Do Authors still use typewriters, or is it all done digitally?

Question

It's just a question that popped into my head whilst watching 'Stranger than Fiction' - I noticed that the author in it used a typewriter rather than a computer/laptop.

Does anyone know if typewriters are still widely used among authors, or if computers and laptops have taken over?

Does anyone here still use a typewriter? :)

Answer 1

I have a writer friend who still uses an old manual typewriter. I call her antediluvian. She says that when the apocalypse comes and there is no electricity then she can keep typing and in an emergency, throw the typewriter and bash someone's head in.

I use my laptop for pretty much everything. I do outlines and character studies with pen and paper. I don't care for typewriters.

Answer 2

I think I read somewhere that JK Rowling wrote the first draft of the first Harry Potter book on a typewriter. She had to rewrite the entire chapter every time that she wanted to add something. Personally, I edit my work a lot, so the idea of being stuck with the first thing I type is pretty scary. That being said, there's no reason why you can't if you want to. Depending on what type of story you're writing, it could provide some inspiration. I've never read the Eragon series, but I heard that the author wrote part of one of the later books with a quill and parchment, so anything's possible! Also, you may have a point with typewriters being less distracting than computers, hence my answering this question...

Answer 3

Hank Moody Typewriter

Answer 4

I can remember when writers used to use "word processing" systems that were dedicated to the written word. They were pre-loaded with Word Perfect and had small digital screens on them. These replaced the old tape ribbon typewriters. Those things are museum pieces now but I'd be willing to bet writers like Steven King still has an old SelectType or Slingerland typewriter!

Answer 5

Authors who learned to type on a typewriter might still prefer them to a computer, but I can't imagine anyone would willingly move to one after starting with a wordprocessor. My mum had a manual typewriter, and would occasionally let me play with it when I was a kid. You need to give the keys a real whack to make anything appear on the page.



If you want the "no distractions" feeling that a typewriter gives you, unplug the Ethernet or switch off your wifi, set the taskbar to autohide, and run Notepad maximised :-)

Answer 6

I think most people these days probably use a computer rather than a typewriter. But I'm even more old-fashioned; I still do a lot of my work with just pen and paper :)

Answer 7

I think computers and mostly laptops are used by writers. But in movies and such, like Hank Moody in Californication, use type writers. But that might just be because it looks better in a movie. Old writers might use it. But you see it's much more practical for a publisher to have it digitally. Otherwise they would likely have to rewrite the whole thing before printing. Especially if there where typos.

Answer 8

I understand that lots of authors still use typewriters and a few still use pen and ink!