When I walked the camino last year, I took the smallest of notebooks, approx 12 cm x 8cm and just scribbled down a date, location, what I saw and a couple of words that would remind me of how I felt, how I reacted etc e.g 10/9/24, Pontevedra, stunning sunrise, O Posum cafe. I managed to interpret 99% of it, just a few unreadable words and gaps in the memory, and put my articles together. Was so quick and easy
Thanks for sharing! I also keep a writer's notebook (or notebooks, lol, it might be a bit of an obsession...). I've found it difficult, however, to carry a notebook on my person because my work as a farmer leads me to get incredibly sweaty, grimey and gross. The notebook was forever soggy.😅 or it would be in the way, taking up valuable pocket-space for tools and equipment I stuff into my pockets. I miss having paper and pen on hand at all times, though and need to come up with some solution. My car is my workhorse, used all over the farm, so I've taken to keeping notecards, composition journal, pens and highlighters in it so at least I can use them when within range.
Ahh I bought some Hannah Longmuir prints when I visited the Highlands last year, didn't realise she had a broader collection :)
I'm loving the idea of having different notebooks - I went fully digital a couple of years ago but have more recently realised that I miss pen on paper and have started to re-introduce it into my more creative endeavours; you've given me even more inspiration / motivation.
This was such a useful read! I’m going to find myself a pocket notebook! I always write things down in notes on my phone and then forget about them - keeping a small notebook seems so much more organised, even if they’re still just scribbles!
I like the idea of multiple commonplace books, Molly. You are giving me ideas! As always, thank you for showing us that simple and creative living is possible. :)
I appreciate that you shared your notebook variety and let us glimpse into your writing process. Your system of planning is admirable. Besides notebooks I sometimes voice record ideas or send myself an email.
I discovered Hannah Longmuir last year on a planned stop driving from Newcastle to the Trossachs. I found a cafe to rest whilst my car (electric ) was charging and they sold Hannah’s postcards - one for each month of the year. I now use them as prompts at the start of each month.
I wrote a lot during my daily prayers time and whenever I was travelling on the road (buses, trains, airplanes) apparently it's where my brain is relaxed and without any other distractions.
Thank you Molly! Hannah Longmuir's notebooks are really lovely, great suggestion! I noticed the one thing I am bad at is writing into my lovely new notebook which I still hope to make into my seasonal journal of the forest by my home, when I make a mistake! horrors! I came to think the best way around this happening is to stick a plan sheet of paper over the mistakes and start again, it seems to add interest and I am finding some lovely ideas for nature books having just joined Fiona D Artisan's Seasonal Creativity here on Substack. Fingers crossed that I do manage to complete my forest journal this year! You have some really nice ideas for writing, thank you again Molly.
I found myself nodding along as I was reading this! I too have been filling moleskin notebooks with my thoughts since I was twenty. Now that I've been writing more frequently I find that I need other notebooks. Currently just a notebook for my book thoughts ...and I love love love the idea of a pocket notebook, instead of writing down those random thoughts in my notes app (which I do out of necessity and hast) but looks like I will be finding one of those in the next few days...
You write so beautifully. Thank you for the amazing ideas! I just wanted to let you know Virginia Woolf is spelled with two o’s. I really love watching your videos too. Have a great day in beautiful Scotland!
I love how you use your various notebooks. I have a "commonplace" of sorts. Though, I've been inconsistent with it. Trying to rectify that though. I am also in the process of designating a notebook for story ideas, character ideas, etc. I definitely need something to jot and plot post ideas. I sometimes get an idea for something but I'm not in a position to post it and by they time I am, I've forgotten what it was.
An interesting post! I haven’t heard of a commonplace book before. I currently use my phone Notes to capture ideas when out and about for new writing pieces. I feel like I’d always be forgetting a notepad! But I DO love the idea of using paper more… I have a paper journal, would never use a device for my journal. I like your systematic review of ideas - I find I sometimes write down ideas but then forgot I had them!
Desde que comecei a escrever em pequenos cadernos, também senti que minha criatividade flui mais do que as telas do computador. Depois de concluir o que desejo escrever no papel, transcrevo e reviso para o computador, salvando no arquivo word. Sinto que as telas me distraem, por isso opto sempre por papel. Lindo demais o seu texto. Obrigado, Molly.
Since I started writing in small notebooks, I have also felt that my creativity flows more than computer screens. After completing what I want to write on paper, I transcribe and review it on the computer, saving it in the word file. I feel like screens distract me, so I always opt for paper. Your text is so beautiful. Thanks, Molly.
I love it when writers give away their secrets for the sole purpose of helping other writers. Makes my heart happy. Thank you, Molly!
