There is a story which says Einstein never bothered to remember anything he could look up within two minutes. I like to quote this to my family when they are teasing me about my appalling memory.
The reason I can never remember anything is because my head is too full of book. Even when I'm not sat at my desk, plot, characters and one-liners are all buzzing around inside my head leaving no room for anything else. Funnily enough, when I am sat at my desk, that's when my head is completely empty. So now I write everything down.
If you've read the post My Writing Process, you'll know I write my original ideas in one of these notebooks and then keep on expanding it until I have a book. The rule is one notebook, one book. Here are my original (and very rough!) notes for The Accidental Proposal, which started out as two short pages. You'll notice my handwriting is as appalling as my memory. I'm not sure where I was when I wrote this, but I expect it wasn't at a desk.
(Photos contain spoilers!)
As you can see, I am notebook-obsessed have a LOT of notebooks. There's the shorthand notebook I keep next to my laptop for daily use, and then there's the one I write my 'to do' list in - which doesn't see much action - apparently I'm not that organised.
I have a notebook next to my bed, to jot down ideas as soon as I wake up (stop laughing). This one came from the Globe Theatre (London) along with a matching pen. Why are so many of my notebooks pink? Well, I had this theory that the pinker and more disgustingly glittery, the less likely I'd be to lose them to my kids. (Didn't work. The little bug blighters still pinch them).
I'm supposed to keep a notebook in my bag, to jot down ideas when I'm out and about. Unfortunately while I remember to write down the ideas, I often forget to put the notebook back. So as well as my own notebooks, I have several that I've stolen borrowed from other people. Which means I often receive notebooks as presents, usually from my fellow Novelistas (possibly because they're tired of me pinching theirs).
I am particularly fond of this one, although I am sure I have no idea exactly what evil plans they think I'm plotting.
So, there you have it. As much as I love technology, I'd never be without an old-fashioned notebook and pen.
Now, did I mention my pen collection?
I'm obsessed with notebooks myself. Tonight I was going over the bargain table at the bookstore looking for the "perfect" one. Didn't find it, but then again, I have several stockpiled at home!
ReplyDeleteMy favourites are the ones which look like little old books. Far too pretty to use!
DeleteI love notebooks too! They are beautiful and fun to write in. Now that it is school supply season, though, I am stocking up on cheap spiral-bound notebooks. I think differently on paper than at a keyboard!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes! I love it when the stores start stocking all that back-to-school stuff. My cheap notebooks definitely get more use than the pretty ones, which sometimes seem too nice to use!
DeleteThe first page in a brand new notebook never fails to give me a little tingle. Whether it be a notebook I fell in love with at my fave shop or a cheap spiral bound, it's the beginning - and it's new, and clean. And mine. Must have something to do with school. I loved school. Stocking up for a new term was always exciting. And I kept notebooks for years afterwards because I could flip back through them and remember...not just what I was studying, but what was happening at that point in my life. I still have a few. Poor babies aren't fresh and clean any longer. Bit ratty. Stuffed with loose class notes (most have nothing to do with anything scholastic), stuff I tore or cut out of newspapers and mags, a photo here and there...and all those notes in the margins I wrote. To myself. In my own private version of shorthand. Ha! I'll never tell!
ReplyDeleteAw, that's beautiful, Jen! You should have written this blog post! I still have an old journal from when I was about 13 and still look at it. Keeping a journal was one of those things I always meant to do and never have (apart from that one time!).
DeleteHigh praise, indeed...thanks, Louise! :))
DeleteI grew up sharing a dorm-style room with my two younger sisters, my journal pretty much my only shot at privacy - not that that stupid little key I wore around my neck was any safeguard! I can't tell you how thrilled I was when Gregg shorthand came along. I learned that stuff in record time, made Mrs. Spillman (teacher) ever so proud, and then I tweaked it to the point that I was confident my version was mine, and mine alone. And I burned up those margins in my notebooks. Sitting right in class! And my journals? Oh my, and ooh la-la! :)) And I began writing stories. I took Janet Lambert to a whole new level - and Frank Yerby has a lot to answer for! Ah, Daddy, had you but known... Still, maybe Daddy had a point; it was he who insisted 'his girls' be together - and we still pretty much are...if only on facebook and FaceTime. We'll probably wind up living together again, three little old ladies, pretending we're the Golden Girls, hopefully arguing over who most resembles Blanche!
Oh that's so sweet! I always wanted a sister - but ended up with two brothers instead (which probably explains a lot). I am hopeless at shorthand but so pleased my mother made me take typing classes. You know, those little padlocks are so easy to pick ...
DeleteI feel sorry for the kids who are not being taught cursive; being able to put pen or pencil to paper in that way has been an important part of my creative process. I've heard writing by hand uses a different part of our brain than typing does; I know that I need notebooks for drafts and brainstorming. Going straight to the computer will make me think I have to have a perfect piece, paragraph by paragraph.
ReplyDeleteNext time my mother can't remember a word for something, I will quote Einstein to her. (She was diagnosed with Alzheimers in February of 2013.) I don't know that it will be that much help to her, but it might give my father some perspective.
That's really interesting, Paula, and I think you may have a point. When I wrote by hand, I only needed to produce a couple of drafts. Now I write directly onto a computer I seem to spend ages moving things about and 'tweaking'. I'm sorry to hear about your mother and wish you and your family all the best x
DeleteI've been called an analogue person in a digital world - I'm never without a notebook and can't resist buying more when I see them in shops, they're all over the house, tatty and full of my creative scrawls - stationery is like porn to me ;)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Amy. And tattiest notebooks, crammed with photos and bits cut from magazines, are the most beautiful of all. I actually have one with an old (deflated!) balloon stuck into it (best not to ask why!)
DeleteHi Louise--
ReplyDeleteI have a weakness for notebooks, too! And I have a habit for pens as well, specifically purple pens. We writers have a lot in common :-)
Victoria--
Thank you, Victoria!
DeleteYes, I love pens! Whenever I go somewhere new, I always try to buy a pen to remind me of my visit x
I can definitely relate to this!
ReplyDeleteI keep a small notebook that fits in my pocket with me at all times. It helps me avoid leaving it places.
Great post!