So, I called the A.T. Cross Pen company this morning to ask about repairing my favorite pen and pencil set. I think another one has bitten the dust. The pencil lead doesn’t advance anymore, and I HAVE to have my favorite pen to write with. Right now, I’m using my husband’s old pen/pencil sets since mine aren’t working. I’ve been hesitant to send them in for repair because I’ve been told that they would more than likely be replaced than repaired.
I can’t have that.
A Writer's Most Important Tools
You see, I’ve been writing with this same pencil set for over 15 years. Yes, FIFTEEN YEARS. My husband gave me the blue set as a gift for Christmas way back when I was working in corporate America. I used them diligently every day (I was a bookkeeper then), and I never let them leave my sight. Never. If a co-worker asked to use my pen, I would have to stand there and watch them while they did so. Then, I would retrieve it immediately after they were done. No playing games about my pen. I know my fellow writers understand what I’m saying.
As a writer, I am very meticulous about the tools that I use to craft my art. I am also a little OCD about what I use and how I use it. Call me crazy, call me names, but that’s how I do it, and that’s how my work gets done. And, might I add, I put out some pretty top-quality material (!), so I’d say the pen is working pretty good for me. If I’m not able to do my work in a settled way, things can go pretty downhill for me. How bad is it? Well, let’s just say I’ve cut some writing deadlines pretty close before in those times when I couldn’t find my pencil…why are you shaking your head??
Anyway, it looks like I’ll have to send my beloved, cherished and dear items in to the Cross people for repair. I just hope they take care of my babies, as I certainly don’t need any pen-repairing-horror stories. It’s already bad for me since I have to use my husband’s set to get my daily work done!
Do you have certain tools that you need in order to be productive every day? Are you a little over-the-top about it, and maybe spazz out a little if you can’t access them? What are yours? Tell me your story, and make me feel better…surely I’m not the only one with this “condition.”
Enjoy your day!!
