On The Pleasure Of Taking Up One's Pen

In this episode I show you my Parker ‘Sonnet’ and a poem I’ve been writing with it, and I read you Belloc’s superb essay ‘On the Pleasure of Taking Up One's Pen’
If you would like to support and encourage me in offering these spells in the library you might like on occasion to pop round and buy me a coffee. Not every time of course. You can do so here: www.buymeacoffee.com/malcolmg...

[@stevet7522]

I want that desk, and that pipe, and all the books. You, sir, live the best life.

[@tHEdANKcRUSADER]

Shelby Foote would only use dip ink pens, he said it caused the perfect disruption in his writing in order to keep his thinking going correctly

[@Scotch5ailor]

I'm making my way through your channel and it's really a rare gem.

[@judithlandry9314]

I’m a collector of fountain pens and have a little black Parker Sonnet that’s one of my favorites. Thanks for welcoming me into your library!

[@pipewriter2092]

I am thrilled to have found you, my friend. I’ve ordered this book and will gladly take any other recommendations you might have of similar volumes to add to my library. We writers and pipe smokers need to stick together. God bless.

[@dompirate]

Love the comment on Lewis scribing with a dip pen, giving time to think at the same pace of writing.

[@angelcathairs]

“for peaceful self indulgence” that is so beautiful! :)

[@loveandpeace1985]

Love this! Pens and pipes! Those are two of my pleasures in life as well.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Mine too!

[@silverjinglebobspur1]

This video has done me more good, than a visit to my doctor. I have a few fountain pens, but one is used for most everything. It's an ebonite pen, made in India. I think of the simple life of the maker. I think of the simple prayers of Thanksgiving, having gotten enough money to feed his family again. I think of holding my ink to the rising sun, and chanting a mantra of healing and comfort. Then when writing, I think the power of the sun, the power of the mantra, all flow onto the paper and blessings are released when readers find notes or have received a letter. It is a wand, as powerful as the wand of any wizard. Thank you so much for sharing this video, of the pen.

[@fishisyum]

I am brought to tears. Keep making videos. I treasure them.

[@fraserreal8496]

" Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests. I’ll dig with it."

[@WerkstattGeblubber]

Randomly and with a good peace of luck I came across your channel. It´s really a pleasure to knowing you and absolutely valuable to follow you. Keep doing what you´re doing. Greetings from germany.

[@timothydevine7064]

All of man's greatest accomplishments and atrocities starred with a single line of ink.

[@ronwoch]

Pens and pipes and poetry, oh my! I love your channel, and coming across this video inspired me to take up my own pen, even if I lack the eloquence of Belloc. "Pen and ink, what joy! To hold one object, Both Treasure and Toy. A broad inky river, Cheerful and Glib; Flows forth from the tip of my nib!"

[@joonatuomela3672]

That was a beautiful little essay, and your magnificent way of reading made it even better! Thank you, mr. Guite, may God bless you.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ShubhamBhushanCC]

I have myself bought recently a rather fine Fountain Pen of German make and I have been an avid lover and collector of fountain pens. There is just something wonderful about a pen and ink and the gentle scratches of the nib on the paper. I also have a typewriter but sometimes a pen and ink is the best thing you can have to etch your thoughts onto paper

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

absolutely!

[@Lillyjanelavender]

Writing with a pen and ink is all very well until you tap the excess ink off within the jar and the nib falls right in, as happened to me a few days ago! It was a messy business to get it out, and I still haven’t managed to wash the stains off my hands. Lovely video - soothing yet fascinating, all at once!

[@micahdubas9454]

I found this reading to be so very profound, entertaining and moving. The written word can be so beautiful. And it was read by a beautiful soul as well. Thank you sir.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thank you!

[@alexandrefreitas9558]

I am brazilian. Just started to follow you here. Pens, pipes, poems, books are always a good matter when a wise man talk about them. I'm Glad to know this wonderful room, this wonderful library.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks and welcome

[@flavioberghella588]

I Also share your love in smoking pipe and writing using a fountain pen! They're both very close to meditation.

[@richqualls5157]

As always, I enjoy your videos. If I recall Civil War writer Shelby Foote used a Parker Sonnet type pen. Keep up the great videos and enjoying your writing, drink and pipe.

[@jackiehamilton793]

Mr.Guite, you are truly an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your passion for very important things.

