Fountain pens, specifically Platinum fine nib pens of various kinds, and really good paper notebooks, like, Midori MD notebooks (and also Traveler’s Company notebooks, which is the same paper). A decent pencil just in case. My writing slope. I LOVE working this way. I love to write by hand. I like how good my printing is again, and that my cursive gets a little better every day. I love these quirky habits I’ve developed, too.
The last time I wrote novellas and novels was decades ago. The process was raw, and sort of similar each time by the time I was in my 20s. But it was often on bits of paper, loose notebooks. I’d have like 3 half or 1/3 finished Composition Books because I’d misplace them. And I’d race through the books, so I could never read my writing. This time? I finally figured out a process, of doing writing by hand to slow down and analyze, also to journal about the work specifically, that feels like something I want to do for the rest of my life.
I love paper arts. Like, starting to do oil pastels again this year – a practice I need to get back to – but still. Plus, the artwork I love to collect; my favorite is shin hanga and sosaku hanga work. I love really good paper, and writing, and the work of artisans who love both, too. I love that my house filled with paper books again, too.
This next year, I’m geeking out more. I can’t wait to find stationary expos and journaling groups, just other paper nerds out there. I love that I can get these high quality wizard craft tools, now. And look forward to another 50 years of getting better at this esoteric craft, even as the world goes more digital.