NaNoWriMo Tip # 18: Join the Typewriter Brigade

By Jason Boog 

If you are struggling to meet your daily word count for National Novel Writing Month, you might want to try an entirely different mode of composition–switch to a typewriter!

For the last five years, the Typewriter Brigade forum has supported all the writers using typewriters for the marathon.

NaNoWriMo writer Mclemens described the experience: “Your reward for going the typewriter route is that you have your choice of seats at write-ins, when everyone else is huddled around the electrical outlets, jockeying for a comfortable position within the range of their power cords. But! You’ve got nearly three weeks to get your arms into shape. Assuming this is a portable (please tell me it’s a portable!), try casually walking around your apartment/home/neighborhood with the typewriter until you can manage to pretend that your shoulder isn’t being dislocated. Maybe carry something in your other hand for balance, like a pet, a gallon of milk, or a sackful of bricks. Come November 1st, you should be packing the biceps of a superhero.”

This is our eighteenth NaNoWriMo Tip of the Day. As writers around the country join the writing marathon this month, we will share one piece of advice or writing tool to help you cope with this daunting project. (image via HeavenlyCabins)