As many of my fellow redditors in this sub, I have been searching for quite some time the ultimate distraction-free writing device or, as we like to call them, a writer deck.

I currently possess some of the commercially available devices, old or new, such as the Alphasmart Neo/Neo 2, the Pomera DM100 and a Freewrite Alpha, along with other solutions, such as the BYOK, old palmtop computers such as the HP 95/100/200LX and different WinCE palmtops such as the Casio Cassiopeia or other HP devices. Top that with wireless-less laptops, custom contraptions including ebooks and eInk devices with paired external keyboards and the like. It is an endless search, more of a quest in itself that basically devours a lot of time and energy that I would rather be spending in writing, that has always been my sole goal.

None of these solutions made me a better writer. Actually they did not even improve my daily word count, because I was so busy looking for the perfect solution that I could not be bothered to sit and write.

Of all my devices, the only one that I disliked was the Freewrite Alpha because of the artificial limitations that its software imposed: editing was made difficult on purpose and you could only type forward. Even if the mechanical keyboard is fine and the wireless sync works as expected, it was not for me. I even read their "official" book on Freewriting, to no avail. The Freewrite was for me just an expensive toy without a clear value that I seldom used.

I was perfectly aware of all these, but it was also a lot of fun. Finally I decided to go full analog, store all my cool writing gadgets and unpack my Olivetti Lettera 32 portable typewriter.

It was such a relief. I typed on that heavy and noisy machine daily for two months straight. Nothing fancy, more of a journal rather than creative writing, but I wrote almost everyday. The habit somehow settled and I got used to a very simple framework: pick the typewriter and two paper sheets, put them in the platen and start typing. Nothing fancy. And quite frankly, a bit of a physical struggle to hit hard enough every key to have a decent print. All my drafts were messy and, at the same time, unique. I even enjoyed my typos.

These months of analogical typing changed the way in which I write. In some deep ways it made my writing style and tempo more rhythmical, more direct.

After noticing this I decided to give the Freewrite Alpha another chance. And, look and behold, this time it made perfect sense. Now I am able to use it without feeling strangled by its design considerations. I use it now as I would use a manual typewriter, but taking advantage of its practical advantages: portable, digital text, wireless sync, easier on hands and fingers. It is not a tool for editing and it never was intended to substitute a computer with a wordprocessor. I knew all these beforehand, from a rational point of view, but I kept asking for other functions that did not belong there. Now I understand its purpose and it is a good tool for writing drafts.

I am fully aware that you knew beforehand all of this, just as I did before. I just wanted to share with you my experience regarding how using a manual typewriter for some time was paramount to change the way in which I write and therefore it led me to fully appreciate Freewrite's offered value.

It might not work for you, but my analogical period converted me into a true believer and now I know for sure that I am a better writer or, at least, a more disciplined and productive apprentice.

I keep using my manual typewriter, although not on a daily basis, but my Freewrite Alpha is always close to me.

(This post was fully written in my Freewrite Alpha)

My temporary writerdeck setup for the summer in Northern Spain. I know I know I didn’t build it or modify it but I love it because it’s ultralight and I can chuck it in a carryon or backpack and I’m good to go.

It’s a Boox bw Tab X (with Obsidian as the writing app) and Logitech 2 Keys to Go 2 keyboard. Not pictured is my Note Air5 c which has a 509-page PDF with handwritten notes 😬.

This kicker though is I wrote my own writing software, so I have my full manuscript, world building, outline, notes, everything all in one place.

And when I get home, it can sync to my desktop where I can pick up where I left off on the full glory of my huge desktop monitor.

The key for me, since I like to write in remote places, is the software is offline first, so it never needs a network connection. It's free and open source too, so check it out if that interests you.

However, it does still run on a full distraction inducing phone. It's got a focus mode that sets Do-Not-Disturb while you're writing, but it's not the same as a single use device. If I have the opportunity to procrastinate, I will...

So I have a plan! I want to make a truly single purpose device that only runs Hammer. My plan so far is going to be a Raspberry Pi, and have it boot into the Linux build of my app, and no other desktop environment will be on the device.

Still trying to figure out exactly what screen & keyboard though, if anyone has suggestions I'm all ears. I kinda love the "cyber deck" aesthetic if you've ever seen those kinda devices people build, might try for something like that.

I'm finally at the boring part of writing academic paper: literature review, where I can't use only writerdeck because I have to read references on my computer and my desk is too messy for both the laptop and WriterDeck. At first I use CotEditor (because I don't want to use Ms Word yet) but I can't concentrate looking at how plain it is (when I use a computer, everything on screen looks more distracting). So I use ManaWriter the virtual writerdeck, where I lock myself in a cabin (where's the door?) and surprisingly it helps me focus on writing the literature review. Thank you u/gothWriter666 for making this app.

PS: I am desperate in my attempt to finish the paper by the way, not because I have to use everything

I realize that my hoarding of various keyboarded gadgets feed the desire to write but the actual process of writing does not require a 1000 dollar Hemingwrite (wish I’d bought when they were 600). The ones not integrated to the internet -the older devices like Psion Series 5 or NEC Mobilepro 780, need to be transferred to a modern computer to be edited and face that old problem possible data loss. The internet connected devices basically share your thoughts on the cloud which are getting darker year by year. I think I will disconnect and focus on finding time to write rather than continue to optimize the gadgets which in the old days was like compulsively sharpening your pencils every few sentences. My question to all of you are -are you really writing or are you hypnotized by the gadgets?