[Pen/Pencil Review] Zebra Surari Emulsion Ink Retractable Pen
So I have several brands of pens that I like – it’s no secret. I tend toward the “Two Ps” from Japan, Pentel and Pilot. But lately, Zebra has been rising on my list. They used to be a lower end pen (like Huyndai and Kai to Honda and Toyota) but have been getting better and better (like those same car companies).
Today’s pen is the Zebra Surari retractable Emulsion Ink Pen with a 0.7mm point in black ink with a black body. The pen is a typical length, about 5.5″ long with a tapered body with a nod to ergonomics. The clip is thick plastic, so it’s sturdy enough. It’s not going to breaks easily. It’s harder to see the ink levels with the black barrel, but the dark barrel gives the pen a sleek look.
The 0.7mm point is solid metal with an emulsion ink. The black ink is a cross between gel and ballpoint ink. It’s a smooth flowing ink that dries quickly with some smearing with a deep, rich hue and solid line. The ink did skip and smear a little on less porous paper. It’s thick enough to give a good line but fluid enough to not glob up and it does dry pretty quickly.
The Surari is refillable with the EQ-0.7 which makes it an even more affordable pen over the long haul – which is amazing since it’s already an affordable work horse of a pen.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 0.5 – This is a solid working pen. The ink is rich and quick drying but still has some smearing and a touch of skipping. The point is solid. The retractor mechanism is pretty standard.
2. Look and feel – 1 – It’s a solid pen with good lines and a solid clip.
3. Material – 0.5 – It’s plastic. There’s a nod to ergonomics but it’s still all plastic
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s functional. It’s an average length retractable pen with some artistic details. It’s got a good color ink and fine point. It’s a good point.
5. Price Point – 1 – This pen is affordable and refillable. The pen is $1.65 on JetPens.com with available refills. The refills run about $1.35.
4.5 out of 5 bronze pencils.
[Spotlight][Writing] ConDFW and Editing
Okay, so I totally forgot to do posts this week. It’s been a busy week getting back in gear after ConDFW – and I had both a Federal Holiday (which I actually had off) and my birthday which threw a modicum of chaos into my week.
Julia Mandala and me at the Makeshift Roadshow.
ConDFW went well. They’re in a new hotel which is a bit sprawling for its current size, but has nice social space. We just need to find a way to let more people know about it. The numbers have been dwindling – Dallas Comic Con’s Fan Expo the week before doesn’t help. But not all fans are just, about the actors and buying the STUFF, there are still readers out there. I know there are – because I sell books at comic book shows. We just have to find out how to get them back to have the interaction with him that makes fan-run literary conventions so much fun.
And ConDFW was fun. Lots of cool stuff happened – even with limited paneling because even though this is my JOB (it is a job, a business, don’t ever think it’s not), it’s when I have some of the most fun doing my job. I talk to people. I network. I catch up. And even though I come out of if it wrung out and exhausted, I’m also creatively recharged, encouraged, and generally have at least a small pile of Plot Bunnies. Then, if things go really well (which they somehow tend to do at ConDFW) I also find the experience to be some combination of surreal, humbling, and ego-boosting all in one fell swoop.
So, please, please, please come to ConDFW next year. We need you. Bill Ledbetter and I had EIGHT people at our 11 am Sunday morning reading… that’s a GOOD THING. That’s prime check out time and after folks either had good times at the parties or in the bar – that those souls came is awesome. They got to listen to the first couple of chapters of my novel (which I’m HIP DEEP in edits for) and a couple of people said very nice, very encouraging things afterwards. And yes, all those people I didn’t quite listen to, that “read it out loud” thing really does work.
Speaking of which – I need to knuckle down and get the edits done. I have lots to do and need to get it done. I have plans for time management. I’m probably going to bail on a social engagement tomorrow or just go really late because I need to get this thing DONE. The edits are at times painful – but it will be a better book when it’s done. It’s not quite as awful as I thought it was going to be after talking to my editor, but it’s not easy. And now, I have to get back to it.
Hopefully soon I’ll have more news for you!
[Pen/Pencil Review] Paradise Pen Company Pilgrimage
There’s not going to be a pen review today. I’m too wiped from ConDFW – and since I’m actually off the Day Job today for President’s Day (yay!) – my brain is taking the day off.
But I will mention that Saturday night, Jimmy and I took six of our friends from ConDFW over to the Dallas Galleria to visit Paradise Pen Company for my annual birthday visit.
It was so much fun to take people I care about to one of my favorite stores to drool over the pretty, pretty pens and such. I did get a couple of things for my birthday (thank you, John and Jimmy) which will show up here eventually.
Mike Braun tried out a couple of lead holders by doing a couple of sketches – that are now in the shop cases – or were Saturday night. Go by and check them out. The Paradise Pen Company guys are GREAT. This is why I buy from them when I can.
We will return to our normally scheduled pen blog next week.
