eli5 Why is it hard to rewrite over a spot where a ballpoint pen failed, but scribbling elsewhere works?

Question

I wish I could just attach a picture, but here’s the sequence:

1. Writing and the pen stops working
2. Scribbling and drawing circles to see if the pen still works. It does.
3. Go back to writing in the spot the pen stopped working. It won’t work!!! ?!
4. Repeat 2 and 3

In: Technology

Answer 1

Ugh, the struggle is real. It has something to do with the oils on the paper from your skin. When your pen stops, it leaves a tiny amount of ink that mixes with those oils and creates a slippery little trap for your nib. Sneaky stuff.