Living Life Twice

As the school year moves closer to its conclusion, it's an opportune time to consider the choice of writer’s notebooks for next year. So, here's an alert... Handing out a one size fits all notebook relegates this special writing resource to little more than workbook status, in the eyes of young writers.  This situation is totally avoidable, but it requires some pre-planning on the part of those responsible for managing student resources.  Let's be clear, we are talking writer's notebooks, not a string of sausages. Let's work to elevate the writer's notebook to a status possessing some integrity.  Choice begins with allowing young writers to choose the type of writer's notebook they wish to 'own.' One size doesn't accommodate every writer. Every writer is unique. Most pleasingly an increasing number of schools are facilitating this important, differentiated change when it comes to selecting writer's notebooks. Lined, unlined, thick, thin, big,...

For this slice of life story I didn't have to look any further than my left hand. I was holding the idea right there -and my deeper thoughts followed. In my current lockdown life, such thoughts are thankfully continuing to present themselves for consideration. Contemplation in isolation. I am pen particular.   My pen of choice is a   Uniball Gel Impact   pen with black ink. Always black ink. Must be black ink.    It is the pen I mostly choose when writing. It feels comfortable in my hand. When I am writing with this pen, words seem to flow more easily. They effortlessly spill across the page. I actually feel like I am speed writing. Being left handed, this continues to be my most glorious delusion. I also have a Lamy fountain pen which also uses black ink cartridges. I do like writing with this pen too. It has become accustomed to my left handedness. I would never a let a right hander use it. Call me fussy. It won’t change my thinking on pen sharing. Not for me ...