266/365 – Tools of the trade, part 1

To be a writer, you need something to write with, and something to write on.  My two choices in that regard are pictured here. 

The pen: Bic Clic Stic medium (black ink).  Absolutely the smooothest, non-clogging champ of pens, and cheap, too.  They’re not easy to find, though, and I tend to order them in bulk.  If you don’t mind someone’s ad on your pen, most give-aways like at the dentist, vet, or hair salon, are Bic Clics.  [Language note:  I see that stylo is the current French generic for “pen,” with “ball-point” being either of: stylo-bille, stylo à bille, or bic.  That last one is like calling a running shoe a “nike.”  Read the fascinating story of the Bic pen company here.]

Meanwhile, the writing pad must be white, wide-ruled, no margin line, glued at the top (not those unpredictable perforated messes), letter size (US 8-1/2 by 11 inches).  Held by a clipboard, of which I prefer the newer ones with plastic backs because they slip into a shoulder bag better.

Now if I’d only write something!