How to Keep a Writer's Notebook

Every craftsman needs a toolbox. Jobs are made easier, more efficient or even possible in the first place with the right implement at the right time. The craft of writing is no different, even though the tools collected are different. Any seasoned woodworker will tell you she gathers her tools over the years, developing her collection until anything she needs is at her disposal for that moment she needs it. For a writer, those tools are words, phrases and ideas.And like any good craftsman, the writer needs a place to store his tools.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook
• Pen or pencil

Instructions

1. Record anything pertinent to your writing life in your notebook—ideas for a story, bits of conversation you overhear that might make for good story dialogue, character traits for someone in a story of yours, new words you’re fond of, turns of phrase from the works of others that serve as inspiration and so on.

2. Write the date above each new notebook entry. Since your notebooks will be informal, this may be the extent of your organization and can be important when reflecting later.

3. Put a sticky note on the page where you left off, to indicates where your next reflection session should start.

4. Color code each entry based on your own classification system, using a highlighter. Classifications might include new words learned, clever phrases or interesting story ideas. The color-coded entries can then be transferred to your computer into appropriately named file folders, if you wish.

5. Sit down once a week to read back through your notebook for inspiration and ideas.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your notebook handy when reading anything. Sometimes a writer will say something a certain way that inspires you, so record it to reflect on later.

• Record all story ideas, because reflection can sometimes make a seemingly thin story idea seem suddenly weighty. You're never obligated to do much with an entry later, but you never know when you may need it.

• "Back up" the work in your notebook by transferring entries into your computer.

• Always know where your notebook is. Losing one is losing the threads for numerous ideas, which are hard to recall once gone.

• Although a notebook is meant to be informal, provide enough detail in your entries so that your idea makes sense later.

References

• Daily Writing Tips: Keeping a Writers' Notebook