Tic, tac, ZING

I bought a typewriter. Natalie says it’s because she won’t let me buy a new laptop. And while there is some truth to that statement, that’s not the whole reason I bought a typewriter. It’s beautiful by the way. The typewriter is from around 1951 give a take a year or two. I have wanted a typewriter for awhile now, but I could never find the right one. When I saw this one on KSL it jumped off the page and said “I’m what you’ve been looking for.” A quick jaunt over the freeway and $20 later, I was the proud owner of my new typewriter.

Why did I buy a typewriter you ask? It’s real. Probably 99 percent of our written communication is accomplished by electronic means. Whether we write e-mails, text messages, term papers, or novels, chances are a computer and word processor had a hand in the process. Don’t be mistaken, I love technology. Computers and word processors are monuments to their purpose, to make communication accessible, easy, and efficient. But—and you can call me crazy—I never liked the idea that words are represented by numbers. That just seems perverse. When we stretch our pointer finger from home row to tap the "t" on our keyboard that action initiates a coded response, and computers don’t use alphabetic codes, they use numeric codes. So a "t" is not really a "t" when we strike the button, the "t" is actually 01100100 (totally just made this number up). And I can’t get behind that.

Typewriters are real. Words are created not represented. The "t" that a typewriter produces is an actual "t." Lately I have been thinking a lot about the creative process, how it happens, how to engage in it, and how to cultivate it. Creativity takes force and action; it is anything but a passive thing. So in my overblown meta-free-phor-all mind a typewriter is a good metaphor for the creative process. Creating words with a typewriter requires a few things: metal, ink, and force. A key stroke on a typewriter activates type set in metal tiles that strike against an ink-laden ribbon. That mechanism creates words. Creativity has “metal” and “ink” requirements too, but the most crucial element is the same—force.

My typewriter is awesome. I intend to write letters with it. E-mail is a great way to keep in touch with family and friends, but e-mail is easy to delete and forget. Letters are real. I am going to use my typewriter to create real words to send to real people that I love and care for. I also love the sound of a working typewriter. Next time any of you are over I’ll play a few notes for you and we can get swept away in the cacophonous cadence of creativity.