[@carlarthur4442]

I have always liked using fountain pens 🖊, I've had osmiroyd for Calligraphy, a Waterman , Parker & a feather 🪶 dip pen , I've always liked writing with Ink , you can take your time and develop your own style , it's well worth the time , Thanks 😊

[@JasonHenke]

I absolutely adored this entire video. Thank you.❤

[@masoncrowe3433]

Wonderful!

[@MomUnderGrace]

A marvelous poem! Ha! I get too excited over notebooks/journals and pens - though you wouldn't know it from the random assortment of cheap pens that lie around the house. I have never have been able to bring myself to spend the extra money for a truely fine pen, but when I come across one and hold one in my hands I wish I could take it away with me and let the words within flow through its ink. Until the day I can aquire a good, smooth pen that makes my hand sing -if ever I do - I make due with the best I have 😆

[@MarkEGreen-rf4on]

Evening Malcolm, A lovely snippet of Belloc's prose. I agree with you about fountain pens, they give character to one's writing. However, as a left-hander l find the smugging of ink a problem; also l push the nib across the paper, whereas a right-handed person pulls it. I'm sure this is why my writing's illegible! As a painter the brush is my tool, though one uses many of these unlike the writer with his or her cherished pen. God bless.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

I'm sure there's a mystique to brushes as well as pens!

[@aljurje]

Already looking for a Parker Sonnet! Thank you, sir for reading to us this gem of an essay!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

My pleasure!

[@TheGentlemanScholar]

A magnificent ode...

[@TortugaLuv]

I liked the charlemagne digression. Although in chanson de roland his throne is gold I could only think of the one made in humble stone in aachen cathedral.

[@thomassimmons1950]

Now that was some fancy ciphering...CHEERS!! ❤️

[@josephh.volzer1534]

Beautiful sentiment!

[@maryannehommel103]

There is indeed nothing like a fountain pen. I've given one to my 9 year old granddaughter and she is writing fairy stories with it. I believe I need to add a Waterman to my desk!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

so glad she's writing fairy stories!

[@carlarthur4442]

I've had a Waterman , they are a lovely pen to use . Happy writing ✍️ 😊

[@eleveneleven572]

Being born in the mid 50's i grew up using pen and ink in school. After decades of using biros etc i have dug out my ink pens and bought some more off AliExpress which are amazing for the price. And my writing has improved after years of biro scrawls.

[@NYbissett]

The Waterman Ideal (and a Parker) are fine pens. I have several FPs and use them weekly. Thanks for this fine episode.

[@spasaire]

Wonderful video. You can't beat a bit o' Belloc. Thanks for the pipe update as well!!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikehickey49]

What fascinating man thankyou for sharing this Greg so enjoyed our talk yesterday.

[@bigal2696]

Magnificent

[@woodshark1]

Ive only found your videos since last night, and your way of story telling is fantastic, and robust. I read this one along with you. I too am a fountain pen writer. You missed a paragraph, however, you captured my respect, and im grateful to have experinced your charisma. we met 25 or so years ago.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Welcome aboard! Yes I had to cut that a little so as not to make the episode too long. Glad to meet again via youtube

[@brianheffernan8982]

That was a nice video, Malcolm.

[@schwackem]

Just came across this video, instantly subscribed when it ended. What a lovely way to spend a few minutes of my day.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Welcome aboard!

[@thomasandersen2534]

Thank you good sir

[@J-DSPIPEDREAMS]

Very cool poem

[@DanielKellyFolkMusic]

I love Belloc's line "you have to answer every thing the other insufficient person says". I seldom take up my pen unless I have felt the stirrings and whispering of the muse, in which case the poem or song is usually birthed onto the page in a relatively painless, if emotional, way. Trying to write when the muse is silent is all kinds of awkward. Very happy that you took up your pen on this day!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks Daniel. I love Belloc's over the top rumbustiousness

[@benjaminflack]

The mere title of this video prompted me to order a new pen nib-I’ve had one for years that’s too wide, and I’m happy that’ll be set right shortly. :)

[@TheGentlemanScholar]

I'm a big letter writer...and sometimes, yes, I use a dipping pen when I tired of dealing with the idiosyncracies of my fountain pens...

