Warming

Summary

Renee Podunovich reflects on the meditative and creative benefits of writing with a quill pen and ink, contrasting it with digital writing tools.

Abstract

Renee Podunovich, a licensed professional counselor, poet, and author, shares her recent experience with using a calligraphy set to write. She expresses her desire to slow down her writing process in hopes of deepening her creative expression. The tactile experience of writing with a pen and ink, without digital aids like spellcheck or auto-correct, allows her to be more mindful and present with her thoughts and feelings. Her first attempt at this traditional method brings a sense of satisfaction and a new dimension to her creative process, where errors become "artistic scribbles." Podunovich also announces the availability of her newest chapbook, "Illustrious for Brief Moments," on her website.

Opinions

Podunovich values the mindfulness and attention to detail that comes with writing by hand.
She appreciates the absence of digital distractions and corrections, which she believes enhances the creative process.
The author finds joy in the sensory aspects of writing, such as the sound of the pen on parchment and the act of inking the pen.
She is intrigued by the potential of this slower writing method to bring forth new elements in her writing.
Podunovich embraces the imperfections of handwriting, turning mistakes into artistic expressions.
She sees the traditional writing method as a way to achieve a deeper connection with her work and a more intentional choice of words.

wake up, sunshine, let the light

Pen & Ink photo by Renee Podunovich

waking up the dawn sleep lingers in my imagination

the remnants of my rest in your dark arms how I would linger in that chill

but sun calls each time and I gladly shed that endless spiral into groundlessness — I could dream forever if it weren’t for your warmth

today winds will shake loose the last of winter’s paleness, drifts of spring river water already hit my nostrils with force

wake up, sunshine, let the light warm your lost heartbeat my hand is upon your breast, steady, steady

I long for even ground to walk upon this season, just a few moments of ease as I look ahead at what is next

I have been yearning to write with a quill pen and ink and was gifted with a calligraphy set recently. I am not necessarily interested in the art of calligraphy, just curious about using this medium. My hope was that constantly having to ink the pen would slow my writing process down, and therefore, would also slow my thoughts down. I am interested to see if the slower pace will allow something else to emerge in the creative process.

Today was my first attempt and it was enjoyable, satisfying. What I like best: the mindfulness of paying attention to the way the pen is held, to the ink level, the sound of the pen on the parchment. Also, no spellcheck, no thesaurus, no auto-correct, no Grammarly making suggestions, no going back after you commit to penning the words and so a bit more attention to each word choice. This was my first attempt and I found it to be true that time expanded enough to linger in the phrases, to be present with my thoughts and feelings with no rush to get it all on paper and no second-guessing. I also adopted a technique of making “artistic scribbles” of any errors (which I think I will be using a lot).

Renee Podunovich is a licensed professional counselor, poet, author and freelance writer living in the southwest U.S. Four Corners Region. She is an investigator of magnificent phenomena and the numinous, a purveyor of poesy, and a benefactor of kindness. @rpodswords on Medium, IG My newest chapbook Illustrious for Brief Moments (Finishing Line Press, 2021) is now available on my website.