How to start writing in a beautiful notebook….

Thanks Willow and others for this thread. I truly benefit (learn, recall) by writing things down, and now you’ve inspired me to seek out 2 new and I hope attractive A4 notebooks. Over the last year I have kept a plain big notebook and from one end I write notes of my nonfiction reading and from the other I copy in poems I’ve picked out for my U3A poetry reading group. So I know I’m in the habit now and it will be worth valuing it more . Perhaps (oooh notebook no 3) I should keep notes of my fiction reading too. Used to do it online, stopped, but have more time now I’m retired.

I find pretty A4 notebooks too daunting - and small - for these purposes, but the habit of noticing and recalling is life enhancing .

Love to read of and admire others’ journaling and creative approaches!

I love this thread. I too have a real thing about beautiful notebooks and nice fine Scratchy pens, and it seems I am not alone, which is interesting because I always assumed I was? one of my favourite pastimes in a spare empty moment, is to wander up to my local library, choose a poetry book and write down a different poem in a notebook, strange perhaps but very soothing and have quite a collection of poems now. someone posted above about writing song lyrics, I love that idea I am a real one for analysing song lyrics ,never thought about writing them down before.

*2007!

I have been writing in notebooks about my day to day life since 2097. It’s fascinating to look back. About 3 years ago I started to write snippets of my life story as well, so that if one day my children or grandchildren want to know about me it will be there, I have typed a lot of it too in case the notebooks get thrown away!

As I said upthread, I use refillable books for day to day writing, and have mistakenly ordered a dotted one this time (it's apparently going to arrive today, coincidentally).

Rather than send it back for an exchange, I wondered about bullet journaling, but am not sure where to start. Is it something that someone can describe easily, or will it need its own thread - I don't want to derail this one .

I keep a 'positive' diary and have done for the last few years so I write at least 3 good things that have happened every day or in the case of a particularly bad day 3 things to be grateful for. I never record bad things but say I was ill in hospital I would record something to the effect of...I am grateful to the nhs for looking after me. They are good to read back and do help me to think about things in a more positive way.

Start with your favourite poem to 'christen' the book. Once written in you will find it easier

I’m so glad it’s not just me who finds it hard to write in a new notebook. I too had one for Xmas and am getting a collection! I think I’m going to just start writing down thoughts that pop into my head, whatever they might be x

Just checked out Matthew Williamson. Fabulous books and I have a birthday coming up so will drop big hints around a notebook I would like. But please, please start writing in these gorgeous notebooks, just a thought each day, an event, a poem, a news item, whatever you like and see where it takes you!

I love notebooks and used to struggle to spoil the crisp, pristine newness. Fortunately, I have put that behind me. I now never go anywhere without one to record the oddest ideas that spring to mind in the strangest of places. Inspiration can hit anytime but I have learnt the hard way not to rely solely on memory. At the beginning of each writing project I select a new notebook which is the go-to for everything pertaining to that eg research, character ideas, even font choices. If you want to see all variety of notebooks on one site have a look at www.notebooklove.com/

Definitely have a look at bullet journaling. I am on my third year now and my resolution this year is that this one will be beautiful all the way through! I start off well and then resort to scribbling things in in a hurry and by the end of the year it is a mess.

I am buying some new fine liner pens and this one is going to be artistic. It is actually very therapeutic sitting colouring things in!

Auto spell won - Bons Mots not Boys !!!!!!!

I know what you mean about beautiful new pages just waiting for “Boys Mots” to appear.
I recall that in the dim and distant past Mrs Dale - she of The Diary - had what she called her Common Place Book for sayings , quotations, and tips. ….. or was it Peggy Archer??

I have some leather covers for disc-bound stationery with good quality paper, for journaling, but this year I bought a couple of Paperblanks books - one diary, one to journal. Fired up my fountain pens with different inks (’pens I’m a pen and paper geek) and only when I had completed my first pristine page noticed that it was upside down!

This is an interesting thread. I've been keeping journals for years; love to look back on other times in my life that I would have forgotten otherwise. I recently discovered a reading platform called Medium. Anyone can write on it (you can also earn money when others read your writing.) Many writers on there are essentially writing journals and diaries and they make for fascinating reading. I've been writing there since last November, love the experience.

My daughter bought me a beautiful notebook and notelets with my name on each page. This was Christmas 2020. I still haven't written a word. I want to write about my life but I find handwriting tedious. I'd rather type as I'm very fast.

Have kept a diary for several years now and like a PP, I use it as a bit of a scrapbook too. For anyone wanting nice notebooks, both A4 & A5, at a reasonable price, The Works have nice ones. I have got several and I do find uses for them.

They are indeed beautiful! I love a good notebook. I keep a Paperblanks small book in my handbag.

www.paperblanks.com/en/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkvba6tib9QIVKBitBh2j7wwmEAAYAiAAEgIG2fD_BwE

I use a small book, and section it off with tabs for different purposes. Monthly to do lists, book group, travel (I wish), work hours, etc.

I also have a nice fountain pen, but I find that the ink soaks in a bit too much, though to the opposite page, so I use just whatever pen in handy.

Definitely, my Sassenach friend! ?

Visgirl glad you liked the Matthew Williamson books. JosieAnn I use ballpoint pens to write in mine. I’ve just ordered 2 of the M W pens which are ballpoint. They look so swish. One is for me and other for a friend’s 90th.

Thank you Marydoll for putting the website up. You and I like the same things including scarves ? and costume jewellery. Do you think we are twins ?‍♀️?

I think at that price I would be even more loath to write in them ? They are works of art really. Mine are cheaply beautiful, as in about £5-£10 mainly I think ?

Nan Kate, I have just been on the site, what beautiful items.

For anyone, who would like to look, here is the link.
Matthew Williamson

Pre Covid, I always wrote a travel journal in a hardback notebook, documenting daily, what I had done, especially the highlights, what I had eaten, bought etc.

It was a joy to re-read them, remembering happy times, once I was back home

I didn't know there was a club ! I love beautiful notebooks too. And I never know what to put in them. I hate it when I start using them and make a mess. I have a lovely Waterman fountain pen that Mr A bought me years ago and I never use anymore.

Feel so much better now. But still don't know what to do with my note books, other than look at them.

What fascinating ideas from everyone! Thank you so much for your contributions. I feel really inspired……. When I wake up with my brain zinging early tmrw it will be great to make a start.