For the Love of Writing!
For those of you who don’t know, I love to write.
And by “write,” I mean picking up a pen and physically moving it across a blank sheet of paper (preferable college ruled). There’s just something about brushing the side of your hand against the crisp texture of the sheet as you glide the pen across it, leaving behind the marks that are your thoughts, your feelings, your words. It’s practically an artform in and of itself (I’m just talking about reguar writing, here, not calligraphy, which I know is an artform), and it’s one that I fear is dying with the rise of electronic media – but that is a topic for a different time!
No, today, I’m going to talk about pens – specifically, how you know if the pen with which you use to write is a proper writing instrument or not (See? I can talk properly when I so choose. ;P).
Those of you who actualy write will most likely agree, but it really is amazing how the quality of a pen can affect the quality of your writing – and I’m not just talking about if it writes well or not. There are actually a lot of factors involved with choosing the right pen, and today, I’m going to go over the top three.
Let’s begin, shall we?
1. First and foremost is the size. No matter what others might say, size does matter when it comes to choosing the right pen. Your pen must fit your hand. This is probably the most essential, the most crucial factor when considering a pen purchase (or theft!). If the pen is too big (i.e., too fat), then you will find your fingers growing numb as you struggle to grip the pen, thus risking infectious diseases (such as gangreen) due to poor cirulation, which can result in the rotting and falling off of fingers. Is that a bit morbid? Yes, it is – but that’s why I’m telling you! It’s better that you know the ugly truth.
On the flip-side, however, you don’t want a pen that is too small (i.e., too skinny), otherwise your will get all cramped and pinched from your clenching it with a talon-like grip – sure, you could straighten them out by popping them, but the viscious cycle of cramp and pop will continue until your fingers shrivel up and turn into deformed old-lady hands (no offense to any old ladies, of course – I’m just telling my readers how it is).
No, you want a pen that fits your hand style of writing as perfectly as a glove. For me, this means a pen with a nice grip that is slightly skinnier than my pinky finger – for others, it could be as big as a jumbo pencil! Everyone is different! I am just making sure that everyone here is aware of the consequences should they ignore my teachings.
2. Second, you must choose the right type of pen. Just because the pen fits, that doesn’t mean it’s the right one for you. In this day and age, there are so many types of pens that I almost lose track – felt-tip, gel, Sharpie, quill, erasable – you name it! I suppose there are many different types for the many different people out there, but for me, I prefer your standard ball-point pen. It glides effortlessly across the paper, and it doesn’t bleed into the next sheet (*glares at felt-tip and Sharpie*). All-in-all, it’s just a good, all-around pen. Now, I must be honest, though. There was a time in my youth when I was a lover of felt-tip pens – and I still love the fact that you can create pools of ink by smashing it into your paper – but for serious writing purposes, it’s simply impratical.
Which brings me to my last point…
3. Ink consistency. You do not want a pen that smears! And to stress the importance of this, allow me to repeat: NO SCHMEARING! (Oh, sorry! I forgot to take out my retainer xP) But seriously people, nothing is worse when writing than when you finish that elaborate paragraph, only to have your hand accidentally brush across the fresh coat of ink, thus rendering your words nigh unreadable. It’s a tragic accident – one that I pull all the time – but it doesn’t have to be if you choose the right pen. And the right pen does not smear! Good ink does not smear! It’s true what they say, that writers are artists, but something is obviously terribly wrong when your words look less like words and more like abstract art.
No, good ink retains its form and holds its ground, like Buckingham Palace Guards; even under the firmest of pressure, it will not smear, and a good pen utilizes such ink.
In my experience, again, ball-point is the way to go. Felt-tip and gel pens have horrible smearing records, thus making them quite unreliable sources of ink, so I would advise strongly against them. But, again, it’s entirely up to you. These are just guidlelines for purchasing the perfect pen, and as I said before, everyone is different and everyone has different preferences. But if I ever see any of you with shriveled or fingersless hands, holding a sheet of paper with giant smears of “text,” don’t say I didn’t warn you. ;P
But Tiiiiiiiim, I like the pens with smeary ink! If you’re careful, they don’t smear!
