Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu · 3 menit. waktu membaca · ~10 ·

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When Words Fail, There's Always The Gift Of Writing.

When Words Fail, There's Always The Gift Of Writing.

Not long ago, on one of my frequent sorties away from Bali I found myself in a restaurant in K.L.

 While sitting there I couldn’t help being privy to a conversation happening at the table next to mine.

What was transpiring was obviously the culmination of financial transaction as, after one of the suited gentlemen, obviously satisfied with the details of the contact, reached into his inside pocket and extracted a magnificent Mont Blanc pen, unscrewed the top and signed the document with a flourish. 

Pao hare
rie tr
Rakeogtt dn 0d

 

 

ek ot
Ae ms

Tow oro e foth
ok fie, NPY
Oh, it was sheer poetry in motion!

It was a rare sight and maybe we are seeing the demise of the mighty pen, that instrument constructed for the art of writing that has been with us for centuries?

When I was a rather junior copywriter with Grey International I was given the task of trying to re- ignite the consumer's interest in acquiring a fountain pen to facilitate their writing, or perhaps to bestow as a gift to a loved one.  The brand, if memory serves me correctly, was Cross Pens and we embarked on a series of advertisements extolling the virtues of the classic writing instrument.


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My colleagues and creative directors must have realised that I had a love of writing copy for the pen manufacturers as, over the years, besides Cross I also worked on Mont Blanc as well as Waterman.

The clients often gave the creative team a variety of pens to 'try' out, so as better to enjoy the skill and craftsmanship that had gone into the creation of these fine tools. They encouraged us to enjoy the smooth trajectory across the page, to marvel at the fine and intricate nibs beautifully engraved with the manufacturers logo and to revel in the 'feel' of the timeless design.


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They were indeed fine pieces but as irreverent copywriters we treated these fine instruments will little or no respect, trying them out on the back of toilet doors scribbling mindless graffiti, or using the wonderful inks and cartridges as vicious bombs used to throw around the art studio at the unsuspecting account executives.

Several of these pens ended up being imbedded in the ceiling tiles.

 Yes, we were Philistines!


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Years later one seldom sees a fountain pen appear to compose and craft a letter on fine parchment with inks that have originated in exotic locations.

No, the ubiquitous e-mail has put paid to that.

All apparently is not lost as, recently I had the occasion to lunch with a budding author who had recently finished her first novel. When it came to settle the bill, it was she who insisted on paying, and signed the credit card slip with a slim, elegant Parker pen whose ink was the colour of the Aegean Sea on a cloudless day.


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When pressed, she told me that her journals as well as her manuscripts were first written with the trusty pen as she felt that seeing her written words on the page gave her far more pleasure than re reading her script perfectly formatted on a computer screen.

Bravo. I thought perhaps there is life in the old writing tool yet.

I still believe that the art of the poison pen letter is far better served when the recipient has to open an envelope and read a well thought out and crafted letter created by hand with an amenable fountain pen. The insults have more punch and will stay with the reader far longer.

Even today, when I receive a letter with my name and address written in ink on the envelope it is the first I reach for as it always has a flavor of expectation about it.


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Perhaps creditors should consider sending their bills out in handwritten envelopes. They might not get paid but at least they will get opened.

Sadly, apart from my budding author friend, these days I never see my colleagues, family or friends put pen to paper, carefully constructing a missive that will communicate in a flowing hand precisely what they are trying to say.

The fountain pen does not allow mistakes, it is unforgiving in that department, as it has no built in auto spelling correction facility meaning the writer has to think about the sentence before the nib touches the paper.


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Pens will always be with us, as how can our world leaders sign those massive treaties that we see televised, where Presidents, Popes and Royalty use the mighty pen to sign into history peace accords, trade agreements or when it comes to Royalty, signing the visitors book.

The fountain pen has more style, more oomph than an e-mail, that your computer will format, auto correct and send along with all the millions of other e mails in cyberspace.


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If we are seeing the demise of the fountain pen, and what’s more we will have lost the pleasure of seeing all those wonderful coloured inks!

Paul v Walters is the author of five best selling novels. When not cocooned in sloth and procrastination in his house in Bali he scribbles for several international travel and vox pop journals.

His latest novel, Scimitar was released in September 2016


Komentar

Lisa Gallagher

7 tahun yang lalu #20

#23
I think I remember buying those for the nice grip they had closer to the top of the pen?

Dean Owen

7 tahun yang lalu #19

#22
And then the Japanese revolutionised writing with the introduction of the Jetpen from brands like Pilot!

Lisa Gallagher

7 tahun yang lalu #18

#21
I hate to admit this but if my memory serves me right, most of us used Bic pens in school.

