Bradtastic Premier

It’s what I’ve been up to — I’ve been thinking about, discussing, and writing… about writing!

More specifically, the “art of writing” and writing’s arts — composition, “The Elements of Style,” — most-certainly the fun stuff, the different types of writing. Everthing — social and dream journals, blogging, novels and storytelling, prose, poetry and song.

As I see it, “writing” has expanded to include categories beyond technical and creative; email, instant messaging (including SMS) and blogging are forms of social communication on an unprecendented scale (would’ve blown people away 50 years ago — still boggles many people today)… thus, those and more make-up “social writing.”

The “arts” as a whole, expand even further. Handwriting and its analysis, graphology, writing tools (typewriters, keyboards, pen and ink) and software (word processors, dedicated novel and manuscript software, stencils) are all part of the game.

In particular, handwriting has always been important to me. Unfortunately, it’s a dying artform. In the net-age of social networking and smart phones, the pen and paper take a backseat. I’ll often hear people talk about improving their handwriting; sadly, it’s almost always placed on the back-burner — “so much else to work on and improve!” More like, “inane TV shows to watch, junk food to eat… I’m lazy!”

And yet, people get embarrassed when forced to exhibit their poor penmanship… odd. Some people can be so weak. Chances are, however, you’re above-average. Most people are disinclined to read articulated social perspectives and philisophical ponderings… they’d rather see “I has rlly hated W, go Obama!!!” on my blog, they’d rather find out which reality shows I watch and who I think is hot.

What’s next

I’ve collected a lot of things; yo-yos and Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering cards, Nintendo 64 games… even frisbees and Q-ZAR laser tag packs! Of all of the obsessions and fads, none has stuck more-truly, nor with more value, than pens and paper.

I love fine and fancy pens: Japanese gel pens, Montblanc fineliners and fountain pens. I love the smell of fine French paper, the color of ecru, and the satisfaction of completing a journal cover-to-cover. I like all nib, tip and point sizes from bold to ultra-fine, 6mm to 0.03mm. I love writing with my hybrid-longhanded style… by hand, imperfect and wonderful.

I was drawn into inkblogging for the same reason. It was less about my interest in technology and penchant for trendsetting; I struggled to setup an inkblog and find appropriate software, struggled with Windows Tablet Edition, so I could “write” my writing… and share my passion.

Finding Moleskine notebooks changed my life. This change, so important to me, wasn’t something I could keep to myself. I’ve actively encouraged people to try journal-writing by hand everyday with Moleskine notebooks — students and friends of mine alike. It’s a beautiful thing.

I’ve since realized that there’s more that I can do to share my passion for American English, writing, blogging, and don’t forget — pens! I’ve been reinvigorated and energized to start something specific to my interests, a dedicated blog and website as a resource for “everything writing” — “hardware” and software (there’s a lot of nifty “distraction free” writing tools… many obscure, great things people aren’t really aware of).

I might move Bradtastic.com to a different blog engine (and hosting), I might just update the theme and ditch K2. I will start inkblogging again… I need to “clean” my tablet first, however (stupid viruses!). I will stay true to my word; I will share the tools and tricks to making a better life, offer advice and theory on social dynamics, “game” and its defenses (anti-PUA material), I will write about GTD strategy and tools… together, we will be the world’s elite and have an unlimited supply of cotton candy.