On Writing - The fountain pen experiment

I wrote this article by hand, with a fountain pen.

In a podcast I listened to yesterday, I learned that Neil Gaiman writes his novels with a fountain pen. This was a revelation for me. A lightbulb went off. I am trying it right now!

I’m sitting in a cafe, coffee in front of me, my notebook and fountain pen at my disposal. I will follow the master and write by hand.

There is magic in making deliberate strokes.

I write to think, and the way I think with a real pen and paper is very different from the way I think when I write on a computer.

On a computer, it is hard to keep up. As I type very fast, my thoughts are quicker. I rush. I feel the need to be productive. I want to get this done. This being the task at hand ... whatever it is. As if I can’t wait to get away and be done.

Writing by hand, especially on my favourite paper of all times, and with my favourite fountain pen, feels good. Not just good. It is heaven! Words flow effortless from my mind onto the page. I merely play the role of an observer. It is a nice, relaxing speed. Everythi…