by Christopher Slater
My best friend has a unique obsession. He loves pens. Specifically, he loves trying to find really nice fountain pens. I’ve never been able to understand this focus of his because I can’t make much use of fountain pens. I’m left-handed and I hold my pen in an awkward fashion so all that I do with a fountain pen is smear the ink all over the page. However, I was thinking about my best friend and his love of fountain pens, and my mind gained a great, new appreciation for them because of some unusual, symbolic thoughts that occurred to me.
Usually, once my mind starts going into deep, symbolic thought I switch gears and start thinking of something else. I’m a very busy individual and I don’t have a lot of time to focus on such subjects. That, plus the fact that the world is probably better off without my deep thoughts keeps me from considering such things. For some reason, though, I kept going on this.
One of my other concerns about fountain pens deals with their habit of bleeding ink. I’m clumsy enough as it is. I don’t need help getting things to stain my clothing. I handle that well on my own, thank you very much. Thinking of the bleeding pen reminded me of a quote I once heard. There are different versions of the quote, but basically it said, “Writing is easy. Just sit down, open a vein, and bleed onto the paper.”
This rather morbid description is a pretty good representation of how many writers feel about their work. It is part of their life. And then I remembered where most men kept their pens: in a pocket, usually over their heart. See the symbolism coming together?
If you are a writer, whether it be professional, amateur, poems, novels, or even just interesting Tweets, let those words, that ink, bleed from your heart through the pen to the paper. Whenever you write because you “have to,” you are just putting ink in a pattern onto stylized wood pulp.
But when that pen, which you have kept near your heart, bleeds the words for you, you have created art. You have put a part of your soul on display. No matter how much it may be criticized or acclaimed, that is your work, your blood, and it should be an object of pride.
Enough deep thoughts for me. I told you that I try to avoid it. Now I think I need to go make some lunch and perhaps, just perhaps, order me a fountain pen. Bet you it will ruin my shirt. It might be worth it, though.
Guest post contributed by Christopher Slater. Christopher is a Middle School History teacher in Tennessee. He’s also a husband, father, and author.
This is a pure and true depiction of the creative purpose, not just for the writer who figuratively bleeds life into their stories, but also for all artists, who bleed parts of their essence into their creations.
Thank you for sharing such beautiful words.
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This is a really fabulous and accurate analogy. It reminded me of Umbridge’s “special” quill in Order of the Phoenix, actually….
Thanks for sharing!
-Cara
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Wow. That’s a really good way of looking at it. And it’s funny because I prefer using pencils when I write. Mostly because then I can fix my mistakes.
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I never thought that deeply about it but I do love a smooth, bold or medium ink gel pen. I just scratch out my mistakes, lol.
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I’ve used fountain pens most of my adult life – because a favored instructor did. Haven’t thought about him or his class in decades… but my fountain pens are always close by! Very deep! 😉
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Reblogged this on Nesie's Place and commented:
Writers – are you “bleeding” for your craft? 😉
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One of my twenty year old sons has always been fascinated by fountain pens. He’s received new pens on many a gift giving occasion. I can appreciate it more now that you’ve placed the pens over the heart and had them bleed all over the page. The soul. Thanks for the insight.
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I’ve always been intrigued by persons who have words tattooed on their bodies. Written on flesh, words you (hopefully) will believe in forever. I like fountain pens, but yeah–VERY messy!!! I can even manage to make a mess with a normal bic. I enjoyed reading your thoughts, it reminded me of how important it is to know how to write. Sending a real letter, scribing notes to the next story on a page, and bleeding your soul through your words.
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I haven’t found fountain pens that messy. I used nibs and ink to write my first two novels. And I’ve just started using my old Mont Blanc pen again. Just males life more beautiful. 🙂
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I have a gorgeous ink pen I simply look at and admire, & gel pens to write with – best of both worlds!
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I loved the pen over the heart symbolism. Great post!
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Reblogged this on Kim's Author Support Blog.
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Christopher, most modern fountain pens don’t leak unless something is cracked or broken, and there are pens and inks available with quick drying for left-handed overwriters. You can find a wealth of information on http://www.gouletpens.com or http://www.fountainpennetwork.com to help you make your choice. I see you are in Tennessee–I bought my first Montblanc fountain pen in Memphis in 1967 when I was in college there. I do hope you will try a fountain pen. There is something very special about them.
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