Creating and Using Your Writer's Notebook

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 40 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #75 in Books, #6,005 overall

Keeping Your Thoughts Organized

Writers need notebooks. That's where they record all the flash inspirations the Muse sends them.

Thoughts are fleeting.

If you have a good idea for a writing project, you need a place to write it down. The logical place, the place thousands of writers choose, is a simple notebook.

I use ordinary spiral-bound notebooks, and have been using the same notebook for my writing inspirations for a few years now.



Let's Get Started!

Your writer's notebook needs a table of contents

Writing inspiration for your writer's notebook

What to write in your writer's notebook

Pages you might want in your writer's notebook

Take your writer's notebook with you!

Create a table of contents in your writer's notebook 

This will help you find things later

Before starting, reserve a few pages at the front of your notebook for a table of contents. You can number each subsequent page so you can easily find lists and items when you need them.

Inspiration 

I love quotes... do you?

To start, I leave a few pages at the beginning of a notebook blank as a place to collect inspirational quotes about writing. Here are a few I've written in my writer's notebook:



"If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it."

-- Toni Morrison



"...celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit..."

- John Steinbeck, from his Nobel Prize acceptance speech



Also from the same source:

"The ancient commission of the writer has not changed. He is charged with exposing our many grievous faults and failures, with dredging up to the light our dark and dangerous dreams, for the purpose of improvement."

- Steinbeck



"Anyone who believes you can't change history has never tried to write his memoirs."

-- David Ben Gurion



"I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter."
-- James Michener

Writer's notebook strategies 

Notebook know-how

Notebook Know-How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook

Amazon Price: $13.60 (as of 12/02/2009)Buy Now

What to write in your notebook 

A few suggestions for your writer's notebook

You can use your writer's notebook for anything your creative mind comes up with, that relates to your writing. This is not an ordinary journal and shouldn't have your free-floating thoughts on life in general. Think of it as a tool that will assist you in building your writing career.

For example, if you hear something and think, "That would be a great title for a novel," that's something that should be written into your writer's notebook. Do not trust your memory to keep these kinds of thoughts. Thoughts are here one minute and soon gone, like clouds floating by that cannot be captured.

Write everything down, regardless of how nonsensical it seems to you at the time. Ten years from now it may inspire you with an idea for a writing project you can't now foresee.

Writer's notebook organization 

Get organized, get published!

Get Organized, Get Published!: 225 Ways to Make Time for Success

Amazon Price: $18.99 (as of 12/02/2009)Buy Now

Pages you might want to make for your writer's notebook 

Personalize your pages to fit your needs

You could fill your notebook chronologically, but I'd find that format difficult to utilize. Instead I write lists. Here's a list of some of the pages I have in my writer's notebook:

Article ideas
Publishers to query
Character names, sometimes with character traits
Novel titles
Descriptive passages or phrases
YA novel ideas
Fragments of real conversations
Lines (that I'd like to include in a novel)
Sub plot ideas
Humor clips
Writers to read
How to fix my novel
Short story ideas
Comparisons and descriptions
Children's novel ideas
Research
"Mom" article ideas (your passion may vary)
A plan for 2008
E-book ideas
Website development
Themes to use in story development
Horror plots
Autobiography notes
Quotes about writing

The topics for your pages will be inspired by your imagination.

Keeping a writer's notebook 

It can be just like breathing!

Breathing In, Breathing Out: Keeping a Writer's Notebook

Amazon Price: $19.67 (as of 12/02/2009)Buy Now

Take it with you 

Wherever you go, you'll need this

It is a good idea to take your writer's notebook with you wherever you go. That's probably why the pocket-sized Moleskine notebook is so popular. I use a much larger, spiral bound notebook and have a hard time fitting it into my active lifestyle. It fits fine inside my AlphaSmart case, however.

You never know when a cool writing inspiration will come to you. Don't be caught without a place to write it down, because thoughts are not something you can re-capture easily.

Moleskine notebooks 

These are ever popular!

Moleskine Large Ruled Notebook

Amazon Price: $10.94 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Moleskine Large Plain Notebook

Amazon Price: $15.93 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Moleskine Small Ruled Notebook

Amazon Price: $12.00 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Do you have a writer's notebook? 

Loading poll. Please Wait...

Writer's notebooks of children's writers 

What did they write?

More about notebooks for writers 

...more ideas on organizing a writer's notebook.

