The Fountain of Ideas

The other day, I attended a seminar where a pen was handed out with the compliments of the company hosting the seminar to each participant. Somewhat large, it felt heavy in my hand. Unlike the usual pens that you find at conferences, this looked well-made and I thought, made to last. I opened it with some eagerness but was disappointed to see that it had a cheap ball-point tip. I could not believe that someone would spend so much on making a sturdy housing and put in a cheap refill. Worse, there was no way to replace the refill once the ink ran out. It seemed such a waste.

I remember first learning to use a pen when I was in high school. This was a big deal then. It was yet another milestone in our march into adulthood. The fountain pen is a fairly sophisticated instrument. Handling one required some training and practice. There was also the added responsibility of keeping the ink barrel filled and the pen clean to keep the ink flowing well. Every now and then, you had to take it apart and wash the parts. The pens we used did not come with a self-filling mechanism. You had to fill it directly from the pot or use a dropper with a steady hand.

The transition from pencil to pen was not very easy. You exert considerable pressure with the pencil but with fountain pens, you need a more delicate touch. Too little pressure leaves gaps in the lines while too much will poke a hole in the paper. The quality of the paper too becomes important. Once you master the writing with the fountain pen, the effortless ease with which the nib glides along the paper is a delight. The pen adapts to the writer and over time, there is a synergy built between the two. The grip, the angle and the wear on the nib are all unique to the user. It is difficult to write with a pen that someone else has used for a long time. It feels odd like you are wearing someone else's shoes. For the same reason, I used to hesitate to lend my pen to someone else.

The fountain pen is not without its negatives. There is a constant need to worry about how much ink is left. During examinations in school and college, we always carried a back up pen. The ink can get stale over time and create a stink. There is also the possibility of leaks resulting in soiled clothes. Often, people used to give their pens a couple vigorous shakes if the ink failed to flow from the barrel. One could see a trail of ink on the floor of classrooms. You had to be alert to this or else you could get sprayed. Even in regular usage, you acquired ink-stained fingertips but these were worn with pride as a mark of a good student or scholar.

Ballpoint pens eliminate many of the cumbersome aspects of fountain pens. The first ballpoint pens to arrive, however, were a poor substitute to fountain pens. I did not enjoy writing with these pens. They required a lot of pressure to work and made me miss the smooth experience of the fountain pen. They used to tax my wrist and fingers. Of course, this has changed with the arrival of pens with all sorts of new tips. I must admit these are great as they provide for the same effortless, smooth writing but avoid issues of leakage and the need to refill frequently.

The computer keyboard has now displaced both the pen and the typewriter. I need not go into the obvious advantages of word processing. But is the experience any different for a writer when using the computer? The pen is like an extension of the person while the keyboard is obviously detached. To use an analogy, if writing is ballet, typing is tap dancing. Handwriting may even reflect the personality of the writer according to graphologists. Ultimately, I suppose it is a question of personal preference.

I find that the keyboard is too fast as it were, when I am trying to form ideas and get them out. It is almost as if the keyboard is impatient for the next tap. The flashing cursor on the screen mocks my stunted flow. The pen on the other hand seems willing to wait for my mind. Also, with a pen, I use cursive which makes me feel more connected to what I write. The letters in each word look they are a family. Typing throws the letters at a rapid pace on to the screen which is great when I have the material ready. Even if I do not, I can avoid littering the floor with crumpled sheets of paper. All I have to do is clear the screen to throw away an unsatisfactory draft. But sometimes, I am reluctant to do that and end up hacking away at it instead of discarding it. I am not likely to do that with a paper draft.

I used to think that the art of penmanship will be a lost skill in the near future. The only thing for which you need a pen these days is to sign documents. Even there, electronic signatures are taking over. But there are times when I have to write things down. I make notes when listening to a lecture, for example. While it is possible to do this with a laptop or tablet, I prefer the paper and pen for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I never acquired the professional skill of typing. I have come a long way from the days of  'hunt and peck' (or the 'ostrich method' as I like to call it), but I still need to look at the keyboard every now and then which is a little distracting. The other thing is that I often go back and make notes on the margin or draw connecting lines between things. Sometimes you need to draw a quick picture or chart; or just doodle to avoid nodding off. A pen and paper cannot be beat in such situations. Or can they?

Things may have actually come a full circle with the advent of phones and tablets with touch sensitive screens. The electronic keyboards they offer are great but they can be awkward to use on small devices. This has spawned writing styluses that may be the digital avatars of fountain pens. They actually provide a nice alternative to paper and pen and allow for freehand drawings and doodles. I am going to give them a try (as always, a late adopter!).

Now, if only I can get a pen that is a fountain of ideas.

Pen Picture Courtesy: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fountain-pen-nib.jpg