Writing Tools: Analog Edition

My usual kit.

Most of my writing is done electronically. I have a combination of laptops, keyboards, and even keyboard computers. Even while those are my main source of input, they’re not always the first thing I turn to.

When I need to get something down now I reach for old-fashioned pen and paper. There’s no boot up/wake from sleep time, and it doesn’t require a password start using.1 It’s also non-modal. Meaning I can switch between words to pictures at will. This free-form creativeness can lead to the unexpected.

As a lifetime typist, I can’t write anything of length in longhand. That’s just too slow, and I wouldn’t be able to read it later. I have horrible handwriting that is my own witches brew of speed and abbreviations. I should probably have it cryptographically analyzed. There might even be hidden meanings in there, somewhere.

The pen and paper in the picture are my favorites. A Zebra 301 with blue ink and a generic reporter’s notebook. I like the pens for their size and relative toughness. The metal barrel is unlikely to break in my bag. The notebooks are just a good size. I can leave it open on my desk and it doesn’t take up too much room.

(Besides I wanted to show off a picture from this afternoon. The window light was soft and smooth. The behind-the-scenes shot is here.)


  1. If you don’t have one, please put a password on your computer and phone. The hassle is offset by the protection.