What is a writer’s notebook, you ask?
A writer’s notebook is wonderful. In fact, I have several, all going at once. Whether you’re an established writer who has been writing for years or have yet to put pen to paper, a writer’s notebook can help you become a better writer. It can also help you to create a better novel.
It’s a great way to help you organize your thoughts and ideas before you even begin your writing project.
Let me give you an example:
You can use anything from a dollar store composition book to a fancy notebook or journal you love. You can break it into categories such as:
- favorite writing quotes
- places that spark ideas
- notes
- inspiration
- advice you’ve found from successful authors
- name ideas for characters
- this list can go on and on…
I also include writing advice and tips from free writing courses, newsletters, and story ideas I have for future stories, in my writer’s notebooks.
Having a writer’s notebook is a bit like a scrapbook you can carry around with you so you’re always ready when inspiration strikes.
Sounds Like a Lot of Work
It really isn’t. Your writer’s notebook doesn’t have to be fancy. It shouldn’t be a big project or even a chore. My notebooks aren’t even organized. I just write whatever I need to or want to remember.
I probably should break the notebooks into sections, but I don’t. I’d rather spend more time writing, to be honest. As long as I get my idea or the things I’ve learned that I want to remember for a current or upcoming project into the notebook, I’m happy.
Because I’m girly, I do get myself pretty notebooks. I love notebooks by Gartner Studios. I get mine at Target.
Reasons I Have More Than One Notebook
- I use one for each project I’m currently creating. As I write this, I have notebooks for my current novel and short stories I’m writing. I not only write the stories in them, I also start from the back and jot down ideas and inspiration as they come
- I have one for anything I’ve learned, from creative writing newsletters, writing courses, or anything else I’ve learned and want to remember and refer to to help improve each project
- I have one for blog posts and blog post ideas
- I have one for information about my website in WordPress because I’m terrible at the technical side of things. I take A LOT of notes as I navigate my way through WordPress.
I hope this post inspires you to start a few writer’s notebooks of your own. Feel free to leave a comment and tell me about a writer’s notebook you have or ideas for one you want to start.
Happy Writing!
Click the link below to order my novella, “A Girl from Nowhere.” It’s only $1.99 on Amazon. More published works coming real soon.
