We live in a new era. A modern era of technology, connected tools – the Internet of Things – phones smarter than their users and definitely a time of numerous and fast changes.

Still, having a quick look through the window of my Mac, the world seems to be going backwards on some specific matters.

Writing on billboards

I do write. Using various tools and even a pen and paper. Which does create an awesome amount of frustration when I have to then type the whole 2000 or so words I have hand-written … .

But, at the same time, computers do offer less and less appeal for writing.

From a crashing Word to a WordPress interface, the dedicated writer has to cope with either bugs or noise. And that goes without mentioning the many keeping a Facebook or a Twitter open.

In the end, the writing world found itself longing for the old times of the white, blank, page.

Novelty or re-invention ? 

The wish for an old-fashion white page has driven various developers and entrepreneurs to develop an answer to these new needs, the back-to-basics digital white page.

The writer in me can now benefit from a digital haven while giving birth to new stories or just putting a few bits together to create this post.

Is it the new vintage ? WordPress offering a “distraction-free” interface, the likes of Blogo boasting a “blank” design and so on. The latest tool, Desk, being the tool I am using to write down this piece.

I want a typewriter

I do actually would like to use a typewriter. Why ? In order to ensure using a tool only fit for one task – but also a tool dedicated to this one task. Further than the point about avoiding distraction (it is mainly a matter of turning off notifications and not get struck by a sudden Twitter FOMO) just for the sake of benefiting from a free mind.

I started writing with a pen and a notebook. This encompasses writing in the sense that not only was it quick to take notes, add memos or just write a wee piece while stopping at a terrace for a few minutes but also because it was a relaxing experience.

And now, I want a typewriter. Not that I fancy having to type and retype (later, on my Mac) but for the sake of using a dedicated tool. And halfway between the laptop and the typewriter, I came across the Hemingwrite. I now want a typewriter.

The essence of writing 

Writing is more than a job, a duty or a constraint. At least, it has to be.

Content or inbound arketing, Growth hacking, and the next one(s); regardless of names, the current trend implies the creation of an awful amount of content. Hence writing as an industrial process.

However, writing should remain an experience, a pleasure and not a cold, almost mathematical, process of putting together a set of 5, 7 or 10 tips for startups or social media marketers.

A university teacher told me once that language is music. If the music does not sound right then the sentence is wrong. The same goes with writing.

So, with a trend to seek this old fashion notebook quietness, may we also hear some old fashion writing music.