Originally Posted by
Sandy
I started writing more, and ironically stopped thinking so much about buying more pens. The impetus for this change was after I'd bought some 2nd hand vintage pens a few years back. I sat down to spend the day writing, and spent most of the day cleaning and fiddling with these pens to get them writing well instead. Instead of using a pen in my collection that worked to get the job done, I'd allowed some tools that didn't work so well to get in the way of the work. This resulted in a change of priorities or focus.
I'd also visited Barbara Hepworth's House in St Ives - and was impressed on how she'd arranged her living space so she has a place to work and live. Taking inspiration from this, I arranged a writing space - I put a desk in a comfortable spot, organised some notebooks and paper, and got a pen tray.
The pens that got most use were the ones that could sit on a desk without drying up over a short space of time. Pens that clogged, or that I had to spend time tinkering with to get them writing ended up in the spares box, and the pretty pens (they inspire me) that allowed me to sit and do a whole bunch of words stayed.
The result is a random rotation of five or six pens, and a handful of pencils, that get used all the time. The rest are sitting. In fact, rather than experience peace, I'm starting to experience irritation at the amount spent on pens that I don't use, and i'm thinkig of ways to sell them.
I ordered a "plain" Nakaya to celebrate a significant birthday, but I think that's it.
If there one pen I'd lie - it would be a Nakaya Tamesukashi - but that is way out of my price bracket, and I'm unlikely to make that much in (rare) overtime. I'd much raather save the money and maybe take a trip to Japan.
Now, I am a writer, who uses some very nice pens, but not a collector. Pens have to act as tools to help me get words on the page. If a pen won't let me do that, for whatever reason, it is of no use to me.
I need to spend the time getting better writing, than owning "more pens".
The impetus for this change was after I'd bought some 2nd hand vintage pens a few years back. I sat down to spend the day writing, and spent most of the day cleaning and fiddling with these pens to get them writing well instead. Instead of using a pen in my collection that worked to get the job done, I'd allowed some tools that didn't work so well to get in the way of the work. This resulted in a change of priorities or focus.
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