The Trials of Typing

I have used many computers in my time. I started out with dedicated wordprocessors such as the Olivetti, and progressed to simple personal computers like the ACT Sirius (which was gorgeous) and Apple Ice. But I never could get to grips with Supercalc! I progressed from them to the lovely Wordplex machines, which I sold … Continue reading

Working Wednesday

This is the first day which I’ve been able to sit outside. The sun is beaming down, and sitting indoors in my office is freezing, so instead I am sitting in the back yard, typing on my Astrohaus Freewrite. Many people have said to me that the Freewrite is a ludicrous extravagance, that it’s a … Continue reading

Astrohaus Freewrite Give Away

This is a quick post about the Astrohaus Freewrite. Those who have followed my occasional witterings in the last few months will be aware that I have developed a fixation with the Freewrite. I’m writing this on it now. What do I love about the machine? It is robustly built from aluminium, with a keyboard … Continue reading

Astrohaus Freewrite – Hipsters’ Bait or Worthy Device?

As readers of this blog will know, I’m an enthusiastic user of any form of technology that might help me work, whether by saving time or making me more efficient. In recent years I have tried returning to a slower, happier age by writing my books by hand. I have attempted to use typewriters, I … Continue reading

Astrohaus Freewrite – Two Weeks In!

Okay, this is about the half way stage. Almost two weeks ago, Astrohaus were generous enough to let me have a Freewrite to test and review. When I first received it, I was very happy, mainly because it looked good and felt delightful to type on (if you want the original review, it’s here). So … Continue reading

Time For An Old-Fashioned Computer – The Freewrite from Astrohaus

Today I am writing on a new device. It is a machine that has polarised opinions. I have read that it is “the Ultimate” word processor, that it is a waste of money, that it is “impractical and overpriced”, an example of how “not to do software”, that it is the best writing environment for … Continue reading

Distraction Free Writing

I have to be quick with this. I only have fifteen minutes. Okay, for the last few days I’ve had a busy time of it. I’ve a friend who’s become ill at an inconvenient time for him. He has a job, you see: periodically he is asked by a local railway to help them by … Continue reading

Writing Methods

Many years ago I remember chatting with David Hewson about writing tools. Indeed, it was David who persuaded me that it would be a good idea for me to ditch Word and instead start to write using Scrivener. I have never regretted that move. However other approaches always fascinate me. David at the time told … Continue reading