Darn stories...

No one ever wants to pull the trigger on something they've spent months of their life on. At least, no one I know. Still, this morning when I fired up the 'ol word processor and read read the last thing I had written, I was struck by the fact that what I was creating was in no way what I wanted to create with this story. It had spun out of control. There are a number of reasons.

1.) Trying to constrain myself to a month in the writing of the initial draft
2.) Inattention across a number of phases in the creation of the story
3.) This was already my 2nd attempt at creating the characters, and while they were closer to what I had hoped, they were

The story has a disease. I feel no attachment to the characters - I can leave them right where they are right now and not feel bad about it because, in my eyes, they earned it for being selfish assholes. You hear me, ASSHOLES? Hehe.

It just needs a rewrite. Oh, I know I should power through, just finish the story and go back and fix huge wads of text after I have. Oh, and I probably will do that. I just don't relish the idea because I'm not as dedicated to the story idea as I was. Oh my, oh my, what a mess. That's why I feel free to go and work on whatever I want whenever I want. It's not like I owe these stories to anyone...

except myself...

(ooooooooooooooooooooo)

Also, ordered some new ink. This, of course, is related to my experiment with writing something by hand for the first draft. I'd say I'm rather enjoying it, despite my addiction to technology. And, I've had a shocking yet obvious realization: The ink goes faster when you're writing more. My fountain pen has been mostly used for writing notes and the occasional idea into my notebooks, so it was a little shock to change cartridges so quickly. I have a local source for the ink made by Lamy, but... still, rather than just relying on the manufacturer of my Pen's ink forever, decided to experiment with a few bottled inks and a refillable cartridge. Thus I ordered Noodler's Bulletproof Black and Marine Green inks. Also got some "Turquoise" Pelikan cartridges for the Missus. I guess it's OK, though not a color I'd want to live with for pages and pages. Too light.

If anyone is ever looking for good pens and good inks, Pendemonium definitely carries all of that stuff and has decent prices. We'll have to see how quickly it arrives after they've shipped it, but thus far I've been impressed with them, to the level that I'm already planning a second order.

Hey, look at that!

I got a new pen.

"WELL HEY, THATS FABULOUS!"

Yes. It is.

"So, like, what is it... a bic?"

No. Um.

"Scripto? Pilot Dr. Grip?"

No and no...

"Then... uh..."

Listen, never mind, alright.

"What, are you too good for disposable pens?"

No, that's not it... I just like nice pens.

"A Dr. Grip is nice!"

No it's not. I bought one and the first time I refilled it the refill exploded. That was shocking considering it's just a stick that you put inside the case with no moving parts. Also, the grip pad yellows after about two weeks.

"They look nice."

Yes, true. So it seems a Dr. Grip is mainly nice when you don't use it.

"Now you're being a jerk."

Sorry. Want to hear about my pen?

"Fine."

Thanks. It's a Lamy Tipo roller ball.

"What is that, French?"

German.

"What's so great about it?"

Well... thick, smooth lines, dependable quality refills which are widely available, lifetime guarantee, $7.50 flat charge to refurb the pen should it become defective, etc.

"Sounds expensive."

Some are. This one was $10.

"Huh. For one pen."

Think of it as a 'writing partner.'

"Thanks, I'd rather not."

They make nice gifts.

"Don't get me one, OK?"

If you say so.