SNOHOMISH — There are several reasons Justin Lamb, 30, prefers a typewriter over a computer.
There’s the nostalgia factor and how the machine has been used for decades by famous writers.
The Snohomish man also finds it refreshing the typewriter can only be used to write.
“Thes
e things have been here for the past 50 to 60 years,” Lamb said. “You buy something now and in one week it becomes obsolete.”
The use of typewriters is making a comeback, Lamb said. People around the country are typing out notes, scanning the pages and then uploading them to blogs. This practice is known as typecasting. Lamb does typecasting in his blog, SnohomishWriter11C14F40, which has a collection of short stories and poems. He has been doing this for almost two years.
He has met others who do the same. Lamb has even sent letters to them by snail mail.
To encourage the use of a typewriter, bring the community together and meet other people who have the same interest, Lamb is organizing what he is describing as a type-in event called Snohomish Unplugged.
At the event, between 10 and 14 typewriters will be available so people can write a letter to their loved ones as a gift.
The event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, at the Uppercase Books, located at 611 2nd St.
“This is the ultimate proof of love because you take the time to write something, instead of just sending a simple text message,” he said.
Since a typewriter does not have a delete key, one needs to think ahead before writing.
“You need to slow down. Every letter is deliberate,” he said.
Writing slowly makes the process more enjoyable, Lamb said.
For more experienced writers, there will be two typing competitions at 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Also, for $1 a ticket, people can win raffle prizes which include two typewriters.
Entrance is free, but donations to cover the materials are accepted.
Lamb was inspired by type-in events in Philadelphia. He told Lorraine Read, owner of Uppercase Books where he was a regular, about his interest of doing one in Snohomish.
“It sounds fun. We can host it here,” Read told him.
They’ve put some typewriters on display at the bookstore. People have noticed.
Read hopes the event can help bring back the practice of letter writing.
“I hope that lots of people will stop in to chat and look around, and then be inspired to send a letter to someone,” she said.
How to participate
Uppercase Books is hosting what is being described as a type-in where people can use vintage manual typewriters to write letters as gifts for Valentine’s Day. The event is scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at 611 2nd St., Snohomish.
For more information, call 360-568-5987 or go to www.uppercasebooks andcollectables.com.
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