Novelty is key. Feeling out a new pen or ink or combination draws me back into writing. Returning to the same colors or nibs diminishes the novelty in my penvelope.

It’s easy to fall into cycles wherein I turn to the same ink colors time and again. This week, I escaped the cycle through a tried-and-true method for picking inks: asking my partner to pick ink numbers. Hooray sharing.

The week begins at an interesting juncture. I have six pens already inked. My ink palette, which was both functional and pretty, remains intact. Planning this week’s rotation was easy.

Last week found me with only one pen inked. Uno. Solo. Odd — for me. Clearly the time for a new currently inked has arrived.

Additionally, a full December of using Diamine’s Inkvent left me out of practice with choosing which inks to use. So I took the Gygax route to select this week’s pens and inks. I have a full write-up on the methodology here. It’s fun and well-worth trying out at least once. Dragons not required.

My first week back in school is fully remote. The beginning of the calendar year offers a chance to reset. To consider my writing and thinking tools with fresh(er) eyes. And to select six pen and ink combos that will help me slip into a rhythm.

My attention has kept Diamine’s inkvent inks firmly in frame for four weeks now. I’m expanding this week. The focus is on inks I haven’t given ample time to of late.