Oh my goodness, yes! @Charlotte Rains Dixon I have recalcitrant fountain pens and you’ve now taught me that they are just waiting for their moment in the spotlight. I wasn’t sure what to do about a story that I’ve been building in my head and in voice notes. And I worried that maybe it would never go anywhere. But this morning, I had a breakthrough about how to make it come alive. I’m so excited. It just had to ripen, as you say. Lots of love to you for your love letters.
Hooray for a breakthrough on the story! That's the best news. And I hope one of those recalcitrant fountain pens steps up for its moment of glory. Happy Sunday to you over there across the pond!
My favourite (fountain) pen is an elegant and compact copper one made by Kaweco. I refill the cartridges using a syringe, as the shaft is too small to accommodate an actual “fountain”.
I have not yet had to service it, but in the event of a blockage I would place the nib end in a cup of warm water and let it soak overnight. If it’s really stubborn then perhaps add a drop of detergent, but try without first. That’s how we resurrected pens that had rested abandoned in school bags for the summer holidays (yes, I’m so old that when I learned writing at primary school it was with pens…our desks still had inkwells in them…and fountain pens were considered cool.)
I used to draw exclusively with Rapidograph pens, so I feel your pain. Also, nod to the stars. You helped me decide between starting a new project or (as I always said I would), taking that novel out of the drawer for a makeover. Also, I tried to hurry my morning pour-over coffee by squeezing the filter (doh) and of course, it broke and my cuppa was full of grounds. Putting the mess in a french press got me a half cup of divine brew - but as Mrs. Pagan always says, "rush equals lack." Have a wonderful Sunday.
Inquiring minds want to know--which did you decide? As a human who always seems to choose starting something new over, ahem, finishing the old project, I'll cheer you on either way. And sorry about that mess. Coffee ground mess, ugh.
True confession: before trying to fix it I tried to drink it (when I say I love coffee, I mean I LOVE coffee ...). Blerg. So I decided on the old project. It got some good agent interest, just no takers. I was querying it in 2019, so it's a little dated. My writers voice has changed (in a good way, I think). But I like the story and when I went back and read it, I didn't gag in a bad way. I'm in the process of coming up with a go-forward plan as a career novelist: My first thought is to self-publish the old/renewed book on Amazon to teach myself how to SP. I might query, or look into small presses. Not be be a Ca(mille)-minion or anything, but that phrase "body of work" is stuck in my head (a good thing).
I have fountain pens too, and ain't that far truth!
Glad to know another fountain pen lover who has the same issues! I always think it is just me.
Not at all. I sometimes, when they go on strike, have a love/hate relationship with them, but mostly it's love!
Oh my goodness, yes! @Charlotte Rains Dixon I have recalcitrant fountain pens and you’ve now taught me that they are just waiting for their moment in the spotlight. I wasn’t sure what to do about a story that I’ve been building in my head and in voice notes. And I worried that maybe it would never go anywhere. But this morning, I had a breakthrough about how to make it come alive. I’m so excited. It just had to ripen, as you say. Lots of love to you for your love letters.
Hooray for a breakthrough on the story! That's the best news. And I hope one of those recalcitrant fountain pens steps up for its moment of glory. Happy Sunday to you over there across the pond!
My favourite (fountain) pen is an elegant and compact copper one made by Kaweco. I refill the cartridges using a syringe, as the shaft is too small to accommodate an actual “fountain”.
I have not yet had to service it, but in the event of a blockage I would place the nib end in a cup of warm water and let it soak overnight. If it’s really stubborn then perhaps add a drop of detergent, but try without first. That’s how we resurrected pens that had rested abandoned in school bags for the summer holidays (yes, I’m so old that when I learned writing at primary school it was with pens…our desks still had inkwells in them…and fountain pens were considered cool.)
I love those little Kawecos too!
And thank you, thank you, thank you, for this tip about putting the nibs in warm water and soaking overnight! I'm going to try this post haste.
I used to draw exclusively with Rapidograph pens, so I feel your pain. Also, nod to the stars. You helped me decide between starting a new project or (as I always said I would), taking that novel out of the drawer for a makeover. Also, I tried to hurry my morning pour-over coffee by squeezing the filter (doh) and of course, it broke and my cuppa was full of grounds. Putting the mess in a french press got me a half cup of divine brew - but as Mrs. Pagan always says, "rush equals lack." Have a wonderful Sunday.
Inquiring minds want to know--which did you decide? As a human who always seems to choose starting something new over, ahem, finishing the old project, I'll cheer you on either way. And sorry about that mess. Coffee ground mess, ugh.
True confession: before trying to fix it I tried to drink it (when I say I love coffee, I mean I LOVE coffee ...). Blerg. So I decided on the old project. It got some good agent interest, just no takers. I was querying it in 2019, so it's a little dated. My writers voice has changed (in a good way, I think). But I like the story and when I went back and read it, I didn't gag in a bad way. I'm in the process of coming up with a go-forward plan as a career novelist: My first thought is to self-publish the old/renewed book on Amazon to teach myself how to SP. I might query, or look into small presses. Not be be a Ca(mille)-minion or anything, but that phrase "body of work" is stuck in my head (a good thing).