Right now I'm on summer vacation! I don't seem to get much use out of my pens. What can I do to use my pens more often? I write in my journal often, but I can't think of other things to write about or where else to use my pens. What do you suggest?

Letters? Postcards? Darts? Gambling?

Letters and postcards!!

Writing letters to soldiers deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan? I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

Aside from journal writing, have you ever tried writing stories or poetry? Even if you don't intend to get published, it can be fun and cathartic.

There's also the snail mail list, where you can find people interested in having a pen friend. Lots of opportunities to write there.

Doodle!

I use my pens to practice writing chinese characters. Maybe you can start learning a language and use your pen at the same time.

I support the storywriting & poetry angle. I do that in my spare time and believe me, that sucks up a lot of ink!

If you're on vacation, start sending postcards to friends and family! If you get really bored, you can even start sending postcards to FPN members- there's a big thread of people who exchange postcards:
http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...mp;#entry671003

Have fun!

Write memories... Interview older family members.... Write about your idea of a perfect world... List names of people from elementary school and a little something about them.

"So-and-so's" breath ALWAYS smelled like sour milk.

LOL

If nothing gets you writing, get the ink out, give them a good wash'n'dry, and lay them up in a cool, dry place to await the return of writing season. They may not be used that way, but they'll be in tip-top shape when it's go-time.

perparation notes for the autumn term of course!!

either that or favourite song lyrics, poetry, quotations from films or books that in furture years will remind you of the things that helped you pass the summer of 2008

Language learning is a great excuse to use pens! It makes copying conjugations actually fun. Also copying a foreign language passage reinforces your learning much better than just reading it.

Good idea, RunNJump.

I do all my coraspondance by email or on the computer and print out, but I handwrite just for fun, I write my thoughts as I go through the day, and memos as reminders Very poor memory, .... What was I saying, just have fun with them and remember to keep the pen in focus as many of the yougers ones do not get the opertunity to learn cursive writting now.

Bob

Thats another great idea.

I think I may try to relearn cursive or italic writing. Any good websites that will help with either of these?

bump

I like this intro to Italic handwriting. The method seems to have good learnability and adaptability.

http://briem.ismennt.is/4/4.1.1a/4.1.1.1.quick.htm

I vote for poetry. There is something quite beautiful about a poem well laid out on a handwritten page.

If you are in need of inspiration for creative writing, check out Writer's Digest magazine's Writing Prompts here:

http://www.writersdigest.com/WritingPrompts/

Judybug