Photo by Pendemonium As someone who loves fountain pens, I'm always on the lookout for new ones to try. Recently, I came across the REFORM Quick Tip fountain pen online at Pendemonium , and decided to give it a try. Background The REFORM company was founded in Heidelberg, Germany in the late 1930s. They started out by supplying parts to other German manufacturers and were one of the first companies to use injection molding. While they became a large company, it wasn't until the early 1960s they began branding their own pens. Unfortunately, the company stopped trading in 1999. However, their fountain pens are of good quality and have good nibs with some flex. They are ideal fountain pens and will become more collectible as time goes on. The Pen The REFORM Quick Tip fountain pen is constructed of ivory and cream plastic with a black metal clip. It has a FINE anodized steel nib and came with a standard short cartridge with blue ink. It was made in Germany, but I'm unsure of its production date. Photo by Pendemonium Weight The main quality I love about this pen is how lightweight it is. It's probably the lightest-weight fountain pen I own. The lighter the weight of the fountain pen, the less fatigued my hand gets. I can write for longer sessions with lightweight fountain pens. Ink The pen came with one cartridge, but I might continue to use cartridges with this pen since I have a lot of them. I prefer my pens to be eye droppers or use converters, so I can choose the brand and shade of ink I wish to use in my pens. I'm not a big fan of cartridges, but it seems fitting for this particular pen. Photo by Pendemonium Conclusion Overall, I'm really happy with my purchase of the REFORM Quick Tip fountain pen. It's a great lightweight option for those who are just starting out with fountain pens or for those who want a simple, basic writer. Plus, it's always fun to add a new pen to my collection! I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Please leave them in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay Why A Year Between Each Shane Davison Chronicles Series Book Release? The Shane Davison Chronicles Series has a planned 6 novels. Did you notice the “magic” word? Planned. The series has not been written yet, only planned . That is the number one reason why there’s an entire year between novel releases. But why does it take a whole year to write a novel? That’s a Good Question If I were named Jack Kerouac , I could type an entire novel entitled On The Road in three weeks on a scroll of continuous, 120-foot tracing paper sheets cut to size and taped together. Or maybe my name is J. R. R. Tolkien and I could produce a novel entitled The Lord of the Rings in twelve years. I’m neither Kerouac nor Tolkien, and the length of time I require to complete a novel falls somewhere in between. Years in the Making It took ten years for an evolving manuscript to eventually become an idea for a series. The working title for the manuscript was: Auf Wiedersehen: Journey To Goodbye . The manuscript took on several rewrites and revisions over the course of ten years before the idea of a series was suggested by an author friend. A Series Comes to Mind Once I decided a series was the route I wanted to take, I had to come up with a plan of how the series should unfold, how many books would it encompass, what is the purpose of the series, and so on. That’s when the idea came to me to write a series of stories that follow the life of a gay man, from childhood into adulthood. I also wanted to write the series in a way that would allow the reader to step inside Shane’s head and become a silent character in the novels. Point-of-View I knew right off the bat that I wanted the series to be written entirely from Shane’s perspective and in his voice. This point-of-view is limiting for the reader because no matter what happens, the reader only knows whatever Shane allows the reader to know. This goes against the old saying, “ There are three sides to every story: your side, my side, and the truth ”. In Shane’s Chronicles , the reader only gets one side of the story—Shane’s side. This point-of-view of storytelling can make for an interesting read. The reader is left speculating on what is actually true and what is Shane’s truth. Start of a Series The first novel in the series, Clipped Wings , was a story I’d struggled for fifty years to find a way to tell the story. It was a story that had haunted me for my entire adult life, mostly because actual events inspired it. How was I going to go about telling that story so that it would sound believable, even though much of it happened as written in real life? When I began the rough draft, I let Shane tell me his story. As if he was sitting in the same room with me, he told the story I couldn’t because it was entirely from his perspective. I wrote as fast as I could as Shane told me the story of his turbulent high school years, sprinkled with backstories of his childhood. Before I knew it, I had a stack of college-ruled composition notebooks filled with Shane’s words, handwritten by fountain pen. That’s where Shane’s story starts, in the first novel: Clipped Wings . For one year, I edited, rewrote, revised, and rearranged text until I had a finished novel. The first novel was published and released in March 2021. Second Novel I then moved on to the second novel of the series, which would be entitled Blurred Lines . The story of Shane’s college experience. I gave myself one year to complete