I want to use fountain pens, and need an excuse.

[kokopelli]

I lately fell into this hobby and quickly gained a nice collection of pens in a couple of months. Bought many bottles of ink, mostly blue and blue blacks, and I now try to import greens and browns into my daily routine.

I made a wish for a training so that I could take notes and my wish became true in a couple of days. I took a months worth of notes in a single day and tried many inks and pens. I now write everything down to schedule my day, to make a self discussion on a development topic etc. I'm an electronics engineer so there isn't much I can take notes of at work as they are preferably made on computers to share with others.

I really love to carry a set of pens everywhere I go and keep meeting notes in my notebooks, try to make notes for the day after, but mainly writing "the quick brown fox..." routines everywhere.

I need more excuses to use my pens and inks so I would like to hear your daily FP uses if you please.

Thanks in advance.

Seckin, TR

[kia]

Well, at first, I used them for jotting little notes and whatnot, working over the novelty of their (FP) use. It was when I decided that the fountain pen really was my ticket to less hand stress that I decided I would use them exclusively and I got rid of every ballpoint and rollerball pen I had that I could find. This is also when I realized I used pens much more than I'd thought, even though I've always had a "thing" for pens and paper.

Notes and writing at work, editing and approvals, forms and applications, meetings, etc.
Thermal receipts from stores and restaurants
Confirmation of data at doctors' offices
Greeting and Thank You cards
Task and to do lists
Classroom notes, phone notes
Idea lists and shopping lists
Journals and/or diaries
Informal sketches and "specs" for things I wanted made (writing boxes, ink boxes, book boxes)
I'm on the computer a lot, but I jot down notes from sites I visit as well as bookmarking pages
Planner, I have to have one now for doctor and attorney appointments, and keep it with me for emergency data, prescription notes, documenting problems and meds (I don't like computer calendars and I can't take them with me, I don't have a "smart" phone and I don't use "apps").

Along with all this came the quest for fp friendly papers and pads and cards. I recently ordered 250 wallet cards that I can use as calling cards or note cards or contact cards from Levenger with just my name on them and lines for notes and a graph on the back for whatever for only $30 compared to a minimum of $250 for business cards. The wallet cards should be fp friendly, I hope. It's a bit better of a gamble at $30 vs $250, and in a format I'd been contemplating anyway. Once in a great while, I still wish for a pencil or ballpoint with particular paper (glossy or multiform, etc.) but with the right inks, I've been doing rather well. The only pens I left at my desk at work that were not fp were strictly for letting other people "borrow."

It took time to get used to it all, but the decision to go to fountain pens exclusively was the right one for me.

[kokopelli]

Wow, great reply, Kia. Thank you for that. These are good examples. Let them coming.

[Jon Szanto]

I just have them all at my desk, and use them anytime I can write, which is mainly notes to myself about things upcoming, to do, etc. I've never been a dedicated journaling person, both in terms of regularity and - frankly - I don't have much to say to/about myself.

However, the one thing I try to do, to use these wonderful instruments, is to write cards or letters to friends. I somewhat regularly ask myself who I haven't talked to in a while, or contacted, and instead of picking up the phone, I write a letter. I get to enjoy my pens and inks, and with only a delay of a day or two, my friends hear from me, uni-directional though it is. Often, I'll get a phone call shortly thereafter. These days, so few people actually write anymore that the receipt of the letter is a bit special, and in that instance, more than fills my desire for the pen to have a unique and meaningful place in my life, rather than just being utilitarian.

[fpquest]

Start a pen (or other blog). I write all my drafts out with a fountain pen then type them in. Takes longer I suppose.

Kia's list is great. Most of my writing is taking notes when I sit at the computer either at work at at home. I use a FP for everything I write unless there's a specific reason I can't and in those cases I usually have to borrow one unless I have my Retro 51 rollerball handy. I always carry a FP, even if it's just the TWSBI AL-Sport in my pocket with my keys.

Lately I've taken to re-writing articles (web/magazine/etc...) simply to have and excuse to write with a pen I've been itching to use.

[Cookies]

I have at least have a dozen journals of all different types laying around. Personal, brainstorming, food/work out diary, inspiration, reading journal, work ideas... and so on. I also like to take notes on instructional or informative books I'm reading, as it helps you retain information better. It also helps me make sure I'm constantly reading and teaching myself something new. I write everything by hand. To-do lists, monthly, weekly, and daily schedules, grocery lists, etc.

You could also pick up a pen pal, write a novel, or teach yourself a new script if you want to keep your pens busy.

[pengeezer]

I usually don't have much to say either,though I have a journal
(for pens and inks and the odd times that I've been to the Miami Pen Show). But I have used
them for "to-do" notes and crossword puzzles(even though I do make mistakes on them!).

I also use them when writing to a friend from time to time.


John

[kokopelli]

Thank you all for all those great ideas. I now see I'm not alone trying to use them as often as possible, and sometimes just to be using. In the first week I wrote everything I heard in the house just to familiarize with my pen/pens. Working with a pen really lets you put your brain onto the desk and I saw me solving some long lasting project problems in an hour after writing down everything I could think about that problem.

Hmm, writing to a friend needs having a readable hand writing Well I'm improving for sure. Too soon to start calligraphy but working with italic nibs lets your writing stand out and reach more personal. Now that you say, I remembered I had a friend far away. It will most probably take at least two weeks from Turkey to the US but still could be a nice gesture to a friend up alone in Wisconsin. And maybe a proof of improvement for future reference.

[pengeezer]

It's ironic that in this day and age we(editorial) have to
think of things to write about when at the time the pens were being used
it was a natural thing to do.