December 1, 2011 at 4:55 pm
Haha, but I don’t want to be mindful of smearing ink when I’m furiously scribbling away at something. Also, I rest the side of my hand on my paper when I write, so smeary ink just isn’t practical. :P
December 1, 2011 at 5:16 pm
Ah you are too wonderful! I can’t believe I’ve found another person who is pedantic about their pens! When I did my final school exams (which involved eight three hour exams where I would write about 30 pages a piece!) I could only write with one certain kind of pen, and no other. Great ink consistency, no smearing, and quite skinny!
Awesome post! :)
December 1, 2011 at 5:16 pm
YES! Hahaha! That’s the way to go, my friend! I’ve gone through several “favorite” types of pens, but right now I’m settled on one that I stole from work. Indeed, I loved it so much that I almost couldn’t write when it gave up the ghost (ie, ran out of ink), so I had to go out and buy a four-pack of my own. xD
Thanks! ^_^
December 1, 2011 at 5:20 pm
So love the post, I thought I was the only that felt like that when it comes to picking a pen that works just for you. God Bless :)
December 1, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Haha! You are not alone, my friend. :)
December 1, 2011 at 7:06 pm
That’s great, fellow pen appreciators. I have to have a certain type of ballpoint, a certain brand that I like. “Tiger” brand, we get them at walmart. They are just heavy enough, small enough, fine point, black or blue ink, to provide wonderful crisp non-schmearing ink. ;)
I’m not the only one, I keep one pinned to my badge at work, and one or two in my purse. A co-worker liked them so much He keeps them on hand now, and my Dad too. I’m not the only wacko here!
December 1, 2011 at 7:31 pm
Ooo, those sound awesome! Though I prefer something a bit thicker than fine-point. I use the BIC Atlantis pens (the kind I said I stole from work), which you can find at walmart as well. And I would take one to work, but I’m afraid someone might snatch it! xD
Crazy pen-lovers unite!!!
Oh, and thanks for stopping by! ^_^
December 1, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Sorry but I can not agree with you at all. Writing with pen might be good for, say, a greeting card. But for a lengthier diatribe, where there is the slightest chance of a misspelling or of future editing, you need a number two pencil.
December 2, 2011 at 12:43 am
Doc! How good of you to stop by! :)
I understand your point, though, and I agree with it (I actually take all my notes for school in pencil) but when I’m writing in my journal, coming up with fresh ideas, I always use pen. There’s a certain satisfaction that comes from seeing a finished and complete piece after all the scratches and scribbles of the x-ed out predecessors. But maybe that’s just me. ;P
Thanks for commenting! It’s nice to see a semi-familiar, yet some-what new face around here – especially one that has a killer mustache! xD
December 2, 2011 at 1:41 am
hehehe,i have never actually thought about it.nice reading…hihihi..got a smile on mi face….
December 2, 2011 at 1:02 am
Happy to have made you smile, my dear! :)
December 2, 2011 at 1:41 am
Okay.
Despite the fact that I am the least picky person alive when it comes to what I write with, so long as I get my thoughts down when I need to, I thoroughly enjoyed this post. I giggled many, many times and love your similes. :)
When it comes to the physical act of writing, I will grab the closest writing tool and the closet paper product and dance all over the white spaces with ink until I run out of brainstorm or paper. I’ve written notes in highlighters, sharpies, ballpoint, crayon, grease pens, and on things such as napkins, sermon outlines, receipts, and in desperate straits, address book lining.
I do have my favourites, however. I’m right with you on the college ruled notebooks and ballpoint pens. I love the ones that are white (don’t know the brand) and I always lose the cap or chew it beyond use, so usually they are capless. I used to prefer pencils (only the wood kind!) because I could chew on them (mmm.. the taste of wood!) in between thoughts. But pencil kind of wears off after a while and the notes are too hard to read.
