An observational study examined computer writers' use of hard copy for reading. The study begins with a description, based on interviews, of four kinds of reading problems encountered by writers using word processing; formatting, proofreading, reorganizing, and critical reading ("getting a sense of the text"). Subjects, six freshmen enrolled in writing with computer classes and five more experienced writers for whom writing constitutes a major part of their work activities, were interviewed about their writing with word processing, were observed while writing in their natural environments, and kept process logs of the writing they were doing. Results indicated that: (1) individuals have difficulties reading their own writing on-line and they often supplement word processing with hard copy printouts for reading; (2) writers check formatting, proofreading, organization, and get a sense of the text from a hard copy; and (3) while there are differences in how student writers and more experienced writers use hard copy for reading, task variables such as length and difficulty may be important too. (Two tables of data and five figures are included; 19 references are attached.) (RS)