By Robyn Lee
Pen Stroke, Key Stroke
This year, after being separated from my computer for aridiculous amount of time; I decided to go back to writing, inthe pursuit of happiness. This year I decided to master keyboardcomposition. This has given me mixed results so far.
For many years, I wrote long hand on paper first, then edited,and then copied it by hand. When I was older, I processed it ona typewriter.
I remember watching movies with news reporters as characters inthem. I watched amazed that they composed as they typed. Theperceived speed, in which their fingers flew across thekeyboard, amazed me further.
When I was first learning to type, my speed jumped from 10 wordsper minute to 35. I assumed that with more use and practise thatthis speed would naturally climb. I was wrong.
Years later, when I entered college, as a mature student, I hadan electric typewriter. For most of our assignments, I continuedto produce them in my usual way, unless I was fortunate enoughto beat the line up in the computer room.
As the editor for most of my team writing assignments, it wassometimes necessary to rewrite portions of a report.Occasionally, I had the opportunity to compose a portion whenthe deadline was approaching and I had to fill in something thatwas missing.
In the years since college, I have returned to secretarial work.Even with all the business correspondence I have written overthe years, my keystroke speed has not increased, nor has itoffered much opportunity to compose. Word processing is afunction that was relegated to perfecting work, after it wascreated, not part of the creation processes itself.
I did notice that email has been helpful in learning keyboardcomposition. Maybe that's because of the source of therelationships; family and friends are usually easier to talk to.Sometimes, in order to maintain these relationships, the writingrequires a great deal of editing. Instant messaging is still achallenge for me.I try not to use all the short cuts available.
One method I'm experimenting with is auto writing, this isinteresting but it is difficult to do when others are present. Ihave resorted to closing my eyes,in order to focus.I've noticedthat typos have increased.
I haven't given up writing longhand of course. I still usejournals, or napkins; whatever usable writing surface is handywhen I'm away from my computer.
I guess in the pursuit of happiness, I shouldn't be debatingwhether it's pen stroke or keystroke I should be pleased that Iam writing again, and I am.
http://www.createyourplay.bravehost.com
Article Source: www.ArticlesBase.com
