there is ~? "OR" there are ~?

fadi99

Recently My English teachers emphasize the natural use when we speak
or write.

1) There are a pen and a notebook on my desk. ...........> my writing
2) There is a pen and a notebook on my desk. ..............> Native
speaker's correction

His remarks: 1) is grammartically right, but not natural, and 2) is
natural to use because the false subject 'There' can be harmonious
with the real subject 'pen' and 'notebook' with 'a' showing that they
are singular. Grammar book says 1) is right, but natural use should
not be ignored. Which should I choose?