MY TOOL KIT

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.