What is Your Pen Personality?

What are you writing with at the moment? Well, chances are if you’re reading this, you’re not writing with ANYTHING, but once you get done and get back to work, what is your writing instrument of choice?

FYW writer Giselle Maclean has said on a number of occasions that she’s got to have a certain type of pen in order to write. I don’t. The notes I took for this post were done with a purple ballpoint, I edit things with a red felt-tip marker, I do my homework with a plain ole #2 pencil…you get the idea.

But what if you ARE looking for the special writing instrument? Do you consider yourself to have a “Pen Personality”?

Since you’ve already picked up one of the journals I suggested, here are some pens to go along!

Ballpoint

Okay…I’m starting with the obvious. If you’re a run-of-the-mill writer who prefers functional instruments at the low end of the pricing/technology scale, then your best bet is to stick with these everyday utensils. They’re so average, in fact, that I think I’d be offending you if I even post a link to a place to sell them. BUT (and there’s a but) you can get some very classy, and very expensive pens from the likes of Mont Blanc.

Fountain Pens

We’re talking high class, ladies and gents. At least the appearance of it. After all, I can remember in the 5^th grade writing with a pink and purple fountain pen that my Mom got at Kmart for like $6.00. You can’t deny that there’s an air of elegance about writing with a fountain pen, though. I liked that scratchy feel they make sometimes and the way the ink is darker in some places. It gives everything an authentic, old-world feel to it. I thought these “Retro 1951” fountain pens were kind of cool looking.

Quill Pens

Yes…they’re still around and for sale! Quill pens make me think of the likes of Aristotle hovered over a scroll and writing with a quill pen via candlelight. Maybe it’s just the thing you need to create that masterpiece of yours. Nostalgic Impressions gives you color options and lets you choose from the authentic dip-in-ink type or a ballpoint (cheater).

Promotional Pens

Maybe the pen isn’t for you necessarily and you want to promote your writing business with a writing instrument. Clever, huh? In that case, you want promotional pens. There are so many types and vendors to choose from. Many, if not most, have larger minimum orders, bumping up the price. If you’re a smaller outfit and just want say, 50 or so, then check out Vista Print’s options. What I like about Vista Print is that you have the option of putting your actual logo on the pen, not just your company name and contact information, like many other vendors do.

Novelty Pen

I wouldn’t feel like I’m doing this article any justice if I didn’t include any fun options. For this category I head back to one of my favorite places- Uncommon Goods. They have this Scroll Pen that is perfect for not only writers, but for all of those “jotters” out there. Need to take down a name, number or the license plate number of that jerk in front of you? Simply pull out the attached paper. Convenience is the name of the game here.

Red Pen

It’s a necessity. Kind of like having to invite your eternally-burping Aunt Bertha to Thanksgiving dinner. It’s a must have for every writer and definitely for every editor out there. In fact, you editors probably have a collection of them not only on your desk, but ones that you’ve used up in your garbage can. If you don’t have one, suck it up and get one. Run to your favorite office supply store and pick one up. Now.

Pencils (duh)

Technically these aren’t pens, but they deserve attention nonetheless. With these you can go luxury mechanical or you can go budget #2. They’re definitely an oldie but goodie, especially when you’re not using them to fill in those little bubbles on standardized tests. And while I can’t promise anything, that little thing called an eraser may just help you use that dreaded red pen (see above) less and less.

Write on!