It Started with a Pen

{Before computers came to be I always wrote with a pen. I then used a typewriter to make it neat and readable, then with a pen, I’d begin again.

When I wrote, it felt as though there was a pathway from my brain, down through my arm, then into my hand and the pen. My thoughts would just flow! As I finished writing one sentence, the next would be forming in my head, ready to begin its journey, where it would find itself merging with the paper where the ink recorded the inspired words.

I loved to see how the pen would record each word, as I tried out various ways to form the letters of the alphabet. I fancied it to almost be a work of art, sometimes. Of course, that was when I wrote at a normal, unrushed speed. I find that my hand-writing changes with age, as well as with the mood I’m in. I’ve often wondered whether a hand-writing analyst would be able to tell whether all of my different styles of penmanship were created by one person.

Sometimes so many thoughts flood my mind that I find my pen rushing forward, in an attempt to record each sequence before it was lost. Then my hand-writing would look more like a scribble, and hard for even me to translate when I transferred it to the typewriter. I shudder to think what would have been typed, if someone else attempted to transcribe my rushed scribbles! Sometimes it looks sort of like a doctor’s signature. Know what I mean?

When I got my first computer in the mid 80’s, I wanted to start writing a novel. I had learned from working as an administrative assistant, how marvelous these new machines could be!

My goodness, you could easily correct poor spelling, and I was further enthralled by being able to move whole sentences, and even paragraphs and pages, to a different part of the manuscript! Wow! You could even copy part of one article and paste it into another! I thought it was simply amazing, and I still do!

So, my dedication to the pen, gave in rapidly to the computer keyboard, after I learned that I could actually write the same way as I did with the pen. My thoughts just directed my fingers on the keyboard, sometimes overflowing, while the computer struggled to keep up!

My first computer was a used NEC dinosaur, with the word processor, Word Star. Someone told me WordStar was the most difficult to learn, but since that was what I had, I learned! I had learned WordPerfect on the job.

I wrote and re-wrote my novel on that computer, happy to realize I no longer needed a “pen in hand” to write. I’m still going to try to get the novel published. It’s good!

I was over-joyed then, and I still am today as I write on my up-to-date laptop using Word. I must say here, though, I still prefer a regular keyboard. I find writing on the laptop itself, is a little difficult. Mostly I suppose, due to the pain in my hands and fingers from arthritis. I have a keyboard attached to the laptop and find it more comfortable, as is my roller ball mouse!

Anyway, over the years I began to think I could only “write” if my fingers were over the key-board.  Wrong!

Over the last few years, I’ve had several surgeries and severe pain which has been physically limiting. For long periods I couldn’t sit at the computer and my inspiration seemed to have taken a vacation. I just couldn’t write unless I could use a computer! So, I didn’t write.

A few months ago, as I contemplated my reality, I started having thoughts form in my mind, and I’d think, “I wish I could sit at the computer and write that down!”  Duh!

Since I thought I wasn’t able to do that, many good inspiring words were lost. Maybe they will come back some day.

Then last Mother’s Day, my grand-daughter, Linda, (age 10) gave me a set of colorful gel pens. Everyone who knows me is aware that I love pens! Especially beautiful inks and easy flowing tips. These gel pens were just GREAT! She also gave me a nice spiral bound journal. I soon began to write in that journal, with a different color pen each time. Sometimes, I’d use two or three colors on the same page! Such fun!

My muse has awakened and started sending inspiring thoughts, which get more numerous as day by day goes by! The pen still records my thoughts! The computer didn’t ruin that ability! I’m so thrilled!

I still have a lot of time where I’m confined to couch or recliner, and I am unable to use the computer. I‘m not stifled anymore! I’m still able to put the words on paper, thanks to God’s creation: mind, arm, hands and fingers, and their ability to co-exist with pen and keyboard, both!

Do they still say, “The pen is mightier than the sword?” I guess I’d rewrite it to say, “The printed word, no matter its method of adherence to paper, is mightier than the sword!”

I’ve found that if I will take out a green, purple or red inked gel pen and start writing words, or even just some doodling, thoughts will soon start to flow and I can catch them and record them on paper with colorful ink, through the pen!

Some of these words of wisdom, or musings, will find their way into the hard drive, a CD, or a flash-drive, or just live quietly on the computer somewhere. Other thoughts will forever rest happily on the pages of a journal, filled with colorful words, caught and saved by the pen! Caught in whatever color suited my fancy, that day! Some are scribbled in haste; others are almost works of art!

Never give up the mighty pen, and make it a colorful one! It can be used anytime, anywhere!  Give a shout for, the pen!