[@ericdingler672]

That black Cherry must be some heavenly stuff. I’ll add that to my list of tobacco to try. Taking up the pen sounds therapeutic. If only I could spell.... 😄👍☕️💨💨💨

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

I cant spell either - except for spells in the library!

[@thespaminator]

Ok, Malcolm. I’m considering purchasing my first fountain pen. Convince me, good sir. What is it about fountain pens that bring you such joy? Why should one choose a fountain pen over a simple ballpoint? I love you videos by the way!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

I think its something about the beauty of the pen itself and the little rituals of filling, re-filling etc

[@thespaminator]

@@MalcolmGuitespell sounds a lot like smoking a pipe. Well hopefully I won’t end up with as many pens as I have pipes!

[@fraserreal8496]

"the nib is of pure gold"

[@LeftHandedWords]

This is one of my favorite videos so far! (I love fountain pens.) But why do you put your fingers over the bowl after you light up? Does this help keep the leaves lit longer? I've just noticed that you do this a bit.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

it helps get a draft on the leaves through the gap in my fingers if I think they're going out

[@jackscheible8398]

"Never spend your guitar or your pen." - Pete Townsend

[@pipegrump]

The remarks on creators reminds me of Tolkien’s “On Fairy Stories” and his theory of sub creators. I like these videos, well done.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

yes that essay On Fairy Stories is brilliant!

[@kurtisneilmcinnis8353]

Enriching as always. What can you tell me about your writing notebook? Is it a favorite brand or just one you came upon? I think I saw that it was blank (lineless). I like writing on unlined paper. Feels freer somehow. Cheers!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks - its made by Paperblanks and was a present from a dear friend

[@kurtisneilmcinnis8353]

@@MalcolmGuitespell Thank you for the information. I will look it up.

[@StarwaterCWS]

The guest that never speaks.

[@mikehenderson1422]

I don’t talk much either. I’ve had a few friends that love to talk. I like to listen.

[@oldandintheway1955]

Delightful essay, thank you for sharing it with us. I am distressed to read that cursive writing is passing out of favor in this country. It is not thought worth the time to teach any longer. Children see it or use it to communicate so seldomly, that the ability to read it or write is fading. Take care.

[@Laura_B__]

I agree. I home school my children, and I've taught them all to write in cursive. When I took my teenage son to the bank to open his first account, he signed his name in cursive and the bank employee was astounded that he knew how to do that! It's so strange how much the world has changed since we "old folks" were in school.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

I had no idea cursive was going out like that - what a pity!

[@VirginiaHanslien]

I have also been teaching my children cursive too. My son’s printing is a combination of cursive and actual print. it’s confusing for some, but I love that he has an interest in it. This was lovely Malcolm. Pens really do take up all possibilities!

[@wildboundwebsite]

@@Laura_B__ I have told my kids that cursive would become a secret indicator for homeschoolers to identify one another in the future.

[@Laura_B__]

@@wildboundwebsite I think that may be accurate! It's strange to think back when I was in public school - I recall that after we were taught cursive in third grade, we were not permitted to write in printing again, nor with pencil. Our work had to be in cursive, done in pen, like grown ups wrote. This was in the 1980s, long enough ago but not exactly ancient times. :)

[@Will-tm9oo]

You are a very good person. What book is this in so I can get one

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

its in a collection of essays called ' On Nothing' but you can also find it online

[@thespaminator]

If you had to recommend a fountain pen for beginner that has never used one, what would it be?

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Pilot do some very good fountain pens, not too expensive, and the entry level Parkers are all pretty good. probably best to use a cartridge for a while and then switch to using the refillable wells that most pens also come with

[@margaretblank9351]

"You must be alone." Ah. Doubtless you have read "How to be a Poet" by the American poet, Wendell Berry. It speaks to that, before all else. :-)

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

yes, in fact I have Berry's poem pinned up in my writing hut!

[@QHarefield]

Thanks for the tip! It may be only short but it is so good : "Shun electric wire. Communicate slowly ... stay away from screens." Wow!

[@guysmith1134]

so, always black ink?

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

yes always

[@foonik57]

When traveling.....how do you carry you pipes and tobaccos?

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

just in the pockets of my tweed jacket!

[@69telecasterplayer]

Oh, Brother Malcolm, that was beautiful! So well done! You made me want to take up my pen. God bless you.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Glad you enjoyed it!