Carrie's Bench

“I’ve always written by hand. Mostly with a fountain pen, but sometimes with a pencil – especially for corrections. If I could write directly on a typewriter or a computer, I would do it. But keyboards have always intimidated me. I’ve never been able to think clearly with my fingers in that position. A pen is a much more primitive instrument. You feel that the words are coming out of your body and then you dig the words into the page. Writing has always had that tactile quality for me. It’s a physical experience.”

– Paul Auster, via https://londonwriterssalon.us4.list-manage.com/track/click?u=8b047263967451488070a8ad0&id=021c95fcd4&e=5c7c609187

I so connect with this quote! I always want to write by hand. Somehow, my heart and mind feel more connected when holding a pen. It’s a whole-body experience, I guess. There is just a certain flow to my stream of thought and feelings.

My disability affects the movements of my arms, wrists, and fingers. This can make writing with pen and paper more work than using a computer. I have always tried to start by writing with a pen-in-hand. It may not be much, but the first words from my thoughts connect my heart to my hand. After I’ve written a couple of paragraphs, I usually transfer my writing by reading into a dictation program on my computer. It is an easy way to start writing with the assistance of the computer.

I don’t write with a pen as much as I used to. Over time, my body has changed, and reaching out for a pen and paper is more challenging than it used to be. All of us go through life experiencing changes in our ability to do things. Some of these changes can happen faster and more frequently for people with disabilities. We continually work to be creative and adapt.

It’s easy to resist adapting! Because it’s harder for me to write how I ‘used to’- I have found it challenging to focus on writing. Ideas are always flowing, but sometimes it is difficult to get started.

When I don’t write, I can feel congested. There are too many words, thoughts, and insights! I can’t keep all of that in my head and don’t want to.

So it’s all about taking time each day! The more I use the tools that make my life accessible, like Voice-to-Text, the more natural writing on the computer can feel.

Here’s to feeling grateful for options that help shape and reshape… the way I write.