by Annalisa Parent www.annalisaparent.com
I have a writer’s notebook. No, I do.
It’s just that I haven’t yet gotten in the good habit of having it with me—all. the. time.
So, of course, inspiration strikes when I’m at the grocery store, or at work, or in the car; and random notes get jotted down on the back of receipts, post-it notes, and half-typed into my iPhone at my-thumbs-aren’t-fast-enough speed while I’m pulled over on the side of the road with my hazard lights on.
It’s time for a change.
I need to eliminate the little bits of paper from my life, because one of these days, I’m going to lose one. And of course, it will be the one shining brilliant star of an idea that I ever had for a novel, or the most beautiful sentence I will never write again.
Annalisa (I hear you saying), just type your ideas into your ipad. Yeah. About that.
Put a pencil in my hand, I’ll write you a tome.
Sit me in front of a computer, and my muse suddenly goes mute.
I cannot create and interface with technology at the same time. That’s just the way my writing process works, and I’ve accepted that.
However, recognizing my limitations is not enough. I need to make the next step in the all-important word to writers: discipline, and and start carrying my notebook everywhere with me.
So, if you see me around town without a notebook in hand, you have my full permission to ask me about it. No, nag me about it. Foist a notebook into my hands. Send me one for my birthday. (That would be a good reminder, wouldn’t it? Nothing like a little behavioral conditioning.)
But, enough about me, what are your writing goals these days?
(This entry was drafted on a single leaf of notebook paper from my desk at work. Hey, at least it was a full sheet…)
I have multiple notebooks actually for different things, but I find that my carry around notebook has to be a certain ‘fit’ if it’s too small no notes can fit, if it’s too big I don’t carry it.
I have one that I carry around right now and so many others that are hidden away because they just was not right. I guess it’s all about finding one that you want and will carry around.
You raise a very good point, Tiffany. Portability is key! What size do you prefer? Something more like a journalist’s notebook? Or standard sized? (I’m always looking for new ideas!) Thanks for weighing in!
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This article struck a chord with me. I also have ideas for my writing at different places and times in my day. The inspiration, at times, hits me when I’m least ready to initiate my efforts about a new project, or a new idea for an existing project.
This article listed a simple way to harness this inspiration to add to my writing skills and volume.
Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading, and for your feedback.
It’s true that getting in the discipline of having it with me is hard, but the last week I’ve carried it around. It’s great to have (finally!) all of my thoughts and ideas in one place rather than on itty bitty pieces of paper floating around on my desk.
Ha ha ha, Karen, I thought of your reply today as I was standing in line at the bookstore, writing away in my writer’s notebook. (Hey at least I had it with me!). So inconvenient, but, hey, who am I to refuse the muse if she wants to wait in line with me, right?
Inspiration has the nasty habit of striking when you least expect it, true. My little black book (moleskine) is always with me, so is my Galaxy Nexus. If there is no opportunity to write, I just dictate (Android assistant). This is quite useful.
My goal is to slowly complete my first novel. The process could be faster, sure. Some other projects are just more important right now: Two short stories per month on one of my blogs, and hopefully one flash fiction (150 words) on Fridays…