An artist’s tools are the
most precious and the most important thing in the whole wide world for her/him.
I know of so many home cooks who like to cut and chop with their favourite
knives; the much acclaimed chefs are known to travel with their own set of knives,
custom-made and heavily insured. Similarly, pen, paper, and the suitable place
are a writer’s prerequisite for expressing her/his thoughts and ideas.
I too, am partial to my
pens and notebooks, and my den. I have a penchant to write with fountain pens. I
developed a taste for them when I was as young as 12. I picked it from my
mother’s side of the family and passed it on to my children. Although, I
usually write all my prose, academic, journalistic, and other forms of writing
on my laptop, yet my poetry always takes form on a paper first. It is then that
I use my fountain pens. I do not hesitate to use my pens with a flourish during
busy meetings and quick note-taking. In fact, I find writing with a fountain
pen or a pencil very therapeutic.
I was introduced to
handwriting mediation and writing affirmations by a psychic healer when I was
overcoming my depression. It is since then that writing in a particular way
with a fountain pen or a pencil, has soothed me and calmed my nerves.
I have an exquisite and
an ever-growing collection of fountain-pens; most of them are gifts, from my
husband who has taken after me only in this aspect. After I completed my
masters in creative writing, a long cherished dream, I gifted myself a limited
edition Ted Baker pen (refer to the picture). Quite an expense, but I always
see such expenses as investment. I have been complimented for the pen many a
times, and many have been drawn to writing with a fountain pen after
interacting with this beauty. I am happy about this effect, writing with hand,
taking time to form our thoughts and then the effort to write them down in a
neat and beautiful hand on a pristine sheet, without the expectation of instant
gratification, are virtues that we are losing touch with in our fast-paced
times. I like to encourage writing with hand whenever and wherever I can.
In the same vein, I have
shared a video about my tool-kit or my pouch in which I carry my essentials for
writing. I talk about why everything that is there in the pouch, is there, and
how I use it. I have suggestions for putting to use a few other pieces of
stationery too.
I hope you enjoy the
video. Tell me about your ‘tool-kit’ and any eccentricities whatsoever,
attached to it and its usage.
