I’s not just National Authors Day today, it’s also National Fountain Pen day, which somehow seems fitting because many writers still produce their books by writing them longhand. One of the reasons I own two Conklin fountain pens is because it was Mark Twain’s favorite writing instrument. In 1903 Twain, who was an enthusiastic user of Conklin’s Crescent Filler pens, became the official spokesman for The Conklin Pen Company. He quickly discovered another benefit to Conklin’s pen stating, “Also, I prefer it because it is a profanity saver “it cannot roll off the desk”.
Today’s Post by Joe Farace
My two fingers on a typewriter have never connected with my brain. My hand on a pen does. A fountain pen, of course. Ball-point pens are only good for filling out forms on a plane. —Graham Greene
National Fountain Pen Day
Today is National Fountain Pen Day, the first Friday in November, and we’re celebrating the timeless beauty and functionality of the fountain pen. The first Fountain Pen Day was celebrated on November 2nd, 2012.
Whether you’re a seasoned fountain pen user or you’re just getting started, National Fountain Pen Day is a great opportunity to celebrate this classic writing instrument. The first mass-produced fountain pen was invented in 1884 and fountain pens quickly became a preferred writing instrument.
Today, fountain pens are still popular among writers—more about that shortly—artists, and professionals because they offer a smooth and enjoyable writing experience. This is especially true if you have arthritis or any other hand-related issues. Since my hand surgery a few years ago my right hand has not been fully functional but that has not stopped me from using it to make photographs with my digital or film cameras OR writing in my journal with my fountain pens. That’s because fountain pens, unlike ballpoint pens, require no pressure to write with. I didn’t use my small collections of mostly inexpensive fountain pens—ain’t no Montblanc’s here—to write any of my 37 published books. Which brings me to….
National Author’s Day
On November 1, millions of people celebrate authors and the books they write on National Author’s Day. In 1928, Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, president of the Bement, Illinois Women’s Club, had the idea of setting aside a day to celebrate American authors. During World War I, while recuperating in a hospital she wrote a fan letter to author Irving Bacheller, Upon receiving her letter, Bacheller sent her an signed copy of a book*. It was then that McPherson realized she would never be able to thank him adequately for his gift. McPherson decided to show her appreciation by submitting an idea for a National Author’s Day to the General Federation of Women’s Clubs.
Much later, and after her grandmother’s passing in 1968, Sue Cole further promoted the observance of National Authors Day. She urged people to write a note to their favorite author on November 1 to “brighten up the sometimes lonely business of being a writer.” You can send your own notes to brighten up my day via this link.
*I’ll be giving away a signed copy of my book, Plug-in Smart, during November. Keep reading these posts for the announcement of how you can win a copy.
If you enjoyed today’s blog post and would like to buy Joe a cup of Earl Grey tea ($2.50), click here.
My book Joe Farace’s Glamour Photography is full of tips, tools and techniques for glamour and boudoir photography with new copies available from Amazon for $34.95 as I write this. Used copies are starting at the hard-to-beat price price of less than five bucks with the Kindle version at $19.99 for those who prefer a digital format.