17 Pens Pro Writers Swear By

My life changed in the bottom floor of Japanese book store in New York. That's when I met my soul mate—in pen form, at least. Once I tried out the Zebra Sarasa .4, I never looked back. Now, my favorite pens are rattling around in desk drawers, purse bottoms, and beyond.

I'm far from the only person irrevocably bonded to their favorite pen. Writer Jeanna Kadlec exclusively uses Pilot G2s; Victoria Barrett doesn't need anything fancier than blue PaperMate ballpoints. For writer and longtime journaler Anika Fajardo, the pen is even more important than the notebook (though those are crucial, too). "Pens are the conduit from your thoughts to the page," she tells OprahMag.com. While PaperMate and Pilot pens count among the most popular brands, some people's favorites are unexpected. Entertainment writer Tamara Fuentes has used the same generic pen for note-taking and writing since finding one in her college's office of Alumni Affairs. Now, she plans to order a box set customized with her name from Pens.Com.

The below pens are some of the best for writing, but they'll also come in handy (literally) for beautifying bullet journals, taking notes in planners fast, manifesting your dreams, or looking like an executive. The vibrant (and comfortable) ones can be used for coloring books and drawing, too. We've also noted which fast-drying pens are particularly good for lefties, and included some luxurious gel picks that glide smoothly.