[Writer Post] [Rant] People Matter – All People All the Time
I am beyond words today. I should be working on my novel edits – which I have been, but now I have to get this off my chest.
I’m not a gamer. I don’t play one on TV. Today I stand with gamers – and game developers – in my support of Zoe Quinn, Anita Sarkeesian, and Brianna Wu. I don’t know these women -though I’ve been acquainted with Frank Wu for years now. What these women are dealing with is…so unbelievable that “insane” is just too mild a word.
I can’t begin to imagine having very public rape and death threats coming at me over months. I can’t being to imagine what it’s like to have a Law & Order episode written about what’s happened to me, my colleagues, and my family. I don’t ever want to know – that wasn’t an invitation. I’m a woman in SF…we have these issues – and others.
Last month the US celebrated MLK Day. Dr. King’s famous “I have a dream” speech. Well, maybe it’s time we revisit that, because as much as I want to hide under the bed and hope things like this aren’t happening – they are. And it’s making me angry.
I pray for the day Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future comes to pass. Where humanity (and alien life) has moved beyond the petty crap we’re all still dealing with. Unfortunately, that day is not today.
Occasionally I say stupid things. We all do. I don’t care about skin color or gender or who wants to be in a relationship with whom. I may not understand or agree with you, or be PC, or a whole number of things. But what I cannot stand, cannot tolerate are the Extremist Nut Jobs or Jerks.
I look forward to the day people are judged based on ability, on their character, and for no other reason. I look forward when children are told they can “Be anything they want to be” and have it actually mean something without worrying about whether or not they’re “plain of feature” or “good at X for a Y.” People are important. People matter.
[Pen/Pencil Review] Pilot BeGreen Precise V5 – Blue Ink
Apparently I’ve picked up a lot of Pilot Pens lately – that’s not a bad thing. I do like Pilot. The G2s are undeniably a benchmark pen. But I’ve also come to appreciate others in the family. Jimmy’s always liked the Precise V family. I’m coming around. This is the BeGreen Precise V5 in blue.
The reason I’ve been hesitant to embrace the Precise V family of pens is the needle point. I’ve always been a little afraid of needle points because they always felt flimsy to me, like I would bend or break them (and I think I have in the distant past). This pen has a solid feeling point for the heavy-handed writers. This is a 0.5mm – hence the V5 – but it’s still a decent point.
The pen is about 5.5″ long capped and close to 6.25″ with the cap posted. It’s light but well-balanced. The ink is richly pigmented and flows well from the tip. The lines are smooth and the ink dries quickly on paper with minimal smearing. The barrel has transparent panels to let you see the ink level. The cap cover matches the ink. The logo panel is green with ink matching portions to the barrel so you know which pen you’re picking up.
Pilot’s BeGreen lines of pens have high recycled materials content for the environmentally friendly. The BeGreen Precise V5 has 89.2% recycled content. The blue and black versions of the pen are refillable for a further economy to an economical pen. This is a good workhorse pen that has a price point, so if it’s stolen off a desk, it’s no big loss.
The Numbers.
1. How does it work? – 1 – This is a solid working pen. The ink is well-pigmented. The point is relatively solid for a needle point.
2. Look and feel – 0.5 – It’s a basic stick pen. There’s no real ergonomics. It’s all plastic with a clip that could snap off if you mess with it too much.
3. Material – 1 – It’s recycled plastic. It does have the highest recycled content of any of the BeGreen line I’ve picked up lately.
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s functional. It’s an average length stick pen with a decent point and ink. It’s refillable and eco-friendly
5. Price Point – 1 – This pen is affordable and refillable. It’s a good deal. I got this pen on JetPens for $1.80. Refills come in blue and black for $2.00 for a two-pack.
4.0 out of 5 bronze pencils.
[Spotlight Post] North Texas Comic Book Shows
Oh, yeah, Friday. Tomorrow I’m doing something for Fan Day’s Saturday Night Shindig, which reminds me I didn’t get to talk about North Texas Comic Book Show last week.
North Texas Comic Book Show (NTCBS) is a similar but much smaller show than Fan Expo. Chris is the organizer and focuses on the artists and cosplayers – at the moment. It might expand in the future, because it does seem to be gradually getting bigger and better for the attendees.
The attendees that currently come to NTCBS are a core group. Some were friends of the organizer and/or the artists – but it does appear those core people are telling people. And this last show, News Fix 33 (CW 33) came by and did a story – which is awesome. Though I do have to question their title – “Comic Book Show Draws Thousands” – thousands of WHAT they don’t say, because it wasn’t PEOPLE.
Don’t get me wrong there were people there over the two days – but they were a lot of the SAME people. Hundreds maybe, but not thousands – because if there were, we’d’ve been shut down for breaking a bajillion fire codes – which is always a good problem to have.
This was a “squeaker” show for me. I made just over table costs – but barely and not until the last few hours of the show. I sweat the show. I did, because though it’s NOT all about the money, that’s a major factor. The other major factor was, and is, meeting people and trying to attract new readers. The comic books shows are a harder sale to make – because these are folks generally looking for specific things. They’re not always there to look for prose, but I get some – and they’re not people I’d necessarily meet anywhere else.