that book. From the rough draft to the first rewrite and many many edits and revisions, the novel was published and released in March 2022. Third Novel Then, I spent the next year revising the original Auf Wiedersehen: Journey to Goodbye so that it would chronologically fit into the series. Shane is four years older and has built a life for himself. The novel was published under a revised title: Chasing Unicorns . It was released in early March 2023. Fourth Novel Currently, I’m working on novel number four of the series, with the working title of Final Chapters . The story picks up a few years later. Shane shares a condo with his boyfriend, when out of nowhere, all hell breaks loose, toppling Shane’s perfect life. One Year at a Time I devote an entire year to writing the next novel in the series, making sure each installment is up to my exacting standards. Writing a novel is no easy task – it involves hours of researching, plotting, and crafting characters with unique personalities and motivations. To do that, I complete a 5-page profile on each character. In addition, it takes time to craft a believable plot line and create interesting scenarios that keep readers hooked until the end. Topping off this process is the important task of adding detail to every scene. Intimate descriptions bring these settings alive in ways only words can do. I want my readers to find themselves fully immersed in each setting as if they were standing there themselves. As such, I must ensure to capture every detail perfectly before releasing my work into the world. What’s more, while I craft my stories one chapter at a time, there are entire separate projects to juggle in parallel - everything from editing drafts, revising the manuscript, formatting the manuscript for publication, and creating marketing campaigns all need attending to before any book goes on sale. It’s no wonder then that despite this complex process taking place behind each book’s release date, fans eagerly await the next installment once they’ve finished devouring the latest one. And those same fans will be rewarded when Shane Davison returns in the fourth novel ( Final Chapters ) – coming in spring 2024. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Pixabay Authors and Their Characters When an author writes a manuscript, they become vested in the characters and their varied personal stories that make up the manuscript. The characters become a part of the family, and when the time comes to say goodbye to the manuscript, it can be an emotional moment for the author. When the author types those last words, they bid a final goodbye to the characters and put them to bed for the last time. Personal Connections As an author, I become attached to my characters, some more than others. The characters may be a part of a short story, novella, novel, or even a book series. For example, there was Ezra from the interior story of MASKED IDENTITIES . Not long after publication, I felt Ezra had an unfinished story. Giving Ezra a voice to tell that story was when the concept of MASKED IDENTITIES—THE REVEAL (no longer available in print), came to be. It was the logical conclusion of the historical interior story that Megan read in her grandfather’s library. Ezra’s voice became a short story and was later permanently added to the ending of the novella MASKED IDENTITIES . Other characters, like Ryan Tanner, the kid from the novelette “FIRST TIME”, included in the anthology NAUGHTY GAY ADULT BEDTIME STORIES . Ryan struck a note in me as I wrote “FIRST TIME”. The story was told entirely from his teenage perspective. Although I wasn't familiar with a "Ryan" in real life, he just grew on me as I wrote the manuscript. I suppose my most profound character connection has been with Shane Davison, the antagonist/protagonist of the Shane Davison Chronicles Series . This is probably the strongest connection to any character I've had in my writing career. I say this because "Shane" is a composite of myself and other people in my real-world experience. Also, Shane tells his story (throughout the entire series) from his own personal perspective, which has created a bond between the fictional character and me. In writing the series, I spend a great deal of time inside Shane's head, which has led to a strong connection between both of us. Another character which whom I have a connection is Dexter ( Shane Davison Chronicles Series ) He's a young son of a co-worker at Dillinger’s Department Store. Shane and Dexter became friends, and their relationship grew and morphed as circumstances in their lives changed. Dex started out as a kid, full of curiosity about the world, and through their combined histories and as the series continues, Shane became a real-life guncle to the kid. Saying Goodbye As I conclude each manuscript, I have to say goodbye to these characters who have become more than words on paper, but individuals with feelings and dreams. Saying so long is easier with some than with others. Sometimes, while lying in bed at night, a character's voice whom I left behind when their story was finished echoes in my mind. I’ve often caught myself wiping a tear from my eye after hearing those voices. Moments like that are when I’m assured that these characters who I’d grown an attachment aren’t gone forever. They’re beside me as I write exploits of new characters—characters who will eventually join the ghosts of previous manuscripts. