Tag: paper

Pen testing videos?

Hello friends! It is I, the elusive Jen. I am here from the dark interwebs to tell you about this new thing I’m going to be doing. Well, I’m guessing you already know what that is based on the title of this post.

Yes, I want to start making YouTube videos testing pens.

Crazy, say you? Ingenius, says I!

I have a vast amount of pens at my disposal, and I intend to test and torture them to the fullest extent. I also have a problem where I keep buying more pens. It’s an addiction. I need them like I need air. I have everything from felt-tipped, needle point, fountain pens, all the way to a glass dip pen. Heck, I just ordered myself some nice .3mm pends that originally came from Japan. Why? CAUSE I NEED THEM, DAMMIT. I’m getting 15 of them, so I can sacrifice one for the testing.

What kind of tests, do you ask? Well, there’s the standard smear test, the fun, skipping test, and the “how does it feel to use it” test. Then the fun begins. We’re gonna torture the pens in the most insane ways we could think of. That should be an interesting one because I WILL BE CRINGING THE ENTIRE TIME. MY POOR PENSSSSSS.

However, it must be done in the name of science.

That, and it’s the only excuse I can use to buy more pens.

If you guys are interested in seeing what we come up with or have some cool ideas for tests that we could do, leave a comment below! We always love to hear from you and I want to see what your crazy minds come up with.

Ta-ta!
Jen

implements, paper, pen, tests, video, writing, YouTube

Writing Implements

When it comes to writing, everyone has their preferences. Some prefer to type on a computer, some prefer a typewriter, while others prefer pen and paper. Each has their pros and cons, but all are perfect tools for writing.

Personally, I prefer a mix of the two. When I first start writing, I prefer to use pen and paper. The particulars are usually based on whim. My favorite paper to write on is 20lb lined filler paper or “stone” paper. Which one I use depends on the pen that I feel like writing with that day.

Because of the texture and waterproofness of stone paper, it’s best to use a ballpoint pen, of which I prefer the Bic Atlantis Comfort. It writes very well with little to no skipping, and is very comfortable to hold, as it has a squishy gel grip.

If I am writing on the 20lb filler paper, my options are broader. As such, it also depends on what I feel like using that day. I do like needlepoint pens with liquid ink of which Staples has a nice pen called the “Optiflow,” however, it’s only available online. In terms of gel pens, I prefer the Pentel EnerGel Alloy pen. I have multiple colors for the refills, including black, sky blue, and purple. I recently ordered a box of sky blue refills that are needlepoint, which should be interesting. When I feel like being fancy, I pull out my favorite fountain pen which is a Jinhao Medium nib in the “shimmering sands” pattern. It writes beautifully and I have never had it leak on me. Any of these options provide a lovely writing experience on the 20lb paper.

Once I have a chapter or part written out by hand, I then turn to my computer to type it up. Of course, any computer will do. I personally use a mid-2012 MacBook Pro or my 2013 iMac (both of which I got used). As for word processor, nothing beats Microsoft Word, if you can obtain it. A handy alternative is OpenOffice, which is a free office suite and has quite a few of the same features of Microsoft Word.

I personally like to write this way because I edit while I hand-write, then I do secondary edits as I type up the piece. My very first fanfiction was written this way, mostly because most of my writing was being done during school hours, and it wasn’t as easy to get to a computer as it is today. Now, you can always have something to write with, whether or not it’s a notebook, computer, or even your phone!

Now, I am not stating that my way of writing is better. It honestly depends on the person, where they’re writing, and what they’re writing. Of course, it’s much handier to write on a computer as it provides grammar and spellcheck, but don’t forget that J.K. Rowling wrote “Harry Potter” on a napkin. Anything goes.

 

 

 

Items mentioned in this blog post:

20lb Filler Paper

“Stone” Paper Notebook

Bic Atlantis Comfort Pen

Staples OptiFlow Pen

Pentel EnerGel Alloy Pen and Refills

Jinhao Medium Nib Fountain Pen in “Shimmering Sands”

OpenOffice

computer, fountain pen, notebook, paper, pen, staples, stone paper, writing

I have a problem. A pen and paper problem.

So this post is about two of my obsessions: pens and paper. Two of the tools of the trade for a writer. However, even though I am a writer, I have taken it to the extremes.

One day, upon browsing Facebook, I saw an ad for the new Pentel EnerGel Alloy pens. I absolutely fell in love with the powder blue one that was in the advert. I went to Walmart, where they were supposed to be, but they only had the black and silver ones. I did manage to find it on Amazon along with “sky blue” refills. I read a lot about how the ink dried so quickly that “even lefties loved it,” and boy does it write well. The total for the pen and the refills was about $25. Yes, I spent that much just for a pen.

A few days later I was looking for a specific notebook that I know I have somewhere. It’s the Five Star Flex, which is a notebook with three binder-like prongs so that you can add more paper. It essentially acts as a binder with non-metal holders. However, I couldn’t find it for the life of me. Well, I found one, but not the one I was looking for. I looked online for another one, but I couldn’t decide between 1″ or 1.5″. I looked on the Mead website to see what their purchase options were when I found that they had a 1″ with a customizable cover. As this was a notebook intended for stories for this page, I wanted to be able to switch it all out. So, I bought the customizable cover notebook for about $18. Again, yeah, I’m crazy.

I should probably talk about my problem now. I love pens. I have a drawer that is full of pens with just plain black or blue ink. I have a shoebox where I have my colorful pens. They are standing up and the box is full. I like all sorts of pens. From very fine-tipped to bold, from felt-tip to ballpoint, even to fountain and dip pens. I even have two glass dip pens. Yeah, I love pens.

I also love paper. And notebooks. I have so many notebooks with nothing in them that were all “intended for use.” My favorite notebooks are the ones made of what is called “rock paper.” It is very soft paper, rather thick, and it’s almost orgasmic to write on. However, it’s best to write it with a ballpoint pen, as gel pens don’t absorb into the paper as well as it does regular paper. I also love thicker paper. I have 20lb college-ruled filler paper that I bought at Office Depot a while ago. I had bought one ream, then when I realized how much I liked it, I went back and bought more. I removed the paper that came in the Flex notebook and filled it with my 20lb filler paper.

With the gorgeous pen and perfect notebook, it’s an ideal environment for me to write. I like to write things out by hand before typing them, especially with stories, so I needed a notebook for our stories. I think I’ve found the perfect combination.

 

To get your own EnerGel Alloy, go here.

To get your own Five Star Flex notebook, go here.

office depot, paper, pen, problem, Stories, writing

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