A
writer doesn’t have that many tools. There are computers, pens, paper, vodka,
file folders, cake and productivity apps. But my very favorite thing is old
school. Like, Jurassic Era old school if you ask my teenagers. Of course, they
think yesterday’s banana is old…
I love
pencils. Really, really adore pencils with a love that possibly borders on
obsession. From the moment I strapped on that horse leg-sized pencil in kindergarten,
I was hooked.
Graduating
to regular Ticonderogas in 1st grade was huge. And the Pink Pet
eraser. I loved that eraser. Teachers are psychic! How did they know I’d wear my
pencil eraser down so quickly? I don’t like those little pointy erasers you
stick on the end of the pencil. That’s just madness.
Eventually
I graduated to mechanical pencils. But the attraction didn’t last long because
the lead would break and was impossible to reload (I believe a conspiracy is
responsible). And those erasers are microscopically tiny. Mechanical pencils
didn’t hold the same allure.
These
days, I use plain old wood no. 2’s. Holding it, chewing on it, making the
rubber pencil illusion, being able to erase mistakes, all of those things add
to the pencil’s irresistible charm. It’s the only thing I use in my planner
(yes, I’m old school and still use a paper planner – how very 19th Century, you say), my password notebook,
knitting patterns and of course, crossword puzzles. I do not possess the
confidence it takes to do a crossword puzzle in pen.
Is
there anything more satisfying than sharpening a dull pencil? I even have an
old timey mounted wall sharpener in the basement. When I turn the handle, it
sounds like the house is being swallowed by a garbage disposal.
The
pencil still my favorite tool – sitting on my nightstand with a pad of paper,
in my purse with a notepad – always ready when I need it. Yes, I know there are
functions on my iPhone that will do the same thing, but that’s blasphemy if you
ask me.
Because
there’s nothing like a pencil.
Leslie
Langtry is the USA Today Bestselling Author of 3 cozy comedy series and lives
in Illinois with her husband, two kids, and an assortment of pets and many,
many pencils. Find out more at www.LeslieLangtry.com
4 comments:
I love pens and pencils, too. Sticky notes and notepads, etc. We're old-fashioned girls!! :)
Yes we are!
And I love your stories
LOL my author friends and I often sneak furtively through the stationery aisles at shops! We're in heaven there. And my dearest writing companion always starts a new notebook with every novel :).
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