The art of writing has seen a drastic change in recent years.
Long gone are the days of uninterrupted writing sessions—just you and your thoughts with a piece of paper and a pen, translating ideas into a bunch of scribbled lines.
However, is that really the case? Is the essence of actual writing gone? We beg to differ. Things have changed, and we now have more choices.
But if you’ve been feeling a little trapped if writer’s block seems to have become a permanent state rather than a phase, an EDC pen might help you break out of the rut.
Let’s see how.
Why Write When I Can Just Type?
Our dependence on technology has only grown, to the point of obsession at this point. We’re surrounded by mobile phones, laptops, tablets, and PCs.
It might just seem redundant to use a pen and paper nowadays. That, however, couldn’t be further from the truth. Using the best bolt action pen has several benefits:
Text is Forever Etched in
There is an awe-inspiring feeling that is invoked within us when revisiting handwritten notes. A sense of nostalgic wonder, a sense of permanence that digital copies could never compete with.
It is Scientifically Better
Studies have time and time again shown that physically writing down anything—be it notes or a novel—is much better for your brain.
It boosts memory retention, and creativity, offers several cognitive benefits, passively improves handwriting, and let’s face it, it is a lot more dreamy and wondrous than digital writing. There’s a reason why, despite e-books being so convenient and cheap, people still opt for hardcovers.
It Just Feels Better
Writing with an EDC bolt-action pen, sliding across a piece of paper, is an extremely satisfying feeling.
It engages all your senses, and you’re focused solely on the task at hand; no pen or paper ever buzzes and breaks your flow.
If you carry a small notepad with you, going through your notes on it is much more gratifying than scrolling through an application on your mobile phone.
Why Have an EDC Pen at All?
EDC, at the end of the day, is a philosophy about preparedness—carrying items that can be useful to an individual. Usually, when we speak of EDC, items that come to mind are something along the lines of a knife or perhaps a flashlight.
So why did we categorize pens as an EDC?
As stated above, it’s a philosophy of being ready.
If you’re a writer, you’d want to have a pen and paper on you at all times, whether it’s for jotting down some notes, noting a phone number, or perhaps outlining the plot of a novel you’ve been thinking of writing forever.
One can make the argument that a mobile can fulfill this role just fine, and most of us carry them all the time anyway, so why bother? Well, the best bolt-action pen:
- Does not have a battery life, so you don’t have to worry about a train of thought being lost due to the inability to write it down in a timely manner.
- Gives a very professional and prepared vibe. Having a solid pen on you when somebody needs it is fantastic.
- You wouldn’t require somebody’s phone number or email in order to send them a note—just leave one for them, old-school style.
Choosing the Right EDC Pen for You
The sheer amount of options available out there can induce a sense of paralysis within one, a phenomenon called paralysis of choice.
Technically speaking, any pen can become an EDC pen, no matter if it’s a 50-cent pen or a $5000 gold-plated one.
Choosing an EDC pen really boils down to one’s personal preferences, influenced by their writing habits. Let’s break this down further to make the choice a little easier.
After all, a pen does end up being an item with which an almost emotional connection is built:
- Materials make a huge difference. A plastic pen and a metal pen offer a writing experience that couldn’t be further apart. Full metal body pens tend to be a little on the expensive side, however, there are plenty of affordable, indestructible pens that you can try out before making a hefty investment.
- Comfort is key. While it’s great for a pen to have a fully metal or titanium body, it’s best to understand that writing is a physical activity and hands get tired. Say you’ve got a pen on the market, but it feels heavy to you, and you find yourself tired after a short while. It ceases to be the “best” for you right there. Prioritize comfort.
- Look for compatibility. Look for a pen that is compatible with your preferred style of ink and refills.
- Appearance is subjective. The appearance of the pen is largely a subjective decision. You could go for something bold, or something classic like an all-black design. The decision here varies greatly from one individual to another.
Final Thoughts
For centuries now, pen and paper have been the greatest companions of a writer.
Even in modern times, with mobile phones and keyboards giving stiff competition, the retro charm of writing physically is unmatched and refuses to fade away.
With the right kind of EDC pen—one that is durable, comfortable, and does its intended job well—writers are well-equipped and ready to jot down notes at a café or perhaps pen the very next bestseller.