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Jinhao 86 Resin Fountain Pen The Pen The Jinhao pen is a writing tool that looks very similar to the vintage Parker 51. It has a chrome cap, a plastic body, and a hooded stainless steel nib. However, Jinhao has made some improvements to the pen's inner workings. They replaced Parker's Aerometric filler system with a converter, which allows for a larger ink capacity. The Jinhao pen writes very well and is available in a variety of colors. Best of all, it only costs a few dollars! Jinhao 86 Resin Fountain Pen Hooded Nib The Cap & Clip The Jinhao 86 cap is made of a heavy metal, making the pen top-heavy when the cap is posted, unlike the lightweight chrome cap of the Parker 51. The pocket clip is a copy of the iconic Parker pocket clip. If you're new to pens, you might mistake the Jinhao for a Parker 51, but the JINHAO engraving on the base of the cap distinguishes the two brands. Jinhao 86 Resin Fountain Pen Parts The Company Jinhao pens are made by the Shanghai Qiangu Stationery Co., Ltd in China. The company was established in 1988 and combines Chinese culture with Western elements in their designs. They manufacture all of their pens in their factory and distribute them worldwide. In conclusion, the Jinhao pen is a budget-friendly writing tool that writes well and looks great. It's a great option for anyone who wants a quality pen without breaking the bank. Conclusion I enjoy the light weight of the pen and the hooded nib, and it writes like a fountain pen many times its modest price. The price of a fountain pen does not always equate to the quality or performance of the pen. Don't walk away from an inexpensive fountain pen just because of its price. If you like the look, the feel, and the exquisite manner in which it writes--that's all that should matter. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Please leave them in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Pixabay My Story When I write a book, I create a story that is mine to tell. I write to entertain my readers and take them on a journey to another place or time. My goal is to give them a momentary escape from reality. I want my stories to be a springboard for readers to jump into an alternate reality, even if it's just for a brief time. The Reader's Story Once my book is published and available for purchase, the story is no longer mine. When someone buys my book and starts reading it, they make the story their own. The reader visualizes characters and places differently than I did when I wrote the story. They have a different concept of the tale I created. Even though they are reading the same words I wrote, their minds create a different picture than the one I saw. An Example Have you ever read a book and then talked to someone else who read the same book, only to find out that they saw the story in a completely different way than you did? That's exactly what happened with my novel, CLIPPED WINGS . I asked some friends who read the book to tell me who they thought the antagonist was. To my surprise, each person had a different answer! Even though they all read the same words, they each had a different idea of who the bad guy really was. Why Do People See Stories Differently? So why do people see stories differently? There are a few reasons. First of all, everyone has their own experiences and beliefs that shape the way they see the world. This means that when they read a story, they might interpret things differently than someone else who has had different experiences. Another reason is that stories can be open to interpretation. Sometimes, authors intentionally leave things vague or ambiguous so that readers can come up with their own ideas about what's happening. This can be a good thing because it allows readers to connect with the story in their own way. What Does This Mean for Readers? If you're a reader, this means that you should always keep an open mind when you're reading a story. Don't assume that your interpretation is the only one that's valid. Instead, try to see things from different perspectives and consider how other people might see the story. It's also important to remember that just because someone else sees a story differently than you do, that doesn't mean they're wrong. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and that includes their interpretation of a story. What Does This Mean for Writers? If you're a writer, this means that you should embrace the fact that people will see your story in different ways. Don't worry too much about making sure everyone understands your story exactly the way you intended. Instead, focus on creating a story that's open to interpretation and allows readers to connect with it in their own way. In the end, the fact that people can see the same story in different ways is what makes reading and writing so interesting. It allows us to connect with stories in our own unique way and to see the world from different perspectives. So the next time you read a book or write a story, remember that there's no one "right" way to see things. The Magic of Books That's the magic of books. No two people interpret stories in the same way. The reader molds the words to fit their perception of reality, even though the book may be pure fiction. It's amazing how a bunch of typed pages bound together by a cover can be perceived in so many varying ways. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Please, feel free to leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

