Learn more about the books (and how to buy) on ej Morgan’s Amazon.com Author Page. including the latest Dharma in your Ear mini book (99 cents for limited time, 2023.) For large print paperback of Seeing Clearly — click here dear “hard copy” readers. 😉
Some info and history of ZiaLink and ZenWoman on the “about” links at top of home page.
Other projects underway:
aBoP (too good and too early to reveal) but think freaky near future with androids, the singularity, the plague and consciousness exploration. Yep, a new fiction!
#grappling — another nonfiction take on reality and realizations.
the mini-book version of #grappling aka Dharma in Your Ear was published 5/2023 “May Day” An “inner” dimensional experience, a promo for me from Tony as TFG “Dear Leader”
Simply Divine! — nonfiction on health & wellness (mental and physical) <<< client project
#PeacePledge — NOW more than ever we need humor and healing.
While searching for some other memorabilia, I found this review of my novel with notice of a book signing. This makes me smile. Here’s a link to the actual review from our alternative local paper called the Alibi back in 2011. The photograph I took today is blurry and the link is showing REALLY LARGE images, but scroll down and the text is legible. The reporter, John Bear, was a SF guy and knew a lot about Philip K. Dick. This is the second page of a two-page spread… the first page had DICKHEAD in huge font. Check it out.
You can view and/or buy it on Amazon as Kindle eBook or paperback. Do you know this pen? Comment! Say anything. Let me know someone is seeing these posts. Thanks.
I will be on a Youtube podcast Saturday evening (7.27.2024) discussing OOBEs (out of body experiences) and other metaphysical matters. I will mention my recent hypnosis so thought I would link here to the excerpt of that which I allowed Jeff Broomfield to post. You do not see the induction process. He explains what’s going on and then he provides a clip of my experience… my profound VISIT to the heavenly realm: https://youtu.be/2W-yWxzIziw?si=E5nivWuw5y1oy47D.
After the podcast, I should be able to provide a LINK to the Youtube version of the JeffMara LIVE experience, which is also a zoom session. AND, here’s a generic FREE hypnosis experience thanks to JB (Jeff, my hypnotist) but if you’ve never tried this before, go to his website Jeff Broomfield Hypnosis: https://jeffbroomfield.com/ or use his “pre-induction” procedures referenced on the free session link to learn more about preparing for online hypnosis. ENJOY!!
This, pen pals, is a “modern Maki-e” finish on a Platinum Procyon fountain pen. Aficionados of the Japanese art known as Urushi Maki-e will know it’s a tedious, time-consuming hand-crafted process of applying layers of materials, powders (often gold and silver dust) then lacquer. Maki-e fountain pens are one-of-a-kind works of art and command high prices.
THIS (Procyon pen above) is the “Luster” version which was then layered with stencil work of the moon and cranes art and further embellished with “gold and silver” dust (how pure is unknown.) My version is “flat” kind of matt finish which I prefer for actual use. The highly polished lacquered versions sell for several hundred, if not thousands, and are works of art like fine Japanese swords. The pen is mightier than the sword, said UK novelist Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839.
I don’t regret this choice, since my most perfect writer remains my Italian Visconti fountain pen with medium iridium nib (see previous Aug 27 post.) It too was a less expensive model (based on Rembrandt “chassis”.) The Eco-Logic uses hemp whereas the Homo Sapien model uses Basaltic lava. The point being, for me the Visconti is writing perfection. Smooth as silk with its J Herbin cartridges, never inked from bottle, flows easily 24/7 for days (even a week capped) without a dry start or skip. PERFECTION.
This is not the case with the Procyon. This nib is borderline “scratchy” and runs dry while writing. I’m so surprised because I ordered new Carbon black Platinum cartridges so I could compare to my test pen (a medium Platinum Preppy, with similar nib.) That $7 pen writes like a dream and Platinum’s carbon black is so dark and silky. I thought this Procyon could be my dream pen… not yet.
Something is probably wrong with the nib/feed, but I’m in no mood to return it given how long it took USPS to get it here. I’m going to attempt some nib adjustment and see if this uses removable sections. Anyway, I will update. It arrived two days ago, Monday 12.04.2023. BTW, maki-e is pronounced mah-key-A (long /a/ sound.)
UPDATE: I finally got ink flowing to the nib but it’s not dreamy like the Visconti. That’s okay. It produces a finer line (like MF or even Fine) which works well on thinner expensive paper like Tamoe River or my Stalogy notebook. BTW, #8 on my youtube pen playlist is this pen, check it out.
Hey pen pals, recognize these? Fountain pen fanatics will think of Sailor “PGS” but …
These beauties are Jinhao 82s or J82s as I call them. We’ve been calling them Frankenpens for a while, but now (October 23, 23) it’s truly timely. I’m posting so pen pals can see what I was referring to on Drew’s October Frankenpen Youtube video (truly SCARY, ha!) So in case you get lost in the spooky woods and can’t get back here’s what I said:
“When it comes to experimenting with pricey Frankenpens that is frightening ; ) The photo shows my inexpensive J82s: instead of Moonlight over Ocean, think Sun over Grass, Fuki Light with Rikyu tea ink, Reverse Nuts, Gray Crane, Cloudy Sky instead of Pelikan Pastel (M200), willow-ish and finally No Moon not Snow Moon. FUN and they all have related inks and variety of nibs.” ENJOY!
