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.

[@sarahvanallen7478]

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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

Doesn’t the eraser make a mess that falls into the typewriter and cause rubber dust to accumulate?

[@gemista]

@@sistergoldenhair0727 not if I move that portion of the carriage to the side. The crumbs fall inconsequentially to the desk instead of the machine. If particularly nervous, there is no harm in blowing at it too.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

@@gemista nice! Thanks for sharing. Where do you buy such a thing?

[@gemista]

@@sistergoldenhair0727 I used to purchase from CW Pencils in NYC before they folded recently. I have seen them for sale online though, and Amazon or a similar site will likely carry them

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Okay, I just ordered these erasers, review to follow!

[@kerc]

I just type slashes over the offending characters. 🙂

[@FriedrichWilhelmViktorAlbert]

I simply backspace and type over the old letter, it makes it look a little messy, but its better than having, "Teh" "Thw" "Rhe" and so on.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

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.

[@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! 😊

[@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.

[@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! 😊

[@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! 😂

[@kerrywebb6890]

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.

[@brendablomberg8483]

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.

[@clairetellkamp6253]

I will typically keep a roll of white-out with me. I actually store it inside the body of the typewriter, sitting on top of the typebars, when I'm not using it. Easy storage, always where I need it.

[@paulopirescoelho4973]

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...

[@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.

[@bwhog]

I'm 50. I only ever had to do a handful of papers on a manual typewriter before I either had a computer accessible at home or at school. So I learned how to use an electronic keyboard with instant correction. Until I started to use a typewriter again, I didn't even realize just how many errors I was actually making because they were gone before I finished the word! Now that I have started using typewriters again, I realize that, although I'm a pretty good typist, I'm still making several errors in each and every sentence I type and, in a way, it frustrates me because it looks like a first semester typing student produced it. So what it has taught me is that I have to be more careful and try much more to improve my typing skills so I don't have to do that. The side effect is that, without always having to go for the "backspace" key, it should end up making me a faster typist. (I can already do >50wpm but if I get better at the error rate, it'll put me easily over 65wpm and that's starting to approach secretarial speeds.) I always preferred the correction strips because they were faster and less mess and also just simply looked better than a big glob of "White Out". However, they were also annoying to keep track of and it always seemed that you could never find one that hadn't been used up already. I like the correction tape now, but it rubs off and it is hard to apply precisely. In some cases, where clear correction isn't strictly necessary, when I type a wrong letter, I will simply back up and type the right letters over the wrong ones and then just let it stand. Also recall that a perfect match for the page isn't necessary as long as it is white. Particularly if you wish to replicate it or scan it since the processing of photo copiers and scanners can make such things completely invisible. So if it is a document to be photocopied, who cares? Correct away and let the off-white paper and the white correction sit side by side. The end consumer isn't going to even know its there!

[@brettmanuel3440]

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.

[@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

[@mythicalireland]

All that said, I used to use a "fit it fluid" pen to correct mistakes, but by the time the white liquid dried out and the letter was retyped, I found it (as you say in your video) interfering too much in the creative process.

[@yarngear]

One of the main reason I like my Selectric II is the correction feature. It's magical! Otherwise I use the strips for a few characters and liquid paper for longer words.

[@BBC600]

All I know is last year I used my electric typewriter to type up my high school level English assignment. I found it was very difficult to not make typos because the keys don't take much effort to press. That's why I have heard manual ones are better for beginners. That said, I got 100% and the teacher was amused that she got her first ever typewritten assignment (scanned to PDF and uploaded to Moodle). The assignment in question wanted one to listen to a story and take rough notes while listening. It worked good because I only needed one tab open on the computer and she could put up with typos more than trying to decipher my chicken scratch. I think that I actually don't mind that correction tape on your documents as while it is a different shade of white I don't notice that as much. I am more focused on reading it. Also, nowadays (and in the later years of typewriters) I thought some of it you typed it up and then photocopied (Xeroxed) the document onto say coloured paper?

[@philosynth]

Very inspirational!

[@SunshineFL]

Saves this video. Good information

[@shantycrafts8491]

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.

[@painchaud2000]

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.