Introducing the Writer's Notebook
A writer's notebook can be used to gather and develop ideas for future writing projects.
How to Organize a Writer's Notebook
There's a lot involved in the world of freelance writing. Not only do freelance writers require excellent writing skills, it's also important to be organized.
Lessons for the Writer's Notebook
Curriculum to encourage young writers.
The Writer's Notebook, or Let's not really write
Another idea on how writer's notebooks can be used.

If you liked this lens you might also like... 

 

A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/02/2009) Buy Now

Keeping a writer's notebook 

This was written for children but has quality suggestions

A Writer's Notebook: Unlocking the Writer Within You

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 12/02/2009)Buy Now

Thanks for coming by my writer's notebook lens 

My writer's notebook is one of my favorite writing tools, one that has helped me quite a bit over the years, so I wanted to share my notebook organization ideas with you.
-- LindaJM





Your comments are welcome 

I'm so glad you came by for a visit today!

I would love to get your comments about writing, the use of writers' notebooks, and whatever else you might need to say.

submit
  • Reply
    dellgirl dellgirl Nov 18, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
    Lots of information and inspiration, great lens! I think notebooks are a "must have". I have many, for different things.

    Favorites, lens roll, and many stars to you!
  • Reply
    Stazjia Stazjia Nov 4, 2009 @ 8:49 am
    I started using a notebook about 18 months ago and now I don't know how I would manage without it. This is a very useful lens for writers and aspiring writers. Blessed by an Angel.
  • Reply
    DeboraR DeboraR Oct 13, 2009 @ 11:15 pm
    Great lens! Will have to come back for a repeat visit. Packed full of good stuff and inspiration for writers
  • Reply
    bengriston bengriston Sep 21, 2009 @ 1:54 pm
    Even if you do not aspire to be a writer this type of notebook can be beneficial to you. By jotting things down in a notebook you can stay better organized and not lose ideas and thoughts that can help you at work.
  • Reply
    lzc lzc Sep 17, 2009 @ 11:53 pm
    Thanks for the content ideas for a notebook. I actually need to get another one. The one I have is about full. Now I know other types of ideas to write in it. If you get a chance, check out my inspiration for writers lens. Again, thanks for the great info.
  • Reply
    KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino Sep 16, 2009 @ 2:34 pm
    These are excellent ideas. I have lots of notes and snippets that really need to be organized better. Blessed and featured on my Squid Angel Diary this week.
  • Reply
    carleeclub carleeclub Sep 13, 2009 @ 10:18 am
    I love this lens! Thanks for sharing!
  • Reply
    kitty222 kitty222 Aug 27, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
    This is a good idea. Never thought of having a writer's notebook...I just have a few notes about my world stored on my computer. I'll Lensroll this.
  • Reply
    lostinfiction lostinfiction Aug 17, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
    I love this lens!! Usually, I always keep a little notebook and pen in my bag because in the course of my day, I usually have a random flash of an idea and unless I write it down, 90% of the time I forget about it later on. I mostly use it to jot down ideas or when I'm doing some freeflow brainstorming - sometimes I also browse through Infloox or sites like that when I'm doing research about other books/authors, and add that to my notebook for future reference.
  • Reply
    Heather426 Heather426 Jul 4, 2009 @ 2:38 pm
    I have one, and I try to go back and write down the ideas that are on scraps of paper and throw the scraps away so I have them all in one place...
    But I really like how your organize yours, and this gave me ideas of what to add so I won't forget where that photo is, for example. (Table of contents, what a concept..) Great lens as it really explains the process well! Thanks!
  • Reply
    BigGirlBlue BigGirlBlue Jun 29, 2009 @ 3:16 pm
    I love the page title ideas you suggested. I might add a section for contacts for related areas.
  • Reply
    JaguarJulie JaguarJulie May 31, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
    Do you know Linda that I had annual journals that I kept for the longest time. After moving so much, one year I did a sort of spring cleaning and destroyed every last one of them. Gosh, I sure wish I had them today! Because of that, I've been reluctant to begin another writer's journal, but know that I should. ;)
  • Reply
    henzy henzy May 19, 2009 @ 5:36 pm
    good idea, i carry a little notepad around with me too.
  • Reply
    CrypticFragments CrypticFragments May 12, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
    it's cool that I found you tonight...or rather, that you found me!
    I started keeping a writers' notebook about a month ago when I was offline for an extended period...I use it for title ideas, fragments of brilliant sentences not attached to stories ( "cryptic fragments' per se), descriptive paragraphs & what I call demi~poems (a self-invented term for poetic thoughts not intended to be published as poems...)

    perhaps I'll make a lens about it!
    my writers' blog is Aurelia...Chrysalis Emerging
  • Reply
    Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Apr 9, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
    I have a notebook and I have hundreds of scraps of paper...I have just never trained myself to use the book consistently.

