Sierras are good for shorts as Brian stated. As for writing with them - I don't think the "slick" factor was much of a bother - the "small" factor was what did me in for any length of time. The way this pen fit in my hand my fingers were positioned near the silver of the grip which after any time at writing makes my hand cramp. If I move the pen down further to give me a grip around the fatter portion of the pen it is just a bit awkward with so much pen sticking out toward the paper. I enjoy this pen when I am not writing extensively however.
Linda