Welcome to Immortal Type

Summary

Welcome to Immortal Type, a celebration and exploration of the art of typewriting in the modern era, where the author creates original works using a spontaneous, unedited process they call "auto-type."

Abstract

Immortal Type is a creative endeavor that pays homage to the typewriter, a machine that bridges the gap between the analog and digital worlds. The author, William Vincent Carleton, uses a Smith-Corona Clipper to produce spontaneous and original pieces without retakes or repeated pages, embracing the philosophy of "auto-type." This method is described as a blend of automatic writing and self-hypnosis, aimed at completing projects through unfettered expression. The author encourages others to find joy in writing with typewriters, highlighting the importance of embracing imperfections and the strength found in humility. The website also includes a referral link for readers to join Medium and support writers, including the author, and announces the journey of self-discovery through the typing machine.

Opinions

Typewriters are viewed as mystical instruments capable of producing meaningful work, and their use is seen as a way to honor the past while adapting to the present.
The author's writing process, "auto-type," is akin to a spiritual or meditative practice, resulting in raw, unedited creative output.
There is an emphasis on the enjoyment and prolificacy of writing without the constraint of writer's block, achieved by accepting and incorporating mistakes.
The author believes in the power of embracing imperfections in one's writing, suggesting that this approach leads to genuine and publishable work.
The journey of self-discovery is an integral part of the typing process, and the author invites readers to partake in this experience.
By providing a Medium referral link, the author indirectly expresses the importance of supporting writers financially in the digital age.

Welcome to Immortal Type

Much like the Smith-Corona Clipper I use every day, we are machines born in the analog world that must adapt to the digital. Typewriters are less than l00 years older than computers, and will never be produced by assembly line again. They are mystical instruments, and I push the limits as to what they can do. I wish to honor the typewriter, and immortalize my footprint.

All of my work is original, spontaneously born through the process which I call “auto-type”, in that my process settles somewhere between the spiritual experience of automatic writing, and self-hypnosis, with adherence to the free writer’s goal: project completion, through freedom of expression.

The way I work is: no repeated pages. No retakes. Just raw typewriting from start to finish. I find this is the most enjoyable way to write, and produce works prolifically, with happiness, knowing there will never be a single moment of writer’s block.

I encourage you to discover the joy of writing through the typing machine, by showing you how easy it is to produce works that you can publish, and feel proud of, by embracing the occasional mistake, or cross out. To understand there is strength in humility.

This is me looking out my old apartment in Mexico City in 2021. Photo by Oscar Agis.

Welcome to the journey of self-discovery through the typing machine.

Originally published at https://www.immortaltype.com on June 26, 2021.

Welcome to Immortal Type

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