    Brenda
  • Reply
    Silent_Note Silent_Note Feb 13, 2009 @ 11:21 pm
    This is a really nice lens. You have some great tips here for getting organized and using a writer's notebook. When you get the chance, please stop by my lens and say hello.
  • Reply
    Jason_Wright Jason_Wright Nov 23, 2008 @ 8:43 pm
    Very nice lens. You have put together a great collection of information and resources to help writers. I'd love it if you'd visit my lens and say hello when you have a chance.
  • Reply
    WritingforYourWealth WritingforYourWealth Nov 23, 2008 @ 3:15 am
    I like writing fiction by longhand, for some reason, and I use spiral steno books. If only I could actually read my own writing when the time comes to transfer it to computer.. ;)
  • Reply
    totosmom totosmom Nov 19, 2008 @ 4:05 pm
    I have a small notebook but I end up writing everything in it like budgets, lists, etc; but I do write ideas down because I forget them. I think I have too many ideas sometimes. I won't live long enough to do everything I want to do. Hm...that would make a good lens; I'm off to start it.
  • Reply
    poddys poddys Nov 18, 2008 @ 9:06 pm
    Really nice lens with some useful information. I have lots of ideas, but end up forgetting half of them. It does pay to be organised. 5*****
  • Reply
    Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm Li-Li-ThePinkBookworm Nov 16, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
    Hi, love this lens! I actually wrote about and linked to it on my blogs ThePinkBookworm.com if you want to check it out and tell me how I did.
    I have about three different writing notebooks: a fancy journal for ALL my book ideas, a regular notebook for all blogs ideas and a notebook on fan fiction story outlines. Keep up the good work! Li Li
  • Reply
    Miragi Miragi Nov 14, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
    My writing notebook is just my source of venting and a place to keep track of ideas that pop into my head, but not organized at all. I just refer to it daily :) Wonderful ideas here, thank you!
  • Reply
    Jewelsofawe Jewelsofawe Nov 12, 2008 @ 11:39 am
    Great idea!
  • Reply
    Ener-G Ener-G Oct 25, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
    I love notebooks and love this lens...I so often draw a blank when it's time to write something on my blogs but think of dozens of ideas in other situations (like washing dishes, etc.) Will have to strap a notebook to my belt or something!
  • Reply
    LarryBass LarryBass Oct 13, 2008 @ 4:11 pm
    Terrific Lens here Linda! I too, like EelKat, have tons and tons of notebooks etc. I can SO relate to this fine piece of workmanship you've built here.

    Thank You for sharing such great Writing info with us all...