The Set This vintage porcelain china cup and saucer set is decorated with a pink rose pattern. It is in very good condition, but there are some minor brown marks on the inside of the cup. The set is very lightweight and came with a gold-plated demitasse spoon. The cup handle is a bit awkward to hold, and some people think it might be a ladies' tea set because of the flowery pattern. But, I must disagree, unless the set was made especially for the bearded lady at the circus. The History The Etsy seller who sold me this set didn't know much about its history. There are no marks on the set, but the seller claims that there was a paper description stuffed inside the cup when they acquired it. The paper provided an approximate age for the cup. WHY I BOUGHT IT I purchased the cup and saucer set about 6 years ago because it is distinctively different from my other mustache cups and saucer sets. This pair made a delightful addition to my collection. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Please leave them in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Gerhard Bögner from Pixabay One Approach to Writing The title may seem strange, but when it comes to writing a book, there are no set rules. Each writer has their own unique process, from planning to execution. The process is as personal and varied as the writers themselves. Following someone else's writing process step by step can stifle your creativity and lead to the dreaded Writer's Block. So, let's take a closer look at my approach to writing a book. Generating Story Ideas My ideas often come to me in dreams, as if I'm watching a movie on a big screen in a theater. Other times, ideas randomly pop into my head. Regardless of their origin, I make sure to jot them down and store them on my laptop. These ideas could be a title, a plot, or even just a random scene. While not all of these ideas may develop into full-fledged stories, they serve as a pool of inspiration that I can draw from in the future. First and Last Chapters Once I have a basic idea for a story, I begin by writing a rough draft of the first and last chapters. At this stage, I have no idea how the story will unfold from point A to point B. I simply focus on bringing the first and last chapters to life on paper. Of course, these chapters may undergo numerous revisions before the final manuscript, but they serve as the starting and finishing points for my story. Planning (or Lack Thereof) Let me be clear: I do not meticulously plan out my books or stories. I am what writers refer to as a "Pantser"—I write by the seat of my pants. While most writers are "Plotters" who meticulously plan their books, I prefer to let the story unfold organically. Some may argue that this approach is risky, but for me, it allows for a more spontaneous and authentic writing experience. We'll delve deeper into this later. Characters Every story or book features characters. Initially, I don't plan my plot step-by-step, so I only know the main characters and not the incidental ones. To visualize my characters, I conduct model searches on Google, trying to find their likenesses as I imagine them in my mind. Once I have an actual photo of my character, I create a character profile that includes physical descriptions, likes, dislikes, personal history, childhood, memories, and more. I strive to know each character as if each is a real, live, breathing person. Writing Now comes the exciting part—writing the complete rough draft. I have a general idea of where the story begins from the two rough draft chapters, the beginning, and the end. I start writing from where the rough draft's first chapter ends. I prefer to handwrite my rough drafts using a fountain pen and college-ruled composition books. I clear my mind and allow my characters to guide the story wherever they want, hoping it will eventually align with my originally written last chapter. Sometimes, the characters surprise me with unexpected plot twists that lead to a completely different ending. A prime example of this is the conclusion of my upcoming book, FINAL CHAPTERS . The characters completely caught me off guard with a double plot twist. I hadn't planned it, nor did I anticipate it. That's the beauty of writing in a freestyle manner—the story takes on a life of its own, presenting plot twist opportunities that were never planned or conceived before I started writing. First Rewrite Once the rough draft is complete, I transfer the entire manuscript into a digital editor, my personal preference being Open Office. While transposing, I may make some minor changes here and there, but my goal is to keep the manuscript as faithful to the original as possible. Second Rewrite During this stage, I digitally edit the rough draft, smoothing out the story and refining the dialogue, among other things. First Edit At this point, I add action tags, work out descriptive passages, and other storytelling details. Additional Edits Subsequent edits will focus on different technical writing aspects. The number of additional edits depends on the concentration of technical issues. I dedicate each edit to one specific technical issue. Finished Book No matter how many edits and rewrites I do, I always manage to find technical errors that were missed. A missing word here, an extra period there, and so on. However, throughout the entire writing experience, there is no way to describe the feeling I get when I open the cardboard box delivered to my door, containing my published book. Final Thought Now you have a basic understanding of my book or story writing process. This approach works for me, but I'm not claiming it to be the best method for everyone. What works for me may not necessarily work for you. So, now that you have this knowledge, forget what you just read and write your book or story in your own unique way. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Please, feel free to leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