[@saulysw]

I really have a very relaxed view of mistakes, and do the minimum correction I can get away with. The most important thing to me is the meaning, and as long as that is clear then minor typos, transpositions and even spelling mistakes are all fine. Life is too short and as you say, it slows you down and derails your thoughts to deal with them. One additional correction method I use, rarely, but not mentioned by you, is in post-production. That is, I scan my OTP submission (for example) and then might use the block eraser tool to remove a letter in something like GIMP / Photoshop. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I've done this, but still I think it is worth mentioning.

[@JosephDickson]

I used correction tape in the 90s. I don't use a typewriter but if I did I'd probably use a minus to strike through the error so it can still be read.

[@user-sh8hu6yt4g]

A tip for best correctable paper: Fabriano Copy Bio. It have the same brightness and Color as the most correction Tapes have. It made in Italia.

[@johnyoung4747]

Rough drafts are one thing and a final document is another. In pre-computer days an error-free typed page conveyed precision and competence on the part of the author, which entered into the judgment of the recipient on what the content of the text had to say. With computers doing the formatting, spelling- and grammar-checks, anyone complete a document as well as the best executive secretary. In typing today, I'll fix typo and word errors with correction tape (I wish Correx tabs were still available) and avoid rewording by thinking before writing. Any more-extensive reworking means starting over. It's not perfect, but it is presentable.

[@DrGori241]

I always thought of typewriting as coming up with a master copy that gets duplicated on a photocopier. In that idea, every means to achieve a faultless product is welcome as the photocopier will flatten imperfections.

[@AtelierDBurgoyne]

After decades of being careful about grammar and spelling in my non-native languages at work, I have a hard time accepting my own typos on the typewriter. It is especially harder since I use to be super particular about the quality of letters coming for my siganture or review for signature at the top level. For an inked ribbon, I use correction tape when the paper is ultra white but I use an Eberhard Faber SINGLEX or a DIXON Rubacore eraser. I have also torn some letters and re-typed because I wanted them perfect. For a carbon ribbon on my SCM Coronamatic 2500, I use a correctable white cartridge which works great, albeit a bit slow, especially compared to my electronic typewriter and from memory, compared to a Selectric II. I am trying to embrace the practice of striking out mistakes but ilt is hard to undo years of good practice from working in international relations. But I am trying, I swear. :) Daniel

[@shakespeareteacher]

Hey Joe, have you heard of the Freewrite machine? It is a relatively new “typewriter” with an e-ink screen and a quality keyboard that lets you write first drafts and saves your drafts online and in the machine, but restricts you ability to make corrections, as that slows you down. It has made a huge difference to me and I incorporate it as well as regular typewriters with OCR when I am doing my initial writing.

[@douglasjackson9058]

I just type over typos or if un ledgable I hash tag over the typo,or my third choice I just retype the buggered word .😁

[@douglasjackson9058]

sharp dressed man 😎

[@robillingworth8503]

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?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

I have a similar Olympia Report Electric and its mechanism was gunked up with residue from the white correction strip. I don’t like those ribbons for that reason. Also, often the black ink part isn’t all that black. I prefer to buy bulk ribbons from Baco Ribbon & Supply and respool my own, these are very darkly inked. I also like having the red ink option.

[@MichaelRpdx]

Want to know what we/I do for types? Read OTP on June 7, 2022. ie tomorrow's page, or what I write today.

[@rc4383]

What typewriter is that beside you?

[@seangildersleeve1270]

I used to type on a typewriter. Wouldnt uaing correction fluid actually noy only make you wait, but woukd make it a bit darker than the "non correction" words?

[@Joe_VanCleave]

Yes, and also it’s messy and gets on the parts of the machine. Not my favorite method!

[@kwacz]

no errors thats funny. I used to think that but at work we have some very old production machines (1930's) that the manual was typed on a typewriter and guess what. There are typos and misspelling in those too. Just like today people made mistakes and didnt correct them. Yes there were less back then, but they do exist.

[@MichaelRpdx]

Why are Uhu glue stick the best?

[@bentbilliard]

It's the smell.

[@shoofly529]

@@bentbilliard Now if they could replicate the smell of mimeographed paper (Think tests in school famously shown in the movie, 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High'), that would be great! Other smells that my kids will never experience: burning leaves or leaded gasoline car exhaust (Was just driving behind a car from the '60's the other day & yep! it all came back) also come to mind.

[@CDash162]

God Bless Bette Nesmith and her White Out 👍

[@lsvemir27]

Erase paper :-)