Typing Corrections

Are you still hung up about error-free typewritten copy? In Typewriter Video Series Episode 308, Joe discusses the evolution of his typing correction methodology.

[sarahvanallen]

I love this! When I first got into typewriters, I struggled with the same feelings about needing to be perfect, but I plowed ahead. Eventually I told myself, “we embrace our mistakes!” It helped. And it helped my Mom start using typewriters, too. I agree so much with your feeling that worrying about our corrections too much hinders the creative process, and that spending too much time trying to cover our mistakes is it’s own challenge. Love your reflections, Joe! Keep up the great work!

[gemista]

My favourite correction method is the typewriter eraser. I have been using the MONO Sand Eraser for Ink for years now and it is an absolute godsend. It removes the marks cleanly, lasts a long time, and is just the right size to be precise— not to mention it works very well with most standard papers.

[thethriftyfawn]

Absolutely LOVE the look and vibe of the 1.5 line spacing and the extra words added in for additional information and clarification, as well as the comical corrections like Oh T P, or single character corrections placed above the character.

For hand written documents, I definitely do all of the above. I could see myself doing the same once I actively start using a typewriter, and would be totally comfortable showing any of it to the public.

So glad you're feeling more comfortable as well Joe! I agree, if it's something like a government document that there is an expectation of no errors. Aside from that, it's personal choice with regards to how the person wishes to approach typos.

Again, seriously love your samples that were far more raw, relatable, and relaxed. The more you can relax and have fun with your writing, the more you or the reader can relax and have fun reading it too! 😊

[dereinzigeweg]

I grew up as one of the early so called digital natives, having my first Commodore 64 at the age of 7.
I was never confronted with that sort of typos and how all of that can be connected to insecuritues.

Now that I am relatively new to typewriting it is very helpful and interesting to hear from someone who grew up in this 'mechanical age of writing' and how to deal with all of that, technically and personally.
Thank you very much for this insight!

[sistergoldenhair]

I don’t mind any typos. I’d rather type over it than type above the misstruck letter which to me looks very unsightly. My typewriters are for being creative and having fun and writing letters. I don’t concern myself with typos at all. My typewriters are an escape from my error-free computer life. I feel liberated from the tyranny of the backspace key of my computer. I find my typos to be charming little artifacts. I like to strike thru any errors and just keep moving. Another thing I like to do is to strike thru with the red part of the ribbon. That may seem counter intuitive, but it makes me feel more creative.

[copyrightfreevideobyttf]

So happy your relationship with how you deal with errors has changed! The use of typewriters now has certainly changed as well.

First drafts on any project are definitely raw if you're focused on moving forward and getting your ideas out and documents, especially if you "know what you meant"!

Typewriters are also used for enjoyment, so might as well ENJOY using them and have fun! 😊

[kerrywebb]

This is a very interesting video. I love your ideas for correcting your work that only you will see. I am going to adopt some of them. I also starting typing back in the 1970s and there were very strict rules about corrections. We also had such things as proof readers (people who read your typed work and made notes where you had gone wrong). Thankfully with pc's that no longer is a problem but now that I have an Olympia 66 I am having to relearn it all again. I was thinking I would need Tipp-Ex etc but hearing your ideas, I won't bother. I love the 'rawness' that you mention. Thank you for that. Well done.

[RebeccaLoran]

These are some great techniques! I remember seeing your blog pop up in the space around 2021/2022 so I'm glad it's going well!

I just treat it as a true first draft and if I wanted to move something over to a revision cycle, I can retype it in double space to further analyze and comment, then type it digitally for the remainder of the process.

I like the idea of an iterative revision process with a gradual transition from mechanical to digital. I've fallen in love with writing by hand and using my typewriter over time, and I can't imagine writing any other way.

I do have a lot of work to do on my writing, however! 😂

[mythicalireland]

Hi Joe. Good to chat on the livestream yesterday! Always a pleasure to watch your videos. My Brother AX-230 has a correcting ribbon and is a joy to use because I can produce a VERY clean typescript with it. However, when using any of the mechanical typewriters I don't fuss too much about errors. I probably have a higher rate of errors than others because of my lack of fine motor skills. I tend to either re-type over the mistyped letter, or in cases where a word has more than one error, I just xxxx across it and retype it. I actually think one of the endearing things about mechanical typewriters is the fact that it's OK to be "human" when using them - i.e. mistakes will happen, and they are part of the uniqueness of the resulting typescript. Anthony

[brendablomberg]

Hi Joe, my favorite is the correction strips, it seems to be the quickest method for me. I like your suit coat, you look nice.

[-hdyz]

My favourite correction method is to hit backspace and overlay the wrong letter or letters with the minus sign to strike them out.

[robillingworth]

How do you feel about using ribbons which have the ink on top and white correction film on the bottom (something like the plastic typo correction tabs)? I was first introduced to this on a 1980 Olympia Report Electric with a dedicated "CORRECTION" key which lifted the ribbon to re-strike the error. Some have shared this is bad for other typewriters(including my Smith Corona 5 and 5TE). Would you please tell me your views about this?

[bletheringfool]

More of a 'read' letter day. I'm with you about typing mistakes when typing for myself. But I'm far too anal/ OCD about mistakes when other people have to see it. To the point of retyping if necessary.

[GammaCorvi]

I usually just repeat a mistyped word if I catch the typo right away. If I have already left the line I do not bother with corrections.
I might add a handwritten correction in fine pencil to show intent. Usually I just treat typos as part if the art of typing.

[paulopirescoelho]

Hi Joe, my favorite is the correction strips - Tipp-Ex or Radex. When I use color papper i put an "X" over the wrong caracter and type the correct caracter. It's simple and it works...

[mattcwatkins]

You took me back to typing class in 1982 and I agree that I didn't like the liquid stuff. I had the little rectangular sheets and since I was using a Selectric (I), I never had the problem if partial shift.

The funny thing about the modern Pentel option, I bought them in the past several years to write initials on tools I own...nothing about typing. But just this week I did use it to highlight the pressed markers on the lid of my current Selectric II. You know the 10 and 12 selecter, ABCDE, and 1 1.5 & 2 lines indents.

[brettmanuel]

If I’m on my manuals or electric then it’s the whiteout tape for me. But I do love the “magic” of the corrector tape built in on my electronic or SelectricIII. I probably need to get more comfortable with just xxx-ing thru when it’s me just journaling.

[atf]

In the old days I mostly used correction paper. But it is no longer available, or only as NOS at ridiculous prices. I found that pastel chalk in an appropriate shade of white works well enough. It won't make the mistyped letter disappear but it prepares the ground for overtyping by slightly masking the mistake so that the correct letter stands out more clearly and the correction better blends in with the neighbouring letters. The chalk can be bought in pencil shape which makes the application especially simple. "Wetting" the pencil also helps ;-)

[painchaud]

For sure after cleaning a typewriter I would never use an eraser on it. So normally I use a correction tape for white paper or just x out typos on volored paper. If I want to do a motif paper I usually use my Nakashima electronic typewriter that can lift off typos with it's correcting tape.

[shantycrafts]

I enjoyed your video very much!

I had typing class in the 7th grade? at Jackson middle school in Albuquerque in the early eighties. :)

I type over my mistakes with upper or lower case Xs. I've come to like the look, telling myself it adds to the charm of using a typewriter. For me, taking the time to do corrections hinders my train of thought.