December 2, 2011 at 1:37 am
Whooops! I forgot to end bracket that one italic. :P
December 2, 2011 at 1:38 am
Fixed it! *starts reading*
December 2, 2011 at 1:42 am
Hahahaha! Yay for giggles! xP And I’m rather fond of my similies as well. ;P
Oh yes, I know all this. You have told me many a horror tale of how you cannot find your random and scattered notes. You’re like a crazy cat lady, only with scraps of paper! xD
Favourites! Love the British spelling! But yeah, I can’t use the white pens for the reasons you just listed. Haha! And pencils are great – just as Doc said above – but yeah, they fade over time. Which is no fun. Dx
December 2, 2011 at 1:46 am
One prefers a quill! :)
December 2, 2011 at 11:03 am
Haha! It doesn’t surprise me that one would! ;P
Thanks for stopping by, David! :)
December 2, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Pingback: The Case Of The Killer Moustache | nineteenfortyeight
I’m sorry to say, I’ve eaten the forbidden fruit and I’ve given up pen and paper completely. Back in the day, I was a gel girl and very picky about the smearing ink thing. Maybe that’s why I’m 100% electronic now.
Love the humor of this post.
December 3, 2011 at 2:06 am
It’s okay, Miss D. A lot of the time I’ll type things up without writing them out first (I actually typed this article sans pen and paper). I just find it easier to type thing out. However, pen and paper are a must for my poetry. The scribbles and scrabbles help me cultivate my thoughts. ;P
Thanks for reading/commenting! :)
December 3, 2011 at 2:09 am
How amusing! I feel the same way, and applaud you for thinking of writing about it =D There is only one particular brand of pen, pencil and a pad of paper that I feel like I have to use when writing poetry. But, then I’ve found I’m only able to write my stories on my laptop (perhaps because it’s so much faster when using so many words.) Great creative minds think alike!
December 3, 2011 at 10:53 am
Haha! Indeed! Thanks for the input! :)
December 3, 2011 at 11:06 am
I thought I was a bit on the ocd side with my habits… “the pen” what can i say besides that
a. i love the feel of pen on paper
b. must be fine point
((sharpie makes a fine point pen that doesn’t bleed through))
c. with smooth ink
And I love notebooks, staples sees me with $$ in their eyes. I own lots of journals and notebooks and even more pens that I can possibly use in one lifetime. but when I write I want it to be beautiful, and the right pen makes it so.
((wow, i don’t have issues now do I ;) ))
this article made me smirk and laugh… because people know about me and my pens.
December 8, 2011 at 12:56 pm
Hahaha! Everyone is OCD about something, Enreal. They just don’t want to admit it. ;P
a. That is a wonderfully feeling, isn’t it?
b. Very nice!
c. Smooth ink is a must.
Bahahaha! That’s awesome. Staples must love you. ;P But yes, the right pen makes all the difference, and I don’t know what issues you’re referring to. ;)
Well I’m glad you could relate to it! That makes me smile. :)
December 8, 2011 at 1:10 pm
As a “pen snob” I have to say, I love this. I am fond of gel pens myself. I love the smoothness of them on the paper. The kind I use don’t smear. (well, they have, but little)
I have always seen magic in words and I believe writing down on paper has holds a special kind of magic.
Do you read Neil Gaiman? (A favorite of mine!) He writes all of his books out by hand for the first draft. It is a goal of mine to some day write a novel like that.
December 10, 2011 at 12:00 am
Bahaha! I love meeting new/discovering people I know are pen snobs. xP
Gel pens are nice, yes, but the smear factor is what gets me. :P
Writing on paper most certinaly does hold a special kind of magic! I yearn for the days of old where you could tell the caliber of a (wo)man by the quality of his/her penmanship. *sigh* Such says are lost from us, I’m afraid.
I have not! His name sounds familiar, though. What has he written? *ignores google searchbox*
December 10, 2011 at 12:21 am
Graphic Novels: Sandman
Novels: American Gods, Stardust, Neverwhere…
YA: Coraline
A few books of short stories…
Just to name a few.
Oh, he also wrote an episode of Dr. Who. “The Doctor’s Wife” I haven’t seen it, but I have friends who are obsessed fans and loved it.
December 10, 2011 at 12:37 am
Ah! That’s how I know him! Yes, he’s brilliant! I haven’t read any of his novels, but I’ve seen Coraline and Stardust (and loved both).
And you are looking at one of the biggest Doctor Who fans out there, and it just so happens I wrote a poem about him! :P
http://thecreativejuicer.com/2011/09/24/the-wandering-madman/
Also, “The Doctor’s Wife” is one of my favorite episodes of all time.
Just sayin. ;P
December 10, 2011 at 12:41 am