@quillypig

About the Creative

Amanda Vacharat is a website programmer recently turned author, illustrator, and painter of pens.

Amanda’s love for stationery was solidified when she was three years old, and her father would not let her try his fancy fountain pens (“You can touch them, but only with your eyes.”) Since then, she’s been on a mission to make sure no pen is off limits ever again. More recently, her mission has evolved to include rescuing black pens by painting on them.

She lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with one kind husband, one loud dog, four needy cats, and one adorable cat-weasel. Her debut YA Novel, THIS MOTH SAW BRIGHTNESS, will be published in Summer 2025. There is at least one mention of fountain pens in its pages.

Interview with @quillypig

How did you fall down the rabbit hole of fountain pens and stationery? AKA, the moment that made you fall in love with writing tools and supplies.
The moment my father told three-year-old me that I could only touch his Montblanc with my eyes.

What do you do for work? Is there any way this hobby is intermingled with your work?
I write and illustrate books for young people—like a young adult novel (THIS MOTH SAW BRIGHTNESS, ‘25) and also chapter books (LARK GROWS A CAT, ‘27). I also work on other art things, including commissioned illustrations and painting directly on fountain pens. I am very, very, lucky that my hobbies and my “work” have finally become one and the same.

What else are you in to that you would like to share with people to better know you?
This changes often. I always love reading research about animal cognition—animal consciousness, behavior, emotions. Currently I am also deeply fascinated by conspiracies and the history of intentional media hoaxes run by elites and other powerful people…the day-to-day mechanics of the evil underbelly of our society and the manipulative, self-serving foundations of the United States.

Oh, I also am into mangos.

What words/quote would you like to share to other aspiring creatives?
You can make it better later.

What do you believe is the best starter fountain pen? Where should people start?
A TWSBI Eco, hands down. It’s only the people I give to that keep using fountain pens. It comes in medium and broad nibs, good for newer people, and newbies seem to love being able to watch the ink sloshing around.

What's your go-to pen and ink combo?
For drawing, I use a Pilot Elabo with a soft fine nib ground down to make it even finer and more flexible. I pair this is Color Traveler Sepia.

…But of course there are many other go-to pen and ink combos for different activities, moods, and days of the week.

What's your favorite color? :)
Periwinkle! Followed by yellow ochre.