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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n(Pen is TWSBI Diamond mini with extra fine nib, ink is Iroshizuku yama-budo)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
This post is about writing, unexpected joy, and appreciating all the pretty things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the best of times, I struggle to write. I enjoy it\u2014writing helps me think, it brings me calm and clarity, relief. But I avoid it. I look for other work so I won\u2019t have to write. I\u2019m stoked to get emails that I have to read, especially if they give me tasks to take up time (please send me work to review or edit. Anything to save me from my own writing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the last few years, I\u2019ve changed the way I write.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first covid lockdown meant I was putting together a book from home. My desk was in a corner of our bedroom, tucked behind chests of drawers, and was just big enough for my computer and keyboard. There was no room for writing with pen and paper, or reading at my desk. I had to sit on the bed (and still I was stoked to be able to work at home).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I write differently on paper. Stepping away from the computer somehow makes it easier to get in a good headspace. I read, but I\u2019m not typing notes. I write, but I\u2019m not as tempted to edit as I go. I spend more time thinking. I don\u2019t try to put anything together until I have pages and pages of notes, often rehashing the same stuff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I write better at home than in the office. Maybe because home is where I want to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since that lockdown, I\u2019ve been surprised and pleased with most of what I\u2019ve written. It\u2019s far from prolific, but each piece feels like the best I can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And then out of the blue, something else has made writing easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Setting up a decent workspace at home has meant I\u2019m buying my own stationery. For years I\u2019ve used disposable pens supplied by my work, I go through them pretty quick. Thinking about buying them for myself brought home how much cheap pen-shaped plastic I am sending to landfills. After some research, I found fountain pens are the best refillable option in New Zealand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on reviews I ordered a not very expensive pen and some blue-black ink. When I filled the pen, I remembered the one Mum gave me when I graduated\u2014my old Parker was buried in my pen drawer. I had forgotten how much I enjoy a nice pen, and now I had two. I just needed a different coloured ink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then my wh\u0101nau got covid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fortunately we only had mild symptoms. But the combination of my covid-addled mind and being shut away from the world \u00a0with the internet just as I discovered the world of fountain pens and ink (so much more than the blue or black options of the 80s) meant feverish hours shopping for ink, notebooks, more pens. At the end of it, I had 6 (stunning) inks, 5 fountain pens with various nibs, and 3 notebooks of different paper stock (it could\u2019ve been worse).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And suddenly I look forward to writing. I watch the pen in my hand as I write, beautiful ink glowing in its barrel. It makes me smile. The reddish-purple words spread across the page, and I can\u2019t help but feel happy. Filling my notebook with midnight blue, crimson, purple and turquoise writing (and more to try) is so unexpectedly joyful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n