Thank you for this enjoyable entry. I, too, get the "why do you write?" from friends and then (as you've done here) turn the question on myself. For me, it's journaling (I've never written a novel), and it is a flat-out necessity for me to write. When I pack up for a monastic retreat, the first things I pack are writing materials. On my next sojourn, I'm taking my typewriter.
Even if writing is only used for personal therapy and nobody else ever reads it it's a worthwhile activity. I think writing can help anybody express themselves and understand others better. In a literate culture I see writing as a way to be more fully human.
Duffy, I don't think I'd tackle removing the platen from any of my portables, unless I felt *very* confident that I knew what I was doing. The SG3, on the other hand, required no tools and no real thought. The platen knobs unscrew (by hand) and pull out a bit, and then the platen lifts right out. I got a call today from Ames letting me know they'd received it (whew...half the journey safely over!), and they took my billing info. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't take too long to repair and send back. I really miss using the big typewriter, and I'm very curious how much of a difference this will make!
Speculator, I'm flattered that you find anything I've written worth reading! I stop by your blog fairly frequently, and only wish I could express thoughts as you do. I always come away feeling as though I've touched on something beautiful, though I can't always fully grasp the depths of what I've read. And you take purty pictures. ;-)
I'm still going round-about with some other thoughts on this subject, which I may or may not post here. There's something vaguely pathetic about writing about writing, unless one is speaking with authority. And obviously, I'm not.
I identify with this post as well. I try to get others to write but it just doesn't work. lol. Nice to know that there are others like minded out there.
5 comments:
Thank you for this enjoyable entry. I, too, get the "why do you write?" from friends and then (as you've done here) turn the question on myself. For me, it's journaling (I've never written a novel), and it is a flat-out necessity for me to write. When I pack up for a monastic retreat, the first things I pack are writing materials. On my next sojourn, I'm taking my typewriter.
~A.
http://laviegraphite.blogspot.com/2008/01/jcris-donc-je-suis.html
I completely relate to your post. There's no real identifiable reason for me to do what I do. I jsut do it.
Good job getting the platen off by yourself! I was too terrified to try it. Hope you find a great improviement in type-ability on that machine.
Even if writing is only used for personal therapy and nobody else ever reads it it's a worthwhile activity. I think writing can help anybody express themselves and understand others better. In a literate culture I see writing as a way to be more fully human.
Duffy, I don't think I'd tackle removing the platen from any of my portables, unless I felt *very* confident that I knew what I was doing. The SG3, on the other hand, required no tools and no real thought. The platen knobs unscrew (by hand) and pull out a bit, and then the platen lifts right out. I got a call today from Ames letting me know they'd received it (whew...half the journey safely over!), and they took my billing info. I'm crossing my fingers that it won't take too long to repair and send back. I really miss using the big typewriter, and I'm very curious how much of a difference this will make!
Speculator, I'm flattered that you find anything I've written worth reading! I stop by your blog fairly frequently, and only wish I could express thoughts as you do. I always come away feeling as though I've touched on something beautiful, though I can't always fully grasp the depths of what I've read. And you take purty pictures. ;-)
I'm still going round-about with some other thoughts on this subject, which I may or may not post here. There's something vaguely pathetic about writing about writing, unless one is speaking with authority. And obviously, I'm not.
I identify with this post as well. I try to get others to write but it just doesn't work. lol. Nice to know that there are others like minded out there.
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