While I’ve tagged this entry under “gear”, technically, this is about as basic as it comes: a no-frills approach to paper and pens. We all yoink Bic pens from hotels or letterhead from work but that’s never my preference if I have a choice in the matter.
In response to the rapid, techno-ized world we inhabit, years of practice and a few odd typing classes here and there have allowed me to compose my thoughts on a computer whenever necessary. But, as you may infer, when writing, my natural inclination is toward paper and pen. Here’s what I like, paper-style:
Most writers are familiar with the Moleskine line of notebooks–who wouldn’t want to be affiliated with artistic giants like Van Gogh and Hemingway and the expat avant-garde who originated its popularity in the early 20th century–and I am a fan as well. A tattered Moleskine accompanied me on my first extended travels in Europe and I will forever associate my writings during that time with the notebook itself. It was a bit difficult to really flatten it down when you’re in a good spurt of writing (and therefore covering pages at length) and to remedy that, I have a large crush on legal pads. I discovered Levenger, which has more of a business tone to its site (rather than the arty vibe on Moleskine) but carries a wide range of pads in its Paper & Pads section. And if you want to get wild, go with yellow–it’s on sale!
Now: pens. Normally, I’ll write with anything but if I had to get picky (and for this post’s sake, I will), I’d go with Sanford, maker of the uni-ball pens. Specifically, I love the Deluxe Micro (so precise and writes likes a dream!) or, for fuller coverage, the Liquid Expresso, which is a felt-tip pen with medium thickness. Cheap pens are sometimes frustrating (plus that easily-bitten cap is so tempting) but hey, when they’re free, I can’t expect too much. These pens I’ve recommended aren’t wildly expensive but if how your writing looks is nearly as important to you as what your writing says, you may want to “invest” in something that won’t crap out on you when you need it most (i.e., a lightbulb moment).