It’s completely worth it. THIS show… though not as flashy (or expensive – WAY, WAY less expensive) as Fan Expo – it’s got heart. It’s got GOOD people involved. Even if I’d not made money at this particular show, I would go back. In fact, I “strayed” to do the bigger show and have come back just because it’s less expensive and more intimate. I can get to know people here. I can’t at the big show.
So if you’re into comic books – really into comic books – and comic book art, consider coming to the next NTCBS (I hear they’re doing a Spiderman theme) and support a growing show.
[Writer Post] SFWA’s New Shoes – and Novel Edits
I posted my ConDFW schedule yesterday. I’m delving into my solo novel edits now. So really busy. But will mention this one thing that happened in the SF professional community…
SFWA has changed their bylaws to change their Active Membership guidelines. Many are hailing it as a massive step forward because it “Allows for self-published and small press” credits. I’m one of the few who thinks it’s a smaller step than many are saying.
One, there’s still a list of “qualifying” and “non-qualifying” markets – so even if you meet the criteria now for sales numbers (which they’re in their rights to set as a benchmark – they’re a “professional organization” not a “writer’s group”) you can probably still be turned down for membership of your small press is on the “non-qualifying” list.
The numbers are what they are. What is not mentioned is what sales reports they’ll accept for proof of income. Is it JUST advance/royalty/combo? Will they take convention and signing sales into account? You see, I make royalties on books I sell through Yard Dog Press either online or through THEIR BOOTH at conventions. The conventions and shows I do on my own? I buy stock from the publisher but don’t earn royalties. Do those sales count? I haven’t seen a response to that yet.
They’ve also raised the pro rate per word for short fiction – which means there will be fewer markets and slots for the meager raise. (Yeah, pro rates are still ridiculously low.) So that’s going to be fun.
Many have speculated on how/why this came about. I don’t really care – it’s a step in the right direction – and one that still won’t apply to me any time soon. I have ONE qualifying sale under the old rules. Don’t know when I’ll get the next one. I really wish they’d consider a body of work kind of thing. But until then? I’ll watch. I’ll write. And in some people’s eyes (very few who might read this, but a couple of the Old School Corp) I’ll continue to be less of a professional – but happy.
Now let me get back to work on my novel. Rewrites/edits aren’t going to do themselves (darn it).
[Conventions] ConDFW 2015 Schedule
Rhonda Eudaly
FRIDAY:
PROGRAMMING 2 (MADISON)
Friday, 8pm: Yard Dog Road Show!
Panelists: Kathy Turski, Melanie Fletcher, Rie Sheridan Rose, Dusty Rainbolt, Rhonda Eudaly, William Ledbetter, Frank Summers, Teresa Patterson and others!
The fantastic authors of the Yard Dog Press put on their always entertaining Road Show! Make sure not to miss this.
SATURDAY:
PROGRAMMING 3 (HAMILTON)
Saturday, 11am: The “Frozen†Phenomenon
Panelists: Gloria Oliver (M), Mary Gearhartâ€Gray, Cassandra Rose Clarke, Rhonda Eudaly, KM Tolan
There have been more and more animated movies (and regular movies, for that matter!) that feature female leads which are exceptionally strong. The most recent of these was Frozen, and girls, even very young girls, are reacting strongly to the relationships between the female leads and the music in this movie. What’s up? There is not the usual Disney “princess” thing going on with these girls. The reaction is different and worthy of being discussed.
PROGRAMMING 2 (MADISON)
Saturday, 12pm: Shared World Anthologies: Playing in a Sandbox
Panelists: Larry Atchley Jr (M), Chris Fulbright, Rhonda Eudaly, Sue Sinor, Kevin Hosey Our panelists talk about creating anthologies in a shared world, and the difficulties that result from playing in someone else’s sandbox. What are the rules? Who are you allowed to kill or marry? How dramatic can you be when large events that you may not be able to alter are happening around your characters? These topics and others will be discussed.
AUTOGRAPHS (DEALERS ROOM) Saturday, 3pm: Rhonda Eudaly, Julia S. Mandala, Dusty Rainbolt
PROGRAMMING 2 (MADISON)
Saturday, 5pm: Flights of Fancy: Fighters in Space
Panelists: William Ledbetter (M), Rhonda Eudaly, C. Dean Andersson, T. M. Hunter, Chris Donahue
From Star Wars to Battlestar Galactica, the stories and images of fighters going against unimaginable odds has fired the imagination. We call upon our panelists to look at these small craft and talk about how to write for them: for instance, what kind of propulsion do they have? What level of realism should be used when talking about fighter battles? These questions and others may be covered. Just remember, Red Five is STILL standing by.
SUNDAY:
READING (ADAMS) Sunday, 11am: William Ledbetter, Rhonda Eudaly