Why Pen and Paper Will Always Rock
The photo is a metaphor for my life the last couple weeks. Believe it or not, the writing is going fine (when it goes). I’m not struggling with writer’s block. I’m struggling with the brick walls of technology and general life.
In honor of what I’ve lived with and tolerated (or not as the case may be) I have composed a list…an ode…to my love of old fashioned pen and paper. It has been my mainstay for going on 24 years and continues to shine in recent times. I love my notebooks, my fat pens, the gel pens when I need speed, and the comforting sounds of the two of them when they come together.
1) Pen and paper do not care if the router is belly up. They don’t need one.
2) Pen and paper do not care if my beloved old keyboard (practically irreplaceable original split keyboard that is not wireless and even has the lettering rubbed off in spots) has died.
3) Pen and paper do not care if I am sick, cranky, overwhelmed, putting in ridiculous hours at work so I can’t seem to get to an internet cafe before they close.
4) Pen and paper do not care if my fingers are taped…they work with me and we figure it out.
5) Pen and paper don’t mind if I’m a mess because I quit nicotine and don’t know what to do with myself.
6) Pen and paper are willing to go with me anywhere I might find myself, from more doctor’s waiting rooms, work meetings, an unexpected shift closing a store my body is trained to open, long waits in the car, or just my bed when I finally find it.
7) Pen and paper do not care if my body clock is royally messed up, leaving me to type this close to midnight, knowing I have to be up in four hours.
8) Pen and paper are willing to accept gibberish, brilliance, complaints and praises with equal aplomb.
9) Pen and paper don’t get mad if I forget about them for a little while and are always happy to see me.
10) Pen and paper are always there when I need them. Their low technology is perfectly suited to power outages, equipment fails and electronic stoppages.
I love my notebooks. They keep me sane. I love being able to write whenever I can without dependence on anything but my brain, hands, notebook, and pen. I know I can figure out how to hold a pen no matter the condition of my hands, and I think I’ve invented a few new ways.
The romance is long and established. Like an old marriage, it is a bedrock when the rest of the world is on shaky ground.
Now, to find the time and dexterity to type the contents of a full notebook plus…
Edit: Pen and paper don’t notice if I leave a post as a draft instead of scheduling it to publish!
pen and paper are why I love to write!
great post…
WooHoo – Go paper! Go pen!
Hip, Hip Hoorray,
Hip Hip Hooray,
Hip Hip Hooraaaaaaaaaay!
Wow. Pen and paper really are superior! I have to agree.
I love pen and paper too, especially when I’m brainstorming. My thoughts just flow more freely with a pen in hand. Oddly, I call my pads manic pads because if someone were to pick one up, it looks like clutter. To me it’s art out of sequence. I don’t let anyone read them though. I’m very private about my process. I can’t write if someone’s looking over my shoulder.
@Anna Pen and Paper are also the best way to relax (which usually has me asleep) lol.
@Cheryl I knew you and I were like-minded.
@Lady G Yes yes!
@Courtney Oh yuck no…looking over my shoulder shuts the gates instantly. I can survive it with 6 pt type, but barely.
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