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Which of the following sentences is correct?

1. He began to move toward his dream.
2. He began to move towards his dream.

If you said the second sentence is correct, you’re right. If you said the first sentence is correct, you’re even more right.

Both “toward” and “towards” are technically correct, according to most English language stylebooks. The difference is, “towards” is more likely to be used these days by the Brits, while “toward” has become the American favorite.

The Associated Press Stylebook, which most American businesses and publications use, takes a distinctly American stance, saying simply, “toward, not towards.” In short, according to AP, “towards” is dead.

So if you’re an American, or gravitate to the American English way of life, you’re safer to bury “towards.” Say a few kind words over its grave and move on. If you’re British, or believe that the Queen’s English is the only true and living form of the world’s most robust language, go ahead and use “towards.”

It’s not worth another revolution.

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When you write, do you use a keyboard or a pen? Or do you use both for different types of writing?

As a fulltime freelance writer, I have to produce text as quickly and efficiently as possible. That text has to be in digital format for e-mailing and publication. The day I purchased my first personal computer in the ’80s I stopped using pen and paper (even though the $4,000 Victor I bought had no hard drive and less processing power than a modern cell phone). On the rare occasions when I had to handwrite something, I realized that my penmanship ability had atrophied. Writing by hand had become painfully slow, gave me hand cramps and resulted in undecipherable hieroglyphics.

A couple of years ago I decided to get serious about keeping a journal. I began by using my computer. But when I traveled I took a notebook and pen. It was torture at first, but soon my hand began to adapt. More and more of the words I wrote actually looked like words. Then I discovered a notebook I fell in love with: Moleskine. I also found a type of pen that was a pleasure to use. It wasn’t long before I began to relish the time I spent writing in my notebook with my gel pen. It has become a sensuous experience (laugh if you will, but I swear it is) and one I look forward to everyday – sometimes several times a day. The notebook and pen are portable, lightweight, don’t have to be plugged in, don’t run out of batteries and don’t crash or get viruses.

For my “work” writing, however, I continue to put my fingers to the keyboard. Don’t get me wrong – using a computer is not an unpleasant experience for me. I enjoy it, but in a different way. It’s fast, precise and much more flexible in terms of making changes and revisions.

You might say I’m torn between two lovers and each has its place in my life. I spend 95 percent of my time with the keyboard getting things done and the other 5 percent luxuriating with my pen and Moleskine.

I have a friend who writes books and film scripts. He writes everything by hand and refuses to use a computer until he has to prepare a final manuscript for submission. He says the computer inserts a layer of technology between him and his work that stifles his creativity.

What about you? Do you use a keyboard, a pen, or both? If both, when do you use one and when do you use the other? If you use a pen, what type of notebook or paper and writing instrument do you use? Let’s get a discussion going about writing tools. Please submit a comment. I’d like to hear from you.

Special Note: Send Me Your Problems!

Some of you have asked if I could help you with specific writing issues. My answer is yes. Send me a comment with a piece of text you have written (nothing too long, please) and tell me what has you stumped or doesn’t seem right. I’ll do my best to get to the bottom of it and we’ll invite others to comment with their ideas or suggestions. Let’s make this a valuable, interactive learning experience. To contact me, click here.