The Well-Appointed Desk

12 Pen Person Questions List

I’ve wanted to answer OliveOctopus’ #12PenPersonQuestions but haven’t had the time until now! As a newish contributor to The Well-Appointed Desk, I thought this could be the get-to-know Thien-Kim post.

1. If you consider the different ways you can engage with pens and stationery—as a user, a collector, a hobbyist, a creator, a maker, a vendor—which roles fit best and what percentage of 100% would you assign to each? Are you happy with the balance?

I’d call myself 70% user/hobbyist, 15% creator, and 15% instructor. As a writer and analog planner, I use my pens and stationery every day. I keep a(n almost daily) journal, my illustrated journal, and my bullet journal. Before joining this site, I would’ve hesitated to call myself a creator. However, I’ve written about my stationery on my Substack and shared photos on Instagram. I guess I’m a creator. Instructor wasn’t one of the choices, but I’ve been teaching more classes lately. I truly enjoy teaching so I had to include it.

2. What is something you want to understand better or develop more informed opinions about?

I want to learn how to make fountain pen ink from scratch. Or maybe watch someone do it. I probably don’t need another hobby. I already mix my own inks, but I love the idea of my little laboratory so I can whip up a batch of ink inspired by my favorite Vietnamese foods or my latest novel. (A woman can dream.)

3. In the pen community, what’s something someone has said or done that stuck with you?

This pen community is so generous and kind. It still amazes me how someone will put an St. Dupont fountain pen in my hand and say, “Try it!” It’s not just being able to try pens out of price range. A couple of years ago, I jokingly asked the Pen Addict community if anyone wanted to adopt an introvert during my second DC Pen Show because I didn’t know very many people yet. Wendy of Nibsandflourishes made a point to befriend me, let me try out all of her amazing pens, and introduce me to more pen friends. 

4. There are now 25 hours in a day, a bonus hour is available to use however you like as long as pens or stationery are involved—how do you spend your hour?

I’d like to make more art. Not just in my illustrated journal but playing with watercolors and gouache. I’m also behind on updating my reading journal. have some bookbinding supplies waiting for me to make some sketchbooks and notebooks. I’ve starting making my own watercolor paints from scratch and would like to do more of that. It’s very meditative!

5. In the pen community yearbook, what would your superlative be? (i.e. “Best ______”, “Most _______” “Most likely to _______”)

I’m never good at these. I’m mostly likely to either waffle on buying a new pen OR impulse buy. There’s no in between for me. I either debate for ages or impulse purchase.

6. How do you feel about your handwriting?

I get a lot of compliments on my handwriting, but I don’t think it’s that special. I like it, especially when I’m using my Stylosuite XXXF flex nib. I wasn’t taught cursive in school due to moving schools and missing the year it was taught. (One school taught it one grade above me and my new school taught it the previous year.). A lovely teacher taught me calligraphy when I was in fifth grade and some of that muscle memory stayed with me.

7. What is something you are proud of doing, achieving, or overcoming?

Publishing my novels! I started writing my first novel when my kids were really small. It took me over four years to finish the first one. I wasn’t sure if a traditional publisher would want my books centered on Vietnamese American characters, but here I am, with three published romance novels. I snuck in my stationery obsession in Full Exposure when one character surprises his love interest with a trip to Papier Plume! The other thing I’m proud of is how I’m coaching and teaching emerging writers to tell their stories of their heart.

8. You’re going on a writing retreat anywhere in the world—where would you go, what would you write, and what would you write with?

I’ve done solo writing retreats in a hotel in the past. I usually choose a hotel with a small kitchen so I can eat the foods I like and mainline pots of good coffee. I also chose locations near restaurants so I wouldn’t have to cook every day.

I used to dream about writing in a cottage somewhere semi-rural until a friend offered her home for a weekend retreat. Within my first hour there, I found an entire snake skin molt and noped the hell out. I packed up and left and apologized to her profusely.

So now my dream writing retreat will have creature comforts and as few creatures as possible. Any suggestions?

9. What’s a current or favorite creative outlet?

I can only pick one? I’m polyamorous crafter; I want to do a lot of creative things! I have supplies for all sorts of different creative activities. I work on my watercolors and illustrated journals the most because they’re the easiest to pick up and put down. One day I want to get back into acrylic painting, embroidery, and beadwork.

10. What’s something that causes you benign envy—the kind of admiration and desire that leads to inspiration or motivation?

The people who complete 30-day or daily challenges like Inktober. I’m not the type of person who can do the same thing everyday. Either I forget or life gets in the way. And once I miss a couple of days, it’s all over. I’ve mentally given up.

11. What’s a comfort item, material, or color?

My partner bought me a very soft, plushie of Snorlax, one of my favorite Pokemon. It gives me comfort when I have a pain flare up or when I’m feeling down.

12. What would be a dream collaboration, project, or partnership?

Oh gosh, contributing to Well-Appointed Desk has been my dream for a few years now. I sorta stalked Ana until she gave in. (Kidding. I only stalked her at the DC Pen Show last year and she was super cool about it.)

Did you miss Ana’s and Laura’s responses to the 12 Pen Person Questions?