As a writer, you have many tools available to express your idea on paper or the screen (depending on your medium). Whichever one you choose, let it be the best one for you to use. You can use electronic methods like computers, laptops, iPads, and even your smartphone. The advantage of these devices is that they allow you to write almost everywhere efficiently.

In my method of writing, I prefer to use a mechanical typewriter. For me, it is a tactile and more intimate experience. There are no popups or other distractions that interrupt my writing. Since there is no delete function, this forces me to make a better word choice for my work.

My idea with this blog is to write it with my typewriter, a 1961 Royal Futura 800 machine. I recently got it at an Austin Typewriter, Ink, gathering in Austin, Texas. This machine has become my favorite in my collection, considering the typeface is called Elite. This typeface is 12 characters per inch instead of the Pica typeface, which only has ten characters per inch.

The biggest obstacle to professional writing is the necessity for changing a typewriter ribbon.

Robert Benchley

As a screenwriter, the Pica typeset would be better for script format since screenwriting requires a size 12 Courier font, which is equal to 10 characters per inch. However, the Elite typeface would be the best alternative since I’m delving into prose writing. This typeface can provide more words per page than Pica.

I still use electronic devices to digitize and edit the page using a printer/scanner device, and then I use the TextScanner app to recognize the typed text. I copy and paste the text to edit on Pages on my Mac mini or iPad mini.

Of course, this is a less efficient method of writing in the 21st century; I’ll admit that. Still, this is the way I like to write. If my process requires a few more steps, I will pay that price to work with my preferred method.

I recommend working with the best tools that allow you to write freely, be it an iPad connected to a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse device or a venerable typewriter machine; write and love the creative experience.