Why I Love to Handwrite my First Draft

As those have been following New Age Mama already know,  I am a published author as well as a blogger. I've had eight novels and several short stories published in the last four years.  Whether I'm talking to other authors or fans, one of the things that always surprises them is the fact that I hand write my first draft. In this world of technology, they find it downright silly to waste my time with pen and paper, but I disagree, and these are just a few reasons why.

1) I can write faster in my own personal shorthand than I can with a keyboard.   Even though I can type over ninety words a minute, I find that when I'm really in a creative frenzy, I'm able to get my thoughts down faster with a pen than with a keyboard. Spelling errors or sentence fragments aren't as much an issue on my first draft when I really just need to get my thoughts out on paper before the idea flits away.  When I try to type at this point,  I constantly get distracted by the little red squiggly lines and can lose my train of thought.





2) I can hand write anywhere! Being out in nature is the most inspirational setting for me. I love taking my notebook and pens out to a nature trail and finding a secluded spot or sitting in my beach chair as I look out at the ocean and letting my creative juices flow. Some may argue that I could take my laptop to these places, but with a pen and paper, I won't have to worry about my battery dying or destroying a valuable piece of equipment by getting sand in the gears.


3) I love the smell of ink. There is nothing like the aroma of a new notebook and fresh ink on the pages. It's intoxicating. I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't experienced this because they are plugged into a computer all the time. I even love having ink smudges on my fingers. They are like battle wounds I wear with pride because it means I had a productive day.

While I certainly have to turn to my computer eventually since I can't submit a hard written manuscript to my publisher, I will always begin my creative process with pen and paper. Call me old-fashioned, but I'll never trade in my pens. Even when I'm not writing novels, I still love getting a real handwritten note in the mail.  Handwriting might be a dying art, but for me it's a treasure I'm not ready to let go of.

Zebra Pen - Z-Grip Review

About Zebra Pen

Zebra Pen Corporation was founded in New York in August 1982 as an independent corporation wholly owned by Zebra Co. Ltd., of Tokyo, Japan.

The Zebra trademark was adopted in 1914. Legend has it that Mr. Ishikawa, founder of Zebra Co. Ltd., wanted a company name that would be memorable and also appropriate for their export business to other countries. He took an English/Japanese dictionary and, opening it Japanese style from the back, started with the “Z” words. He stopped at “Zebra”.

Upon further research, Mr. Ishikawa found that zebras are gentle animals with a strong family herding instinct. This was an important attribute, since he wanted to build a business in which employees and customers were all part of a family-like culture. The fact that the zebra looks like it is decorated with large calligraphic pen strokes may have also appealed to the visual image he was seeking.

The name Zebra is as unique as the products we sell. Zebra Pen Corporation offers an extensive line of writing instruments including ball point pens, highlighters, mechanical pencils, gel rollers, and correction pens. We stand behind our name and guarantee quality, satisfaction and an ultimate writing performance.

Our Thoughts

I've been using Zebra pens for a very long time. They are the go-to pen when I need a pen that is durable, long lasting and comfortable in my hand. And they come in a variety of colors. 

I love the different colors and it's more than just because different colors makes things more interesting. Having the different colors makes keeping track of my kids' special events and sports games über easy. Each of my kids has a different color and thankfully, Zebra makes all the colors corresponding to the colors my kids schedules are in. 

These pens are super comfortable in hand, too. They're completely comfortable not only in my hand, but my husband's hand as well. Even in our 11-year-old who is a lefty finds the pen comfortable enough to use all day at school. Zebra not only makes pens but they also make mechanical pencils which are superb for my boys at school! 

These are going to continue to be my go-to pens for home, work and school! You can visit Facebook, Twitter, or the Zebra Pen Website. 

BIC® Tech 2-in-1 Stylus and Pen Review and Giveaway

**Product was received in exchange for a fair review**

Digital devotees and writing traditionalists can have the best of both worlds with the new BIC^® Tech 2-in-1 Stylus and Pen.  Featuring a lightweight stylus on one end for accuracy and precise control and a retractable ballpoint pen with smooth-writing Easy-Glide System^® ink on the other, the BIC Tech 2-in-1 Stylus is there wherever inspiration strikes.

Features of the BIC Tech 2-in-1 Stylus include:

·         Stylus and ball pen in one

·         Lightweight stylus for capacitive touchscreen devices, including tablets and smartphones

·         Easily glides across screens providing fingerprint-free precision and control

·         Retractable ball pen with Easy-Glide System^® ink—BIC’s exclusive ink technology for smooth writing

·         Available in four metallic barrel colors: silver, blue, pink and aqua

·         A suggested retail price of $4.99 for a one-pack and $7.97 for a two-pack

Our Thoughts

Being that I have an iPad and an iPhone I'm always up to trying new stylus' that are released. The idea of having a stylus for at least my iPad is that I wouldn't end up with the finger prints blurring the screen from the kids constantly touching it. I was really excited to see this one from BIC®. 

I love the idea that it's not only a pen but a stylus too! The fact that it's a click pen makes things even better because you're not chasing around a pen top. For my iPad the stylus only worked three quarters of the time but I do think that it had a lot to do with user error on my part as I was either pressing too hard or too softly. I do really love this combination though and I use the pen and stylus every day! 

Giveaway

Five lucky winners will receive a BIC® 2-in-1 Stylus and Pen! To enter just fill out the rafflecopter form below. Open to the US only. Give away will end 7/3/13. The winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond. Thank you again to BIC® for offering this fantastic prize! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

***Please note that I received no form of monetary compensation for this post. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way. Please note that I am not responsible for the delivery of this prize and can not be held accountable if, for any reason, is it not received. Furthermore, I am in no way liable for any injuries that may result from the use or misuse of this product. ***