Is a Writer’s Notebook Necessary?

This was the question on a poll I ran. Most respondents said that you have one but you don’t carry it with you. That was my answer too.

Since I started writing seriously and acknowledging that I really do want to write, I’ve discovered that many people who advise writers insist that a writer’s notebook is vital, similar to the whole idea that to be successful one must write everyday.

There seem to be “rules” to follow in order to call oneself a “writer” or to have a chance at success.

I’ve learned that it’s really important to take those suggestions to heart, think about them, decide if they work for you, and if so, figure out how they work for you. Make them your own.

If a writer’s notebook helps you develop and build your creative muscles than by all means, keep one. If you find jotting random ideas down in your phone most helpful, do that. If you have a memory like an elephant and don’t need to record any ideas ever because you can always access them, congratulations!

I have a notebook that I jot down entire novel ideas, but when I get ideas, see something where to buy bupropion hcl funny, or read an intriguing idea, I tend to use post-its. I’m a bit of a post-it freak, so I’ll jot it on a post-it and stick it somewhere in the vicinity of my desk. I even have the digital version of post-its on my laptop desktop, so that fills up too. Eventually, I find I have an entire rainbow of post-its around my desk, and I can’t see the picture on my desktop. Then its time to go through them and record the ideas that still make sense to me in my little notebook.

I also have files on my computer that I add to when I come across good ideas. My system is one that I wouldn’t want anyone else to try to figure out or see, but I can generally find what I’m looking for or use. It works for me and that’s what counts.

What is your system? Do you have one? Think about it. I’d love to hear about your system.

Post it below in the comments for this post. It would be interesting to see what everyone else does.