2023 pens for my pen pals 😉 Can you guess what pen is with the Endless notebook? How about the cloth under my eco-logic Visconti fountain pen? OR what is that with my journal in the pen loop? I’ll link to that Limited Edition Retro 51 rollerball. Mine is #584 of 600.
Endless notebook for endless words.
Endless notebook for endless words.
Visconti and journal w/ Retro 51
I’ll update soon, promise, with more thoughts on journaling with FPs vs. “fast writing” BPs and even Frixion pens. Also, I hope to post a video soon on reading eBooks with Kindle readers and apps. My friends are having trouble reading my books, including my latest: Dharma in Your Ear , a sampler of a larger commonplace book called #grappling (still editing.) Thanks for stopping by!
There are links at the top of this site about ZiaLink’s history. This post is about actual ink and handwriting. Sometime in the early 2000s, having survived the Y2K computer crisis, a sort of “gilded era” emerged where many of us preferred stationery. Leather or vegan journals, often traveler’s style, were the rage. Some people were creating art journals using embellishments, and lots of folks wanted a fountain pen. There lies the rub. Exotic handmade papers and expensive journal covers did not mix with messy fountain pens.
FF to present time where I found Brian Goulet and accomplice Drew Brown’s Pencast on Youtube (cued to 55:40 “heat setting” topic.) These guys (and others) have answers to leaky/dry pen probs. 50 episodes… check them out.
Drew in a T’ai Chi / Matrix pose, as Brian blathers on… j/k ha!
Below are a few of my pens (described in the captions), the glorious LMZ (that I almost ordered) and some current faves.
Yes, Jinhao dragon pen below!
Top left 1970s Lady Scheaffer (XF), new Chinese Wingsung (F), 2 vintage “bladder” pens: a Scheaffer and a Scout, beautiful BROWN custom acrylic, Picasso (M) with Caran d’Ache “Storm” ink and one of my many Jinhao dragon pens.
I’ve been researching flex or soft nib pens that allow more variation in writing style and ink flow. Brian & Drew have several video reviews of flexible nibs, so does Doodlebud in his Friday Flex off (2020): That’s how I learned about this beauty (below.) The Pen Addict blog features this gorgeous LMZ (drool) but Drew & Doodlebud have convinced me it’s pretty pricey for limited flex.
This image of the LMZ (Leonardo Momento Zero) is from Pen Addict blog, linked above.
Table top (late June, 2022) BEFORE I spilled some ink. GADZ! Baking soda is the answer for ink on wood and hands.
Upper left is a Zebra “disposable” (that I nearly disposed of since it’s over 5 yrs old!) Not only does it work, it’s smooth. Then old to new: my beloved Monteverde “tiger eye” (purchased new in 1995 at a local pen show), my new 2022 silver metal Japanese Muji pen with fabulous Herbin “Moonshadow” cartridge, plus a Jinhao “Gullor” (barely used since 2019 due to inking issues, resolved with new converter), two Tuls (described below) and my #BuJo (bullet journal.) NOTE: new limited Lamy purple “Candy” not shown, just flimsy box & red-tipped converter. Sorry.
As for daily writers, a few years ago (while writing LOTs of notes) I gave up and turned to Tul (shown above.) I know Goulet Pens and other FP loyalists shudder at BP (ball point) or gel pens, but OMG these attractive inexpensive Tul pens make fast writing a pleasure. I was given one at a journaling session and have bought many since then. (I’m not affiliated with Tul or any product and have NO advertising on my blog.) For fast, reliable never-blotchy no-fuss notes and journaling, Tul pens– BP or gel– are perfect IMHO.
That said, I will always have a passion for fountain pens. To me they’re for pleasure and treasure writing, not for scribbling notes or signing store receipts. Collect, enjoy, & tinker on.
UPDATE on my first eyedropper fill, my Pilot Prera:
close-up to see Diamine Shimmery Ivy green ink (loaded in barrel) Posted Pilot Prera with barrel-fill writing on Clairefontaine paper. Yikes, clipped the pic which says NO O-ring only dab of beeswax on the threads. Works GREAT. Love it!
Lower Left: Muji, Pilot Metro & Prera (next row up) Kaweco, Jinhao, Lmtd Ed Candy Lamy, Taccia BP, copper Jinhao dragon and last but not least my original Monteverde Olympia (1990s era.)
Asvine…
While investigating several pens I noticed this one in a youtube post. This Asvine V169 checked off a lot of want boxes: smooth writer, unique style and color-scheme I love, vacuum filler (wanted to try one) and the price point– under 50 bucks! (Some places sell for $75)
This beauty will arrive in a few days and I plan to load with Organics Studio Nitrogen ink (purchased from Goulet Pens.) I’ll add more thoughts once it’s here and inked. Labor Day Update: W o W! Love this pen. Super smooth even with F nib (more like M) and so juicy. The Nitro ink (with sheen) matches perfectly. I’ll post more on Youtube and link below. Write on, peeps!
ZiaLink Ink 