John

[kokopelli]

I have at least have a dozen journals of all different types laying around. Personal, brainstorming, food/work out diary, inspiration, reading journal, work ideas... and so on. I also like to take notes on instructional or informative books I'm reading, as it helps you retain information better. It also helps me make sure I'm constantly reading and teaching myself something new. I write everything by hand. To-do lists, monthly, weekly, and daily schedules, grocery lists, etc.

You could also pick up a pen pal, write a novel, or teach yourself a new script if you want to keep your pens busy.

I never had journals, well maybe one or two for quick hint circuit drawings in those school times. Maybe I should start keeping records of things I find. I have many interests but never thought of building a blog. Maybe this can be a start.

It's ironic that in this day and age we(editorial) have to
think of things to write about when at the time the pens were being used
it was a natural thing to do.



John

And using pens said to prevent Alzheimer's. People used to think more in the old days. Many of us just consume now.

[Malcolm]

I would definitely suggest journals and letter writing.

The great thing with letter writing, is that you can write out ideas, notes, and drafts, as you go through the day...then settle down to your 'bestest' handwriting, on some nice paper, during the evening. Brilliant excuse for lots of writing.

[Marsilius]

I use them to draw and doodle. You do not have to be good to draw about 1000 noses, 20 cats, 15 grumpy faces, and two smiley faces. One simple squiggly line can look like many things. Have fun!

[BikerBabe]

Great ideas guys.

I write at least three god things from my day into a cheap nopebook, every day, that isn't hard to do.
I love to practice my handwriting and calligraphy skills, and I love to draw, so that's mainly what I use my pens for.

[kokopelli]

Great ideas guys.

I write at least three god things from my day into a cheap nopebook, every day, that isn't hard to do.
I love to practice my handwriting and calligraphy skills, and I love to draw, so that's mainly what I use my pens for.

That is a great practice. Not only for the hobby but also for a better life. We try to do this with my family, as a bed time talk in my daughters bed. It makes a great opportunity to share feelings in the family. Everybody tells three good things and three bad things happened at the end of the day.

Thanks BikerBabe. Upon your idea, I just started a new notebook for this purpose this morning.

[Jon Szanto]

I write at least three god things from my day into a cheap nopebook, every day, that isn't hard to do.

"And on the 17th Day, God said 'Nope, guys, you can't do that, no way, notgonnahappen, nope-a-roony!'"





I couldn't resist.

[spotted and speckled]

Yes to all of the above. I also send daily postcards with a scripture on it to my husband. I write a few pen pals. I write people I know in person, or relatives even. I take notes in church. I take notes from books I am reading, because one day the book will find another home and I will be left with my notes. Then there's penmanship practice and one day I will start trying copperplate or uncial, or just pain old more drawing, not just designs or geometrics, with pen & ink.

[Sailor Kenshin]

I lately fell into this hobby and quickly gained a nice collection of pens in a couple of months. Bought many bottles of ink, mostly blue and blue blacks, and I now try to import greens and browns into my daily routine.

I made a wish for a training so that I could take notes and my wish became true in a couple of days. I took a months worth of notes in a single day and tried many inks and pens. I now write everything down to schedule my day, to make a self discussion on a development topic etc. I'm an electronics engineer so there isn't much I can take notes of at work as they are preferably made on computers to share with others.

I really love to carry a set of pens everywhere I go and keep meeting notes in my notebooks, try to make notes for the day after, but mainly writing "the quick brown fox..." routines everywhere.

I need more excuses to use my pens and inks so I would like to hear your daily FP uses if you please.

Thanks in advance.

Seckin, TR

Oh, lots of things. I do pen and ink reviews for my blog...and I'm getting back into them after a layoff. I write first drafts of fan fics.

I keep a couple of journals, one daily all-purpose, a few others for dedicated purposes, such as Handy Innerwebs Tips.

I write letters, even if my pen pals don't know what a fountain pen is.

Daily notes, shopping and to-do lists. Lists of books I have by certain authors. Lists of books I want. Long rants trying to figure out which of my pens and/or inks I want to sell/trade.

We were thinking of doing another documentary. Notes for that, as soon as I pick out the right notebook.

Sketches, too, actually. A whole teeny book of them, though I haven't started another yet.

Lately, some vignettes.

Hope that helps.

[VertOlive]

Once you get started.....

2 journals
1 To Do notebook
1 Tiny leather bound book of handwritten favorite prayers
Pen pal correspondence
My "handwriting improvement program" of italic practice...
Notes for a talk I'm giving
Notes to a class I'm taking

...

[BikerBabe]

I write at least three god things from my day into a cheap nopebook, every day, that isn't hard to do.

"And on the 17th Day, God said 'Nope, guys, you can't do that, no way, notgonnahappen, nope-a-roony!'"

I couldn't resist.

Oh no?
Watch me!

That is a great practice. Not only for the hobby but also for a better life. We try to do this with my family, as a bed time talk in my daughters bed. It makes a great opportunity to share feelings in the family. Everybody tells three good things and three bad things happened at the end of the day.

Thanks BikerBabe. Upon your idea, I just started a new notebook for this purpose this morning.

You're welcome, it's a good thing to do and a very nice and good habit to teach your kids in my opinion.

The cool thing is that on good days there's plenty of good stuff to write, and on bad days you can still feel grateful for actually having a roof over your head, a bed to sleep in, food to eat amd family and friends that care about you. *thumbs up*
Or that the internet works and plenty of other small things.

[kokopelli]

so true.

It is sometimes like, "best thing happened was, that my wife opened the door, when I rung the bell, once again"