Writers have numerous tools at their disposal, but few are as important as a trusty keyboard. Even those of us who prefer handwritten drafts must concede to modernity at some point.
Shopping for a keyboard doesn't sound all that complicated, but you'll find there are several aspects that might influence your purchase.
Though important, I'm omitting common considerations such as pricing for the purposes of this post and focusing instead on writer-specific attributes I tend to seek in a new keyboard.
This all begs the question: how do you know if a keyboard is just your type?
The Feel Of The Keys
Your fingers spend a lot of time on your keyboard, so you ought to make sure they feel at home.
What this specifically means will depend on your personal preferences. For example, the size and shape of the keys. If you have larger hands, typing on a smaller keyboard may be uncomfortable or mean you spend more time correcting typos than you do writing. Some writers prefer square keys over rounded ones.
The surface of your keyboard is worth noting, not just in terms of how the material feels to the touch but the profile. You may find that you time more smoothly on a flatter keyboard, like those built into the standard laptop, but others prefer raised keys. Some keys are also slightly concaved, meaning there's a subtle dip in their surface; that's what I typically prefer, but I do have an old flat keyboard I use when I have longer nails because those have a habit of bumping into raised keys or slipping between them and interfering with my typing.
A Pressing Matter
You might also want to consider how much pressure is needed for a keystroke to register.
When you're in a writing groove, you don't want your speed to be hindered by hard-to-press keys. Some writers may also have health conditions that make typing for extended periods of time difficult, so the stiffness of the keys might be especially important to think about.
Test-driving keyboards to get a feel for them is one of the reasons I suggest shopping for keyboards in person when possible (or make sure there are hassle-free returns if you're having it shipped). This way, you can see how much pressure is required to get the words down, as well as how comfortable that keyboard is for you.
Clickety-Clack Or Quiet Keys
When we imagine what a writer's space sounds like, we may think of pencils scratching across paper or the tap-tap-tap of keys punctuating the air.
For some writers, the clickety-clack is soothing. The sound of progress being made can be motivating, and having something to break up the monotony of silence might help them concentrate.
However, some writers prefer their keyboards on the quieter side, finding the tapping disruptive.
A writer's keyboard is among their most soundly relied upon devices, so it's crucial that it be as clacky or as quiet as you need to stay focused.
Making The Connection
There are two types of keyboards on the market, both with their pros and cons.
First, you've got wired keyboards that plug directly into your computer. Those are known to be reliable, but having to plug it in and unplug it may pose a minor inconvenience for writers who want to put their keyboard away after use to make more room on a tiny desk or those of us who are writing on the go.
Alternatively, you can go for the Bluetooth option and connect your keyboard wirelessly. These can be great if you expect to move around frequently or write on non-computer devices like a tablet or on multiple devices (some models have the ability to switch between recognized devices). However, you may experience lagging or signal interference, and you'll want to be mindful of the keyboard's battery life so it doesn't die while you're in a steady writing groove and cut your progress short.
When choosing between a wired keyboard and a wireless one, one isn't inherently better than the other. Rather, it's often a matter of what works better for your setup.
A Pleasing Aesthetic
Though not a necessity for every writer out there, some may hold the look of a keyboard in the same regard as its functionality—and that is totally okay!
Perhaps you feel more writerly when you're using a keyboard that looks like an antique typewriter or you gravitate towards a lime green keyboard because your desk needs a pop of color.
Socal media often encourages us to think about how a keyboard looks not just on our desk but in our posts, so some authors may pick out a keyboard that first with their branding; though not my original intention when buying the keyboard I currently use at my desk, I find that I'm more likely to buy my writing gear in pink where possible because it creates a more cohesive setup with what I already have and feels not only romance writerly but like me.
And for a little extra pizzaz, you could lookinto getting a cute desk mat to put underneath your keyboard or keycaps to change the look of the device (just make sure that those keycaps are compatible and don't interfere wtih your ability to type).
That said, remember that you don't have to have an aesthetically pleasing desk to be a good writer, but if a lavender keyboard helps create a space of good vibes and productive engery, go for it!
When discussing tools of the trade, writers may get a bit picky. To non-writers, it may sound like we're going overboard, but since we're doing a lot of our thinking through our hands, our keyboards need to be a good fit.
For some, finding a goo keyboard is simply a matter of whether or not it gets the job done for a good price. Others may seek a stylish flair that makes their desk feel like a writerly haven—even if they have more than one desk because they're writing on the go.
No matter what you want from your keyboard, these tips can help you find the one that is just your type.
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