Dean Owen

7 tahun yang lalu #17

I seem to recall every single day we returned from school with our fingers stained with ink. If I recall, Cross pens were very thin, like Korean chopsticks. Parker dominated my childhood. Gem of an article.

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #16

#10
Gert Scholtz Thanks for that and for stopping by !

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #15

#11
Kevin Pashuk Thanks for stopping by

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #14

#15
Deb Helfrich green ink....now thats says a lot about ones boldness.Thanks for stopping by

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #13

#14
Randy Keho At the rate technology is going cheques will be gone anytime soon. In fact I think the USA is the last bastion for that kind of payment. So maybe use the Cross to do the outline for the next novel!!!

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #12

#12
Paul \ If the piece revived the life of your pens ...great...and yes, I think a not too dark blue should do the trick

Randy Keho

7 tahun yang lalu #11

Unfortunately, I only have one Cross pen left. I have a habit of losing them. I use it to write checks for my bills. I return it to its original case when I'm done. With the advent of online bill payment, I only write one check per month. It should last a long, long time.

Kevin Pashuk

7 tahun yang lalu #10

We have been a 1:1 computer school for 16 years - every student and teacher has a pen based tablet PC. The pen is a key and integral part of the learning process on the screen - equations, notes, and diagrams all work better with a pen. (This is not like the Apple Pencil, more like an actual pen, with high fidelity). Even brain research is backing up the use of the pen. According to research (which I'd have to dig up again, so sorry no citation) things that are written out long hand with a pen are retained more effectively than if you had typed them. While not as elegant as a Mont Blanc, we are not ready to say goodbye to that most essential of tools - the pen. Enjoyed the trip down memory lane Paul.

Gert Scholtz

7 tahun yang lalu #9

Paul Walters A few years ago one of our senior executives at work gave everyone a hand-written note for the festive season. This was precious. Email and printed works have replaced the character and charm of a letter written with an ink pen. Thanks for a well - "penned" Buzz.

Gert Scholtz

7 tahun yang lalu #8

Paul Walters A few years ago one of our senior executives at work gave everyone an hand-written and personal note for the festive season. This was precious. Email and printed works have replaced the character and charm of a letter written with an ink pen. Thanks for a well - "penned" Buzz.

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #7

#3
@Shushmita appreciated as always

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #6

#4
Pascal Derrien Thank you much appreciated

Paul Walters

7 tahun yang lalu #5

#5
Thank you ken appreciated as always

Ken Boddie

7 tahun yang lalu #4

I still remember the first day at my primary school, Paul, when we were allowed to graduate to the use of an ink pen, as opposed to a pencil, in order to write our schoolwork in class. I still carry a water-based ink pen with me daily, to which the stains on some of my older shirt pockets will testify, and use it to comment on printed drafts of those I mentor and peer review, although the keyboard is my predominant weapon of choice for bulk work, including when, as you suggest, 'poisoning' others. Handwriting can be a beautiful thing to see when done with care, but unfortunately, in my case, tends to challenge the psychic powers of my younger readers. I still remember, however, the lost art of writing with sweeping loops (light up and hard down) and the interesting effects achieved with a chiselled point. I am still an ardent fan of the works of those medieval monk scribes who produced such artful illustrated manuscripts. Thanks for stirring fond memories. ___🖋

Pascal Derrien

7 tahun yang lalu #3

Waterman was the pen of choice in my schools days we heard of Mont Blance as a pen we would only be able to afford after university :-), nowadays I rarely write with a pen and it does show when I make an attempt at it what shame !!!

Lisa Gallagher

7 tahun yang lalu #2

Paul Walters, I was just thinking the other day how I dread going to get my mail. I thought to myself, when did I begin to dread it? Oh... yes, a kodak moment- the only thing I receive in the mail is either bills or fliers. On rare occasions I receive cards with hand written letters from my mother in law. I try to write her letters when I send cards too. I wrote my mom many letters when she was ill & sent them with cards as well. I used to love writing with 'the pen.' I will admit, my patience is slimmer now and it must have something to do with the ease of typing vs. writing with a pen. I am a big card person, so I do write tiny notes in many cards I send to others. So much has changed.

Ali Anani

7 tahun yang lalu #1

Paul Walters- this is a "nostalgic" buzz. I loved the way you weaved it and the brilliant fragrance of your words such as "Oh, it was sheer poetry in motion!" You know this buzz is sheer poetry in action. I must say I feel I know you NOW much better than before. This buzz says a lot as much as memories. Not only the pen shall stay with us; it is also your great buzz. Sharing proudly

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