When I walked the camino last year, I took the smallest of notebooks, approx 12 cm x 8cm and just scribbled down a date, location, what I saw and a couple of words that would remind me of how I felt, how I reacted etc e.g 10/9/24, Pontevedra, stunning sunrise, O Posum cafe. I managed to interpret 99% of it, just a few unreadable words and gaps in the memory, and put my articles together. Was so quick and easy
Yes I often find that just a few words are enough to trigger memories and get writing to flow easier :)
Thanks for sharing! I also keep a writer's notebook (or notebooks, lol, it might be a bit of an obsession...). I've found it difficult, however, to carry a notebook on my person because my work as a farmer leads me to get incredibly sweaty, grimey and gross. The notebook was forever soggy.😅 or it would be in the way, taking up valuable pocket-space for tools and equipment I stuff into my pockets. I miss having paper and pen on hand at all times, though and need to come up with some solution. My car is my workhorse, used all over the farm, so I've taken to keeping notecards, composition journal, pens and highlighters in it so at least I can use them when within range.
Sending love from Maine!✌️
Ah that could be tricky! I like the idea of using a car!
Ahh I bought some Hannah Longmuir prints when I visited the Highlands last year, didn't realise she had a broader collection :)
I'm loving the idea of having different notebooks - I went fully digital a couple of years ago but have more recently realised that I miss pen on paper and have started to re-introduce it into my more creative endeavours; you've given me even more inspiration / motivation.
I love her work! Yes, I'm the same and enjoy a balance or digital alongside paper :)
This was such a useful read! I’m going to find myself a pocket notebook! I always write things down in notes on my phone and then forget about them - keeping a small notebook seems so much more organised, even if they’re still just scribbles!
Aw I'm so glad you enjoyed!
I like the idea of multiple commonplace books, Molly. You are giving me ideas! As always, thank you for showing us that simple and creative living is possible. :)
I'm so glad you enjoyed!
I appreciate that you shared your notebook variety and let us glimpse into your writing process. Your system of planning is admirable. Besides notebooks I sometimes voice record ideas or send myself an email.
Voice record is a great idea! :)
I discovered Hannah Longmuir last year on a planned stop driving from Newcastle to the Trossachs. I found a cafe to rest whilst my car (electric ) was charging and they sold Hannah’s postcards - one for each month of the year. I now use them as prompts at the start of each month.
I love that ideas! Her work is gorgeous :)
I wrote a lot during my daily prayers time and whenever I was travelling on the road (buses, trains, airplanes) apparently it's where my brain is relaxed and without any other distractions.
Thank you for sharing your practice, Molly!
I love writing when I travel too!
Thank you Molly! Hannah Longmuir's notebooks are really lovely, great suggestion! I noticed the one thing I am bad at is writing into my lovely new notebook which I still hope to make into my seasonal journal of the forest by my home, when I make a mistake! horrors! I came to think the best way around this happening is to stick a plan sheet of paper over the mistakes and start again, it seems to add interest and I am finding some lovely ideas for nature books having just joined Fiona D Artisan's Seasonal Creativity here on Substack. Fingers crossed that I do manage to complete my forest journal this year! You have some really nice ideas for writing, thank you again Molly.
Ah I can so relate Caroline! I think it gets easier in time as I've learnt to accept my messy scribbles! I'm sure you will love that course :)
Thanks Molly!
I found myself nodding along as I was reading this! I too have been filling moleskin notebooks with my thoughts since I was twenty. Now that I've been writing more frequently I find that I need other notebooks. Currently just a notebook for my book thoughts ...and I love love love the idea of a pocket notebook, instead of writing down those random thoughts in my notes app (which I do out of necessity and hast) but looks like I will be finding one of those in the next few days...
Thank you Molly for the great idea!!
I'm the same, the more I write the more my notebook collection tends to grow! :)
You write so beautifully. Thank you for the amazing ideas! I just wanted to let you know Virginia Woolf is spelled with two o’s. I really love watching your videos too. Have a great day in beautiful Scotland!
Ah thank you!
I love how you use your various notebooks. I have a "commonplace" of sorts. Though, I've been inconsistent with it. Trying to rectify that though. I am also in the process of designating a notebook for story ideas, character ideas, etc. I definitely need something to jot and plot post ideas. I sometimes get an idea for something but I'm not in a position to post it and by they time I am, I've forgotten what it was.
Thank you, Molly for sharing this!
An interesting post! I haven’t heard of a commonplace book before. I currently use my phone Notes to capture ideas when out and about for new writing pieces. I feel like I’d always be forgetting a notepad! But I DO love the idea of using paper more… I have a paper journal, would never use a device for my journal. I like your systematic review of ideas - I find I sometimes write down ideas but then forgot I had them!
Desde que comecei a escrever em pequenos cadernos, também senti que minha criatividade flui mais do que as telas do computador. Depois de concluir o que desejo escrever no papel, transcrevo e reviso para o computador, salvando no arquivo word. Sinto que as telas me distraem, por isso opto sempre por papel. Lindo demais o seu texto. Obrigado, Molly.
Since I started writing in small notebooks, I have also felt that my creativity flows more than computer screens. After completing what I want to write on paper, I transcribe and review it on the computer, saving it in the word file. I feel like screens distract me, so I always opt for paper. Your text is so beautiful. Thanks, Molly.
Thank you for sharing your process! :)
Pen to paper just makes more sense to me for jotting down ideas and truly getting into a rhythm of writing … glad I am not the only one!