I didn't know much about computers. I still worked on a manual Olivetti typewriter.

Mona Simpson’s quote reflects a personal experience of limited knowledge about computers at the time, particularly when she was still using a manual Olivetti typewriter for her writing. The mention of the typewriter highlights how Simpson, like many others, was working with older technology before the widespread adoption of computers in writing and other professions. This statement is a nostalgic acknowledgment of a time when manual tools were still essential for producing written work, and computers had not yet fully transformed the writing process.

By saying "I didn't know much about computers," Simpson underscores how technology was still unfamiliar to her at the time, particularly the advancements that were rapidly changing many industries, including writing. The manual typewriter represents a simpler, more analog time, where writing was a tactile process that didn’t require the use of digital tools. Simpson’s reflection speaks to the gap between older and newer technologies and the transition period many people went through as they adapted to the digital age.

The quote also evokes a sense of personal growth as Simpson, like many others, gradually became acquainted with the rise of computers in the writing world. While she didn’t know much about computers initially, her statement may also imply how much the tools of the trade have evolved over time. It reflects the broader experience of many professionals who had to adapt to digital technology in their fields, even if they initially worked with more traditional, physical tools.

Originating from Simpson’s background as an author and writer, the quote illustrates how she transitioned from working with a manual typewriter to engaging with computers and digital writing tools as they became more prevalent in the literary world. Simpson’s experience serves as a reminder of the dramatic shift in how technology has reshaped the act of writing, transforming both the process and the medium through which authors work.