A Big Thank You! Hey there, all you amazing readers! I just wanted to take a moment to extend a huge thank you to each and every one of you. You've made the past three years of book sales an absolute dream come true for me. It's been an incredible journey since I published my very first story way back in 2008. And guess what? Thirteen years later my first novel became a bestseller within its first week on the shelves! Can you believe it? The success just kept on coming with my next three books, too. They all achieved the same amazing feat! Exciting News! Now, here's the really exciting part. I'm thrilled to announce that the fourth book in the Shane Davison Chronicles Series will be released next spring! I can't wait to share this new novel with all of you. Your support and enthusiasm for my work have been so inspiring, and I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you. A Heartfelt Thank You I want to express my deepest appreciation to all of you who have bought and read my books. Your love for my stories keeps me going and motivates me to keep crafting tales that will captivate and entertain you. Seriously, without all of you reading my books, none of this would have been possible. So thank you from the bottom of my heart. What's Next? As I work on the next book in the series, I'm filled with anticipation and excitement. I hope you'll join me once again as we dive into Shane Davison's thrilling world. Together, we'll uncover new adventures and experience the excitement of a brand-new chapter in this beloved series. Keep an eye out for its release in spring 2024! Stay Connected Thank you again for being a part of this amazing journey and for your unwavering support. I'm truly grateful for each and every one of you. If you want to stay updated on all things related to my books, make sure to subscribe to my official author newsletter: Click here to subscribe . Keep reading and dreaming big, my awesome readers! I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Image by Wix Unleash Your Inner Author No, I'm not pulling out the ol' Ouija board during a full moon or hosting a séance by candlelight. Instead, I'm talking about using online apps to analyze one's writing style and compare it to that of famous authors. Just for fun, I analyzed a couple of sample paragraphs from my manuscripts when they are in their final stages of editing. Interestingly, I don't get the same results for each manuscript. My writing style has been compared to the likes of Agatha Christie, Samuel Clemens, Roald Dahl, and Virginia Woolf. Meet David Foster Wallace David Foster Wallace Two writing apps can compare your writing style with that of famous authors to determine which famous author you might write similarly to. The first app is called I Write Like . This is my favorite app as it provides more advanced analysis and delves deeper into writing styles. I Write Like compared my writing style to that of David Foster Wallace. David Foster Wallace was an award-winning American author known for his novels, essays, and short stories. He was also a professor at Pomona College in Claremont, California. Wallace gained widespread recognition for his 1996 novel, Infinite Jest, which was included in Time magazine's list of the 100 best English-language novels from 1923 to the present. David Ulin, the book editor of the Los Angeles Times, hailed Wallace as one of the most influential and innovative writers of the last 20 years. Even though Wallace's novel, The Pale King, remained unfinished, it was published in 2011 and became a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2012. Discover Your Writing Twin If you're curious about which famous writer your writing style resembles, you can check it out with I Write Like . This statistical analytic tool analyzes your word choice and writing style, comparing them with those of famous writers. Give it a try and see who you write like! Enter Stephen Crane Stephen Crane The second similar app is called Who Do I Write Like , which is an older analysis program. After analyzing my writing, the app determined that I write like Stephen Crane. Stephen Crane was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. He was incredibly prolific during his short life and wrote notable works in the Realist tradition and early examples of American Naturalism and Impressionism. Modern critics recognize him as one of the most innovative writers of his generation. He was born on November 1, 1871, in Newark, NJ, and sadly passed away on June 5, 1900, in Badenweiler, Germany. Unleash Your Inner Novelist Perhaps you're one of those people who reads books and thinks, "I can write better than this." Or maybe you've daydreamed about being your favorite novelist. If this resonates with you, then you should check out one or both of the above website that matches your writing with that of a famous author. It's as simple as visiting either of the aforementioned sites and entering a sample of your writing (they recommend submitting several paragraphs). Their algorithm will then match you with a renowned writer based on word choice, stylistic features, and other parameters. While the results aren't scientifically proven, it's a fun exercise. Plus, you'll have the bragging rights to tell your friends that your writing style resembles that of a famous author. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Please, feel free to leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

