8.22.2013

revision pens


“Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely, 

"and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

~Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland



Behold the revision pen.  
An excellent marker of progress.


Grey for the first full read-through.
Green for the second.  
Then orange for the third.


Sometimes, with so many notes in one color, 
the favorite pen won't make it to the end 
and a (worthy) replacement is called in.


Sometimes nibbled, always worn down to a nub, they remind the writer that stroke by stroke, pen by pen, progress is being made.


And after a dignified performance, the old pen 
is retired (and recycled) and a new pen, 
in a new color, awaits the 
next round...or the next manuscript.