    LarryB
  • Reply
    Oct 9, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
    i met you at squidu nice knowing you!
  • Reply
    A_RovingReporter A_RovingReporter Oct 7, 2008 @ 4:11 am
    Great five-star tips for existing and aspiring writers.
  • Reply
    DrMaria DrMaria Oct 4, 2008 @ 2:39 am
    I tend to use my journals as writing notebooks - which makes it difficult to find the relevant info when i need it. You've inspired me to buy a separate notebook for my writing ideas.
  • Reply
    Portable_eBay Portable_eBay Oct 3, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
    I used to carry an mp3 player with recording capabilities. But when its batter runs out... So now I carry a small note book and a small pen. I've filled up 6 notebooks already. 5*
  • Reply
    EelKat EelKat Oct 1, 2008 @ 1:53 pm
    Oh my... do I have one? Nope, I have uhm... a hundred or so! LOL! I started my first one back in the 1970's, and I go though a couple a month. Mines vary from spiral bound notebooks, to clothbound books, to tiny 3x5 pocket sized notebooks, to huge 3" ring binders packed full of loseleaf. I' a rabid keeper of writing journals, because everything under the sun gives me ideas to write about so I keep track of my ideas as soon as I think of them
  • Reply
    vbright105 vbright105 Sep 30, 2008 @ 9:08 pm
    What wonderful ideas! I tend to think of things in the middle of the night, then get up and write them. I have a notebook, but never with me when I need it! lol
  • Reply
    rms rms Sep 24, 2008 @ 8:46 am
    Excellent tips here. I'm rolling this on to my Creative Writing Tips lens.
  • Reply
    kidztales kidztales Sep 22, 2008 @ 3:24 pm
    I never thought of a writer's notebook. I have notes to myself all over the place. Thank you for this organizational tip. I'll start mine today!
  • Reply
    CarlaClayton CarlaClayton Sep 1, 2008 @ 9:46 am
    I like the table of contents idea. I use the black/white composition books. I buy them when they go on sale for 5 for a dollar. I love them because they are small and the same size for my bookcase.
  • Reply
    Gretchen_Lee_Bourquin Gretchen_Lee_Bourquin Aug 22, 2008 @ 8:24 am
    These are great ideas. I sporadically use notebooks, but haven't been consistent with them. There are so many ideas that zip by you at times when there is no time to develop them. A notebook like this could be the siv that catches them
  • Reply
    Gretchen_Lee_Bourquin Gretchen_Lee_Bourquin Aug 22, 2008 @ 8:24 am
    These are great ideas. I sporadically use notebooks, but haven't been consistent with them. There are so many ideas that zip by you at times when there is no time to develop them. A notebook like this could be the siv that catches them
  • Reply
    qlcoach qlcoach Jul 13, 2008 @ 9:51 pm
    I feel the same way about journaling that you feel about having a notebook. Thank you for sharing this information. Feel free to let more writers know about it at our club:
    http://www.squidoo.com/groups/publishingclub

    Sincerely: Gary Eby, author and therapist
  • Reply
    Megal Megal Jul 4, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
    Wow, never thought of this before. Might start one thx. (A great lense)
  • Reply
    spiritartist spiritartist Jun 23, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
    So glad I found this lens Linda. Love it!
    Five starts, lenseolled on all four, you're a favorite and I'm a fan!
  • Reply
    LindaJM LindaJM Jun 11, 2008 @ 6:13 pm
    I'm so excited to read that people are getting some benefit from this lens! Thank you for letting me know.
  • Load More

Writing the Breakout Novel 

A book I like to recommend to writers

More Writing Ideas From Linda Jo Martin 

Loading Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

 

This page created by Linda Jo Martin of:
Perspectives on Writing
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

About the author 

Lensmaster LindaJM has been a member since June 11 2007, has rated 1,569 lenses, favorited 677, and has created 111 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "Drugging Foster Children". See all my lenses

My Bio

I live in the Klamath River Valley of Northern California. I share my life with my partner, Bob. We like to watch movies at home on DVD, swim, hike, and prospect for gold in the Siskiyou Mountains.

You can learn more about me by reading my lensography or this page about my novels.

I have two other Squidoo accounts:
1. Politics - AmericanCitizen
2. Spirituality - Geniyyah


Senior Squids
Are you a Squidoo lensmaster over age fifty?
Come join the Senior Squids!





Check out these great lenses...

lens image
Image and Video Mentor
Welcome! I'm Linda Martin, your Image and Video Mentor here at Squidoo. I love working with images and know you will too once you have the right software and a few simple instructions. This lens lists sites where you can find free images on the web.... view lens
lens image
Writing Topics from A to Z
Ever felt writing-obsessed? If you're a writer, most likely you'll identify with that term. We who write are usually thinking or learning about writing when we're not actually doing some writing. I like to write novels, but in my spare time I write... view lens
lens image
Ten New Lenses by LindaJM
Only the newest, the fledgling, the fresh out of the box lenses made by me, LindaJM. This page shows the lenses I've made most recently. Often I've gone to bio pages of other lensmasters and wondered what they've done most recently. This lens is my... view lens
lens image
An American Citizen's Lensography
We're such a diverse bunch of people, I don't think anyone can narrow it down to what exactly American citizens think of their country, their government, their land. So take this as just one solitary American citizen crying out in the midst o... view lens
lens image
Geniyyah's Lensography
Hello, I'm Geniyyah, the spirituality-seeking alter-ego of lensmaster LindaJM. I've brought this series of lenses into their own account because I want to keep them clustered together for clarity's sake. You see, in the very long list of... view lens

My social networking links 

by LindaJM

I'm a novelist living in the Klamath River Valley in Northern California. From 2002 through 2007 I owned a web design business. Now I make money by bl... (more)

Explore related pages

Create a Lens!