REFORM School Fountain Pen Description This fountain pen is a vintage writing tool that was made in West Germany during the 1970-80s. It is made of red celluloid and has a stainless steel fine (F) point nib. The pen can use a cartridge or a converter, or it can also be converted to an Eye Dropper. REFORM School Fountain Pen Capped Features Although this fountain pen may seem basic, it has some great features. It is lightweight, making it easy to write for long periods. It can hold a lot of ink if converted to an Eye Dropper, which means you won't have to refill it as often. Not only that, but it also requires minimal maintenance and is a reliable writer. REFORM School Fountain Pen Clip Why I Love It As a fan of school pens, I adore this vintage fountain pen. It may not be the most stylish of pens, but it is simple and easy to use, which makes it perfect for everyday writing. REFORM School Fountain Pen Nib I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Photo by Pixabay The Writer's White Space Before I start writing a new story, I make sure I'm comfortable at my desk. I adjust the cushion on my wooden banker-style chair and get settled. Then, I grab my favorite fountain pens and fill them with different colored bottled inks. I always choose pens that are lightweight and fit nicely in my hand. Once my pens are ready, I open my college-ruled composition notebook to the second page. As I turn the page, I feel a slight roughness in the paper. It's made from crushed and pressed pulp, giving it a unique smell. The page in front of me is blank, except for the fine blue guidelines that help me write straight. Soft instrumental music plays in the background, helping me stay focused and blocking out any distractions. The white space on the new page doesn't scare me at all. It excites me because I know I'm about to embark on a journey. An expedition where there are no limits or expectations. I'll create an adventure using only words and thoughts, filling the pages of my notebook with my made-up story. Red Indicates White Spaces The Reader's White Space White space isn't just for writers, it's also for readers. When you read a book, you experience white space too. The way the text is formatted can give you hints about what's coming next. Sometimes, a dramatic dialogue or an emotional moment is highlighted by leaving blank spaces or breaking up paragraphs into smaller pieces. These empty spaces on the page make those moments even more special for you as a reader. They are intentionally placed there to help you feel the emotions the writer wants to convey. Additionally, white space, like the blank space on chapter pages, gives your eyes a moment to rest. Just like taking a break between physical exercises, your eyes need a break too. In Conclusion So, the next time you read a book, take a moment to appreciate the white spaces. They are there for a reason and serve a purpose for you as a reader. And when you pick up a book, imagine the white space the writer encountered before he/she/they even started writing. It was originally a blank canvas waiting to be filled with words, creating the book you hold in your hand. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .

Fountain Pen Revolution Statesman A Classic Design The brand-new FPR Statesman pen has a flat-top design that looks well-balanced. Personally, I don't care for the flat-top design, but that's my personal preference. It's a bit bigger than other pens from FPR, which makes it feel really important and dignified. Plus, the grip section is shaped in a way that makes it comfortable to hold. Easy to Fill You can fill the FPR Statesman pen in two different ways. You can either use a converter or a standard international cartridge. Don't worry, because the converter is included with the pen. So, you fill the pen the way you like best. I prefer the converter filling method because I can use any ink I prefer. The nib is a #6, stainless steel JoWo. I ordered my pen with an extra-fine nib. Stylish Colors The FPR Statesman pen comes in two awesome colors: Regal Blue and Sunburst Orange. The body, cap, and grip section are all made of acrylic material, which makes them look sleek and stylish. The cap is a screw-on rather than a snap cap which adds extra nib protection. I chose the Regal Blue. Comes in a Presentation Box When you get the FPR Statesman pen, it will come in a black FPR presentation box. It's like getting a special gift! You can keep the pen safe and sound in the box when you're not using it. The box makes for a great way to give the pen as a gift. Note: I did not receive compensation for this review and I'm in no way associated with Fountain Pen Revolution , either as an employee or a contract employee. I'd appreciate hearing your comments. Leave your thoughts in the Comment Box at the bottom of the page. Dale Thele Bestselling Fiction Author Stories with an LGBTQ+ Twist corrupting readers since 2008 Don't miss another blog post! Get new blog post notifications and new book/story releases sent directly to your email. Click here to subscribe .