Friday, January 28, 2011

Writing Tip of the Week

"Carry a notebook with you."
~ Joan Kilby
The latest winner of our 5-page Super Critique is Beck Nicholas


Please use the contact page to claim your prize.

You have all week to comment here and let us know how our tips have worked for you.
One name will be drawn for an anonymous 5-page Super Critique. 

16 comments:

Loves 2 Read Romance - Laura said...

Congrats Beck! No need to put me in for the critique. Can't wait to see who won the Kindle!

Margaret Watson said...

Absolutely on the notebook! Some of my best insights come when I'm at my favorite pub, listening to my favorite band. There's something about the dim lights, the music, the crowd that gets my mind going. And no one even asks what I'm doing anymore when I pull out my notebook.

Kristina Mathews said...

I put my notes on my iPhone. My handwriting is terrible and I tend to lose all those little notebooks. But I always have my phone nearby. The bonus of putting the notes on my phone is that I can e-mail it to myself and copy and paste into a word document.

Laura Russell said...

Kristina's idea of using phone is neat- I have lots of little notebooks. It might help if I would use one at a time until it is full. Sometimes I find the best nuggets in one of my notebooks.

rozdennyfox said...

I carry a small notebook, but the pages get torn out or mooshed. I know some people use little pocket recorders to speak into. Anyone here try that?

Beth Andrews said...

Laura, I'm the same way. I have notes all over the place then have to take time to get organized enough to find what I'm looking for
:-)

I have started using my phone for notes since I often have paper but not a pen/pencil. My older daughter uses her phone for everything; her To-Do list, Calendar and notes. But mostly she uses it for nonstop texting *g*

Virginia said...

Since I am not a writer, I don't take notes, except for the grocery shopping and still don't get everything on the list.

Snookie said...

I'm not a fiction writer. I write technical reports. I take notes & make lists and lose them cosntantly... so they do me no good. Thankfully, I have references and my memory is still good :)

Anita Joy said...

Joan, that is great advice! Just wish I could always remember to take it, lol.

Congrats, Beck.

beck nicholas said...

Thanks so much!
I need to follow this advice as I was recently stranded waiting for a new battery and someone (must have been hubby) had cleaned the car.... not a scrap of paper to be found...
=)

Anonymous said...

I can't tell you how many times I've scribbled in a small notebook while I'm a red light! Seems driving to work frees the mind. Besided that one in my car, I have one by my bed, one I carry to work, and a slim pad of paper in my purse.

congrats Beck!

Marcie

mulberry said...

I used to use my phone too! Being able to send myself an email and actual read what I'd written was great. Plus I could them cut and paste it into my ideas file on the computer, or my edit notes for the WiP if it was one of those "I know how to fix the problem with chapter 3" type flashes. Before I got that phone I had books and books of notes that I never looked at, plus, my handwriting, especially when I'm rushed, is so bad even I can't read it sometimes!
Then I changed my phone to one that's fiddly to type into and a faff to email from. Seriously considering getting another phone just so I can go back to catching those quick notes!

Nas Dean said...

Thanks for the great tip about the notebook. I use old envelopes as well!

Kristin Noel Fischer said...

Great advice. I have notebooks all over the place. I just leave the notebook and bring the ripped out page to my computer.

Joan Kilby said...

Hi all, I didn't know my tip was going up or I'd have popped in earlier. I carry a small moleskin notebook (roughly 3.5 X 5.5 inches) in my purse at all times. You never know when an idea will strike you. Or you'll want to record an eavesdropped conversation, or do a brief character sketch of someone interesting you see on the train or bus. Great idea to use your phone. I never thought of that. But then, I'm the world's slowest texter.

Kristi said...

I keep a notebook with me always :) I found one recently that had a combination of lined pages, photo pockets, graph paper, and dividers. Perfect for writing and doodling and also storing the random bits of interesting things that I find (business cards, photos out of a magazine, etc). I'm also a mom of a 3- and 6-year old. Having a notebook and pen in my purse means instant entertainment if we're stuck waiting somewhere.