pens
If you don’t already know this, I’m a happily self-confessed office supply store whore. (And won’t that turn up some interesting search phrases?) Mainly, the love affair is with pens, although I can easily become obsessed with other things, like the perfect yellow, letter sized pad to go with the pen or the office supply organizer that the contestants for The Apprentice created (yes, they actually sell it and yes, like pavlov’s dog, I immediately felt the need to purchase it. Of course, it’s out of stock. My name’s on the list, even though I have no place to put it. Doesn’t matter - it can hold office supplies. Weren’t you listening?)
Anyway, I’m very picky about my pens because I’m left handed. (one of the nuns who taught me used to call it that a sign of the devil. I can almost hear the typing of the search phrases now…) See, in order for me not to end up with ink smudges all over my hand where it drags over the paper, I can’t really use erasable pens or pens that smear easily. And since I have a tendency to write a lot of my books longhand first, this becomes an issue. So I have a few favorite types of pens. And whenever I start a new story or feel like I need some inspiration, I immediately start with a new pen. Like it’s the current pen’s fault that the scene is working or something.
So here are a few of the favorites :
This is my absolute favorite - the pilotVball liquid ink rollerball pen with the extra fine point. I order them in blue and black, although they come in lots of other cool colors. No smudges. And you can see when you’re going to run out of ink.
Disclaimer from the husband: Do not use these pens to address envelopes because the ink will smudge when rained on.
This is the Uniball Onxy rollerball in fine point. I only get these in black, even though they come in blue. (Same disclaimer as above)
This is one that’s been around forever - the Papermate stick pen in medium point. I order this in black, blue and red. It can be a little bit smudgy, but for the most part it works out well for me. And you can use these to address your envelopes without fear of reprisal from the rain. Or the husband.
I’ll happily take pen recommendations if you’ve got any.
Steph T.
June 1st, 2005 at 7:10 am
I like computerse, myself. My penmanship is AWFUL! But there is a brand (lord, I canNOT remember it) that is hot pink and the ink just FLOWS out…lovely.
June 1st, 2005 at 8:56 am
I write on the computer too
But I still love a good pen for jotting down notes and the like. I love the first pen, but yes the papermate is a classic 
June 1st, 2005 at 10:33 am
I just wanted to say I’ve tried every pen under the sun because I do A LOT of my writing by hand (yes, I know I’m crazy, thank you) and I love love love the Pilotvball. From one office supply slut to another …
June 1st, 2005 at 11:04 am
I’m usually not an OSSW but I recently got picky about my pens. I like the Rose Art X500 Ball Point. I have no idea how they do with rain or anything else though, because the only thing I write are these insane post-its, which have invaded my desk.
June 1st, 2005 at 11:26 am
Mmmm - office supplies…
I have a Kathleen Long promotional pen that I got at Celebrate Romance that I LOVE (and yes, I’ll continue to buy her books just because I so love that pen). It’s a blue rollerball one - I don’t know what kind, but I’m hoping that she has more at Nationals.
And for edits, I love a red felt tipped marker (I think they’re papermate). I “borrowed” a bunch before I left my last job.
June 1st, 2005 at 12:24 pm
I love pens, too! It’s a sickness!!!:lol:
June 1st, 2005 at 4:32 pm
I love bright colored pens for marking up my manuscript and jotting notes. The uniball in fine is one of my favorites. And I love the MontBlanc I stole from my dh. (sh! don’t tell him!!)
And bright sticky notes. Lots of them! Colored highlighters. Always on the lookout for the perfect notebook for jotting down ideas (has to fold flat and have stiff cardboard)
Sigh. Hi, my name is kacey. I’m a OSSW too.
June 1st, 2005 at 6:11 pm
I’m a waitress…and a writer. I’m right with you in the obsession with pens. My ultimate fave is actually ine I fin d in either the arts and craft section or in Phot sotres. It’s called Gelly Roll , Medium. Comes in many different colrs, and is great NO SMUDGE gel ink.
June 2nd, 2005 at 12:49 am
Lefties and Office Supply Whores of the world unite!
I prefer the Precise V5 Rolling Ball extra fine point, myself, color not an issue.
My father was switched to a rightie by nuns, too, although he still eats left-handed. I have a close friend who’s also a leftie, and she laughs at the way I write. She does the turn the hand upside-down thing to write, I write like a rightie, except the paper’s turned almost sideways. Makes it nearly impossible for me to write standing up.
June 2nd, 2005 at 6:43 am
Steph, I’m a lefty or south paw. too. Never heard the devil reference before. I’m not a pen person, I don’t care what I write with.:wink:
June 2nd, 2005 at 3:13 pm
*waves to fellow Office Supply Store Whores & my left handed friends*
Thanks for the pen recs!