During a summer vacation in the 1960s my brother drove a delivery van for a stationer's. When asked what he was doing during the holidays he replied "I'm driving a stationary van!"
Re stationery/ary, I have what I believe to be a helpful hint. I am very old, and I heard this in primary school aged ten, in the mid fifties, in Miss Wilson’s class. I don’t think anyone liked Miss Wilson, but that’s not the point. She told us the way to get the spelling of those two words right was to think of “stationary” as “Station ‘Arry”—the idle porter at the railway station. Miss Wilson made him up for the purpose, I think, but her unconcealed contempt for station porters really riled me. What should these worthy men be doing, I thought to myself, when there was no-one around demanding porterage? I did not bother to ask her, because of course we were not in sympathy with each other and I had long since learned to keep my radicalism to myself. But I think it was my (self-satisfied) annoyance at her dismissal of honest working-men that allowed me to remember the rule, and to spell those words correctly even now.
Looking at your to read read pile I spied Underfoot in Show Business. I read it late last year and went out and bought the rest of Hanff's books as soon as I'd finished it.
I am SO glad you are on Substack - you are such a pleasure to read and I feel SO much better about my book buying habit now. It is clearly only a matter of time until I buy a Wren pen…
Your Bookish audiobook accompanied me on several long runs last year, and I remain grateful for your (virtual) company.
OMG, that is so kind - thank YOU! I hope they keep hitting the spot for you (and do let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see chatted about!) xxx
I would love to read more about how you became a wonderfully successful writer.
I'm new to Substack too. This is the first time I've written with any thought of anyone reading what I write (although I don't have any subscribers, so nobody is actually reading what I write, but that's not the point).
I write mainly to get the thoughts and ideas out of my head, but I’ve recently been encouraged to do something more with it, but I don't know how or where to start. Reading about your path would be helpful.
I think media platforms should have instruction cards readily available out in the real world. Like those little laminated recipe cards you used to see in supermarkets (I didn’t imagine those, it was a thing, wasn’t it?). Because I don’t have a welcome email set up and am still trying to fathom out the difference between posts and notes and following and subscribing, let alone fancy welcome emails.
Tom’s Studio pens are spiffy. I inexplicably lost mine in a house move almost a year ago (still hoping it turn up in an unpacked box in the garage) and it still makes me sad to write without it.
The Gentle Falcon, one of my absolute favourites as a child, along with Mollie Hunter’s ‘You Never Knew Her As I Did!’ (I always disliked that title though, especially the exclamation mark). One to read with the remains of Easter eggs.
Do you mean 'stationery' (paper, envelopes etc) or 'stationary' (staying still), as in your para 3, which doesn't make a lot of sense? Sorry to be a pedant.
I enjoy your work and was going to pledge my support but the subscriptions were in dollars and card number needed (confusing as no charge yet ?) but if and when you do charge I will be interested in supporting . Listened to Bookish on Audible driving home from work and was inspired and moved by it .
During a summer vacation in the 1960s my brother drove a delivery van for a stationer's. When asked what he was doing during the holidays he replied "I'm driving a stationary van!"
Re stationery/ary, I have what I believe to be a helpful hint. I am very old, and I heard this in primary school aged ten, in the mid fifties, in Miss Wilson’s class. I don’t think anyone liked Miss Wilson, but that’s not the point. She told us the way to get the spelling of those two words right was to think of “stationary” as “Station ‘Arry”—the idle porter at the railway station. Miss Wilson made him up for the purpose, I think, but her unconcealed contempt for station porters really riled me. What should these worthy men be doing, I thought to myself, when there was no-one around demanding porterage? I did not bother to ask her, because of course we were not in sympathy with each other and I had long since learned to keep my radicalism to myself. But I think it was my (self-satisfied) annoyance at her dismissal of honest working-men that allowed me to remember the rule, and to spell those words correctly even now.
I edited it a couple of minutes after it went up - is it still showing the wrong thing?!
No, orl korrekt. But the replies to your (excellent) piece seem to be in an odd order.
Ah - thank you!
No nib shot or example writing?? We need more pen info
Oh balls - I’ve put the same pic in twice, haven’t I?! Will try to edit shortly x
Pens and books, just lovely 😍
Agreed. As a fountain pen nerd, I’ve heard of this pen but we need more writing implement deets, Lucy.
I remember that exact joy re Enid Blyton!
Stationery has an ‘e’ because it includes envelopes.
I edited it! Is it still showing the wrong thing?!
Looking at your to read read pile I spied Underfoot in Show Business. I read it late last year and went out and bought the rest of Hanff's books as soon as I'd finished it.
Yes to the Wren pen. I’ve had my eye on it for a while but but nerdy me needs more. Nib? Is it ok? How is the writing smoothness etc etc? 😂
I am SO glad you are on Substack - you are such a pleasure to read and I feel SO much better about my book buying habit now. It is clearly only a matter of time until I buy a Wren pen…
Your Bookish audiobook accompanied me on several long runs last year, and I remain grateful for your (virtual) company.
I have absolutely nothing of any importance to say other than it is an absolute delight reading your articles each week. Thank you 🤍
OMG, that is so kind - thank YOU! I hope they keep hitting the spot for you (and do let me know if there’s anything you’d like to see chatted about!) xxx
I would love to read more about how you became a wonderfully successful writer.
I'm new to Substack too. This is the first time I've written with any thought of anyone reading what I write (although I don't have any subscribers, so nobody is actually reading what I write, but that's not the point).
I write mainly to get the thoughts and ideas out of my head, but I’ve recently been encouraged to do something more with it, but I don't know how or where to start. Reading about your path would be helpful.
I think media platforms should have instruction cards readily available out in the real world. Like those little laminated recipe cards you used to see in supermarkets (I didn’t imagine those, it was a thing, wasn’t it?). Because I don’t have a welcome email set up and am still trying to fathom out the difference between posts and notes and following and subscribing, let alone fancy welcome emails.
Tom’s Studio pens are spiffy. I inexplicably lost mine in a house move almost a year ago (still hoping it turn up in an unpacked box in the garage) and it still makes me sad to write without it.
GOD YES TO THIS
(and no, you didn’t imagine the cards. They would be so handy now) xx
Yes to the wren pen. Mine is the same colour. I also have the full size pen and both are a joy.
The Gentle Falcon, one of my absolute favourites as a child, along with Mollie Hunter’s ‘You Never Knew Her As I Did!’ (I always disliked that title though, especially the exclamation mark). One to read with the remains of Easter eggs.
Do you mean 'stationery' (paper, envelopes etc) or 'stationary' (staying still), as in your para 3, which doesn't make a lot of sense? Sorry to be a pedant.
You’re fast! I realised my mistake and corrected it within a minute or two of it going up!
I enjoy your work and was going to pledge my support but the subscriptions were in dollars and card number needed (confusing as no charge yet ?) but if and when you do charge I will be interested in supporting . Listened to Bookish on Audible driving home from work and was inspired and moved by it .
Put the blame on AI, or Autocorrect