Pens
Pens by Debra H. Goldstein
There was a time that I wrote everything in longhand. Being left-handed, I had to be careful not to use a pen that allowed me to smear the ink with my pinky. In addition, because I have small hands (I can still wear a child’s sized glove or mitten), the pen couldn’t be too thick or too fat. Consequently, many of the popular thin Bic pens or other retractable ones didn’t feel right when I held them.
After many years of trial and error, I discovered Uniball Vision Elite pens. Like Goldilocks felt after trying Papa Bear, Mama Bear and Baby Bear’s chair, food, and beds, this pen for me is “just right.” It fits my hand, glides across the page, and usually doesn’t smear. What more could I ask?
The irony is that now that I’ve found the perfect pen, I rarely use it. Although I write thank you notes in ink, I compose my books and stories on the computer, make most of my payments electronically, and have traded letters for emails.
What about you? Do you still use a pen (and which one is perfect for you)?
Your post hit home for me, Debra. My search for the right pen began with my first book-signing event. Did I want something thick and bold, or light and feminine? Black ink, blue, or a more memorable color? I’ve bought at least a dozen different types and tried them out, and yet, today, I’m awaiting delivery on what The New York Times said is the “perfect” pen. We’ll see. In the meantime, I’m laughing at myself for focusing on on such a trivial pursuit!
But, we can’t help it. We grew up being told how to hold our pen; what penmanship was; how cursive letters were made…… indoctrination doesn’t go away easily. Let me know how the new pen works out.
Just tried it out. I think I like the old one better.
After decades of gripping pens, pencils, and paintbrushes in my day job as a graphic designer/illustrator, I developed carpel tunnel syndrome. I now also have some slight arthritis in my hands. Doing anything longhand is something I avoid whenever possible. Luckily, my ability to type has not been impaired. To this day, I can still knock out about 60wpm.
Typing made all the difference for me, too. People could finally read my writing :). Because I enjoy your books, I hope you keep typing for a long, long time.
Great topic for a post. I’m also left-handed, so identify with the struggle. At least you have the perfect pen for autographing books!
Believe me, it took awhile for me to find it. I think others must be, too, as the price keeps going up.
I love writing in long hand. Because I take shorthand and Im currently looking at a BIC BU1.0 and it’s purple. I think writing in longhand uses a different part of our brains.
I know I remember things better if I write them in longhand.