When was the last time you wrote something substantive — a letter, a story, a journal entry, etc. — by hand? Could you ever imagine returning to a pre-keyboard era?
I wrote last Christmas a letter by hand to a close friend whose mother had died recently. I had a lot to say, and since I express myself better writing than speaking (in Spanish), I opted for a letter, carefully thought. I could have typed it in my computer, but I find printed letters kind of official and cold. Handwritten letters are warmer and more personal, although some can consider them outdated.
I used to take a lot of notes by hand as a reporter. My friends say my handwriting is good. I don’t know. When I take notes in a hurry it’s ugly, but when I take my time, it’s pretty easy to read. My dad had a beautiful handwriting. We keep his diaries with incredible stories about his life during WWII. It’s a very exciting reading. By the slight changes in his handwriting you can feel his emotions. Those old notebooks are full of life.
I think a handwritten letter has also much more life than a typed letter. This is why I prefer a pen than a computer when I want to write a personal letter that I care for
Return to a pre-keyboard era? I don’t think so. But I sure hope we don’t lose completely handwriting. It says so much about the writer. It would be a pity to lose it.