When I pick up certain pens to take a message or to jot a note to myself, I get the sudden itch to write. Usually this happens when I simply don't have time to devote to literary greatness. When the opportunity presents itself, though, there are a certain amount of pages I can write before my hand gets tired, at which point I decide to do something else. What a baby. I was watching "Pride and Prejudice" (the Firth version, sounds like I'm lisping) and I noticed how many times a writer in Austen's time would have to dip their pen into the inkwell whilst writing a letter. Sometimes this happened a few times in a sentence! How did anyone write full books in those days?
How spoiled we are now, with our laptops and soft touch keyboards. How can we not write when inspired? Still, I do love the feeling of a fine pen on actual paper. It's lovely.
7 comments:
I've been trying to teach myself how to write with a glass pen and ink and I'll tell you it's incredibly difficult. But I think there's a lot of value in writing on paper vs. typing on a computer. Writing on paper somehow gives the words more weight...it's more contemplative. Whereas on a screen the Ctrl-Copy, Ctrl-Paste, Backspace etc. make everything so easy. I know some writers who refuse to write their drafts on computers just b/c it cheapens the experience for them. Anyway, I'm ranting, but I'd agree that the ink-paper version of writing is far more about the writing PROCESS rather than a flash of fingers across an automated keyboard.
As you say, "Word!" haha
Seriously, when I got the true calligraphy tools (not the cartridges, the dipping ink like the old days) it was the coolest thing. I spent hours copying my favorite poems into a book with that pen, and it was so soothing. I'm glad we have all this technology, but it's important not to discount pen and paper.
I wrote an angry letter yesterday. Felt great. Words are more meaningful when angrilly scratched on the page....
And our personality comes through in our handwriting more than in the computer's fonts.
Yes! Good point!
Sometimes I can't understand my own handwriting. My hand can't keep up with my mind. Yea I agree on all the romanticism of pen and paper and nothing beats finding the perfect pen that flows with you - a smooth writer. And for immediate blurting the ole faithful pen and pad never fail.
And who can resist the touch and smell of good paper - bond or loose. But I too can't discount todays technology.
Marie-
Those angry letter are really therapeutic huh...mine are always unsent.
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