| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | assignments, it was sometimes necessary to rewrite |
| This year, after being separated from my computer | | | | portions of a report. Occasionally, I had the opportunity |
| for a ridiculous amount of time; I decided to go back to | | | | to compose a portion when the deadline was |
| writing, in the pursuit of happiness. This year I decided | | | | approaching and I had to fill in something that was |
| to master keyboard composition. This has given me | | | | missing. |
| mixed results so far. | | | | In the years since college, I have returned to secretarial |
| For many years, I wrote long hand on paper first, then | | | | work. Even with all the business correspondence I |
| edited, and then copied it by hand. When I was older, I | | | | have written over the years, my keystroke speed has |
| processed it on a typewriter. | | | | not increased, nor has it offered much opportunity to |
| I remember watching movies with news reporters as | | | | compose. Word processing is a function that was |
| characters in them. I watched amazed that they | | | | relegated to perfecting work, after it was created, not |
| composed as they typed. The perceived speed, in | | | | part of the creation processes itself. |
| which their fingers flew across the keyboard, amazed | | | | I did notice that email has been helpful in learning |
| me further. | | | | keyboard composition. Maybe that’s because |
| When I was first learning to type, my speed jumped | | | | of the source of the relationships; family and friends |
| from 10 words per minute to 35. I assumed that with | | | | are usually easier to talk to. Sometimes, in order to |
| more use and practise that this speed would naturally | | | | maintain these relationships, the writing requires a great |
| climb. I was wrong. | | | | deal of editing. Instant messaging is still a challenge for |
| Years later, when I entered college, as a mature | | | | me. I try not to use all the short cuts available. |
| student, I had an electric typewriter. For most of our | | | | One method I’m experimenting with is auto |
| assignments, I continued to produce them in my usual | | | | writing, this is interesting but it is difficult to do when |
| way, unless I was fortunate enough to beat the line up | | | | others are present. I have resorted to closing my eyes, |
| in the computer room. | | | | in order to focus. I’ve noticed that typos have |
| As the editor for most of my team writing | | | | increased. |