't advanced." as meaning a carriage return did not advance the platen/paper, single, double or triple spaced. Also explains why that part of your machine looked so alien to me. Disregard what I said, for the most part.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:03:18 +0000

Haha no worries. the majority of my recent posts have been written in an academia induced haze... which makes spelling and grammar for anything else nearly impossible.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 16:33:20 +0000

Hey guys I have a quick opinion question; would you say typewriters were replaced due to want for a faster, easier way to write documents?

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

notagain — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:42:14 +0000

I think it's down to editing. To get a really clean copy you needed to 1. retype the whole thing (or at least the whole page, if it still fits) and 2. do so perfectly. The computer enabled small tweaks and multiple edits.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 18:21:45 +0000

Thanks notagain, I'm working on an essay and one of the questions I was asked to answer was why I thought typewriters were "lost" to society. Editing makes the most sense.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

nomadhacker — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:55:26 +0000

I'd also add copying and distribution. By which I mean the ease of getting documents from one person to another on the other side of the globe. Typewriters still stuck around even despite computers until the internet made it so easy to send the same doc to fifty different people around the world with one button and no postage.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

skryson — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:43:12 +0000

Thanks for all the input guys, it really helped with my essay :)

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

theanab — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:39:40 +0000

BUMP

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:08:09 +0000

Did anyone see the article floating around the internet about the so-called "two-space rule"? I'm sure most people learned to type that way (I never did, but that's because I didn't learn to type paragraphs in my computer class--the software just had us practicing words)--by putting two spaces after a period. Actually, that is typographically incorrect. When typography was standardized at the beginning of the 20th century, it was with a single space after a period. Monotype fonts on typewriters--with every character the same size--meant that it was sometimes hard to distinguish between sentences (at least according to the article I read), so people began "typing incorrectly". One was never "supposed" to use the two-space rule, and one is certainly not supposed to use it now. Am I the only one that never did that? Even on my typewriters, I've never had trouble telling where a sentence ends and another begins without making two spaces. IMHO, it just makes these big blank gaps in the page and wastes paper.

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

mclemens — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:39:37 +0000

Hello Brigade, My, but things do get quiet around here in the off-season. I'm shamelessly self-promoting an old NaNo entry (from 2009) that I finally, finally, FINALLY transcribed and edited and even formatted and all. If you have an e-reader around -- maybe propping up your typing table? -- I think you could do worse than spend a buck-fifty and throw this silly little thing on it: http://clickthing.blogspot.com/p/books.html Anyone else turn a draft into a finished book? It's a pretty exhilarating and yet terrifying prospect. Somewhere between finding-a-rare-typer-at-the-flea-market and being-gored-by-a-rhino. We now return you to your forum doldrums...

Re: Typewriters: The Typewriter Brigade

WrittenWord — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:49:00 +0100

We have dropped to the second page! This is UNACCEPTABLE!!! *coughs* Anyway... Is anyone else doing Camp this year? I'm doing both...and I'll probably be doing it all on my typewriter, since my computer is currently in a state of stupid. (I can get on at work. That's it. Hopefully I'll be able to fix that by the end of the month, but as of now, that's still up in the air...)