Most of the time when I post, I start with a pen and notebook. The notebook has to be comfortable to hold and fit into my bag. I need a certain pen where the ink is still wet for a millisecond. (Remember ink cartridges?) I put everything in my notebook, passwords, questions in the margins or stars * by the thought I want to develop later, things to google, and when I start, I date it for that day. I probably should throw all these notebooks away after taking the nuggets out. I am loving transferring my nuggets to posts in substack.
It used to be so easy to write longhand. I always used marbled composition books and a random pen. In the last 20 years, the marble composition book's paper has become thinner, letting ink bleed through and the covers are no longer stiff. So, I'm always on the search for good paper with a stiff cover. I keep a stash of blank books.
A few weeks ago I realized I'm fighting to write with most random pens. The throwaway ballpoints and gel pens skip or blob. Smoother pens are too big for my hands. So I treated myself to some super slim and smooth rolling pens. It's a pleasure to write again! Thoughts come easier when you're not frustrated by the tools.
Regarding resources - any writing craft book by Donald Maass is worth obtaining. And let's not forget your own book, Mary. Your Book Starts Here is a gem of advice, well organized and insightful. It's one of the few that I've kept in paper.
Thank you for the attention to the little things that are a part of allowing our words to flow.
Thanks so much, Ada! Donald is definitely part of my library. I love your comment, "Thoughts come easier when you're not frustrated by the tools." Totally true for me too.
Most of the time when I post, I start with a pen and notebook. The notebook has to be comfortable to hold and fit into my bag. I need a certain pen where the ink is still wet for a millisecond. (Remember ink cartridges?) I put everything in my notebook, passwords, questions in the margins or stars * by the thought I want to develop later, things to google, and when I start, I date it for that day. I probably should throw all these notebooks away after taking the nuggets out. I am loving transferring my nuggets to posts in substack.
MB: yes, totally get it about the right pen! And I love your method of questions and stars to help you remember what you want to develop. Mary
Thank you so much for sharing. I am also a Scrivener convert. I love how I can easily move chapters and scenes around as necessary.
Same with me, Lynn. I love it for that especially. Thanks for reading and commenting here!
Mary
It used to be so easy to write longhand. I always used marbled composition books and a random pen. In the last 20 years, the marble composition book's paper has become thinner, letting ink bleed through and the covers are no longer stiff. So, I'm always on the search for good paper with a stiff cover. I keep a stash of blank books.
A few weeks ago I realized I'm fighting to write with most random pens. The throwaway ballpoints and gel pens skip or blob. Smoother pens are too big for my hands. So I treated myself to some super slim and smooth rolling pens. It's a pleasure to write again! Thoughts come easier when you're not frustrated by the tools.
Regarding resources - any writing craft book by Donald Maass is worth obtaining. And let's not forget your own book, Mary. Your Book Starts Here is a gem of advice, well organized and insightful. It's one of the few that I've kept in paper.
Thank you for the attention to the little things that are a part of allowing our words to flow.
Thanks so much, Ada! Donald is definitely part of my library. I love your comment, "Thoughts come easier when you're not frustrated by the tools." Totally true for me too.
This was very insightful. Thanks for sharing.
Always great to get your thumbs up, BEE! Thanks for reading.
You're welcome! Glad to do it!