In cooperation with Socires launches inspiration platform ManagementWe a new series of Windows on Connection. This series highlights the societal significance of public libraries. This brings people to talk about the library as an important place in a changing society. In this first episode, Totale Getakt is central to the library of Ter Apel. The article is both below and on the website of MaatschapWe read. Stay up to date with the We? Then sign up for them newsletter.
The humor of tapping on a typewriter
Creative writing in the library of Ter Apel
In a side beech of the library in Ter Apel there are sixteen old-fashioned typewriters in all kinds of colours at a long table. Two men and seven women have come to work here tonight. A large part of the group consisting mainly of seniors appears to know each other from previous writing evenings where the laptop or pen was written. Today they are going to work on an old-fashioned typewriter. "You don't know what's going to happen to such a crazy typewriter in front of you," says a contestant enthusiastically.
Word Bingo
Alternately in Groningen and Dutch we receive instructions. In preparation we do wordbingo. There are already twenty words on a flipchart: Bookcase, shadow, dream, happy, etc. The group may add 20 more words: ink, balloon, horizon, sneer, heat wave, fröbelen...! From these forty words, a bingo ball determines which words to incorporate in our story or poem. Writing turns out to be squatting. Such an old-fashioned machine requires a firm attack and errors remain unforgivingly visible.
The group is seriously bent on Triumphs, Remmingtons and Brothers, now forgotten brands. The tick creates a cheerful and creative environment that is infectious to write. Sometimes a small advice sounds, but a writer's block doesn't seem to exist. Fortunately, there is also time for relaxation and sharing experiences. In the break, apple pie with whipped cream is served. "Just because you're here!" said the library clerk.
"You don't know what's gonna happen to this crazy typewriter right in front of you"
Happy stories
After the break there is time to recite the prose or poetry. At least for those who like it. The humor of tapping on an old-fashioned machine turns out to have produced happy stories: The story of the sad croquette, or just a story about our cosiness. There's a lot of laughs. Tonight, a contestant takes the full feeling that she made something: "I'm sitting at home with a bit of a blockage, now something started happening again." She recently moved to Ter Apel and through the library she met people. After the writing evening everyone gets homework for the next time. "If the library ever disappears, we'll start one ourselves," a woman shouts when she leaves.
Speaking: René Eijsink and Agnes Brink, initiators of Total Gekkt.
"I am René, 62 and journalist. In the time I started journalism training, everyone was running a typewriter under their arm. That rhythmic tick you heard from each other, the full concentration it asked, had something magical. When the computer entered, I sold my old machine. I was gonna regret that later. Six years ago I organized a writing event and for that occasion I bought some vintage typewriters. That was the beginning of Total Crazy."
"My name is Agnes, 60 years old and by profession communication consultant. Together with René I form the duo Total Crazy. I love to see people writing on such an old-fashioned machine. What once began as a passion project has become a hobby for us. We now travel all over the country together and come to libraries, schools, book fairs, creative festivals and even food truck festivals. We were rolled into the library world when someone discovered us at a festival. Now we do a tour with our typewriters along eight Groningen libraries. All our activities are about language, text and connection. Libraries are good locations for what we do, because of the peace and inspiration of all those books that are already there."
"Writing on an old-fashioned typewriter affects people"
Agnes Brink and René Eijsink
Group rhythm
"What we offer people is simple and powerful: a sheet of paper, an old-fashioned typewriter and the space to write. During our workshops we often use forms of work that help people on the way, such as in Ter Apel the word bingo. What happens there is always special. Writing on a typewriter is something completely different than typing behind a laptop. You're really gonna go crazy. It forces people to focus. They hear the tapping of others, not just writing, but sitting together in a creative process. When a group of twenty people is tapping at once, energy is generated, a kind of group rhythm. That mechanical ticking is a hypnotic sound you become part of. It's like being in a piece of music. What makes a typewriter extra fine is that there is no distraction. No notifications, no latest news, no auto-correction, like on the laptop. You make mistakes, but that's exactly what makes the writing process human."
Countermotion
"What we do also feels like a countermove against AI, like ChatGPT. Chatbots are increasingly writing our lyrics. AI may be useful, but what is left of your individuality if you only get ready-made sentences? It is important that people stay connected to their own creativity. Being able to put your own personality in lyrics makes you proud. Writing yourself gives you a feeling of happiness. That is why we want to make what it is like to make a text with your own hands and heads. You have to work on a typewriter yourself. No technique will take over from you. The writing process is very pure, and therefore very satisfying. We often hear people say, I didn't know this was in me! .
The social aspect of co-writing is very special. People read each other their texts, talk about them, laugh and share something personal. The tapping will become a coat rack for sweet and distress. Writing alongside each other alone makes you feel like you're not alone. Even young people are all over it. Parents will be surprised: "Normally I have to tear him apart from YouTube, now he's been tapping a typewriter for 45 minutes!"
Forgotten writing culture
"We often hear from people that they still have their old typewriters in the attic. These machines are a forgotten writing culture. It would be wonderful for libraries to put down a number of typewriters. Have visitors type on it. Let them hang their lyrics on a clothesline so they can read each other's work. That may sound old-fashioned, but touches something essential in our lives: the realization that digital technology does not have to take over everything from us, that physical writing matters. Typewriters bring something to people, we notice. Writing on it produces valuable stories, which are entirely human. With typos and all.
The above article appeared earlier in the publication Windows on Connection. If you have any questions about the article, or want to know more about the program Library and Citizenship? Then contact David Oldenhof and/or Ronald van Cities.
