On writing

[fleetfootmike]

The bout of insane creativity continues - that's 5 sets of lyrics in 10 days. (See previous LJ entries if you don't believe me)

Part of it is definitely down to having the Moleskine, and carrying it with me everywhere - being able to scribble down ideas, snippets whenever I can is really helping. I'm also sure that the quality of said little notebook helps - it's nice having something that looks and feels good to work in. And telynor is dead right about a fountain pen too. :) Having picked up a black Lamy Safari at Rymans yesterday, I've discovered two things:

• it makes me write slower and neater, because
• writing becomes a joy, above and beyond just a means of getting words down on paper. I find myself writing things down more!
  

I haven't owned a fountain pen since senior school (barring a few calligraphy pens at university), and I'd forgotten how tactile and pleasant the act of laying ink down on paper with a nib is compared to using a biro or even a gel or fibre tip.

Comments

[the-gwenzilliad.livejournal.com]

*smug*

My work here is done. ;-)

[bardling.livejournal.com]

So get your son a cheap but halfdecent fountain pen and see if he'll start to enjoy writing more? ;)
*grins, ducks*

[aunty_marion]

I'm half-tempted myself now to take a trip to Ryman's. I have a Shaeffer fountain pen, but I think I've only got a medium italic nib for it - I'm sure I used to have other nib units, but I'm not certain where they are (probably buried at the back of the desk drawer in the bedroom, where I can't get at them without moving a lot of Stuph). I know the last time I tried to use it I found myself getting frustrated because I actually couldn't write fast enough - by the time I'd got one word down I'd forgotten the rest of what I wanted to write! It's possible a finer nib might help with that.

Mind you, £12.99 is a bit of a luxury buy for me at the moment. It may have to wait till next month.

[stevieannie.livejournal.com]

I have been using a Parker student level fountain pen that I received as a "going away to university" gift from the library where I worked for 4 years during O and A levels. I find the quality of the paper has a lot to do with it as well - the combination of the two is almost hypnotic. I have been using a notebook and fountain pen as a brain dump for 6 months or so now, and it's working well. Hasn't done much in terms of my songwriting, as (for me) that's very much about extremely quick shorthand, scribblings and crossings out and is usually done with a biro so I don't spoil the fountain pen...

But it's nice to see a sudden wave of "nicepen-itis" sweeping the flist!

[wolfette]

I find holding a pen for any length of time makes my hand hurt these days. I have a special "ergonomic" pen which helps, and I can take short notes by hand, but typing is definitely easier for me when I'm 'writing' anything longer, thanks to the arthritis. :-(